Why did Taylor Dooley stop acting? Her Age, Husband, Career

Since her breakout role as Lavagirl in "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D," Taylor Dooley has taken on a few other film and television projects, but none have matched the recognition of her initial role. After nearly a decade-long break from acting, many of Lavagirl’s fans were curious about her decision to step away from the spotlight.

If you're interested in Taylor's career, personal life, and current activities, read on.

Early Life, Family, and Education

Taylor Marie Dooley was born on February 26, 1993, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, USA. A Pisces, she holds American nationality and is of Belgian, Irish, German, English, and Sioux Indian descent. Taylor was raised by her parents, Debbie and John, along with her brother, Drew.

Taylor's passion for acting began when she landed the lead role in a local play. Her big break came with the role of Lavagirl, which made her fall in love with acting. However, the entertainment industry posed challenges. As a child actor, she struggled with rejection at auditions. At 13, after a significant growth spurt made her look older, her parents advised her to take a break and focus on her education.

Taylor graduated from high school in 2011 and went on to California State University – Northridge, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2015.

Acting Career

Taylor debuted in acting with a role as Minister Rozhan in an episode of "Star Trek: Hidden Frontier" in 2003. In 2005, she was cast as Lavagirl in "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D," alongside Cayden Boyd and George Lopez. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, the movie received ten award nominations, winning one.

Taylor's performance earned her a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Performance in a Feature Film. The following year, she appeared in "Monster Night" and "Whitepaddy," and had a guest role in the series "House" in 2008. She then took a break from acting, planning to return as an adult.

She came back to the big screen as Eden in the 2017 mystery horror "Hell Mountain." Despite poor ratings, her fans were thrilled to see her return.

In 2020, Taylor reprised her role as Lavagirl in "We Can Be Heroes," starring Pedro Pascal, YaYa Gosselin, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The movie follows the children of captured Earth superheroes who must save their parents and the planet. In this spin-off, Lavagirl is married to Sharkboy, and they have a daughter named Guppy. Taylor dyed her blonde hair pink for the role.

Taylor has two upcoming movies, "Devotion" and "Grimmerson Manor," the latter being a horror film starring Sasha Jackson and Caitlin Hale.

Personal Life and Family

During her acting hiatus, Taylor kept her personal life private. She later revealed she was married and had two children. Taylor married Justin Cassotta in a private ceremony on May 14, 2016. They have a son, Jack Alexander (born November 23, 2016), and a daughter, Adaline Joan (born March 2019). Taylor and Justin divorced in 2020.

As of August 2023, Taylor is in a relationship with musician Nicholas Poppin. They began dating in 2021 and now frequently share photos together on Instagram.

Age, Height, and Net Worth

Taylor is 30 years old. She stands at 5ft 5ins (1.65m) and weighs around 120lbs (54kgs), maintaining a healthy lifestyle she promotes on social media. Her net worth is estimated to be over $3 million as of August 2023, largely earned from her acting career.