Taj Cross Age, Bio & Career 2026 Update: Shocking Facts, Net Worth & Rising Star Journey
Taj Cross is 22 years old as of 2026. He was born on February 11, 2004, in Venice, California. His most recent birthday his 22nd was on February 11, 2026. His zodiac sign is Aquarius, a sign associated with creativity, independence, and original thinking. If you ask his fans, that description fits him perfectly.
To put his age in perspective at just 22, Taj already has a filmography that includes a critically acclaimed Hulu series, an NBC biographical drama, an indie film that screened at a major international festival, and a guest spot on one of ABC’s longest-running shows. That’s a resume most actors spend a decade building.
Quick Facts About Taj Cross
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Taj Cross |
| Date of Birth | February 11, 2004 |
| Age (2026) | 22 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Birthplace | Venice, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | British-Irish descent |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Mother | Christena Karras |
| Father | Jake Cross |
| Siblings | Camille Cross (older sister) |
| Education | Homeschooled; graduated June 2019 |
| Breakthrough Role | Sam in PEN15 (Hulu, 2019–2021) |
| Net Worth | $500,000 – $1 million (est. 2026) |
| @taj_cross | |
| Relationship Status | Single (private) |
Early Life: Growing Up in Venice, California
Taj Cross was born and raised in Venice, California one of the most creatively charged neighbourhoods in the country. With murals on every corner, skaters on the boardwalk, and artists of every kind calling it home, Venice left a visible mark on who Taj has become.
His parents are Christena Karras and Jake Cross. His mother is a stage performer and the founder of Studio Karras, an interior design studio in Venice. His father, Jake Cross, has largely stayed out of the public eye. His parents separated when Taj was young, and he grew up with his mother, his older sister Camille, and later his stepfather, CJ Bonura.
Creativity wasn’t something Taj had to discover it was built into his upbringing from day one. With a mother who performed on stage and ran a design studio, it’s no surprise he was drawn to performing arts from an early age. He enrolled in musical theatre in fifth grade, and it quickly became clear this was more than a passing interest.
Training and Education
Because his acting commitments started young, Taj was largely homeschooled and completed his high school education in June 2019 the same year his professional career launched. Before that, he trained at five performing arts institutions: Second City, Grey Studios, Ruskin Group Theatre Company, Margie Haber Studio, and the DC Dance Centre. During his dance training, he performed in full theatre productions including Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. He was just 14 years old when he landed his first professional role.
Career: From PEN15 to Big Boys
Taj Cross made his professional acting debut in 2019 on the Hulu comedy series PEN15. Created by Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, the show follows two adult women playing their middle school selves in the year 2000. It was a critical hit, loved for its raw and honest portrayal of adolescence.
Taj played Sam Zablowski, a carpool friend who develops a crush on Maya. The character was directly based on real-life writer Sam Zvibleman, one of the show’s creators. Taj appeared across both seasons, which ran from February 8, 2019 to December 3, 2021. His performance funny, vulnerable, and completely natural quickly won over audiences.
Young Rock (2021, NBC)
After PEN15, Taj joined NBC’s Young Rock, a biographical comedy about the early life of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He played Gabe, a close childhood friend of young Dwayne, appearing in five episodes. The show had a completely different tone from PEN15 broader, more physical, and lighter and Taj handled the shift with ease. It was an early sign he wasn’t a one-note performer.
Big Boys (2023)
His most layered performance so far came in the 2023 film Big Boys, directed by Corey Sherman. Taj plays Will, the older brother of the main character Jamie. The film premiered at the BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival in March 2023 and got a US release in May 2024 through Dark Star Pictures. It earned nominations at the 40th Independent Spirit Awards and was praised for its warmth and emotional honesty. It’s the kind of credit that adds real weight to a young career.
The Rookie (2025, ABC)
Most recently, Taj appeared in a guest role on ABC’s long-running drama The Rookie in 2025, playing a character named Abel. Network television reaches huge audiences, and even a single guest appearance on a show of that size raises a young actor’s profile significantly.
Taj Cross Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2021 | PEN15 | Sam Zablowski | Hulu |
| 2020 | In a Creative Company | Himself | Podcast |
| 2021 | Young Rock | Gabe | NBC / Peacock |
| 2023 | Big Boys | Will | Dark Star Pictures |
| 2025 | The Rookie | Abel | ABC / Hulu |
| 2025 | Buckshot (Short) | Dustin Hayes | Short Film |
| TBA | Verse | Adam | Completed Feature |
Personal Life, Hobbies & Personality
One of the reasons fans genuinely connect with Taj is that he feels like a real person rather than a polished celebrity product. His hobbies and personality reflect that.
Before he was an actor, he was a painter he picked up the hobby around the time he landed PEN15 and it has stayed with him ever since. He’s also an avid skateboarder, a trained dancer, and an enthusiastic music listener. He has a dog named Mocha, who regularly appears on his Instagram and has become something of an unofficial mascot for his fanbase.
He currently lives in Venice, California, with his mother, stepfather, and sister the same neighborhood where he grew up. That kind of rootedness says something real about his character.
Relationship Status
Taj is currently single, based on all available public information. He has made a deliberate choice to keep his romantic life private, and there are no verified reports of a girlfriend or past relationships. At 22 and clearly focused on his career, that’s not surprising — and it’s a decision worth respecting.
Height and Physical Stats
Taj Cross stands 5 feet 9 inches tall (175 cm) with a slim, athletic build maintained through years of dance training. He has dark brown hair and light brown eyes.
Taj Cross Net Worth in 2026
Taj Cross’s net worth is estimated at $500,000 to $1 million as of 2026. The majority of his earnings come from acting particularly his extended run on PEN15 and his film work. He also earns through painting and dancing, and his growing social media following likely opens up brand opportunities as well.
What stands out about his financial picture is how steady and sensible it looks. There’s no sign of the erratic behaviour that derails some young careers early. His grounded upbringing and close family life seem to have given him a healthy perspective on success and money.
As his roles grow and his audience expands, that number is expected to rise. A completed feature film and continued industry momentum suggest the upward path is very real.
Final Word
Taj Cross is 22 years old and at a genuinely interesting point in his career. The breakout moment with PEN15 is behind him. What comes next is the real test. His filmography shows range. His off-screen interests show depth. And his refusal to chase fame for its own sake suggests the kind of self-awareness that tends to hold up well over a long career.
He’s not a household name yet. But keep that name in your memory because the trajectory is pointing firmly upward, and 22 is very early in what could be a long and fascinating career in Hollywood.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Taj Cross in 2026?
Taj Cross is 22 years old. He was born on February 11, 2004, and turned 22 in February 2026.
When is Taj Cross’s birthday?
His birthday is February 11. He was born in 2004, making him an Aquarius.
What is Taj Cross best known for?
He’s best known for playing Sam Zablowski in Hulu’s PEN15, which aired from 2019 to 2021.