Jake T. Austin, whose birth name is Jake Austin Szymanski, was born in the vibrant city of New York to his loving parents, Giny Rodriguez Toranzo and Joe Szymanski. The origin of his middle initial, 'T', stems from his mother's surname, Toranzo. He has a younger sister, Ava, who brings joy to his life. His father's ancestry is a unique blend of Polish, English, and Irish, while his mother's heritage is deeply rooted in Puerto Rican, Argentinian, and Spanish traditions.
Jake's acting journey began at the tender age of seven, when he started appearing in commercials. His first credited role was in a comedy sketch titled "Kid 1698". He went on to star in numerous animated movies, but it was his iconic role as Max Russo on the popular Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007) that catapulted him to fame. Additionally, he lent his voice to the beloved character Diego on Dora the Explorer (2000) and its spin-off series Go, Diego! Go! (2005). More recently, he portrayed Jesus Foster on the family/teen drama series The Fosters (2013),showcasing his versatility as an actor.
As a bilingual individual, Jake is fluent in both English and Spanish, a skill he has honed through his experiences in the entertainment industry. Despite residing in Los Angeles, Jake often returns to his family in New York, cherishing the time spent with his loved ones.