News | Entertainment
23 Mar 2025 7:25
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."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     22 Mar: Madelyn Cline "did not know which way was up" after she split from Chase Stokes
     22 Mar: Benny Blanco has become a "true Swiftie"
     22 Mar: Gal Gadot wants to "explore the world" with her family
     22 Mar: Blake Lively has asked a court to dismiss Justin Baldoni's defamation lawsuit
     22 Mar: Kylie Jenner would love to have her own spin-off TV show
     22 Mar: Nina Dobrev is still "a few months away" from being back to full health
     22 Mar: Stephen Graham almost broke Leonardo DiCaprio's leg with a golf cart
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Crusaders first five Taha Kemara's relishing the chance to make amends off the tee in tonight's Super Rugby Pacific derby against the Blues at Eden Park More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Warehouse Group's disputing claims their improved financial momentum, is off the back of understaffing More...



     Today's News

    Rugby League:
    Newcastle Knights backrower Dylan Lucas is facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines following a hamstring injury in their 26-6 NRL loss to the Titans on the Gold Coast 7:17

    Soccer:
    Wellington Phoenix women's coach Paul Temple is refusing to give up hope his side can make the A-League playoffs after their 2-nil loss to the Central Coast Mariners 5:47

    Accident and Emergency:
    The Tongariro Crossing is closed with a rahui is in place following the death of a man yesterday 4:47

    Motoring:
    Oscar Piastri snares first Formula 1 pole position for Chinese Grand Prix and Lewis Hamilton wins sprint race 21:37

    Law and Order:
    Police are investigating reports of shots being fired at a house in Gisborne 18:57

    Law and Order:
    A Wellington man's been sentenced to home detention after Customs raided his home and found more than 20,000 child abuse images 18:37

    Law and Order:
    A person has died near the Carterton's New World after a shooting just after 4pm 18:27

    Rugby:
    Crusaders first five Taha Kemara's relishing the chance to make amends off the tee in tonight's Super Rugby Pacific derby against the Blues at Eden Park 18:17

    Motorsports:
    Kiwi driver Liam Lawson's determined to build on some positive moves in the sprint race at the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix 18:07

    International:
    Sudanese army seizes Republican Palace after two years of civil war 17:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd