JAKE T. AUSTIN

Full Name, Age & Place of Birth

Jake Toranzo Austin Szymanski, professionally known as Jake T. Austin, was born on December 3, 1994, in New York City, New York, USA. As of June 2025, he is 30 years old. 

Family Background & Heritage

Jake grew up in a multicultural family—his mother, Giny Rodriguez Toranzo, is of Puerto Rican, Argentine, and Spanish descent; while his father, Joe Szymanski, has Polish, Irish, and English ancestry. He also has one younger sister named Ava. He honors his Puerto Rican roots, though he’s said he isn’t fully fluent in Spanish.

Early Start in Acting & Voice Work

At just age seven, Jake began his career appearing in commercials, and by 2003 he made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. He ventured into voice acting and landed the role of young Diego Marquez on Dora the Explorer in 2005, later voicing Diego on its spin-off Go, Diego, Go! throughout the first three seasons.

Breakthrough Role on Disney Channel

In 2007, Jake was cast as Max Russo, the endearingly mischievous younger brother on Wizards of Waverly Place. Over five seasons and a hit TV movie, the show became one of Disney Channel’s standout hits. He also received the Hollywood Teen TV Award in 2012 for Favorite Television Actor.

Film Projects & Voice Acting Highlights

Jake’s film roles include:

• Bruce in Hotel for Dogs (2009)

• Angel Macias in The Perfect Game (2010)

• Fernando in Rio (2011) and Rio 2 (2014)

• Khumba in the animated feature Khumba (2013)

• Alex in The Emoji Movie (2017)
  He also voiced Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes) in Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016).

Television Roles Beyond Disney

After leaving Wizards of Waverly Place, Jake joined The Fosters (2013–2015) as Jesus Foster, leaving after two seasons to explore new creative directions. His departure led to the recasting of the role.

Recent Work & Creative Ventures

Jake continued performing in independent projects like Grantham & Rose (2014) and appeared in the thriller Adverse (2020). In recent Disney revival news, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place premiered in 2024. While his character Max isn’t in the first episodes, writers hinted at his future return—as a successful sandwich chain owner. Jake shared joyful support on social media. 

Personal Life & Advocacy

Jake divides his time between Los Angeles and New York, and his family owns the historic Clarksville Inn in West Nyack, NY. He is an avid supporter of charities like Make‑A‑Wish, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Variety’s Power of Youth, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In 2020, he also spoke about the importance of voting, citing his multicultural background and civic responsibility. 

Awards & Accomplishments

A five-time nominee at the Young Artist Awards, Jake also earned recognition from the Imagen and ALMA Awards. He was honored as Hollywood Teen TV Award’s Favorite Television Actor in 2012, reflecting his impact on youth audiences.

Legacy & Future Prospects

Jake T. Austin has navigated a dynamic entertainment journey—from child star to voice acting and teenage drama, to independent films and creative reinvention. He continues to evolve artistically, maintain connections to his iconic roles, and positively shape his community through charitable work. Wherever his path leads next, his early promise has blossomed into a mature, multifaceted career.