Alex Meraz was born on January 10, 1985, in Mesa, Arizona. He is an actor and writer and is a mixed martial artist, focused on karate and the art of Capoeira.  He is best known for playing the shape-shifter named Paul Lahote in The Twilight Saga: New Moon

In addition to reprising his role in two more of The Twilight Saga (Eclipse and Breaking Dawn) Meraz’s film credits also include Suicide Squad and Bright where he worked alongside Will Smith and Edgar Ramirez. He also starred in the latest season of CSI: New York and A&E’s The Glades, among others. 

Meraz identifies as “Purepecha” and indigenous people from the Mexican state of Michoacan. He started off as a breakdancer going by the name of “Nomak” and is versed in indigenous and contemporary dance  He attended the New School of the Arts and is an avid painter and illustrator. He was named one of the 55 faces of the future by Nylon Magazine.

His feature film Bad Dad, which he wrote, directed, produced, and stars in, about a struggling single dad who discovers his six-year-old son suffers from an eye condition that leads to blindness, is currently awaiting a release.

— Latin Heat News Service