Alejandro "Alex" Meraz (born January 10, 1985) is an American actor and martial artist. He is best known for playing the werewolf named Paul Lahote in the film New Moon.[2]
Alex Meraz | |
|---|---|
 Meraz at a Twilight Saga: New Moon promotional appearance in Houston, Texas, November 10, 2009 | |
| Born | Alejandro Meraz January 10, 1985[1] Mesa, Arizona, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, dancer, martial artist |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Spouse | Kim (m. 2007) |
| Children | 2 |
Life and career
editMeraz was born in Mesa, Arizona and is of Purépecha descent. He attended the New School for the Arts, and is an avid painter and illustrator.[1] Besides break-dancing, which he was active in during the early 2000s under the name "Nomak," Alex excels[citation needed] in indigenous and contemporary dancing. He has studied mixed martial arts, winning numerous tournaments in karate and the martial art of Capoeira[citation needed]. Alex's first big film was The New World as one of the Powhatan core warriors, inspiring him to continue acting. Thereafter he was in the running for the film Apocalypto but in the end was turned down. His big break came when he was cast as werewolf Paul Lahote in the film New Moon.[3]
He also starred in the latest season of CSI: New York. Meraz played a Seal Team member in the 2016 action film Suicide Squad.
On December 31, 2007, he married Kim. A Twilight fan, she suggested that he audition for New Moon, believing he was perfect for the part. They have a son, for whom his mentor, actor Raoul Trujillo, is the godfather.[3][4] In June 2012, the couple had another son.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The New World | Core Warrior | |
| 2007 | Two Spirits, One Journey | Luke | Short film |
| 2009 | The Twilight Saga: New Moon | Paul Lahote | |
| 2010 | The Twilight Saga: Eclipse | Paul Lahote | |
| 2011 | The Roommate | Frat Boy | |
| 2011 | Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown | Zack | |
| 2011 | The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 | Paul Lahote | |
| 2012 | Mine Games | TJ | |
| 2012 | 186 Dollars to Freedom | Nicaragua | |
| 2012 | The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 | Paul Lahote | |
| 2012 | The Reward | Renegade Cop | Short film |
| 2014 | Cry Now | Eric | |
| 2015 | Bone Tomahawk | Eagle Skulls | |
| 2016 | The Bronx Bull | Paco | |
| 2016 | Suicide Squad | Gomez | |
| 2017 | Bright | Serafin | |
| 2020 | Bad Dad | Alex | |
| 2021 | The Last Son | Patty | |
| 2021 | Primordial Man | The Primordial Man | Short film |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Dancing with Spirit | Dancer | Episode: "Here on Earth" |
| 2009 | American Experience | Warrior | Episode: "We Shall Remain: Part II - Tecumseh's Vision" |
| 2009 | Freedom Riders | Warrior | Unknown episodes |
| 2011 | CSI: NY | Odelin Gonzales Jr. | Episode: "Food for Thought" |
| 2013 | The Glades | Moses Clearwater | Episode: "Happy Trails" |
| 2013 | Big Thunder | Hosa | Television film |
| 2014 | Single Ladies | Sergio | Recurring role; 2 episodes |
| 2014 | New Worlds | Masca | Television mini-series |
| 2017 | Animal Kingdom | Javi Cano | Recurring role; 6 episodes |
| 2017 | Scalped | Dashiell Dash Bad Horse | Television film |
| 2021–2022 | The Walking Dead | Brandon Carver | Recurring role; 4 episodes |
| 2024 | American Sports Story | Carlos 'Charlie Boy' Ortiz' | 8 episodes |
| 2024 | Landman | Jimenez | 4 episodes |
References
edit- ^ a b Alex Meraz at IMDb
- ^ Alex Meraz: Life On The Set Of 'New Moon'. Access Hollywood. April 16, 2009. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2009.
- ^ a b "Celebuzz". Celebuzz. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ alexmerazus (November 11, 2009). "Alex Meraz on Rachel Ray". Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2018 – via YouTube.