Emjay Anthony Bio
Emjay Anthony Salazar (born June 1, 2003) is an American actor and model who began working as a child model and moved quickly into feature films. He made his film debut in the 2009 comedy It’s Complicated and is best known for roles in Chef, Krampus, Bad Moms and Replicas. Over the course of his teenage years Anthony balanced acting with school while expanding his range across comedy, drama and genre films.
Early Life and Background
Emjay Anthony Salazar was born on June 1, 2003, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, to parents Michael Salazar and Trisha Salazar. He has an older sister named Sage and modeled as a very young child, appearing in a Werther’s candy commercial at age four. When he was five years old his family relocated to California, where he and his parents pursued opportunities in modeling and screen work.
Anthony’s early exposure to the camera and commercial sets established the routine of auditions and professional work that would follow. During elementary school years he continued to take casting calls for commercials and episodic parts while remaining enrolled in regular schooling, a pattern he maintained through his entry into feature films.
Path to Celebrity
Anthony’s path from child model to screen actor moved quickly after his early commercial work. His combination of modeling experience, a willingness to audition for television spots, and family support during the move to California positioned him to enter feature film casting by the end of the 2000s. Agents and casting directors seeking child performers considered him for commercial and film roles because of his ease in front of the camera.
After his film debut Anthony briefly stepped back to resume school full time, then returned to auditions for commercials, television films and feature projects. That steady mix of schooling and selective work allowed him to develop on-set skills while keeping academic commitments, which he credited publicly as important during his formative years in the industry.
Emjay Anthony Career
Early Career (2009–2013)
Anthony made his feature-film debut in 2009 in the comedy It’s Complicated, appearing alongside an established cast. Following that debut he returned to focus on his studies for roughly a year and a half before resuming regular auditions for commercials and television work. During this early period he built experience through short-form and supporting work while preparing for larger supporting roles in theatrical releases.
Between 2009 and 2013 Anthony continued to accept small parts and commercial work that reinforced his screen presence and familiarity with film production. Those early credits provided him a professional foundation that led to casting in higher-profile projects once he progressed into his preteen and teenage years.
Breakthrough (2014–2016)
Anthony’s breakthrough came with the 2014 film Chef, in which he played Percy, the son of the protagonist Carl Casper. The role increased his visibility and drew attention to his ability to hold scenes opposite adult leads in a feature-length production. Chef remains one of Anthony’s most frequently cited early career performances and helped secure further film roles over the next several years.
Following Chef, Anthony joined the cast of Krampus in 2015, taking part in a genre film that contrasted with the comedic tone of Chef and demonstrated his versatility. In 2016 he appeared in Bad Moms, adding another mainstream comedy credit to his resume and reinforcing a trajectory that included both independent-minded projects and studio comedies. These consecutive high-profile appearances established him as a reliable young performer for family-centered and ensemble films.
Later Roles and Continuing Work
After his mid-decade credits Anthony continued to work in feature films and expanded into recurring television roles as he matured. He appeared in the 2018 film Replicas and has taken on parts that ranged from supporting family roles to parts in suspense and genre projects. He took periodic breaks from intensive shooting schedules to attend school while continuing to accept roles that fit his evolving skill set.
Anthony later had a recurring role as Zeke Breem in the television series Physical across seasons two and three. In 2024 he portrayed Dylan Campbell in Hysteria!. As of 2025 he was attached to a project titled Jilliahsmen Trinity: 2.9 – A.R.M that was reported to be in post-production or development, reflecting continued activity in film and television into his early twenties.
Notable Works and Milestones
Anthony’s signature early work includes his debut in It’s Complicated and his breakout supporting performance as Percy in Chef, both of which raised his profile among casting directors and audiences. His credits on Krampus, Bad Moms and Replicas broadened his résumé across comedy and genre films and marked milestones in a career that began with child modeling and commercial work.
Emjay Anthony Family
Emjay Anthony Salazar is the son of Michael Salazar and Trisha Salazar and grew up with an older sister named Sage. The family’s move from Clearwater Beach, Florida to California when he was five facilitated his transition from regional modeling and commercials into national casting opportunities for film and television.
His parents supported his early modeling and acting commitments while he continued schooling, a family approach that his public statements and early career timeline reflect.
Personal Life
Anthony has balanced acting with school responsibilities throughout his youth and adolescence, a balance noted in coverage of his early career. There are no public records of children or domestic partners in the verified materials used to compile this profile. He continues to work professionally as an actor and model while navigating projects and education as priorities allow.