Rudy Youngblood and Carlos Emilio Báez are two actors who appeared in Mel Gibson’s classic film Apocalypto (2006).

When filming in 2006, Rudy Youngblood (as Jaguar Paw) was around 25 years old, brilliantly portraying a brave Mayan warrior fleeing to save his family. Carlos Emilio Báez, then a young boy (as Turtles Run – the son of Jaguar Paw and Seven), appeared in touching scenes where his father hid him in a cave to protect him from enemies. Filmed primarily in Mexico in 2005-2006, using the Yucatec Maya language, the film offers a vivid portrayal of the declining Mayan civilization.

Nearly 20 years later (2026), Rudy Youngblood is still acting, but his personal life has been turbulent: he was arrested on ᴀssault and drug possession charges in late 2025-early 2026. Despite this, he is still remembered as an icon from his breakthrough role. Carlos Emilio Báez is now an adult, appearing less frequently on the big screen. He starred in Wetiko (2022) and continues to pursue his art, living a more private life compared to his famous childhood.

The “father and son” duo in the film now evoke memories of Apocalypto’s dramatic survival journey, while also reflecting the ups and downs of life after the glamour of cinema.