News | Entertainment
9 May 2025 17:16
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
     09 May: Justin Bieber finds love "exhausting"
     09 May: Jennifer Lopez promised her children she'd be "stronger and better" after her divorce from Ben Affleck
     09 May: Dolly Parton admits her husband would "expect" her to keep going after his death
     09 May: Smokey Robinson's attorney has branded the sexual assault allegations against the singer as "vile" and "false"
     09 May: A man who allegedly crashed his car through the gate of Jennifer Aniston's home has been accused of harassment
     09 May: David Hasselhoff is set to undergo knee surgery next week
     09 May: Holly Madison would love to repair her relationship with Kendra Wilkinson
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Auckland FC have had All Blacks great Dan Carter in camp to help them prepare for the A-League finals More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Prime Minister's responding to nationwide protests over the Government's pay equity changes More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Justin Bieber finds love "exhausting" 16:59

    Living & Travel:
    The window is closing for the Indian Panthers to return to the National Basketball League 16:57

    Law and Order:
    A recent serious dog attack in Auckland is highlighting the extent of the issue 16:47

    Entertainment:
    Jennifer Lopez promised her children she'd be "stronger and better" after her divorce from Ben Affleck 16:29

    Rugby:
    Auckland FC have had All Blacks great Dan Carter in camp to help them prepare for the A-League finals 16:27

    International:
    Giro d'Italia challenge led by outsider Michael Storer as Aussie hopes hinge on supporting favourites 16:07

    Entertainment:
    Dolly Parton admits her husband would "expect" her to keep going after his death 15:59

    Entertainment:
    Smokey Robinson's attorney has branded the sexual assault allegations against the singer as "vile" and "false" 15:29

    Environment:
    A major road has flooded in Auckland as wet weather makes its way across the country 15:27

    Entertainment:
    A man who allegedly crashed his car through the gate of Jennifer Aniston's home has been accused of harassment 14:59


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd