Ezra Frech Bio: Age, Height, Parents, Paralympic Gold Medals, DWTS, Net Worth & Facts

Ezra Frech is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, world record holder, and one of the most inspiring young athletes in America today. Born with congenital limb differences, he has turned every obstacle into fuel — becoming the first above-the-knee amputee recruited to an NCAA Division I track and field program, a disability rights advocate, and now a contestant on Dancing with the Stars Season 35. At just 21 years 4 months old, he’s already changed how the world sees disability.

Quick Facts

Related names and figures: Daniella Karagach, Amy Purdy, Selena Gomez, Hunter Woodhall, Sam Grewe, Clayton Frech, Bahar Soomekh, Saba Soomekh.

Early Life & Education

Ezra Frech was born on May 11, 2005, in Los Angeles, California, to Clayton Frech, an American of German heritage, and Bahar Soomekh, an Iranian-born actress. He was born with congenital limb differences — missing most of his left leg, including his knee and fibula, and all but one finger on his left hand.

When Ezra was just 11 months old, he received his first prosthetic leg. At age 2, doctors amputated the non-functioning lower portion of his left leg in a 15-hour surgery so he could wear his prosthetic more comfortably. During that same surgery, they transplanted a toe from his amputated foot onto his left hand, giving him a second finger to improve his grip.

Despite the challenges, Ezra’s parents raised him to believe he could do anything. He played basketball, soccer, baseball, and karate before discovering adaptive track and field at age 8, when his father took him to an adaptive track meet.

Everything changed at 11 years old, when he watched the 2016 Rio Paralympics on TV. He told his family and friends he would make Team USA for the Tokyo Games in four years. “Everyone said I was crazy,” he later recalled. “It was statistically unlikely”.

He attended Brentwood School in Los Angeles, graduating in 2023. He now attends the University of Southern California (USC) , where he is majoring in Business of Cinematic Arts and competes on the USC Track and Field team.

Career Journey

International Debut and Junior Success (2019)

At just 14 years old, Ezra made his international debut at the 2019 World Para Athletics Junior Championships in Nottwil, Switzerland. He won gold in the high jump and bronze in both the long jump and 100m — an extraordinary start to his international career.

Later that year, he competed at the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru, winning two silver medals in the high jump and long jump.

Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

Ezra qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, fulfilling the dream he had declared at age 11. At just 16 years old, he was the youngest American Paralympian in Tokyo. He finished 5th in the high jump and 8th in the long jump, gaining invaluable experience on the world stage.

World Record and World Championship Gold (2023)

The 2023 season marked Ezra’s breakthrough. At the 2023 Para Athletics World Championships in Paris, he set a new T63 world record in the high jump at 1.95 meters and won his first world championship gold medal. He later broke his own record again, clearing 1.97 meters (6 ft 5½ in) at the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials in 2024.

Paris 2024 Paralympics: Two Gold Medals

At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Ezra delivered the performances of his life. He won gold in the 100m T63 with a personal-best time of 12.06 seconds, then followed it with gold in the high jump T63, setting a Paralympic record with a clearance of 1.94 meters (6 ft 4.25 in). He also placed 5th in the long jump.

USC Trojans: Making NCAA History

Ezra made history as the first above-the-knee amputee to be recruited to an NCAA Division I track and field program. He competes for the USC Trojans alongside athletes without disabilities — a powerful statement about what’s possible. In his freshman season (2025), he placed second in the high jump at the Trojan Invite and set collegiate personal records in both the high jump and long jump.

Dancing with the Stars Season 35 (2026)

In September 2026, Ezra was announced as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars Season 35, making him the first Paralympian in the ballroom since 2018 (when skier Amy Purdy competed). He was paired with Daniella Karagach, a former Mirrorball Trophy winner. In the season premiere, they performed a tango to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” and scored 20 out of 30 — the second-best score among the male celebrities that night.

Ezra told the Daily Trojan that competing on DWTS is about more than dancing. “It means so much. It’s always been a dream come true to get to represent the disabled community and push the boundaries,” he said.

Career Milestones at a Glance

• 2019: International debut; gold and two bronzes at World Junior Championships
• 2019: Two silver medals at Parapan American Games
• 2021: Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020 (5th high jump, 8th long jump)
• 2023: World Championship gold and T63 high jump world record (1.95m)
• 2024: Broke own world record (1.97m); two gold medals at Paris Paralympics
• 2024: ESPY nomination for Best Athlete with a Disability
• 2025: ESPY nomination (second consecutive year); signed with UTA
• 2026: Contestant on Dancing with the Stars Season 35

Personal Life

Family and Background

Ezra comes from a supportive and accomplished family. His mother, Bahar Soomekh, is an Iranian-born actress known for films like Crash and Saw III. His father, Clayton Frech, is an American of German heritage. His aunt, Saba Soomekh, is also an actress. He has two younger brothers, Gabriel and Elijah.

The Frech family co-founded Angel City Sports in 2013, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that provides free, year-round adaptive sports programs for children, adults, and veterans with disabilities. The organization hosts the Angel City Games, one of the largest adaptive sporting events in the country.

Relationship Status

Ezra confirmed he is single ahead of his Dancing with the Stars debut. In an Instagram video, when asked “Do you have a girlfriend?”, he shook his head no. He previously dated equestrian Gable Gering, who attended the ESPYs with him in July 2025.

Disability and Advocacy

Ezra was born with congenital limb differences — missing his left knee, left fibula, and all but one finger on his left hand. He received his first prosthetic at 11 months old and had his left leg amputated at age 2. He competes in the T63 classification, which includes athletes with a single above-knee amputation.

His mission extends far beyond the track. “I genuinely believe my purpose on this Earth is to normalize disability, be an example of what’s possible as an amputee,” he told ESPN.

Controversies

Ezra Frech has maintained a largely positive public image throughout his career. As a young athlete and advocate, he has avoided major scandals or controversies. His focus has consistently remained on his athletic career, his advocacy work, and representing the disability community with dignity and purpose.

Awards & Achievements

• Paralympic Gold Medal (2) — Paris 2024 (100m T63, High Jump T63)
• World Championship Gold (1) — 2023 Paris (High Jump T63)
• World Championship Silver (1) — 2024 Kobe (High Jump T63)
• World Junior Championship Gold (1) — 2019 Nottwil (High Jump T63)
• World Junior Championship Bronze (2) — 2019 Nottwil (Long Jump, 100m)
• Parapan American Games Silver (2) — 2019 Lima (High Jump, Long Jump)
• T63 High Jump World Record — 1.97m (6 ft 5½ in), set 2024
• ESPY Nomination — Best Athlete with a Disability (2024, 2025)
• Team USA Community Champion Award — 2025 (in partnership with Comcast)
• Amir Ekbatani Paralympic Scholarship — Inaugural recipient, Swim With Mike Foundation

Physical Statistics

• Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)
• Weight: 150 lb (68 kg)
• Eye Color: Brown
• Hair Color: Dark Brown
• Build: Athletic, lean
• Distinctive Feature: Prosthetic left leg; missing fingers on left hand
• Classification: T63 (single above-knee amputation)

Quotes

“I genuinely believe my purpose on this Earth is to normalize disability, be an example of what’s possible as an amputee.”

“This is my purpose. I want to change the way the world sees disability.”

“For me, this is life or death. I believe what I do out on the track, my marks, my medals, all impact how the world views disabilities.”

Favorites

• Favorite Movie: Gladiator
• Favorite Sport: Track and field (competing), also enjoys basketball and soccer
• Favorite Event: High jump
• Hobbies: Content creation, modeling, watching films
• Favorite Brand: Hugo Boss (has modeled for them)

Earnings

Ezra Frech’s income comes from multiple sources: sponsorships, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, speaking engagements, modeling contracts, and his appearance on Dancing with the Stars. He signed with UTA (United Talent Agency) in November 2025 for global representation, signaling his growing commercial appeal.

His estimated net worth in 2026 falls in the $500,000 to $1.5 million range, a figure that’s expected to grow significantly as he builds toward the LA 2028 Paralympics, which will be held in his hometown. Dancing with the Stars cast members typically earn $1,200–$5,000 per episode, adding to his income.

Interesting Facts

1. He has a toe on his left hand — doctors transplanted it from his amputated foot during the same surgery that removed his left leg.
2. He was the youngest American Paralympian in Tokyo at age 16.
3. He keeps his gold medals in his backpack and lets classmates at USC wear them.
4. He went viral on TikTok with a countdown series leading up to his gold medal win in Paris.
5. He has modeled for Hugo Boss and been featured in fashion magazines.
6. Selena Gomez has reposted his achievements on social media.
7. He’s a business of cinematic arts major — he loves movies and dreams of working in entertainment beyond sports.
8. His parents founded Angel City Sports when he was 8 years old, after they struggled to find adaptive sports opportunities for him.

Did You Know Already?

• Ezra was born without most of his left leg and all but one finger on his left hand.
• He received his first prosthetic leg at 11 months old.
• He broke the T63 high jump world record twice — first at 1.95m, then at 1.97m.
• He is the first above-the-knee amputee recruited to an NCAA Division I track and field program.
• His father, Clayton Frech, co-founded Angel City Sports with him.
• He was nominated for an ESPY in both 2024 and 2025 for Best Athlete with a Disability.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @ezrafrech
• TikTok: @ezrafrech
• X (Twitter): @ezrafrech
• YouTube: Ezra Frech

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Ezra Frech is more than a Paralympic champion — he’s a generational voice for the disability community, a history-making college athlete, and a rising star in entertainment. At just 21 years 4 months old, he’s already broken world records, won Olympic gold, and changed the way millions of people think about disability. With the LA 2028 Paralympics on the horizon and his Dancing with the Stars journey just beginning, Ezra’s story is only getting started.

If this biography inspired you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that limitations are only what you make of them.