Emjay Anthony Biography
Emjay Anthony Salazar (born June 1, 2003) is an American actor and model. Born in Clearwater Beach, Florida, he began modeling as a young child and made his film debut in It’s Complicated, earning early recognition for his burgeoning screen presence alongside a star-studded cast. He is best known for his work in Chef (2014), Krampus (2015), Bad Moms (2016), and Replicas (2018), among other film and television projects. Over the course of his teenage years, Anthony continued to grow as a performer, balancing acting with school responsibilities while pursuing diverse roles. His early success and continued work have established him as a rising talent in Hollywood, with ongoing projects in film and television.
Early Life and Background
Emjay Anthony Salazar was born on June 1, 2003, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, to parents Michael and Trisha Salazar. He has an older sister named Sage. Anthony began modeling as a young child, showcasing his natural comfort in front of the camera from an early age. He made his acting debut in a Werther’s candy commercial at the age of four, demonstrating the ambition and talent that would later carry him into feature films.
When Emjay was five years old, he and his family relocated to California. This move positioned him closer to the heart of the entertainment industry and opened doors to new opportunities in acting and modeling. The transition from Florida to California marked a significant turning point in his young career, setting the stage for his eventual work in Hollywood.
Path to Acting
After moving to California, Emjay Anthony began pursuing acting opportunities more seriously. He auditioned for commercials and television films following his initial commercial work. His persistence and natural acting ability caught the attention of casting directors, leading to his first major role in a feature film. The combination of his early modeling experience and acting training helped him develop a versatile skill set that would serve him throughout his career.
Anthony’s early exposure to the industry through commercials and television films provided him with valuable experience working on sets and performing before cameras. These formative years helped him understand the demands of professional acting while still maintaining the balance of a normal childhood. His family’s support proved instrumental in helping him navigate the challenges of breaking into the entertainment business at such a young age.
Emjay Anthony Career
Early Career (2009–2016)
In 2009, Emjay Anthony made his film debut in It’s Complicated, starring alongside industry legends Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. This role marked his transition from commercials and television work to major feature films. The experience of working with such acclaimed actors provided him with invaluable lessons and exposure that many performers never receive early in their careers. Following the film’s release, Anthony returned to his school studies for a year and a half before resuming his auditioning schedule for commercials and television films.
His continued persistence in auditioning paid off as he landed increasingly prominent roles. The early years of his career were marked by a careful balance between education and professional work, as his family ensured he maintained a normal childhood alongside his growing entertainment career. This period established the foundation for his eventual breakthrough in the industry.
Breakthrough (2014–2018)
Emjay Anthony’s breakthrough role came in the 2014 film Chef, directed by Jon Favreau. In the film, he portrayed Percy, the son of the protagonist, chef Carl Casper, played by Favreau himself. The role showcased Anthony’s ability to deliver authentic emotional performances and demonstrated his chemistry with established Hollywood talent. Chef received critical acclaim and introduced Anthony to a wider audience, establishing him as a promising young actor in the industry.
Following his success in Chef, Anthony continued to build his resume with diverse roles. In 2015, he appeared in Krampus, a horror comedy film that showcased his range beyond dramatic work. The film blended dark comedy with holiday themes and allowed Anthony to explore a different genre. In 2016, he joined the cast of Bad Moms, a comedy film featuring an ensemble cast including Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn. That same year demonstrated his ability to work across multiple genres, from family dramas to comedies and horror films.
In 2018, Anthony starred in Replicas, a science fiction thriller starring Keanu Reeves. The film explored themes of cloning and family, providing Anthony with an opportunity to work alongside one of Hollywood’s most recognized stars while tackling complex material. His performance contributed to the film’s exploration of familial relationships and the ethical dimensions of scientific advancement.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Emjay Anthony has demonstrated remarkable versatility across multiple film genres. His body of work includes family dramas such as Chef, horror comedies like Krampus, mainstream comedies such as Bad Moms, and science fiction thrillers like Replicas. Each role has contributed to his growth as a performer and expanded his range as an actor. His ability to hold his own alongside established stars has been a consistent feature of his performances, earning him recognition within the industry.
Recent Work (2017–Present)
After a period of focus on his education, Emjay Anthony returned to acting with renewed energy. He played a recurring role as Zeke Breem in Seasons 2 and 3 of the television series Physical. The show, which explored the fitness culture of the 1980s, provided him with an opportunity to work in television and expand his portfolio beyond feature films. In 2024, Anthony appeared as Dylan Campbell in the series Hysteria!, continuing his television work and demonstrating his ongoing commitment to acting.
As of 2025, Anthony has been working on the project Jilliahsmen Trinity: 2.9 – A.R.M, which is currently in post-production. This upcoming work represents his continued presence in the entertainment industry and suggests a busy schedule ahead as he continues to establish himself in Hollywood.
Emjay Anthony Family
Emjay Anthony was born to Michael and Trisha Salazar in Clearwater Beach, Florida. His father Michael and mother Trisha have supported his career from the beginning, helping him navigate the entertainment industry while ensuring he maintained a balanced upbringing. The family relocated to California when Emjay was five years old, a decision that proved pivotal in launching his professional acting career. He has an older sister named Sage, and the family has remained supportive of his endeavors throughout his career.
Personal Life
Emjay Anthony balances his professional career with personal development and education. As a young actor who began his career at a very early age, he has managed to maintain a relatively private personal life while continuing to pursue acting opportunities. His career has been characterized by a thoughtful approach to role selection, choosing projects that allow him to grow as a performer while maintaining connections to family-friendly content. Anthony has demonstrated maturity in balancing his public profile with the desire to live a normal life, a challenge faced by many child actors as they transition into adulthood in the entertainment industry.