From Rags to Riches: Lucas Grabeel’s Move to Fame After a Life-Changing Phone Call

Before skyrocketing to global stardom with "High School Musical," Lucas Grabeel tackled the demanding acting scene in Los Angeles and once experienced a striking low, with a mere $3 in his bank account. During an insightful discussion on the "Ned's Declassified Podcast Survival Guide," the now 40-year-old actor unveiled his challenging journey to landing the memorable role of Ryan Evans in the Disney Channel hit. Grabeel reflected on those tough moments, stating, “I had $3 in my account. My car was barely functional, held together by bungee cords and duct tape.” Following his initial success in "Halloweentown High," he found himself working at Blockbuster, ironically renting his own promotional displays. When invited to audition for "High School Musical," Grabeel assumed he would read for Troy Bolton but was instead directed towards Ryan by director Kenny Ortega. After a series of intense auditions, he received the life-altering call that would transform his career trajectory forever.