Xolo Maridueña

Biography

Xolo Maridueña is an American actor best known for his breakout role as Miguel Diaz in Cobra Kai, the hit sequel series to The Karate Kid franchise. With his growing popularity, Maridueña is set to make an even bigger impact in Hollywood, especially with his role as Jaime Reyes / Blue Beetle in DC’s superhero movie Blue Beetle (2023). From a child actor to a rising Hollywood star, his journey is inspiring and filled with promise.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family

Xolo Maridueña was born on June 9, 2001, in Los Angeles, California, USA. He comes from a diverse background with Mexican, Cuban, and Ecuadorian heritage. His unique cultural mix has helped him connect with audiences worldwide, particularly as a Latino actor in Hollywood.

Meaning of His Name

His first name, Xolo, comes from the Nahuatl language (the language of the Aztecs) and is inspired by the Xoloitzcuintli, a sacred Mexican dog breed.

Education and Early Interests

From a young age, Maridueña showed an interest in performing arts. He participated in school theater productions and talent showcases, which eventually led him to pursue acting professionally.

Career

Early Acting Roles

Xolo Maridueña made his professional acting debut in 2012 when he was cast in Parenthood, a popular NBC drama series. He played Victor Graham, the adopted son of Julia Braverman-Graham (played by Erika Christensen) and Joel Graham (played by Sam Jaeger). His performance was widely praised, and he remained on the show for four seasons, appearing in 51 episodes from 2012 to 2015.

During this time, he also made guest appearances in other TV shows, including:

• Major Crimes (2013) – Played a minor role in this crime drama.
• Mack & Moxy (2016) – Appeared in this children’s TV series.
• Rush Hour (2016) – Featured in an episode of the action-comedy series based on the movie franchise.
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Breakthrough with Cobra Kai

In 2018, Maridueña’s career skyrocketed when he was cast as Miguel Diaz, one of the lead characters in Cobra Kai, the sequel series to The Karate Kid. His character, a high school student who becomes Johnny Lawrence’s (William Zabka) first student at the revived Cobra Kai dojo, quickly became a fan favorite.

Miguel’s story arc—transforming from a bullied teen into a skilled martial artist—resonated with audiences. Throughout the series, he navigates friendships, rivalries, and romance while dealing with intense physical and emotional challenges.

His performance in Cobra Kai has been praised for its emotional depth, comedic timing, and impressive martial arts skills. The show, initially released on YouTube Red before moving to Netflix, became a massive success, making Maridueña a rising star.

Superhero Breakthrough: Blue Beetle (2023)

Maridueña’s career took another huge leap when he was cast as Jaime Reyes / Blue Beetle in DC’s Blue Beetle (2023), making him the first Latino superhero lead in a DC movie.

Jaime Reyes is a teenager who finds an alien scarab that gives him a powerful suit of armor, turning him into the superhero Blue Beetle. The movie, which blends action, humor, and Latino culture, was highly anticipated and solidified Maridueña’s place in Hollywood as a new-generation superhero.

With his charming personality, strong acting skills, and dedication to representation, Maridueña has gained a massive following and is expected to play Blue Beetle in future DC films.

Other Projects and Future Endeavors

Beyond Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle, Maridueña has explored other acting opportunities, including voice acting and producing. He voiced Zaid in the animated series Victor and Valentino (2019-2022).

Additionally, he co-hosts the "Lone Lobos" podcast with his best friend and fellow actor Jacob Bertrand (Hawk from Cobra Kai), where they discuss pop culture, gaming, and personal experiences.

With Cobra Kai continuing and his career expanding into major films, Maridueña’s future in the entertainment industry looks incredibly bright.

Personal Life

Hobbies and Interests

Outside of acting, Xolo Maridueña enjoys:

• Martial arts and fitness – Training for Cobra Kai helped him develop real martial arts skills.
• Gaming – He is a big fan of video games, often streaming and discussing them on his podcast.
• Music – He plays the guitar and enjoys listening to various genres.
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Relationships

While Maridueña keeps his personal life mostly private, he was rumored to be dating his Cobra Kai co-star Hannah Kepple (Moon in the series), though their relationship status has not been confirmed recently.