Jeremy Meeks’ story is one of the internet’s most unexpected transformations. Once a forklift operator, he became world-famous in 2014 after the Stockton Police Department posted his mugshot on Facebook. Within hours, his photo went viral—his “piercing blue eyes and striking features” turned him into the “world’s hottest felon.”

Born on February 7, 1984, Meeks had a troubled childhood marked by addiction and violence. By 18, he was already facing felony charges, and his 2014 arrest for weapon possession led to 27 months in prison—but also to global fame.

After his release in 2016, Meeks signed with White Cross Management and modeled for major brands like Philipp Plein and Tommy Hilfiger. He later moved into acting, appearing in True to the Game, Trigger, and Secret Society, while launching his own fashion line and partnering with Fashion Concept GmbH.

Now 41, he’s added “author” to his achievements with Model Citizen: The Autobiography of Jeremy Meeks, where he shares his journey “from incarceration to international runways.”

A devoted father, Meeks says his focus now is on family and growth. From a mugshot to Paris Fashion Week, he’s proof that “second chances can redefine everything.”