From martial arts champ to teen sensation, Taylor Lautner’s rise to fame is the kind of story that only happens in Hollywood – but it didn’t come easy. Born on February 11, 1992, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Lautner’s journey began with hard-earned karate trophies and a big dream of making it in movies. But few could have predicted how much that dream would transform both his own life and the pop-culture landscape.
Before landing his breakout role, Lautner built a modest career with small movie and TV parts. Then came “Twilight,” and everything changed. To play Jacob Black, Lautner had to completely reshape his body, famously putting on more than 30 pounds of muscle just to keep the role. The payoff? Instant superstardom, hysterical fans hollering “Team Jacob,” and a place in Hollywood history as one-half of the saga’s unforgettable love triangle.
Post-Twilight, Lautner faced the challenge every franchise star knows: proving there’s more to you than a single character. He starred in action flicks like “Abduction” and “Tracers” and later tried his hand at television with “Scream Queens” and the British comedy “Cuckoo.” The box office may not have always cooperated, but Lautner’s willingness to experiment showed he was far from a one-note actor.
Finding Love in the Spotlight
Of course, living under a microscope means attention doesn’t stop at your career. Lautner’s love life has often been as scrutinized as his film choices. Early on, he kept things quiet, but over the years, he’s opened up about relationships and grown more at ease sharing details of his happiness.
These days, Taylor Lautner is happily married to Taylor Dome (yes, they’re both now Taylor Lautner). The couple started dating in 2018, got engaged in 2021, and tied the knot in November 2022 with a romantic celebration in California. They regularly offer glimpses into their relationship online, showing off their playful sense of humor and down-to-earth connection.
Before settling down, Lautner was linked to several famous faces:
- Billie Lourd (2016-2017): Lautner and Lourd met filming “Scream Queens.” He was a big source of support for her during an unimaginably difficult time when she lost both her mother, Carrie Fisher, and grandmother, Debbie Reynolds.
- Marie Avgeropoulos (2013-2015): He dated his “Tracers” co-star for about two years. The split was amicable.
- Lily Collins (2010-2011): The two had a brief romance after meeting during “Abduction.”
- Taylor Swift (2009): Their short-lived relationship reportedly inspired Swift’s song “Back to December.”
There were also plenty of rumors, whether about Olivia Holt or Selena Gomez, but not all of these connections turned into serious relationships.
In a 2017 interview, Lautner summed up his philosophy on love: “Love isn’t about finding the perfect person, but about seeing an imperfect person perfectly.” It’s a mature take – one that may explain why he and his wife seem so well matched.
Unlike many in Hollywood, Lautner’s relationships haven’t played out as tabloid drama. He generally avoids speaking poorly about exes and prefers to keep breakups private.
Past Relationships
Taylor Lautner
Olivia Holt
Billie Lourd
Raina Lawson
Liliana Mumy
Marie Avgeropoulos
Maika Monroe
Ashley Benson
Lily Collins
Taylor Swift
Selena Gomez
Sarah Hicks
Having spent much of his youth in the relentless glare of fame, Lautner’s now moved at his own pace, focusing more on building a joyful life with his wife than on chasing roles. It seems that after the heights and pressures of his early career, he’s discovered that contentment offscreen can be the most rewarding role of all.