If you’ve ever watched Hulu’s critically praised comedy series PEN15, one name you simply cannot forget is Taj Cross. Playing the endearing and awkward middle schooler Sam, this young Venice, California native delivered a performance that left audiences genuinely impressed. But who exactly is Taj Cross beyond the screen? How old is he? Who are his parents? What does he do when the cameras stop rolling?
This complete guide covers everything — from Taj Cross’s age, family background, and physical appearance to his career milestones, lifestyle, net worth, and social media presence. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering him, this is the most up-to-date, in-depth look at his life available.
Taj Cross is 22 years old as of 2026. He was born on February 11, 2004, in Venice, California, United States. His birthday falls under the Aquarius zodiac sign — a sign widely associated with creativity, independence, and original thinking. Those who know Taj say that description fits him almost perfectly.
What makes his age so remarkable is the level of maturity and craft he brings to every role. Most viewers assume they are watching someone much older, which speaks directly to the depth he packs into his performances. At 22, he is already building a filmography that many actors spend decades trying to achieve.
Early Life and Childhood
Taj Cross grew up in Venice, California — one of the most creatively charged neighborhoods in all of Los Angeles. Known for its eclectic art scene, street culture, and community-driven spirit, Venice is exactly the kind of place that turns curious, expressive kids into artists.
From a young age, Taj was surrounded by music, visual art, and performance culture. His interest in acting ignited around age 10, largely through watching films and television series with his family. That spark eventually led him to join his elementary school’s drama club, where he appeared in various stage productions.
As his acting ambitions grew more serious, he began transitioning to home-schooling to balance his professional career. Despite that, he graduated on June 13, 2019 — the same month his career was taking off in a meaningful way.
Before making his professional debut, Taj trained rigorously at five different performance institutions, including Grey Studios, Second City, Margie Haber Studio, Ruskin Group Theatre Company, and DC Dance Centre, where he also sharpened his dancing skills.
Taj Cross Background
Taj’s background is rooted deeply in the Southern California creative ecosystem. Venice, where he spent his entire childhood, exposed him to an enormous range of people, perspectives, and art forms at an unusually early age.
That multicultural, open-minded community shaped his worldview and gave him the emotional vocabulary needed to portray complex characters authentically.
He holds American nationality and is of British-Irish (European) ancestry. While his demographic background is straightforward, what truly defines his identity is the vibrant, mixed cultural environment of Venice where he grew up — a place that consistently produces bold, boundary-pushing creative talents.
Family and Parents
Taj Cross’s family life is a blend of creativity and quiet resilience. His father is Jake Cross and his mother is Christena Karras, though the two have since separated.
His mother, Christena, is a multi-talented individual who founded Studio Karras, an interior design studio based in Venice, California. She is also a stage performer — a detail that clearly influenced her son’s artistic direction.
His stepfather is CJ Bonura, who has been a supportive presence in the family’s life. Despite his parents’ separation, Taj has spoken warmly about his upbringing, describing his childhood home as a place filled with energy, warmth, and community spirit.
His parents’ diverse professional backgrounds — from design and performance to business — helped create a household where creativity was never treated as a luxury but as a core part of daily life.
Siblings
Taj Cross has one sibling: an older sister named Camille Cross. While Camille maintains a private life and largely stays out of the spotlight, Taj has spoken fondly of their sibling bond. Growing up with an older sister in a creatively rich household clearly contributed to his grounded and empathetic personality — qualities that show up in every role he takes on.
Height and Physical Appearance
Taj Cross is approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall (175 cm), though some earlier sources cited a lower figure that likely reflected his height during his teenage years. He maintains a slim, athletic build and weighs around 53 kilograms (117 pounds).
His most recognizable physical features include:
Dark brown eyes that convey emotion effortlessly on screen
Black hair, typically styled in a natural, relaxed way
A lean, athletic frame that reflects his active lifestyle
A warm, approachable smile that fans consistently describe as one of his most endearing qualities
His personal fashion sense leans toward casual, expressive style — consistent with his Venice roots and artistic personality.
Career
The Breakthrough: PEN15
Taj Cross made his professional acting debut in 2019 at the age of 15. His big break came with the Hulu comedy series PEN15, created by Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle. The show, set in the year 2000, follows two adult women playing their middle school selves — surrounded by actual children playing their classmates.
Taj was cast as Sam, a role directly based on the real-life character of Sam Zablowski, one of the show’s writers. His portrayal of Sam — awkward, funny, emotionally layered, and deeply human — earned widespread critical praise and quickly made him one of the show’s most beloved figures.
He appeared across both seasons of PEN15, which ran from February 8, 2019 to December 3, 2021.
Expanding His Range: Young Rock and Big Boys
After PEN15, Taj demonstrated genuine range by appearing in Young Rock(NBC), the biographical comedy-drama about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s early life. Moving from a quirky Hulu indie to a major network series required a completely different performance register — and he delivered.
In 2023, Taj appeared in the coming-of-age indie film Big Boys, directed by Corey Sherman, where he played Will, the older brother of the film’s protagonist. The role added further dramatic depth to his growing portfolio.
Taj Cross Movies and TV Shows
Year
Title
Role
Platform
2019–2021
PEN15
Sam
Hulu
2020
In Creative Company
Guest
Podcast
2021
Young Rock
Supporting role
NBC
2023
Big Boys
Will
Indie Film
Lifestyle
Taj Cross lives a lifestyle that reflects both his artistic personality and his grounded California upbringing. Despite being a rising name in Hollywood, he has chosen to maintain a relatively low-key daily life — staying close to his family rather than moving into his own place prematurely.
His lifestyle includes:
Painting — he took up visual art after landing the PEN15 role and has embraced it as a genuine creative outlet
Skateboarding — a natural fit for someone who grew up in Venice
Spending time with his dog, Mocha — a loyal companion frequently mentioned in his personal life
Continuous learning through performance training at multiple acting studios
He balances the pressures of a professional entertainment career with the kind of ordinary, creative daily rhythms that keep young artists grounded.
Personal Life and Relationships
Who is Taj Cross’s Girlfriend?
As of 2026, Taj Cross does not have a publicly confirmed girlfriend. He is widely believed to be currently single, with no verified romantic relationships reported in credible sources. He keeps his personal life deliberately private, rarely discussing dating in interviews or on social media.
For someone navigating the pressures of Hollywood fame at a young age, that level of discretion is both mature and refreshing.
Is Taj Cross Gay?
There is no credible information or public statement suggesting Taj Cross is gay. He has never publicly addressed questions about his sexuality, and speculation without his input would be both disrespectful and unfounded. Like many private aspects of his life, this remains entirely his own business to share — or not share — on his own terms.
Social Media Presence
Taj Cross maintains a presence on Instagram, which serves as his primary connection with fans. His handle is @tajcross, where he shares glimpses of his acting projects, artwork, and personal life — selectively and authentically.
His social media approach mirrors his personality: curated but not artificial, personal without being oversharing. He is not active on Twitter/X or other major platforms in any publicly verified capacity.
Platform
Status
Instagram
Active (@tajcross)
Twitter / X
Not publicly active
YouTube
Occasional presence (not main platform)
TikTok
Not confirmed
His following continues to grow steadily alongside his career — driven by fans who appreciate authenticity over performance.
Net Worth
Taj Cross’s estimated net worth in 2026 falls between $100,000 and $600,000, depending on the source. Given his still-early career stage, this figure reflects income from acting roles, brand partnerships, and creative projects.
His reported per-project earnings range between $21,000 and $25,000, figures that will grow substantially as he takes on more prominent roles. He has also worked with several brands over his career, which contributes additional income beyond acting alone.
As his credits expand and his industry profile rises, his net worth is expected to climb significantly in the coming years.
Personality
Those who have worked with Taj Cross — or followed him closely over the years — consistently describe him with the same words: warm, grounded, creative, and genuinely humble. His Aquarius sun sign aligns well with his real-world temperament: independent in thought, imaginative in approach, and deeply caring about the people around him.
He comes across as an old soul — someone who takes his craft seriously while still knowing how to enjoy the ordinary pleasures of life. He is not chasing fame for its own sake. He is building something real, one role at a time.
Fun Facts
Taj took up painting after landing his PEN15 role — art became a creative outlet that runs parallel to his acting career
He graduated from high school on June 13, 2019 — the same period his professional career was launching
His mother runs Studio Karras, a successful interior design studio in Venice, California
He trained at five separate performance institutions before making his professional debut
His favorite actors include Ty Simpkins and Dove Cameron
His dog Mocha has become something of a fan-favorite mention in his personal life content
His PEN15 character, Sam, is directly based on real writer Sam Zablowski
Despite his Hollywood career, he reportedly still lives at home with his family — a detail that speaks to his values
Hobbies and Interests
Painting and visual art — a serious creative pursuit, not just a hobby
Skateboarding — very much a Venice native at heart
Dancing — trained at DC Dance Centre; dance is a core part of his performance background
Watching films and TV — how his love for acting started in the first place
Spending time with pets — his dog Mocha is a constant companion
How Old Was Taj Cross in PEN15 Season 2?
Taj Cross was approximately 16 to 17 years old during the production and airing of PEN15 Season 2. Season 2 premiered in 2021, which placed him squarely in the same age range as the middle school character he was portraying.
That real-world closeness to the material — the social anxieties, the awkward friendships, the emotional rawness of adolescence — gave his performance an authenticity that no amount of acting technique alone could manufacture. It remains one of the most frequently cited reasons his Sam is so memorable.
Taj Cross Ethnicity and Nationality
Taj Cross is American by nationality, born and raised in Venice, California. He has lived his entire life on the West Coast of the United States. His ethnicity is British-Irish, reflecting European ancestry. He practices Christianity.
What defines him far more than any demographic label, however, is the vibrant, multicultural community of Venice where he grew up — a neighborhood that shaped his perspective and gave him a richness of experience that feeds directly into his work as an actor.
Conclusion
Taj Cross is exactly what young Hollywood needs more of right now: a genuinely talented, grounded, and creative individual who is building a real career without manufactured controversy or desperate fame-chasing. From his breakout as Sam in PEN15 to his expanding work in Young Rock, Big Boys, and beyond, every step he has taken reflects deliberate artistic growth.
At just 22 years old in 2026, the best chapters of his career almost certainly still lie ahead. He paints. He skateboards. He loves his dog and his family. He shows up fully to every role he takes on. And somewhere in that balance between discipline and joy, Taj Cross is quietly becoming one of the most interesting young actors of his generation.
Keep an eye on this one — he is only getting started.
FAQs
How old is Taj Cross in 2026?
Taj Cross is 22 years old in 2026, born on February 11, 2004, in Venice, California.
Who are Taj Cross’s parents?
His parents are Jake Cross (father) and Christena Karras (mother), who have since separated. His stepfather is CJ Bonura.
Does Taj Cross have siblings?
Yes — he has one older sister named Camille Cross.
How tall is Taj Cross?
Taj Cross stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall.
What is Taj Cross’s net worth in 2026?
His estimated net worth is between $100,000 and $600,000, primarily earned through acting and brand partnerships.
