Austin Butler is all the buzz right now as fans prepare for the latest biopic about Elvis Presley. Butler is portraying the King of Rock and Roll in the Baz Luhrmann-directed film. He will star alongside Olivia DeJonge and Tom Hanks.
Avid TV watchers may recognize Austin Butler for his time on The Carrie Diaries, Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, and The Shannara Chronicles. Others may know him for his guest roles on a variety of shows in the first two decades of the 21st century. Millennials and older Gen Z especially may feel nostalgic about the children's network shows he’s been in.
Arrow (2014-2020) - Chase
Arrow is a DC show about the return of Oliver Queen who had gone missing several years earlier and his journey to becoming the Green Arrow. In the third season, Austin Butler stars as a DJ named Chase who seems to fall for Thea Queen, Oliver’s sister. Unfortunately, his intentions aren’t so pure.
Chase comes off as an arrogant character who believes he can’t be beaten. He seems to come out of nowhere, which can be cringe at times—just like all the Arrowverse shows. Butler’s acting isn’t perfect here, but no ones is. That’s just the aura all Arrowverse shows give off, and fans seem perfectly fine with it. Though Arrow just wrapped in 2020, fans miss the early days of the show.
Are You There, Chelsea? (2012) - Luke
Are You There, Chelsea is based on a memoir by Chelsea Handler. Austin Butler guest stars in an episode as a famous teen musician who catches every girl’s eyes when he attends a church party for bachelors. Chelsea realizes he’s perfect for her roommate Dee Dee and sets them up.
The show has a 4.9 rating on IMDb and several mixed reviews. Above all other shows he’s guest-starred in, this gives viewers excited for Elvis a peek at what they’ll be seeing. Fans get a glimpse at his acting and singing talent as his character writes and sings a song for Dee Dee.
The Defenders (2010-2011) - Cody Dennis
Starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell, The Defenders is about two defense attorneys in Las Vegas. Austin Butler plays Cody Dennis in the tenth episode of season 1. Cody is a young man who was found in possession of several shotguns without serial numbers. He has a close relationship with his grandfather, who sells guns illegally.
The Defenders is likened to shows like Better Call Saul. Austin Butler plays his role well. He shows off his capability to portray a serious character with emotional depth. Cody’s grandfather decides to testify in his trial and he incriminates himself so Cody can go free. Butler’s pleading and yelling for his grandpa to stop was surreal and showed he has the acting chops to make eyes water.
Jonas (2009-2010) - Stone Stevens
Jonas is a fictitious look at the Jonas Brothers and how they deal with fame while going to school and later, the opportunities they receive when they move to LA for the summer. Butler plays Stone Stevens in the second episode of season 2. He’s a professional surfer and a chill dude. He flirts with Macy, to Nick’s distaste.
The Jonas Brothers have expressed regret at doing a season 2. Despite this, they gave the season their all, along with the supporting characters and guest stars who appear. In this appearance, Austin Butler plays a cool guy who goes with the flow, adding another type of role to his resume. Emily Osment, David Henrie, and Emma Roberts also guest star at different points in the season.
Zeke And Luther (2009-2012) - Rutger Dundee
Zeke and Luther, one of Disney XD’s first live-action series, is about the two friends and their wild antics. Austin Butler plays Rutger, a TV daredevil who visits the town to woo a girl who happens to be Zeke’s crush. Out of jealous rage, Zeke finds proof that Rutger is a fraud and wins the girl over in an act of bravery.
Rutger is Australian but it may be hard to realize at first as Butler’s accent here is questionable. His character comes across as overconfident when he first meets Zeke and Luther, but as the episode goes on, the tough layers begin to peel. Butler successfully makes this personality shift and by the end, he’s almost like a new person, one who is scared and jumpy.
Out Of Jimmy’s Head (2007-2008) - Lance
Out of Jimmy’s Head is based on a TV movie in which a kid gets a brain transplant, the brain coming from a deceased animator. He now hallucinates cartoons. Austin Butler plays Lance, a boy Robin, Jimmy’s crush, brings to a movie night. Feeling jealous and obligated to do something, Jimmy animates a princess to impress Robin.
This show is a Cartoon Network live-action show viewers may have forgotten about. It’s one of the worst-rated shows on IMDb with a 2.3. Butler’s episode can be found on YouTube in Spanish. One YouTube comment by Ditzakoo! says “It’s sad that this was the only good episode in this show.” Whether it be to Butler’s credit or not, it’s clear aside from this episode, Out of Jimmy’s Head is nostalgic, but not necessarily for the best reasons.
Wizards Of Waverly Place (2007-2012) - George
Wizards of Waverly Place explores a family of wizards living in New York City. Austin Butler guest stars in the third season as George, the conductor of the pep band, that Alex finds attractive. He rejects Alex because of her negativity, and to win him over, she puts a spell on herself to be positive.
George is an interesting character. He preaches positivity but also comes off as slightly self-absorbed and close-minded. He doesn’t even try to get to know Alex. He changes his mind about going to the dance with her several times, like a light switch being flicked on and off repeatedly. Butler’s performance is great. He’s only in one episode and yet, he succeeds at portraying the complex teenager.
iCarly (2007-2012) - Jake Krandle
In the first season of iCarly, Austin Butler guest stars as Jake Krandle, the guy every girl likes in school. When she finds out Jake and his girlfriend split, Carly goes crazy over him. Jake is a fan of iCarly and is offered a chance to sing on the web show. The gang discovers his voice isn’t great.
Butler performs this role well. He’s great at playing the cute and unsuspecting guy that girls fall for. It is clear that Butler thrives in a comedic setting. While he’s starred in many sit-coms like this, iCarly gives him a more prominent role in the episode and thus, an opportunity to shine.
Zoey 101 (2005-2008) - Danifer/James Garrett
Zoey 101 follows a group of friends at a boarding school that has just begun to allow girls to enroll. In a season 3 episode, Austin Butler plays Danifer, a cute boy at the movies mistaken for Zoey’s date. In season 4, the show brings him on as a different character. He’s Michael and Logan’s new roommate and he soon becomes Zoey’s boyfriend.
Austin Butler is the only actor that appears as two different characters on Zoey 101. His stunt as Danifer is used as a gag. James is more serious and considered a main character in the final season. He adds a charm and a likability to James that works well for the character and his relationship with the rest of the gang.
Hannah Montana (2005-2011) - Toby/Derek Hanson
Hannah Montana explores the pop star double-life of Miley Stewart. Austin Butler guest stars in two episodes as different characters. In season 1, he appears as Becca’s boyfriend she breaks up with to be with Oliver. In season 2, he plays Derek Hanson, Miley’s date for a movie night who freaks out at the horror movie and jumps in Miley’s lap.
In both episodes, Butler plays a small part in just a couple of scenes. As Toby, he had no lines. As Derek, however, he is arguably the best and most hilarious part of the episode. He holds nothing back. Sterling Knight also guest stars in the latter episode as Lily’s new boyfriend who Miley discovers is cheating on her.