Marco Perego is an Italian artist, filmmaker, producer, and writer who has built a career across contemporary art and cinema. He is also widely recognized as the husband of actress Zoe Saldaña, but his professional identity extends well beyond his marriage. His work has been exhibited internationally, while his move into filmmaking led to projects including The Absence of Eden and other film productions.
Born in 1979, Perego is 47 years old in 2026. He lives and works in Los Angeles with his wife and their three sons. In recent years, he has continued developing both his visual-art practice and his film career, including new projects listed for 2026.
Quick Facts About Marco Perego
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marco Perego |
| Known As | Marco Perego-Saldaña |
| Date of Birth | March 1, 1979 |
| Age | 47 years old in 2026 |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Profession | Artist, filmmaker, producer, writer |
| Famous For | Contemporary art, filmmaking, and marriage to Zoe Saldaña |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Spouse/Partner | Zoe Saldaña |
| Children | Three sons |
| Known Film | The Absence of Eden |
Public biographies differ on Perego’s exact birthplace, with sources listing Salò and Vimercate in northern Italy; therefore, a single birthplace is not presented here as definitive.
Who Is Marco Perego?
Marco Perego is an Italian contemporary artist and filmmaker whose career developed after he moved to the United States as a young adult. Although entertainment coverage frequently introduces him through his marriage to Zoe Saldaña, his own career includes painting, sculpture, exhibitions, film production, screenwriting, and directing.
His artistic work has been displayed in galleries and museums in Europe, North America, and elsewhere. His work has also entered public collections, including institutions such as the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, Museo Jumex in Mexico City, and the Rennie Museum in Vancouver.
His career eventually expanded into cinema. Perego wrote and directed The Absence of Eden, a feature film starring Zoe Saldaña, Garrett Hedlund, Adria Arjona, and other performers. The project marked an important transition from his established career in visual art into narrative filmmaking.
How Old Is Marco Perego?
Marco Perego was born on March 1, 1979, making him 47 years old as of September 2026. His birth year and date are consistently listed across entertainment and biographical records.
His zodiac sign is Pisces because his birthday falls on March 1. While his exact birthplace is reported differently in public biographies, he is Italian and his background is closely connected to the Lombardy region of northern Italy.
Where Is Marco Perego From?
Marco Perego is Italian and comes from northern Italy. Public sources identify his background with Lombardy, although they differ over whether his birthplace should be listed as Salò or Vimercate.
His early life was shaped by a strong interest in soccer as well as art. Before becoming established as an artist, he moved to New York and took on several jobs while trying to build a future in the creative world.
Marco Perego’s Early Life and Soccer Background
Before becoming known for his artwork, Perego had ambitions connected to soccer. Accounts of his early adulthood describe the sport as an important part of his life, including work with young soccer players after he moved to the United States.
A serious injury at age 21 changed the direction of his life. Rather than continuing to pursue soccer as his primary path, he increasingly focused on visual art. The transition eventually took him deeper into painting and sculpture and helped establish the foundation for his later career.
His move to New York was also an important turning point. He reportedly lived in Spanish Harlem and worked in restaurants and other jobs while developing his artistic work. His early experience was therefore quite different from the international art career he would later establish.
Marco Perego’s Art Career
Perego’s career as an artist developed through a combination of painting, sculpture, installations, and work involving repurposed materials. His official biography describes a recurring interest in transformation, change, and the relationship between people and the world around them.
His artwork has appeared in exhibitions associated with institutions and galleries including the Michele Maccarone Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art in Bologna, the National Archaeological Museum in Florence, the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, the Rennie Museum in Vancouver, and Untilthen in Paris.
His work has also been included in major collections. The list published in his professional biography includes Museo Jumex, the Rennie Museum, the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, and the Pinault Collection.
Marco Perego and the 2024 Venice Biennale
Perego’s art career also reached the Venice Biennale, where his work was included in the Vatican Pavilion in 2024. This connected his contemporary-art practice with one of the world’s most internationally recognized art events.
His exhibition history has continued into 2026. His professional biography lists exhibitions and projects connected with Jeffrey Deitch in Los Angeles and the Centre Pompidou-Metz in France during 2026.
How Did Marco Perego Become a Filmmaker?
Marco Perego’s transition into cinema developed naturally from his artistic background and his interest in storytelling. His first feature as a writer and director was The Absence of Eden, a drama centered on immigration, borders, identity, and human relationships.
The film was written by Perego and Rick Rapoza. Perego directed the movie and also served as one of its producers. Zoe Saldaña played one of the lead roles, alongside Garrett Hedlund and Adria Arjona.
The project also had a notable connection to Martin Scorsese, who served as an executive producer. Perego has described the opportunity to work with Scorsese as particularly meaningful because of Scorsese’s importance to his own understanding of filmmaking.
What Is The Absence of Eden About?
The Absence of Eden is a feature drama directed and co-written by Marco Perego. The story follows characters whose lives intersect around the U.S.-Mexico border, including an undocumented woman and an immigration enforcement agent.
Zoe Saldaña stars as Esmee/Carmen, while Garrett Hedlund plays Shipp and Adria Arjona plays Yadira. The film premiered at the Taormina Film Festival in 2023 and received its U.S. theatrical release in April 2024.
The film was significant for Perego because it established him not simply as an artist involved with visual exhibitions but as a feature-film director and screenwriter.
Marco Perego’s Film Career
Perego’s film work has continued beyond The Absence of Eden. His credits include producing and directing projects such as Dovecote, while several other productions are listed in development or production for 2026.
Some projects associated with his recent film career include:
| Project | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| The Absence of Eden | 2023/2024 release | Director, writer, producer |
| Dovecote | 2024 | Director, writer, producer |
| Our Land | 2025 | Executive producer |
| Fjord | 2026 | Co-producer |
| Minotaur | 2026 | Producer |
| Paper Tiger | 2026 | Producer |
| Butterfly Jam | 2026 | Producer |
| Petrichor | 2026 | Producer |
The availability and release status of individual 2026 projects can change as productions move through development, post-production, festivals, and distribution.
Who Is Marco Perego’s Wife?
Marco Perego’s wife is actress Zoe Saldaña. The couple married in 2013 after beginning their relationship earlier that year. Their marriage has remained a major part of public interest in Perego because Saldaña is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actresses.
Saldaña is known for major film roles including Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Avengers. Her career has given the couple a significant presence in entertainment coverage, although Perego has maintained his own professional identity through art and filmmaking.
Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña’s Relationship
Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña began dating in 2013 and married later that same year in London. Their relationship developed quickly, but they have remained together for more than a decade.
One detail that attracted considerable attention was Perego’s decision to take Saldaña’s surname after their marriage. He has subsequently been publicly identified as Marco Perego-Saldaña, while Saldaña has also used the combined surname in some contexts.
Their relationship has also included professional collaboration. Saldaña starred in Perego’s directorial debut, The Absence of Eden, creating an unusual overlap between their family life and professional careers.
Does Marco Perego Have Children?
Yes. Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña have three sons: twins Cy and Bowie, and their younger son Zen. The twins were born in 2014, while Zen was born in 2016.
The couple have spoken publicly about raising their children in a multilingual environment. Their family has connections to both Italian and Spanish-speaking cultures, in addition to life in the United States.
Perego’s professional biography currently describes him as living and working in Los Angeles with his wife and three children.
What Does Marco Perego Do for a Living?
Marco Perego works across several creative fields. He is primarily known as a contemporary artist, but his professional activities also include film directing, screenwriting, and producing.
His visual-art practice includes exhibitions and works held in public collections. His film career has added another dimension to his work, allowing him to explore narrative storytelling through feature films and production projects.
This combination of art and cinema is important when understanding Marco Perego’s career. He is not simply known because he is married to a famous actress; he has developed an independent creative career spanning multiple disciplines.
Marco Perego Net Worth
Marco Perego’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed by a reliable financial disclosure. Various entertainment websites may publish estimates, but those figures are not official financial statements and can differ substantially.
For that reason, a specific dollar amount should not be treated as a verified measure of his wealth. His career includes artwork, exhibitions, film production, directing, and other creative projects, but there is insufficient reliable public information to establish his personal net worth with confidence.
What Is Marco Perego Doing Now in 2026?
As of 2026, Marco Perego remains active in both art and filmmaking. His professional biography lists new exhibitions and artistic projects, while his film credits show several productions connected with him as a producer or filmmaker.
One of his recent art projects, The Being, was presented in Los Angeles in 2026. The work combines visual, sound, environmental, and interactive elements and reflects his continuing interest in transformation and changing states.
His film activities are also continuing. Projects including Petrichor, Minotaur, Paper Tiger, Fjord, and Butterfly Jam appear in current film-industry listings, although their release schedules and final credits may change as production progresses.
Marco Perego’s Height and Personal Details
Marco Perego’s exact height is not sufficiently documented by an authoritative source, so a specific measurement should not be treated as confirmed.
Information about his private life beyond his publicly documented marriage and children is also relatively limited. His public profile is primarily connected to his art, filmmaking, and relationship with Zoe Saldaña rather than extensive disclosure of personal details.
Marco Perego’s Career Beyond His Marriage to Zoe Saldaña
The public interest surrounding Marco Perego often begins with his connection to Zoe Saldaña, but his biography tells a broader story. He moved from Italy to the United States, worked various jobs while developing his artistic ambitions, built a career in contemporary art, and later expanded into filmmaking.
His work has crossed several creative boundaries. The combination of visual art, installation, film production, writing, and directing has become a defining feature of his professional identity.
That background also helps explain why searches for Marco Perego frequently include terms such as artist, filmmaker, husband, family, movies, age, and net worth. Each reflects a different part of a career that has developed across both the art and entertainment worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marco Perego
Who is Marco Perego?
Marco Perego is an Italian contemporary artist, filmmaker, producer, and writer. He is also known publicly as the husband of actress Zoe Saldaña. His career includes international art exhibitions, public collections, film production, screenwriting, and directing. His feature-film directorial debut was The Absence of Eden, which starred Saldaña alongside Garrett Hedlund and Adria Arjona.
How old is Marco Perego?
Marco Perego was born on March 1, 1979, so he is 47 years old in 2026. His birth date is listed consistently across several biographical and entertainment records. His zodiac sign is Pisces.
Who is Marco Perego’s wife?
Marco Perego’s wife is actress Zoe Saldaña. They married in London in 2013 and have three sons together. Perego has also used the surname Perego-Saldaña since their marriage, making their family connection particularly visible in public records and entertainment coverage.
Does Marco Perego have children?
Yes. Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña have three sons. Their children are twins Cy and Bowie, born in 2014, and Zen, born in 2016. The family has maintained a connection to Italian, Spanish, and American cultures.
What does Marco Perego do?
Marco Perego is a contemporary artist, filmmaker, producer, and writer. His art has been exhibited internationally, while his filmmaking work includes directing, writing, and producing feature and short-form projects. His professional activities therefore extend well beyond his public identity as Zoe Saldaña’s husband.
What movie did Marco Perego direct?
Marco Perego directed The Absence of Eden, a feature film that premiered in 2023 before receiving a U.S. theatrical release in 2024. He co-wrote the film with Rick Rapoza and also served as a producer. Zoe Saldaña, Garrett Hedlund, and Adria Arjona are among its principal cast members.
Is Marco Perego an artist?
Yes. Contemporary art is a major part of Marco Perego’s career. His work has appeared in international exhibitions and is represented in public collections. His artistic practice has included different materials and installation-based approaches, with recurring themes involving transformation, change, and contemporary life.
What is Marco Perego’s net worth?
Marco Perego’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed through a reliable financial disclosure. Online estimates should therefore be treated as unofficial rather than established facts. His professional income may come from multiple creative activities, including art and film production, but a verified personal figure is not available.
Where does Marco Perego live now?
Marco Perego works and lives in Los Angeles with Zoe Saldaña and their three children, according to his professional biography. His career remains international, however, with artistic exhibitions and film activities taking place across different countries and cities.
What is Marco Perego working on in 2026?
In 2026, Marco Perego remains active in both visual art and cinema. His current professional listings include artistic exhibitions as well as film projects such as Petrichor, Minotaur, Paper Tiger, Fjord, and Butterfly Jam. The status of individual projects can change during production and distribution.
Conclusion
Marco Perego is an Italian artist and filmmaker whose public profile combines a substantial creative career with his long-standing marriage to Zoe Saldaña. From his early connection to soccer and move to the United States to his development as a contemporary artist and later filmmaker, his career has followed an unconventional path.
His work in galleries and museums established his reputation in the art world, while The Absence of Eden introduced him to a wider film audience as a director and writer. In 2026, he continues working across art and cinema while raising his three sons with Saldaña.
