Alejandro "Alex" Meraz (born January 10, 1985) is an American actor and martial artist. He is best known for playing the werewolf named Paul Lahote in the film New Moon and Border Patrol agent Ivan Muños in Dark Winds.
Life and career Meraz was born in Mesa, Arizona, and is of Purépecha descent. As a child, his family would visit his relatives in Santa Maria Ostula, Michoacán, Mexico. He attended the New School for the Arts and studied painting and illustration. Alex was active in break-dancing circles in the early 2000s, under the name "Nomak". He also performed with Indigenous contemporary dancing companies, specifically with choreographers Santee Smith (Mohawk), Rulan Tangen, and Raoul Trujillo. In 2001, he moved to San Francisco and joined the then-newly established Dancing Earth company, directed by Tangen. He later toured with Smith's Kaha:wi Dance Theatre in Canada and was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award, a Canadian award for theatre, dance and opera.
Alex has studied mixed martial arts, winning tournaments in karate and the martial art of capoeira. Alex's first big film was The New World as one of the Powhatan core warriors, inspiring him to continue acting. His next break came when he was cast as werewolf Paul Lahote in the film New Moon. Alex has been in CSI: New York., Single Ladies, The Walking Dead, Suicide Squad, and Landman.
Personal life On December 31, 2007, Alex married Kim. A Twilight fan, she suggested that he audition for New Moon, believing he was perfect for the part. They have a son, for whom his mentor, actor Raoul Trujillo, is the godfather. In June 2012, the couple had another son.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2005 The New World Core Warrior 2007 Two Spirits, One Journey Luke Short film 2009 The Twilight Saga: New Moon Paul Lahote 2010 The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Paul Lahote 2011 The Roommate Frat Boy 2011 Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown Zack 2011 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Paul Lahote 2012 Mine Games TJ 2012 186 Dollars to Freedom Nicaragua 2012 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 Paul Lahote 2012 The Reward Renegade Cop Short film 2014 Cry Now Eric 2015 Bone Tomahawk Eagle Skulls 2016 The Bronx Bull Paco 2016 Suicide Squad Gomez 2017 Bright Serafin 2020 Bad Dad Alex 2021 The Last Son Patty 2021 Primordial Man The Primordial Man Short film TBA Subversion Post-production
Television Year Title Role Notes 2007 Dancing with Spirit Dancer Episode: "Here on Earth" 2009 American Experience Warrior Episode: "We Shall Remain: Part II - Tecumseh's Vision" 2009 Freedom Riders Warrior Unknown episodes 2011 CSI: NY Odelin Gonzales Jr. Episode: "Food for Thought" 2013 The Glades Moses Clearwater Episode: "Happy Trails" 2013 Big Thunder Hosa Television film 2014 Single Ladies Sergio Recurring role; 2 episodes 2014 New Worlds Masca Television mini-series 2017 Animal Kingdom Javi Cano Recurring role; 6 episodes 2017 Scalped Dashiell Dash Bad Horse Television film 2021–2022 The Walking Dead Brandon Carver Recurring role; 4 episodes 2024 American Sports Story Carlos 'Charlie Boy' Ortiz' 8 episodes 2024 Landman Jimenez 4 episodes2025Dark WindsIvan Muños4 episodes
References
External links
Alex Meraz's official Twitter account