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Austin Butler

Austin Butler

Austin Robert Butler (born August 17, 1991) is an American actor, singer, and model. He is best known for his feature films roles as Jake Pearson in Aliens in the Attic and as Peyton Leverett in the High School Musical spin-off film Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure, as well as for his TV roles as James on Zoey 101, Jordan on Ruby & The Rockits and Jones on Life Unexpected. He currently stars on Switched at Birth playing the role of Wilke since June 27, 2011.[1]In 2022, Butler had a breakout role playing Elvis Presley in the movie Elvis, earning an Oscar nomination.

Early life[]

Austin Butler was born on August 17, 1991 in Anaheim, California, the son of Lori Anne (née Howell) and David Butler.[2][3][4][5] He has one sibling, an older sister named Ashley (born in 1986), who worked as a background-actor alongside him on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.[6][4]

When Butler was 13, he was approached by a representative from a background-acting management company at the Orange County Fair, who helped him get started in the entertainment industry.[3][4][7][8] He found that he really enjoyed it, and soon began taking acting classes to develop his talent.[3][7][8]

Career[]

In 2005, after working as an extra on several TV shows, Butler landed his first regular job as a background actor playing the role of Lionel Scranton for two seasons on Nickelodeon's Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.[6][7][9] His friend on the show, Lindsey Shaw, introduced him to her manager, Pat Cutler who immediately offered to represent him, and from that point on, Butler began taking acting seriously as a career.[3][7]

Two years later in 2007, after performing in several commercials, Butler landed his first movie role in the short film The Faithful playing the role of a dog, Danny, who later turns into a human being.[citation needed] In May of that year, Butler landed a guest starring role on the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana playing the role of Derek Hanson opposite actress Miley Cyrus, and in September of that same year, he portrayed "Jake Krandle" in the episode "iLike Jake" on the Nickelodeon series iCarly.[6][4][7][9]

In February 2008, Butler landed a recurring role on the Nickelodeon show Zoey 101 playing James Garrett, the love interest of Jamie Lynn Spears's character Zoey, and in March of that year, he appeared in an episode of Out of Jimmy's Head playing the role of Lance in the episode titled "Princess".[6][4][7][9]

In July 2009, Butler starred in 20th Century Fox’s family adventure movie Aliens in the Attic (originally titled They Came From Upstairs), portraying Jake Pearson, alongside Ashley Tisdale, Carter Jenkins, Robert Hoffman, Kevin Nealon, and Doris Roberts.[4][7][9] In the movie, his character, along with his family, battles to save their vacation home and the world from an alien invasion.[4][7] That same summer, Butler appeared in the starring role of Jordan Gallagher on the popular, but short-lived ABC Family series Ruby & The Rockits, alongside David Cassidy, Patrick Cassidy and his good friend, Alexa Vega.[3][4][9] Butler portrayed the cousin of Alexa's character Ruby, whom he has a crush on, reasoning that it was because he never grew up with her.

In February 2010, Butler landed a recurring role as Jones on the CW network series Life Unexpected,[3][8][10] and that same month, he appeared in an episode of Wizards Of Waverly Place titled "Positive Alex" where he played Alex's new crush, George.[3][10] In March of that year, it was announced that Butler had been cast as "Cameron" in a pilot for another CW network show called Betwixt, but the show was not picked up by the network.[11] In June of that same year, Butler appeared in two consecutive wikipedia:Jonas L.A. episodes where he played Stone Stevens,[3] and in December of that year, Butler's career took a dramatic turn when he appeared in guest-starring roles on CSI: Miami and The Defenders.[8][citation needed][10]

In the spring of 2010, Butler's Aliens in the Attic co-star Ashley Tisdale invited him to audition for a lead role in the film Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure, a spin-off of Disney's popular High School Musical franchise that followed the adventures of Sharpay Evans after high school as she tries to get her big break on Broadway.[4][8][12] In the film, Butler played Peyton Leverette, a handsome student filmmaker who finds Sharpay nearly as fascinating as she finds herself.[3][8][12]

In December 2010, Butler told Week In Rewind about landing his role in Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure - "I had worked with Ashley once, and then I heard about the movie, because she called me and said, ‘Austin, I want you to come and read for the director for this--I think you’d be perfect.’ So, I went and met with the director, and it went really well, and I ended up doing the movie."[8] The film wrapped production in July 2010 and was released direct-to-DVD on April 19, 2011.[13]

In the year 2011, he booked the role of Wilke on the ABC Family show Switched at Birth. He first debuted on June 27, 2011.[14] In the same year, he signed onto play a lead role of Zack Garvey in the Lifetime movie called Bling Ring, a Dick Clark Productions and directed by Michael Lembeck who previously directed Tooth Fairy and The Santa Clause 3, follows a group of young burglars as they target the homes of some of Hollywood’s most prominent celebrities. Jennifer Grey of Dirty Dancing plays Iris Garvey, the mother of one of the defendants(Austin's character) Zack. The movie also stars Yin Chang, Renee Olstead and Spencer Locke. The movie released on September 26, 2011.[15]

As of October 2011, Austin Butler has joined ABC Family’s hourlong pilot Intercept, a technology- and action-driven drama about four college students who get roped into solving crimes when one of them (Butler) creates a high-tech communication device that intercepts conversations throughout the West Coast. Danielle Panabaker and Chloe Wang also star in the new show.[16] The show will be directed by Kevin Hooks, executive-produced and written by Ray Wright, who has also written hit movies like The Crazies, Case 39, and Pulse. [17]

Personal life[]

Butler attended public school until the 7th grade, when, at the age of 13, he left to be home-schooled in order to accommodate his work schedule.[6][7] He continued his home-school education until 10th grade when, at the age of 15, he took the CHSPE to finish his formal high school education, and hopes to attend college when the time is right.

Butler enjoys creating and recording music, and began playing the guitar at the age of 13 and playing piano at the age of 16.[4][7][9] He enjoys collecting guitars, and his other hobbies include outdoor activities that keep him in shape such as basketball, hiking, and cycling, as well as exercising in his home gym.[7]

He dated actress Vanessa Hudgens from September 2011 to January 2020.[18][19]

Discography[]

Butler performed a song on iCarly when he guest starred.

  1. Whatever My Love

Butler appeared in singles from the Ruby and The Rockits Series. These singles were released through iTunes.

  1. 6: Possibilities: Alexa Vega and Austin Butler

Released on August 18, 2009.

  1. 8: Life I Love You, Not: Austin Butler. Released on ITunes September 8, 2009.

Un-Released. The following are from the television show Ruby and the Rockits.

  1. 3: Lost In Your Own Life (Duet Version) Alexa Vega and Austin Butler. In pilot episode released on July 21, 2009.
  2. 8: Humming Melody: Alexa Vega, Patrick Cassidy, David Cassidy, Austin Butler, Kurt Doss, and Katie A. Keane. Heard on September 8, 2009.

Filmography[]

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Faithful, TheThe Faithful Danny Short film
2009 Aliens in the Attic Jake Pearson Lead role
2010 My Uncle Rafael Cody Beck Short role
2011 Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure Payton Leverette Disney Channel Original Movie
Bling Ring, TheThe Bling Ring Zack Garvey Lead role
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2005 Unfabulous Unnamed student Episode: "The Eye Randy"
2005-2007 Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide Lionel Scranton (Background) 41 episodes
2006 Drake & Josh Extra Episode: "The Demonator"
2006-2007 Hannah Montana Derek
Toby (Uncredited)
Episode "Oops! I Meddled Again"
Episode: "My Best Friend's Boyfriend"
2007-2008 Zoey 101 Jimmy/James Garrett 11 episodes
2008 iCarly Jake Krandle Episode: "iLike Jake"
Out of Jimmy's Head Lance Episode: "Princess"
2009 Ruby & The Rockits Jordan Gallagher Main character
Zeke & Luther Rutger Murdock Episode: "Adventure Boy"
2010 Wizards of Waverly Place George Episode: "Positive Alex"
Jonas L.A. Stone Stevens Episode: "Back To The Beach"
Episode: "House Party"
CSI: Miami Josh Chapman Episode: "Happy Birthday"
Defenders, TheThe Defenders Cody Dennis Episode: "Nevada v. Dennis"
2010-2011 Life Unexpected Jones Mager 15 episodes
2011 CSI: NY Benjamin Gold Episode: Do or Die
2011-12 Switched at Birth Wilke Recurring role
2012 Intercept Devon Completed
2013-14 The Carrie Diaries Sebastian Kydd Main role
2016-17 The Shannara Chronicles Will Ohmsford Main role

Awards[]

Year Award Category Role Film / Series Result
2010 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Ensemble Cast Jake Pearson
(Shared with: Carter Jenkins, Henri Young, Regan Young, Megan Parker)
Aliens in the Attic Nominated[20]
2010 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor Jordan Gallagher Ruby & The Rockits Nominated[20]
2011 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Series – Guest Starring Young Actor 18-21 Cody Dennis The Defenders Nominated[21]

References[]

  1. "Katie Leclerc Talks Austin Butler's Debut On 'Switched At Birth'". http://www.chordscenter.net/katie-leclerc-talks-austin-butler-s-debut-on-switched-at-birth-_watch-video-xfhfhlnjldfprnpdfhj.html. 
  2. "Austin Robert Butler". Family Tree Legends. http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/39461?c=search&first=austin&last=butler. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 "Austin Butler - Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure". Pop Tower. http://www.poptower.com/austin-butler.htm. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 "'Aliens in the Attic': Austin Butler". Scholastic.com. http://blog.scholastic.com/ink_splot_26/2009/07/aliens-in-the-attic-be-afraid-sorta-afraid.html. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  5. The Clarence Bentley Family Tree:Information about Austin Robert Butler
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "Austin Butler - Celebrity". TVGuide.com. http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/austin-butler/bio/292730. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 "Austin Butler Interview". Portrait Magazine. http://www.portraitmagazine.net/interviews/austinbutler.html. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 "Austin butler of the CW's 'Life Unexpected'". Week In Rewind. http://www.weekinrewind.com/2010/12/interview-austin-butler-of-cws-life.html. Retrieved 2011-02-16. [dead link]
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 "Austin Butler in ABC Family's 'Ruby and the Rockits'". Media Blvd. Magazine. http://www.mediablvd.com/magazine/the_news/celebrity/austin_butler_in_abc_family%27s_%27ruby_and_the_rockits%27_200907211807.html. Retrieved 2011-02-16. [dead link]
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Austin Butler dishes on 'Life Unexpected'". Aol Teens - Cambio.com. http://www.cambio.com/more/news/exclusive-interview-austin-butler-dishes-on-life-unexpected. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  11. "New Roles Cast in CW Pilots". The CW Blog. http://blog.cwtv.com/2010/03/18/new-roles-cast-in-cw-pilots/. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  12. 12.0 12.1 "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure". Disney Channel Medianet. http://www.disneychannelmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=3127898&type=lead. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  13. "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure Coming This April". Aol Teens - Cambio.com. http://www.cambio.com/news/sharpay-s-fabulous-adventure-coming-this-april. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  14. "Callan McAuliffe, Austin Butler and Debby Ryan Interviews - Prom Premiere Video". http://video.about.com/movies/Prom-Premiere-Interviews-7.htm. 
  15. "Jackie K. Cooper: The Bling Ring Marks Marks the Return of Jennifer Grey". http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jackie-k-cooper/bling-ring-movie_b_968591.html. 
  16. Andreeva, Nellie. "Cable Pilot Castings: Dan Lauria To Star In ‘Sullivan & Son’, Austin Butler In ‘Intercept’ –". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/cable-pilot-castings-dan-lauria-to-star-in-sullivan-son-austin-butler-in-intercept/. Retrieved 2011-12-19. 
  17. "Shows A-Z - intercept on abc family". TheFutonCritic.com. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/devwatch/intercept/. Retrieved 2011-12-19. 
  18. Nadia Mendoza. "Vanessa Hudgens and new boyfriend Austin Butler can't keep their hands off each other at LAX | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2069829/Vanessa-Hudgens-new-boyfriend-Austin-Butler-hands-LAX.html. Retrieved 2011-12-19. 
  19. Jade Watkins. "Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler share a passionate kiss before attending church | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2075962/Vanessa-Hudgens-Austin-Butler-share-passionate-kiss-attending-church.html. Retrieved 2011-12-19. 
  20. 20.0 20.1 "31st Annual Young Artist Awards". Young Artist Awards. http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms31.html. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  21. "32nd Annual Young Artist Awards". Young Artist Awards. http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms32.html. Retrieved 2011-02-19. 

External links[]

Smallwikipedialogo.png This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Austin Butler. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with High School Musical Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


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