Rudy Youngblood is an American artist best known for his work in acting, dance, music, and visual art. Born Rudy Gonzalez on September 21, 1982, in Belton, Texas, he later adopted the surname Youngblood. Raised by his mother alongside two sisters, he experienced a challenging upbringing due to the absence of his father. At just 10 years old, he began working on construction sites to help support his family.
Youngblood has consistently identified with his Native American heritage. Though his claims of Comanche descent have been questioned by some tribal officials, he maintains connections to Comanche, Cree, and Yaqui lineage. His physical features—thick, dark hair and defined facial structure—are often highlighted as symbolic of his indigenous ancestry. After completing high school, he was reportedly offered opportunities in track and field as well as art studies but instead chose to focus on Native American dance, a discipline he remains passionate about.
Rudy Youngblood gained international recognition after being chosen by director Mel Gibson for the lead role of Jaguar Paw in the 2006 film Apocalypto, selected through an open casting call. This role became a significant turning point in his career. He has since appeared in a variety of films, showcasing his versatile talent and dedication to his craft. Notably, he played Brandon Becker in the 2010 mixed martial arts-themed film Beatdown.
Known not just for his acting talents, Youngblood is also a trained performance artist. He has collaborated with the American Indian Dance Theatre and continues to perform Native American dance professionally, emphasizing both cultural expression and technical precision.
Despite moments of public scrutiny—most notably concerning questions around his tribal affiliations—Youngblood received recognition for his work when he was honored by the First Americans in the Arts organization.
| Birth Date: | 21 Sep, 1982 |
| Age: | 37 yrs |
| Occupations: | Actor Painter |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Belton |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | Native American actor |
| Net Worth 2021: | 500 thousand |
