Teenage wolf Seth Clearwater played a crucial part bringing down the bad guys at the end of "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse." But 16-year-old actor BooBoo Stewart is really just a fun-loving California boy.

He and several other actors from "Eclipse" will appear at Salt Lake City's Sheraton Hotel as part of this weekend's Twilight Convention. The Tribune caught up with Stewart and discovered some hidden talents, his favorite animal and more about his budding music career.

You're no stranger to the limelight, having been in Disney productions and having guest starred on "CSI: Miami," but how have things changed since appearing in "Twilight"?

I get recognized on the street more. It's awesome. You just have to be yourself. There was this one time, though, when I was at Nordstrom with my friend and my mom, and I guess people found out I was there and they had to shut down the store and we had to wait until all the fans cleared out. It was a little crazy.

Your character, Seth, is known as the only member of the pack to really embrace the ability to turn into a wolf. If you were really in Seth's shoes, how do you think you'd feel about it?

I think it'd be awesome to be able to turn into a wolf!

If you could turn into any animal, what would it be?

I would change into a monkey. I think they're really cool, they've always been my favorite animal. They can climb trees and they're pretty fast. Maybe something like that monkey in "The Lion King."

Besides acting, what else are you known for?

I've been playing guitar, piano and drums for 6 1/2 years. It's really fun. My friends come over and hang out and we jam together. Me and my sister Fival also have two songs on iTunes right now … "Rainy Days" and "You Don't Know Me." I've also been doing martial arts since I was 3.

How has it been on tour?

I like traveling and seeing all the different places. It's cool, though, because we'll see the same fans at every new stop. Like they'll follow us and show up at the next convention. I always interact with the fans a lot. We answer questions onstage, and they can just come by the vendors' room and see us hanging out.

agreenleigh@sltrib.com —

Twilight convention

P There will be appearances by actors BooBoo Stewart (Seth Clearwater), Alex Meraz (werewolf Paul), Julia Jones (Leah Clearwater), Tinsel Korey (Emily of the wolf pack), Daniel Cudmore (Felix of the Volturi).

When • Today to Sunday, Sept. 12

Where • Sheraton Hotel, 150 W. 500 South, Salt Lake City

Info • $10 per day ($40-$45 for daily preferred admission), $73 for weekend package, available at the door. Certain events require separate tickets. For more information and a full schedule, visit www.twilightconvention.com.

Selected highlights:

Today • 2-7 p.m. BooBoo Stewart and Julia Jones sign autographs and pose for pictures; 9 p.m., karaoke party hosted by Jones

Saturday, Sept. 11 • 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Alex Meraz, Chaske Spencer, Daniel Cudmore and Booboo Stewart visit with fans; 10 p.m., Volturi Vampire Ball

Sunday, Sept. 12 • 9:30 a.m., Breakfast with BooBoo Stewart and Chaske Spencer; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Stewart visits with fans; $250 prize for the winner of The Costume Competition