Hollywood heartthrob Austin Butler has come a long way since his Nickelodeon days in the early 2000s —And fans are taking notice.
The California native broke into the entertainment industry in 2005 and instantly became a staple on the kids’ network with roles on both Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide and Zoey 101.
While he gained fame, Butler kept close to his inner circle. Ashley Tisdale. The duo met at the Yoga Hosers actor was a teenager — well before Butler dated Tisdale’s other BFF Vanessa Hudgens — and went on to costar in 2011’s Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure.
“You’ve been my best friend since you were 15 so that’s 15 years strong of friendship,” the Suite Life of Zack and CodyIn August 2021, the alum posted a gushing Instagram post in celebration of Butler turning thirty. “I am beyond proud of you and everything you’re accomplishing but most importantly proud of the person you are.”
Tisdale continued: “You’ve been my closest friend through the years, you’re the type of friend that came over when I was crying on the floor from a horrible breakup and not only lifted me off the ground but brought my favorite candy 😭.”
The Young and hungryThe alum thanked her longtime friend for understanding her better then almost anyone. “There’s no one like you Austin, you’re my twin born 7 years later 😉,” she added.
The pair’s friendship, however, has confused some fans after Butler and Hudgens called it quits in late 2019 after more than eight years of dating. Tisdale knew the Princess SwitchActresses since before their deaths High School MusicalShe is a strong actress and actor.
For his part, Butler showed that there are no hard feelings among him and Hudgens. In April 2022, Butler revealed that his ex-girlfriend was part the inspiration for him playing the role of Elvis Presley. ElvisThe film “The Defiant One” was released in June 1998.
“I was actually driving up through Griffith Park and Elvis’s ‘Blue Christmas’ came on,” he recalled to VogueThis is what inspired the desire to become the music icon. “I was singing along with it when my friend [Vanessa] had kind of an epiphany: ‘You need to play Elvis.’”
Scroll down to see Butler’s ups and downs throughout his career:
