You’ve seen him. I’m almost certain of it. Whether he was running through the woods as a werewolf in Twilight or rocking leather and spikes as the son of Jafar in Descendants, the face is unmistakable. But if you call him Nils Allen Stewart Jr., most people—even some die-hard fans—might give you a blank stare.
The world knows him as Booboo Stewart.
It’s one of those weird Hollywood things where a childhood nickname becomes a global brand, completely eclipsing the legal name on a birth certificate. Honestly, the story of how he went from a kid doing stunts in Beverly Hills to a versatile actor, artist, and martial arts world champion is a lot more interesting than just a list of IMDB credits. He’s basically been a professional since most of us were learning long division.
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Who is Nils Allen Stewart Jr. anyway?
Born on January 21, 1994, Nils Allen Stewart Jr. didn't just stumble into the entertainment industry. He was born into it. His dad, Nils Allen Stewart Sr., is a legendary stunt coordinator and actor who’s worked on everything from Galaxy Quest to Anger Management. His mom, Renee, is also an actress. Basically, the film set was his daycare.
The name "Booboo" came about because, as a baby, he used to suck on two fingers and make what his mom called a "booboo face." It stuck. Permanently.
What’s wild is his heritage. People are always trying to guess his background because he has such a unique look. It’s a massive mix: Japanese, Chinese, and Korean on his mother’s side, combined with Russian, Scottish, and Blackfoot Native American on his father’s side. He’s a one-man melting pot, which has actually helped him land a crazy range of roles that aren’t tied to a single "type."
The Martial Arts Phenom Years
Before he was Seth Clearwater, Nils was a literal world-class fighter.
Most child actors spend their time at auditions; Nils was in the dojo. He started martial arts at age three. By 2002 and 2003, he was a World Champion in Martial Arts. He was inducted into the Martial Arts Junior Hall of Fame in 2004 when he was only ten years old. That’s not a "participation trophy" situation; the kid was legit.
This physicality is why he does so many of his own stunts today. If you see him flipping or fighting on screen, there’s a high probability it’s actually him and not a double.
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The Breakthrough: Twilight and Beyond
Every actor has that one "before and after" moment. For Nils Allen Stewart Jr., that moment was The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.
He joined the franchise as Seth Clearwater, the youngest member of the Quileute wolf pack. While the rest of the wolves were often portrayed as angry or brooding, Seth was the "nice one." Fans loved him because he was the bridge between the vampires and the wolves. He played that role through both parts of Breaking Dawn, and it catapulted him into the kind of fame where you can’t walk through a mall without a security detail.
But he didn't just stay in the teen heartthrob lane.
He went from a wolf to a mutant in X-Men: Days of Future Past, playing Warpath. Then he pivoted to the Disney powerhouse Descendants, playing Jay. Most actors would be happy with one major franchise. Nils managed to land three before he was 25.
Why White Frog was a Turning Point
If you really want to see his acting range, you have to look past the blockbusters. In 2012, he starred in an indie film called White Frog. He played Nick Young, a teenager with Asperger’s syndrome struggling after a family tragedy.
It was a total departure from the action-heavy roles. Nils has said in interviews that it was his most challenging role because it required so much internal work rather than physical stunts. It proved to critics that he wasn't just a "Disney kid" or a stuntman’s son—he actually had the chops to lead a serious drama.
The Side Hustles: Music and Art
Nils Allen Stewart Jr. isn't just an actor. He’s kind of a restless creative.
- The Music Career: He was a member of T-Squad, a Disney-formed hip-hop and pop group that actually toured with Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. Later, he formed a band called "That Band Honey" (and worked with his sister Fivel in another project called 5L).
- The Visual Art: If you follow him on social media, you’ll see he’s a massive fan of drawing and painting. He often shares his sketches, which are usually pretty dark, intricate, and surreal. It’s a complete 180 from the "clean-cut Disney" image.
Myths vs. Reality
There are a few things people consistently get wrong about him.
First, people often think he’s younger than he is because he started so early. He’s been in the business for over 20 years. Second, there’s a misconception that he only gets "ethnic" roles. While his Native American heritage has been a part of his career (like in Twilight or Let Him Go), his filmography is actually incredibly diverse, ranging from Shakespearean-style dramas to animated voices.
Also, despite being in the spotlight since he was ten, he’s remarkably normal. No major scandals. No "troubled child star" arc. He spends most of his time with his sisters—Maegan, Fivel, and Sage—who are also in the industry. They’re a tight-knit unit often called "The Stewart Clan."
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How to Follow His Work Now
If you’re looking for what Nils Allen Stewart Jr. is doing today, he’s moved into more mature territory. He’s been taking on grittier roles in shows like Good Trouble and Netflix’s Julie and the Phantoms. He’s also leaning more into his visual art and producing his own projects.
If you want to dive deeper into his filmography, start here:
- Watch White Frog: To see his actual acting range.
- Rewatch X-Men: Days of Future Past: To see his physical stunt work as Warpath.
- Check his Instagram: This is where he posts his art. It's the best way to see the "real" Nils rather than the characters he plays.
- Look for his sister, Fivel Stewart: She’s killing it in shows like Atypical and The Recruit. The talent definitely runs in the family.
Nils Allen Stewart Jr. is proof that you can survive the Hollywood machine if you have a solid foundation and a lot of different skill sets. He’s not just "Booboo" anymore; he’s a legitimate multi-hyphenate artist who’s probably going to be around for another 30 years.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you're interested in the technical side of his career, look up his father's stunt credits. Understanding the world of stunt coordination gives you a much better appreciation for why Nils moves the way he does on screen. Also, keep an eye out for his upcoming indie projects, as he’s been gravitating toward smaller, character-driven stories lately.