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If you’ve watched PEN15 on Hulu and found yourself wondering who plays Sam, the answer is Taj Cross — a 22-year-old actor from Venice, California, who has quietly become one of the most watchable young talents in American television. Born on February 11, 2004, Taj started his professional acting career at just 15 and has since added Young Rock, Big Boys, and The Rookie to his credits. This article covers his age, family, early life, career timeline, net worth, and what makes him stand out in a very competitive industry.
Quick facts about Taj Cross
| Detail | Info |
| Full name | Taj Cross |
| Date of birth | February 11, 2004 |
| Age (2026) | 22 years old |
| Birthplace | Venice, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 121 lbs (55 kg) |
| Mother | Christena Karras |
| Father | Jake Cross |
| Stepfather | CJ Bonura |
| Sibling | Older sister, Camille |
| Education | Homeschooled; later Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences |
| Known for | Sam in PEN15, Gabe in Young Rock, Will in Big Boys |
| Net worth (2026) | Approx. $500,000 |
| Relationship status | Single |
| @taj_cross | |
| Pets | Dog named Mocha |
How old is Taj Cross in 2026?
Taj Cross is 22 years old as of May 2026. His birthday is February 11, 2004, so he turned 22 earlier this year. That makes him an Aquarius, a sign associated with independent thinking and creative instincts — which, honestly, describes Taj pretty well.
What is striking about his age is just how much he has already done with it. Most 22-year-olds are still figuring out what they want to do. Taj has been building a real acting career since he was a teenager, racking up credits across streaming, network television, and independent film.
Early life and where he grew up
Taj was born and raised in Venice, California — a neighborhood with a long history of art, street culture, and creative energy. Growing up there gave him early exposure to people who made things: painters, musicians, performers. That environment clearly had an effect on him.
He was homeschooled at first, which gave him the flexibility to pursue acting auditions without the rigid structure of a traditional school schedule. He later enrolled at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica, a school with a strong reputation for nurturing young artists. It was the kind of place where taking acting seriously was not treated as unusual.
From an early age, Taj was drawn to more than just performing. He developed a genuine interest in painting and visual art, and he spent time skateboarding — not as a hobby picked for image, but as something he actually enjoyed. His dog, Mocha, has become a regular presence in his social media posts, adding to the picture of someone with a grounded, ordinary life outside of the spotlight.
His family background
Taj comes from a blended family, and by most accounts it has been a supportive one. His mother, Christena Karras, has been a steady presence throughout his career. His biological father is Jake Cross, and his stepfather, CJ Bonura, has also been part of his life. The three adults around him seem to have provided a stable foundation rather than the kind of chaotic backstory that sometimes follows young actors in Hollywood.
He has one sibling: an older sister named Camille. Having someone to talk to who knew him before the career took off — someone outside the industry — is the kind of thing that tends to keep young performers grounded. Taj has spoken warmly about his family ties in the past, and it shows in how he carries himself publicly.
Career: from PEN15 to Big Boys
Taj started acting professionally in 2019, when he was 15. That is young, but what matters more than when he started is what he did with the opportunity.
PEN15 and the role that put him on the map
His breakthrough came with PEN15, the semi-autobiographical Hulu comedy series created by Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle. Taj played Sam Zablowski, a middle schooler navigating the awkward, often painful realities of early adolescence. The character is based on a real person — Sam Zablowski is actually one of the show’s writers — which added a layer of specificity to the role that Taj handled with real care.
What made his performance work was not just the comedy. It was the emotional honesty. He made Sam feel like a real kid, not a TV version of one. That kind of restraint is genuinely hard to pull off, especially at his age.
Young Rock
After PEN15, Taj appeared in Young Rock, the NBC series about the early life of Dwayne Johnson. He played Gabe, one of the young Dwayne’s friends. The show runs on a broader, more energetic comedic register than PEN15, and Taj adapted to that tone without missing a beat. It was a useful signal that he was not a one-note actor locked into one type of role.
Big Boys
Big Boys (2023) is the project that has gotten the most critical attention outside of PEN15. Directed by Corey Sherman, it is a coming-of-age comedy film that premiered at the BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival in March 2023 and received a US theatrical release through Dark Star Pictures in May 2024. Taj played Will, the older brother of the film’s protagonist, Jamie.
The film earned nominations at the 40th Independent Spirit Awards, which is real recognition in the independent film world — not the kind of award that gets handed out for showing up. That Taj is part of a project operating at that level says something about where his career is heading.
He has also made a guest appearance on The Rookie, the ABC police procedural, showing a willingness to take smaller roles on established shows — the kind of professional instinct that keeps an actor’s name moving through casting offices.
What his career shows so far
| Project | Role | Platform | Year |
| PEN15 | Sam Zablowski | Hulu | 2019-2021 |
| Young Rock | Gabe | NBC | 2021 |
| Big Boys | Will | Dark Star Pictures | 2023/2024 |
| The Rookie | Guest role | ABC | 2018 |
Net worth and earnings
Taj Cross has an estimated net worth of around $500,000 as of 2026. For someone who has been in the industry for only six or seven years, and who built that during his teenage years and early twenties, it is a solid foundation. His income comes primarily from his television and film work, with PEN15 likely making up the largest portion given how central that role was to his career.
There is no indication of the kind of financial instability that derails some young careers early. He is not chasing fame; he is building a body of work. That is a much better long-term strategy, and it tends to reflect in how finances are managed too.
Social media and public presence
Taj is active on Instagram under @taj_cross, where he shares a mix of professional content — scenes from projects, press moments — and personal glimpses into his everyday life. Posts about his painting, his dog Mocha, and time with friends give followers a sense of who he actually is.
He does not appear to use social media as a performance in itself. It feels more like a window than a stage, which is relatively unusual for someone his age in his industry. That approach has earned him a loyal following without the noise of manufactured controversy or constant self-promotion.
Personal life and relationship status
As of 2026, Taj Cross is single and has not confirmed any public romantic relationships. He keeps his personal life private, and that boundary appears deliberate rather than evasive. He is focused on his career and creative interests, and that is the full picture he has chosen to share.
His sexual orientation has not been discussed publicly by Taj himself. Speculation exists online, as it does with most young actors, but there is nothing verified and it would be unfair to present guesses as fact.
What makes Taj Cross different
Most young actors who break through on a buzzy streaming show either disappear or try to immediately chase a bigger platform. Taj has done neither. He picked a genuinely interesting independent film in Big Boys, stayed connected to quality work, and let the career build at its own pace.
The creative instincts he shows off-screen — painting, making art — suggest someone who actually thinks about what he wants to express, not just what the next job is. That kind of internal compass tends to produce actors with long careers, because it means they are in this for something beyond the early attention.
The entertainment industry is full of people who peaked young. Taj does not look like one of them.
Final thoughts
What stands out most about Taj Cross is not any single role or credit — it is the consistency. He started at 15 with a role that could have been a one-time thing, and he turned it into a career with actual momentum. He made a strong impression in PEN15, showed range in Young Rock, and earned real critical recognition in Big Boys. That is not luck. That is the result of taking the work seriously and choosing well.
At 22, he is at the very beginning of what looks like a long career. The roles will get bigger. The projects will get more ambitious. And based on everything he has shown so far, he will probably handle it well.
FAQ
How old is Taj Cross in 2026?
Taj Cross is 22 years old in 2026. He was born on February 11, 2004, in Venice, California, and celebrated his birthday earlier this year.
What is Taj Cross best known for?
He is best known for playing Sam Zablowski in the Hulu comedy series PEN15. He has also appeared in Young Rock on NBC, the independent film Big Boys, and ABC’s The Rookie.
Who are Taj Cross’s parents?
His mother is Christena Karras, his biological father is Jake Cross, and his stepfather is CJ Bonura. He was raised in a blended family in Venice, California, and has spoken positively about his family’s support throughout his career.
What is Taj Cross’s net worth?
As of 2026, his net worth is estimated at around $500,000. The bulk of that comes from his acting work, primarily his roles in PEN15, Young Rock, and Big Boys.
Does Taj Cross have a girlfriend?
As of 2026, Taj Cross is single and has not confirmed any public relationships. He keeps his personal life private and focuses on his career and creative interests.
What is the movie Big Boys about, and what was Taj’s role?
Big Boys (2023) is a coming-of-age comedy film directed by Corey Sherman. It premiered at the BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival and earned nominations at the 40th Independent Spirit Awards. Taj played Will, the older brother of the main character, Jamie.
Where does Taj Cross live?
He lives in Venice, California, the neighborhood where he was born and raised. Venice has a strong arts and culture scene, and it has clearly been an influence on his creative interests outside of acting.
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