Mateo Arias was born on October 31, 1995, in New York City, New York, United States. He spent much of his childhood alongside his elder brother, Moisés Arias. Mateo is of American and Colombian descent, with his parents hailing from the Paisa region of Colombia. He is fluent in both English and Spanish, reflecting his bicultural upbringing.
While detailed information about Mateo’s early education and upbringing is limited, it's known that he developed an interest in the arts at a young age, likely inspired by the creative environment fostered by his family. His brother Moisés Arias, an actor and director, rose to fame for his role as Rico Suave on the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana and as Biaggio in the 2013 film The Kings of Summer.
Mateo Arias began his acting career with a minor role as a bully kid in the 2005 family comedy film Yours, Mine & Ours. Though the film marked his cinematic debut, he had already appeared in television roles, including a brief appearance as Reggie in the popular Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh in 2004. In 2003, he portrayed Gabriel Ariza in an episode of the crime drama Cold Case.
He also made a guest appearance on Hannah Montana in 2006, sharing screen space with his brother in a minor role. Mateo's early roles showcased his versatility as a young actor in both comedic and dramatic settings.
Mateo achieved broader recognition in 2011 when he was cast as Jerry Martinez in the Disney XD series Kickin’ It. The role became a pivotal point in his career, bringing him into the mainstream spotlight. Interestingly, both he and Moisés Arias were cast following the success of collaborative videos on YouTube, demonstrating their shared creativity and digital presence.
