News | Entertainment
12 Feb 2025 10:26
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Lucas Grabeel was called "grandpa" on the set of 'High School Musical'

    The 40-year-old actor starred as Ryan Evans in the hit Disney Channel movie in 2006 alongside Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale and while most of his co-stars were in their mid to late teens, he was in his early twenties at the time


    Speaking as part of a panel at MegaCon in Orlando, Florida, he said: "I always had some physical ailment or something and talking in Olde English slang, so everyone called me 'grandpa."

    The 'Little Women' star appeared in all three films that made up the 'High School Musical' franchise as singer and dancer Ryan but initially auditioned for the part of basketball player Troy Bolton, a role that eventually propelled his co-star Zac to worldwide fame.

    Former 'Suite Life' actress Ashley played Ryan's ambitious twin sister Sharpay Evans, and he admitted he was "p***** off" when he was paired for her because she was exactly like her character in that she would insist on running lines over and over again.

    He said: "I met Ashley at the callback. We had originally had our normal audition ... then we had the callback and met with the director. We had originally had our normal audition ... then we had the callback and met with the director.

    "That's when I auditioned for Troy. The director] was like, 'Oh Lucas, You are amazing but you are no Troy. But you are a Ryan.

    "I was paired with Ashley and she really p***** me off.

    "This girl. I mean, this is why she got the job - she was so Sharpay. She literally, we did the scene, we came out and she's like 'Hey, so I really wanna, like, rehearse and go over it again.

    "And I was like, 'I'm kinda good, cause I did my homework and I'm ready to go.' And she's like 'No, please,' And I'm like, 'Okay, cool.' ... So we do the scene outside, by ourselves, and she's like 'Okay, so, when I say this line I want you to go over here and make this face. And then at this point, I'm gonna add this line and I want you to react to that.' And I'm like 'Whoa, she's giving me notes.

    "I went to the callback and I had this, like 'Bro, be professional.' And that is exactly who Ryan is. He has this thing of like, 'I have to perform, she's driving me nuts, but I'll keep it all inside.' So thank you, Ashley for giving me notes."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     12 Feb: Priscilla Presley learned Elvis Presley had been unfaithful to her by reading his fan mail
     12 Feb: Una Healy's ex-husband only sees their children twice a year
     12 Feb: Prince Harry has criticised the "weak moral character" in the world
     12 Feb: Mel B has a Spice Girls-themed shed where she loves to sit in silence with the animals on her farm
     12 Feb: Steve Coogan likes a "full pie experience" in the winter
     12 Feb: 'Anora's Sean Baker won the coveted Best Film prize at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards on Saturday (08.02.25) night
     12 Feb: Isla Fisher is "not ready to think about" dating again
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Warren Gatland's second reign as Wales rugby coach is over after a record run of 14 straight defeats, culminating in an away loss to Italy on the weekend More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Consumers could soon be incentivised for using less power, and generating their own power, during peak times More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Priscilla Presley learned Elvis Presley had been unfaithful to her by reading his fan mail 10:12

    National:
    Decluttering can be stressful - a clinical psychologist explains how personal values can make it easier 10:07

    International:
    Who is Max Richter and why is he one of the most popular classical artists today? 10:07

    Business:
    Consumers could soon be incentivised for using less power, and generating their own power, during peak times 10:07

    Entertainment:
    Una Healy's ex-husband only sees their children twice a year 9:42

    Law and Order:
    A man is appearing in court today, charged with murdering a 60-year-old woman in Lake Hawea 9:27

    Entertainment:
    Prince Harry has criticised the "weak moral character" in the world 9:12

    Entertainment:
    Mel B has a Spice Girls-themed shed where she loves to sit in silence with the animals on her farm 8:42

    Education:
    A music expert’s tips on making an unforgettable mixtape (or playlist) for your Valentine 8:27

    National:
    The New Yorker turns 100 - how a poker game pipe dream became a publishing powerhouse 8:17


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd