David Lambert Interview -- JJJ Exclusive!

Newcomer David Lambert plays Jason Landers, the younger brother to video-gamer-turned-crime-fighter Charlie (Kelly Blatz) in Disney XD’s debut series, Aaron Stone. The series premieres TONIGHT @ 7PM ET/PT.

JustJaredJr.com caught up with the 16-year-old actor last week at the New York Comic Convention. Here’s what David had to share about his 16th birthday, the bands he plays in and of course his new TV series!

JJJ: Can you tell us about your character in Aaron Stone?

DL: I play Jason Landers, Charlie’s younger brother…and he’s a really cool character. He’s a freshman in high school and he looks up to Charlie in a lot of ways. Sometimes he annoys him, but I think they have a lot of fun. He plays the video game “Hero Rising” as well, which he just thinks is a video game, but it ends up being more than that. And he has no idea that Charlie is Aaron Stone.

It’s really funny because sometimes Charlie has to hide, or lie about his secret identity, so a lot of funny situations happen. He’s really big into girls! He’s really into girls a lot…he likes Emma [Tania Gunadi], the next door neighbor, and a lot of stuff happens because he’s always trying to smooth talk her. And it never works! He’s a cool character, he’s likable. Hopefully, he’s likeable!

(Click inside for more of JJJ‘s interview with David Lambert…)

JJJ: Do you have a real-life older brother?

DL: No, I don’t, actually. That’s the really interesting switch up for me, because I’m the oldest in my family and I’m the youngest in this family. It’s really cool because I kind of learn from my younger siblings. I took what they do, and I applied it to Jason. But it’s cool, because for once I get to ask for advice instead of giving the advice, and I get to look up to someone. And me and Kelly [Blatz], we ended up becoming like brothers in real life, which is great. It’s a really cool relationship that we have.

JJJ: Who do you look up to in Hollywood?

DL: I have so many favorites! I’ve always loved Tom Hanks. He’s awesome. It seems like he can do anything! He’s funny, but he can be really serious, he can make you cry, he can make you laugh. Robin Williams is another favorite of mine. I also really like Johnny Depp because he can be so eccentric, and he chose that path! No one really ever followed him…he’s kind of in his own genre. I really respect him for that and I really look up to him.

JJJ: How did you catch the acting bug?

DL: I’ve always done theater. It started out as a hobby, just as something to do. I did school plays, I did church plays. My first play was probably the Nativity, where I played Joseph. It was pretty fun. I didn’t take anything seriously, it was just for fun. I was also always big into movies, watching movies, trailers for new movies that were coming out, that sort of stuff. So then I was like, you know what, I’ll try that! Eventually, I got an agent and I went out to LA. I went to pilot season, and the second year I went out there I booked this. I was really lucky.

JJJ: What was the audition process like for Aaron Stone?

DL: I went to an open-call, I went in to read a scene, and she gave me a sticky note with an address to another building for the same day. It ended up being the Disney Channel building! I went to the top floor and walked into this room with a table full of producers for the show. I wasn’t expecting that, so I was kind of caught off guard. I got nervous immediately – I was shaking! I did the same scene and they brought me in a couple more times. I read with Kelly and I read with J.P. [Manoux], who plays S.T.A.N. I was kind of star struck by J.P. He’s been on Phil of the Future and ER, so it’s really cool that now I’m working with him! It’s really awesome.

JJJ: What’s your favorite prop on set?

DL: I always have a video game controller in my hands because we play video games a lot. It ended up being like a trademark thing for me. The headset, because it’s an online game. Also, [my character] Jason skateboards, so I had to kind of learn how to do it on set. I have my own skateboad covered in stickers — all worn and beat. That’s a cool prop!

JJJ: You turned 16 back in November, how did you celebrate?

DL: I just hung out with friends and family. I’ve always just done small things. I’ve never had big parties. It’s a lot more personal that way, and you just appreciate things more.

JJJ: Are you still in school?

DL: I’m a sophomore in high school. I’m home-schooled! I do online courses and I graduate in two more years.

JJJ: What’s your worst subject in school?

DL: Probably science, biology.

JJJ: Do you have a favorite Disney movie?

DL: I always loved the classics, like Lion King. And I like the Pixar movie The Incredibles. Those are my two favorites. Awesome.

JJJ: Did you see the preview for Up yet? It’s amazing.

DL: No but I want to see that so badly! I love Pixar, just everything they do! It’s amazing. I loved Wall-E, Finding Nemo, Incredibles, Toy Story, all of them are amazing.

JJJ: Do you like singing? I heard you play the trumpet and guitar.

DL: I’ve been a singer for some bands back home. Right now I’m studying and teaching myself how to play the piano. I might take some lessons later. I know a little guitar, and I used to play trumpet. When I went to school, I used to be in band. I still have my trumpet at home, actually.

JJJ: Would you ever want to pursue a music career?

DL: As of right now, it’s just something I love to do and have a passion for. It’s just a hobby. I have friends at home that play different instruments, and we kind of just jam together. Right now, acting is my main focus, but who knows what might happen.

JJJ: How do you keep up with Hollywood and entertainment news?

DL: I don’t really go online but I watch TV. Like E!, stuff like that. My 12-year-old sister likes Popstar! magazine, so sometimes I hear what she has to say.

JJJ: Aaron Stone is premiering on Friday, will you be having a viewing party?

DL: Yeah, I’m having a get-together. I’m inviting a bunch of friends over and we’re just going to sit in the living room and watch it on TV. It’ll be really cool.

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Aaron Stone premieres TONIGHT @ 7PM ET/PT on Disney XD.