News | Entertainment
28 Jan 2026 3:25
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."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     27 Jan: Chris Pratt will not let artificial intelligence (AI) actors end his acting career
     27 Jan: Patsy King has died at the age of 95
     27 Jan: Taylor Swift will be the youngest woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
     27 Jan: Kristen Bell is to host the Actor Awards for the third time
     27 Jan: Jaden Smith was "shocked and surprised" when he was asked to be Christian Louboutin's first men's creative director
     27 Jan: Michelle Pfeiffer "hated" her iconic Scarface bob
     27 Jan: Phil Collins has admitted years of alcohol abuse left his kidneys "messed up"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The All Blacks head coaching vacancy came too late for Vern Cotter's consideration More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Tauranga's Mayor says a Council review into the deadly Mount Maunganui landslide still has value, even as the Government launches its own enquiry More...



     Today's News

    Business:
    Tauranga's Mayor says a Council review into the deadly Mount Maunganui landslide still has value, even as the Government launches its own enquiry 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Chris Pratt will not let artificial intelligence (AI) actors end his acting career 21:31

    Health & Safety:
    The mother of a near full-term stillborn baby says hospital staff caused her irreparable harm 21:17

    Politics:
    Tensions in Minnesota could send the US into another government shutdown — here's why 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Patsy King has died at the age of 95 21:01

    Entertainment:
    Taylor Swift will be the youngest woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame 20:31

    Entertainment:
    Kristen Bell is to host the Actor Awards for the third time 20:01

    Entertainment:
    Jaden Smith was "shocked and surprised" when he was asked to be Christian Louboutin's first men's creative director 19:31

    Entertainment:
    Michelle Pfeiffer "hated" her iconic Scarface bob 19:01

    Law and Order:
    The Police Minister's welcoming new senior Police appointments 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd