Taylor Kitsch was born on April 8, 1981 in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, and grew up in Vancouver. Growing up, he aspired to become an actor, which eventually was the real reason behind his move to New York. There, Taylor pursued his dreams by studying the art of acting with coach Sheila Grey. Not too long after that, Taylor was cast in several film and television roles, such as Todas contra él (2006), Serpientes en el avión(2006) and Kyle XY (2006).
Moving to New York in 2002 was the prize that Taylor received after being scouted by modeling scouts in Canada. Taylor was signed to "IMG Models" and became a regular face for the famous clothing lines, "Abercrombie & Fitch" and also "Diesel". Taylor was also signed under "Untitled Entertainment" during his two years stay in the city. While Taylor was living in New York, he found time to become a certified personal trainer and nutritionist. In the year 2004, Taylor decided that it was time for him to move to Los Angeles to learn more about the acting course. Taylor stayed in Los Angeles for about eight months and did some print work with "Nous Modeling Management". It wasn't too long until Taylor realized that he didn't want to be in Los Angeles. Taylor thought that things were running a little bit too fast for him, then making the decision to move back to Vancouver for the summer of 2005 to spend more time with his family. In 2006, Taylor then signed with "Endeavour".
What shot him to bigger fame was his role in the movie, La alianza del mal (2006), with actors Steven Strait, Toby Hemingway and Chace Crawford. In the stylish thriller from Lakeshore Entertainment and Sony Screen Gems, four young witches do battle with a powerful, centuries-old supernatural force. In "The Covenant", fans got to know who Taylor really is. Even though the movie wasn't as successful as people hoped it would be, Taylor became more recognized since acting in the movie. In the movie, fans also got to see a more fit and toned version of Taylor.
Fortunately, after "The Covenant", casting directors from the football teen drama, Friday Night Lights (2006), saw the talent that Taylor had. They eventually hired Taylor to play the role of "Tim Riggins", one of the Dillon Panthers' main players. On "Friday Night Lights", Taylor managed to show his acting skills to fans and television critics who were very impressed with Taylor's acting skills. USA Today called the series "one of the best-acted, best-written, best-produced shows on television". After receiving fame and gaining a big fan base from "Friday Night Lights", Taylor received the acting publicity he had always been waiting for.
During the show's summer hiatus, Taylor filmed the feature Gospel Hill (2008), alongsideJulia Stiles, Danny Glover, Angela Bassett and Samuel L. Jackson. Directed by Giancarlo Esposito, the film focuses on the bigoted former sheriff of a southern town and a one-time civil rights worker whose intersecting lives are still haunted by events that took place decades earlier. Old wounds are reopened as residents of a black neighborhood are forced out of their homes to make way for a multi-million dollar development.
In February 2008, he signed on to play "Gambit" in the "X-Men" franchise spin-off, X-Men orígenes: Lobezno (2009). He subsequently starred in the films The Bang Bang Club(2010), John Carter (2012), Battleship (2012), and Salvajes (2012). Despite being famous, Taylor is still a very humble guy and has said that he'd prefer to skip the whole tabloid craze. During his free time, he enjoys doing charity work and listening to music, especially those in the country genre. With all the success and a humble attitude, we're pretty sure that Taylor is going to be one of the "Must Watch" stars for the coming years.
When he's not on set, Kitsch pursues children's charity work and enjoys spending time with family and friends. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Rogers & Cowan and Anastasia Andrew Veno
Trivia
Favorite movies are: El clan de los irlandeses (1990), Hurlyburly (1998) and Pena de muerte (1995).
In January 2008, participated in Luc Robitaille's "Celebrity Shoot Out", a celebrity hockey game that raised money and awareness for the children's charity, "Echoes of Hope".
Played ice hockey in the Canadian BCHL for the Langley Hornets before a career-ending knee injury.
In September 2007, took part in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, which benefits the Children's Hospital, Los Angeles. Taylor supports fitness activities for kids.
In 2008, took a trip to Africa with Friday Night Lights (2006) co-star, Connie Britton. They toured Uganda and Kenya and became more aware of a charity called the "African Children's Choir".
In August 2006, appeared on the cover page of the magazine named Dish Entertainment Magazine.
Learned acting from the renowned acting coach, Sheila Grey.
At age 25, became the youngest ever cover boy for Men's Health magazine.
Did all his own stunts in the movie, La alianza del mal (2006).
He joined the men of the Friday Night Lights (2006) cast in Esquire's October 2006 spread, "There's No I in Coat".
He lives in Vancouver when he isn't filming Friday Night Lights (2006) in Austin. Texas.
Fumbled his first reading for the part of "Gambit" in X-Men orígenes: Lobezno (2009) because he was too tired. Got his managers to get him another audition because he felt very confident about the role.
Attended University of Lethbridge in Alberta, where he studied Nutritional Training.
Close friends with his Friday Night Lights (2006) co-stars, Kyle Chandler, Connie Brittonand Zach Gilford.
Favorite actor is Sean Penn.
One of Rolling Stone's Hot 100 List 2009.
One of Variety Magazine's 10 Actors to Watch 2011.
On asked what was the most romantic thing he's done for someone, he went to Europe to surprise his girlfriend at the time.
In 2014 Chase Crawford, who costarred with him in "The Covenant, challenged Taylor to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Taylor accepted. In return he challenged Connie Britton, who starred in "Saturday Night Light" movie while he was in the T.V. show version.
At the end of 2012's Battleship, Taylor Kitsch's character is challenged by a Navy SEAL to come down to Coronado and enter training to become a SEAL himself. In 2013, Taylor Kitsch played Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy in Lone Survivor.
Personal Quotes
[About playing "Gambit" in X-Men orígenes: Lobezno (2009)] The biggest thing for me is doing this justice. Being with Hugh and everything else, it's not called "Gambit: Origins". I want to come into "Wolverine" and contribute to Hugh Jackman's movie the best I can and I feel I've done everything I could possible to bring this guy to life.
I would murder to play Gambit again.
Yeah, I played it pretty darn hard seriously, as many Canadians do. I started playing when I was 3 or 4 years old, had the backyard pond and everything. So I was devastated. - On his hockey career ended by injury.
Video games and computers have become babysitters for kids. Parents have to lead by example. I have two little sisters and I help my mom raise them. You just try to give them knowledge piece by piece and tell them, '[By eating well and being active,] you're going to feel a lot better about yourself, you're going to be able to do better at school, you're going to have more energy in sports.' I think it's about self-empowerment, as well - giving kids choices. It starts with coaches, teachers, and especially parents, by living healthy themselves.
He [Berg] just gave me such an opportunity, especially when you look back and see - and especially with this big movie coming out. There are a lot of people who came in and out, but he's one of those people who really took a risk on me and saw the potential. I won't ever forget that. (On Peter Berg casting him as "Tim Riggins" on Friday Night Lights(2006)).
There's that stigma about New Yorkers, how they're so mean, but in my experience it was quite the opposite. People were very genuine and very nice, even on the subway. I mean, I was sleeping on the subway, man, so it wasn't like I was doing very well when I was in New York. It's a really intense city, and it tests you. - On living in New York City.
A lot of people are surprised to hear that an actor studied for two or three years. They take the craft for granted and wanna just wake up and be an actor. But paying your dues and all that puts so much into being a success. You have an understanding of what it's about, being on your own for three or four years and living day to day on $3, or living in an apartment with no electricity. I didn't want to just go back home and be like, "Yep, it didn't work out."
On fame, wild nights out in Hollywood: There's no need to get involved in all that if you are in it for the right purpose.
[on acting]: I got enveloped with it. I'm not sure if you can over-study, but my teacher kicked me out of class for a month. Everything happens, you have to believe, for a reason. I lucked out a few times and met a few people who believed in me, and I'm still riding this wave.
These war photographers would break up in front of you telling their story. That raised your game, your focus and what you put into it. I think for me this is why I do it. It's why you put in the work. You're telling the story of someone who lived and you have to do it right. - On playing Kevin Carter.
I've always been intimidated by the technicalities of taking photos, especially with a film camera -- not just a point and shoot. But getting a role like this there's no better moment to take it in. I look at photography in a different light, now. - On playing Kevin Carter.
I definitely have a pieces of me like Riggins - my father was never in my life. I've had curve balls thrown at me.
[on The Bang Bang Club (2010)] I was scared s**tless to take this on. And that's when you know you're doing something right.
Actors become so fucking sensitive. I've worked with actors who are fucking lazy and expect shit to happen without putting in time. Look man, if you're not prepped and ready to go to work, don't sign up for an Oliver Stone film.
[on filming John Carter (2012)] You can name any part on my body and at one point I'm sure it was swollen or hurt or pulled or yanked or something. You're just in insane shape that you gotta keep up. It's excessively tough, man.
[on unexpectedly being cast in heroic roles] I didn't really follow action heroes. It was more of a Sean Penn and a Daniel Day-Lewis and a Philip Seymour Hoffman that I admired.
[on Salvajes (2012)] To be in this film was a dream. I've been in the acting game for probably eight years. It's not just about being on screen, but attaining things in your life that no one can take from you, and this is one of them.
Living on the subway in New York City was by far the lowest point. That's where I slept for weeks. But that's a different low. Not 'I don't know if I'll ever make it as an actor'. It was pure survival.
If you told me ten years ago when I was homeless in New York City that my first two movies would make close to $600 million, I would have laughed at you. I passed out from exhaustion on 'Carter'. There's nothing more I could have given to that project.
[on if the "bad press" over "John Carter" was hard for him] - I mean, look man, it wasn't an uplifting experience. My biggest regret would have been if I didn't do enough personally. If I didn't give it everything I had. If I hadn't prepped enough. I don't have that regret, so that allows me to let go. I still talk to Lynn Collins almost daily. Those relationships that were born won't be broken by people we never met. [2014]
[on if he wishes there would've been a sequel to "John Carter"] - I miss the family. I miss Andrew Stanton. I know the second script was fucking awesome. We had to plant a grounding, so we could really take off in the second one. The second one was even more emotionally taxing, which was awesome. [2014]
[on if the disappointing box office for "John Carter" was one of the reasons he "moved toward indies"] - It's funny that people are saying this. You go back to "Friday Night Lights." Then I did "The Bang Bang Club," which is probably one of my proudest things I've been involved with, and then these opportunities came along. You don't say no to Oliver Stone It's funny that people are saying this. You go back to "Friday Night Lights." Then I did "The Bang Bang Club," which is probably one of my proudest things I've been involved with, and then these opportunities came along. You don't say no to Oliver Stone (who directed him in "Savages"). [2014]
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