Taylor Zakhar Perez

Taylor Zakhar Perez is an American actor best known for leading roles in romantic comedies on streaming platforms. He gained international attention as Alex Claremont-Diaz in the 2023 Amazon Prime Video hit Red, White & Royal Blue, a role that turned him into a fan favorite for its heartfelt portrayal of a queer romance. Earlier, he played Marco Peña in the Netflix franchise The Kissing Booth 2 and The Kissing Booth 3, which built his teen audience. His filmography also includes the HBO Max series Minx and the 2024 Netflix thriller The Union opposite Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry. As of 2026, Perez continues to develop projects through his production company TZP Productions, focusing on inclusive love stories.[edit]

Taylor James Zakhar was born on Christmas Day 1991 in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of six children. He grew up in Chesterton, Indiana, a small town near the Indiana Dunes, where he attended Chesterton High School. An active teenager, he swam competitively and played on the water polo team, developing the discipline that would later serve his acting career. His interest in performance started early with school plays and improv comedy, but he initially pursued a more conventional path at the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in political science. After two years, he realized his passion lay elsewhere and dropped out to chase acting full time in Los Angeles. His first on-screen credit came in 2012 with a guest role on the ABC sitcom Suburgatory, followed by a small part on Blue Bloods in 2013. He spent several years auditioning and taking minor roles, including a lead in the independent war film The Last Rescue (2015), before his breakthrough arrived in 2020.[edit]

Perez’s career turned in 2020 when he was cast as Marco Peña in The Kissing Booth 2, the sequel to Netflix’s surprise teen hit. The film premiered during the pandemic and became a streaming phenomenon, giving him global visibility. He returned for The Kissing Booth 3 in 2021. In 2022, he joined the HBO Max period comedy Minx as Shane Brody, a photographer’s assistant in a feminist porn magazine startup. The show ran for two seasons and earned critical praise for its sharp writing. His biggest role arrived in 2023 with Red, White & Royal Blue, Amazon’s adaptation of Casey McQuiston’s novel. Playing Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the US president who falls for a British prince, Perez anchored the film with charm and emotional depth. The movie broke streaming records and earned him a 2024 MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Kiss alongside co-star Nicholas Galitzine. He followed up with a supporting role in the 2024 Netflix action comedy The Union, and in 2025 starred in the romantic comedy The Things We Do for Love, which he also produced through his company TZP Productions, founded in 2024.[edit]

Perez is widely regarded as a rising heartthrob and a leading man for a new generation of romantic comedies. His public persona blends charm, humility, and a grounded authenticity that resonates with fans. He is open about his multicultural background and often speaks about the importance of representation in media. His fandom, sometimes called the "TZP Squad," is especially active within the Red, White & Royal Blue community, creating fan edits and organizing online events. Perez’s social media voice is warm and appreciative; he frequently replies to fan comments and shares behind-the-scenes glimpses. He has been praised for his chemistry with co-stars and for bringing depth to romantic roles that could easily be one-dimensional.[edit]

Taylor Zakhar Perez commands a digital empire built on the chemistry of Alex Claremont-Diaz, yet his standing in the global hierarchy remains fluid. In August 2026, the iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluated his reach and determined that he currently holds no placement within the published rankings for the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This absence from the charts does not diminish the sheer volume of his cultural footprint; it simply reflects a specific algorithmic threshold where his influence, while massive, has not consolidated into a single numerical tier. His audience lacks a formal moniker across the board, operating with organic intensity rather than centralized command. There is no official collective noun like "Swifties" attached to his name, leaving fans to self-organize through decentralized fan edits and online events centered on his work. The energy of this base exploded when Perez teased his wardrobe for the upcoming sequel to Red, White & Royal Blue, declaring he would wear less than underwear. That moment became instant lore, fueling speculation about the film's tone before a single frame was shot. His influence extends beyond romance dramas into high fashion, where his 2025 Lacoste underwear campaign set the internet on fire. Fans amplified the visuals of his tight white briefs and He-Man physique transformation, turning a marketing push into a viral phenomenon that defined his transition into a top-tier sex symbol. Recent casting news for a Netflix reboot of 13 Going on 30 alongside Jennifer Garner further cements his status as a sought-after leading man, proving that even without a ranked number, his presence drives trends and conversations worldwide.[edit]

Before stepping onto Hollywood sets, Taylor Zakhar Perez was a competitive swimmer and water polo player in high school, an athletic background that allowed him to perform his own stunts during the filming of Red, White & Royal Blue. A certified scuba diver who speaks Spanish, reflecting his Mexican heritage, he once worked as a lifeguard while attending college. His early career considerations included law and politics, which influenced his decision to major at UCLA. Fans sometimes affectionately call him TZP, a nickname derived from his initials. Beyond these personal details, Perez has woven himself into modern pop culture mythology. An interview from early 2026 saw him teasing the sequel to Red, White & Royal Blue by stating he would be wearing less than underwear, a quote that became a central talking point among fans. His reputation as a fashion icon solidified when his debut Lacoste underwear campaign in 2025 went viral, described as setting the internet on fire. These moments, combined with his fitness regimen shared with co-star Nicholas Galitzine, have created a legacy of boldness and physical transformation that defines his current public image.[edit]

Perez is the youngest of six siblings, though he has kept the names and occupations of his brothers and sisters private. His mother is of Mexican descent, and his father has Lebanese and Polish ancestry. He has spoken fondly of his large, close-knit family, who supported his decision to leave UCLA for acting. As of 2026, he is not married and has no children. He lives in Los Angeles and has not publicly mentioned any pets.[edit]

Perez is frequently linked to his Red, White & Royal Blue co-star Nicholas Galitzine, with whom he shares an on-screen chemistry that fans adore. He also worked closely with Joey King on the Kissing Booth films and with Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry on The Union. Author Casey McQuiston praised his portrayal of Alex Claremont-Diaz.[edit]

Perez has kept his romantic life largely private. Following the release of Red, White & Royal Blue in 2023, intense fan speculation linked him to co-star Nicholas Galitzine, but both actors stated they are close friends and never confirmed a relationship. In early 2024, he was rumored to be dating a woman named Olivia Perez after they were seen together frequently, but he never publicly acknowledged the relationship. As of 2026, Perez is single and has not been linked to anyone since those rumors faded. He has no known children.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Taylor Zakhar Perez's net worth stands at $1.2 Million as of 2026. His primary income stream flows from acting salaries, starting with low six-figure earnings for the Kissing Booth sequels. He secured a higher fee, reported in the $100,000–$200,000 range, for his breakout role in Red, White & Royal Blue. The 2024 Netflix thriller The Union, featuring a major cast including Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry, commanded a mid-six-figure paycheck. Brand partnerships have also contributed significantly, including a campaign with Calvin Klein and a collaboration with TikTok. In 2024, he co-founded TZP Productions, a venture developing inclusive romantic comedies expected to generate future revenue. His financial growth has been steady since his breakout year in 2020.[edit]

Perez won the 2024 MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Kiss with Nicholas Galitzine for Red, White & Royal Blue. He also won the 2024 Queerties Award for Film Performance for the same film, and received the Breakout Actor Award at the 2023 Unforgettable Gala.[edit]