Biography

Jan Luis Castellanos, born on September 11, 1995, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is a versatile actor who has made significant strides in both the theatrical and film realms.

After spending his early years under the care of his grandparents in the Dominican Republic, Jan Luis relocated to New Jersey at the age of eight to live with his mother, Sugey Quinones. During his time at Secaucus High School, he achieved remarkable success both as an athlete and a theater enthusiast. Balancing his athletic prowess as a State Champion wrestler in New Jersey with his passion for the arts, he began appearing in commercials and gained exposure in the New York and Los Angeles film scenes. Notably, he showcased his talents in musical productions such as 'West Side Story' and 'Jersey Boys.'

While pursuing his studies at Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, New Jersey, with the intention of pursuing a medical career, Jan Luis's love for acting was reignited. He made the decision to study at the esteemed 'New Collective' acting studio in Los Angeles, California, founded by Susan Batson, who had previously collaborated with renowned actors like Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. This led to his notable roles in Marvel Television's drama "Marvel's Runaways" and the series "Don't Look Deeper," where he acted alongside esteemed actors Don Cheadle and Emily Mortimer. In 2020, Jan Luis gained recognition for his portrayal of Diego Torres in the critically acclaimed Netflix series "13 Reasons Why" and as Mikey Diaz in the Ed Burns 1980s dramatic comedy "Bridge and Tunnel," which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2022.

His film debut took place in Netflix's "Tall Girl 2," directed by Emily Ting, where he played the role of the title character's high school crush. Jan Luis has since starred in four forthcoming feature films. He will be seen as Ryan, the love interest-turned-ex in the modern-day reimagining of "Alice in Wonderland" titled "Get Lost," directed by Daniela Amavia and featuring Ella Travolta as Alicia/Alice. Additionally, he will star alongside Bella Thorne in "Saint Clare," directed by Mitzi Perione, portraying the character of Truman, a mysterious college student who becomes one of Clare's friends and love interests. Jan Luis has also joined forces with Netflix once again to embark on the "Uglies" franchise as Croy, a leader of a rebellious group, opposite Joey King, under the direction of McG. The "Uglies" series is based on books written by Scott Westerfeld.

Jan Luis has expanded his involvement in the film industry as an executive producer, working on various short films. Notably, he starred in the leading role of Cesar, a struggling influencer grieving his mother, in the short film "Influencia." His performance earned him the award for Best Actor in a Drama at the 2022 Official Latino Film and Arts Festival in Palm Springs, California. Recently, Jan Luis concluded his work on "Black Spines," a coming-of-age thriller where he served as an executive producer and played the leading role of Cameron, an aspiring photographer unraveling the horrifying truth about his family's history. The film was directed by Jordon Foss.

- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous 2018