While 2022 may have been the year Austin Butler became a household name after his role in “Elvis” as the late King of Rock & Roll not only captivated audiences but also scored him multiple awards, including an Oscar nomination, the actor has been working in film and TV for over a decade. Butler was bit by the acting bug at a young age, crediting his late mother — who passed away when he was just 23 — for his love of the craft.
“Being silly with her is what broke me out of my shell, and it’s the core of what started me in acting,” Butler said with tears in his eyes during his “Saturday Night Live” monologue in December 2022. “Even though I had this crippling shyness, when I was with her, I’d do anything to make my mom laugh. I’d make funny faces and voices. I’d even do this ridiculous Gollum impression.”
Butler got his start on TV in 2007 at the young age of 16, and hasn’t stopped working since. While not all of his roles were award-winning, they’re all worth revisiting. Take a look back at some of Butler’s best work in both film and television ahead.
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"Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide"
Butler starred on the Nickelodeon series for 41 episodes from 2005 to 2007. On the show, he played uncredited Zippy Brewster, a student at James K. Polk school. While he didn’t have very many lines despite being on more than three dozen episodes, he was often spotted on screen alongside the show’s stars.
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"Hannah Montana
Early in his career, Butler had the opportunity to work alongside Miley Cyrus on her super popular Disney Channel show, “Hannah Montana.” He first appeared as a character named Toby in 2006, and the following year he returned, this time as Derek Hanson, Hannah’s blind date. While the roles were short-lived, they are definitely one for Butler fans to revisit.
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"The Faithful"
In Butler’s first 2007 film, “The Faithful,” he played Danny, a dog who turns human thanks to his teen owner Kevin’s birthday wish. Danny instantly becomes a hit at Kevin’s school, and tensions run high when the girl of Kevin’s dreams falls for Danny instead.
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"Zoey 101"
Butler appeared in 11 episodes of the super popular Nickelodeon show. He portrayed Danifer in 2007. He later appeared as a character named James Garrett, who became friends with Zoey (Jamie Lynn Spears) after moving into a room with Logan Reese and Michael Barret.
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"Ruby & the Rockits"
Butler was a part of the main cast in this Freeform sitcom about an aging rockstar who forces his former Rockits bandmate brother to take in his newfound daughter, Ruby. Butler played Ruby’s cousin and newfound housemate, Jordan Gallagher, for the show’s entire one-season run in 2009.
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"Life Unexpected"
Butler played Jones Mager for 10 episodes from 2010 to 2011 on this shortlived CW drama. His character was a love interest – and later the boyfriend of – main character Lux (Britt Robertson).
Everett Collection / Ben Mark Holzberg
"Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure"
This 2011 film followed “High School Musical” star Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) as she headed to New York City in hopes of starting a Broadway career. Butler starred alongside Tisdale as Peyton Leverett, an aspiring filmmaker and family friend whom Sharpay connects with when she lands in the city. Peyton not only helps Sharpay by offering her a place to stay, but is a loyal and encouraging friend.
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"Switched at Birth"
Butler played Wilke, the wealthy bandmate and friend of Toby (Lucas Gabriel) in 14 episodes of the teen drama about sisters who were (as the title would suggest) switched at birth from 2011 to 2012.
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"The Carrie Diaries"
Butler was a main character on this 2013 CW show, which was based on the younger life of “Sex and the City“‘s Carrie Bradshaw. The actor played Sebastian Kydd on the series, which was set in the ’80s, for the show’s two seasons.
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"The Shannara Chronicles"
Butler played Wil Ohmsford in this TV series from 2016 to 2017 that follows adventures, magic, war, and evil that occur throughout a mystical world called the Four Lands.
Everett Collection / Credit : Frederick Elmes / Focus Features
"The Dead Don't Die"
Butler and Gomez met once again onscreen for this 2019 film about a quiet town that becomes overrun by zombies. The actor took on the role of Jack, while Gomez played Zoe. The A-list cast also included screen legends Bill Murray (Chief Cliff Robertson), Adam Driver (Officer Ronald), Tilda Swinton (Zelda Winston), Chloë Sevigny (Officer Minerva “Mindy” Morrison), and Danny Glover (Hank Thompson).
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"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"
In one of his bigger roles, Butler portrayed Tex Watson in 2019’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” The movie – which also starred Leonardo DiCaprio (Rick Dalton), Brad Pitt (Cliff Booth), Margot Robbie (Sharon Tate), Margaret Qualley (Pussycat), Dakota Fanning (Squeaky), and Luke Perry (Wayne Maunder) – told the story of a washed-up television actor and his stunt double striving to succeed in the final years of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
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"Elvis"
Butler starred as the late Elvis Presley in this 2022 award-winning Baz Luhrmann-directed biopic. His portrayal of the musician earned him a BAFTA award for Best Leading Actor, a Golden Globe award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, a People’s Choice award for Drama Movie Star, and more.
