David Lambert a new Disney star

• By RACHEL JONES
• Special to 2theadvocate.com
• Published: Apr 8, 2009

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Fans scream when Disney channel stars like Miley Cyrus, Zac Efron, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, and Ashley Tisdale walk into a room. Shows like “Hannah Montana” and “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody” have spawned booming merchandise sales and a cult-like following. It seems as if every time Disney puts a new show on the air, it turns into a pop culture classic.

With the launch of Disney XD, a newly rebranded Disney cable television network targeting young adult males, a future cult classic has begun. The cornerstone of the new Disney division will be action-adventure series “Aaron Stone,” which follows online video gamer Charlie Landers as he lives a double life as regular high school student and secret agent Aaron Stone. Baton Rouge-born actor David Lambert stars as Jason Landers, Charlie’s younger brother, and gives us insight into the new series that Disney XD has to offer.

“Disney XD has a lot of skateboarding, music and action, and ‘Aaron Stone’ has a lot of those elements in it as well,” the 16-year-old Lambert said. “The guys will really like the Aaron Stone superhero, fast paced action half of the show where there are a lot of fights and chases going on, but they will be able to relate to the Charlie Landers character and his struggle with high school and juggling homework and family stuff. But I think girls will like it, too, with the high school drama and just all the normal stuff that people go through all the time.”

Lambert’s character idolizes his older brother and as a freshman just entering high school, he is a little girl crazy, energetic and sometimes a little awkward. Both Lambert and his character are into online gaming, but it’s the relationship with Charlie on the show that stands out to him the most.

“We have a lot in common, and he’s definitely a fun character to do,” Lambert said. “It’s an interesting relationship with Charlie, because at the beginning of season one there is definitely a difference between the big brother and little brother, but as the season goes the relationship matures, they can be seen more as friends, rather than siblings. I think it’s something the audience will appreciate, because it’s an actual realistic relationship.”

The authenticity of the relationships can make the show realistic, but it’s the gadgets and gear that will really wow the audience. Aaron Stone has a Super Sonic Jet that can travel the world in minutes, X-5 sneakers that jump high and stick to walls, a protective suit that shoots a zip line, and even J.P. Manoux of “Phil of the Future” is in on the action as S.T.A.N. the android.

“Sometimes I’ll see the gadgets and the props and it looks like I’m on James Bond or something,” Lambert said. “What’s a bummer is that Jason isn’t a part of the action much, but I feel very blessed to be a part of something that is so incredible. The stunt guys are awesome, and they jump off things and do stuff that is just crazy. It makes you proud to be apart of something they are putting such an effort into making so cool.”

Aaron Stone is not only cool because of the gadgets, but it is relevant for teens today using media and online gaming to connect with the audience. Relevance and a great crew is what Lambert claims will make this show successful.

“The video game “Hero Rising” is a big part of the show. A lot of the characters, including my character, Jason, love it and are always playing it. I think it’s a great touch that it’s an online game, because video gaming online has really taken off the past few years, and kids understand and relate to that,” he said.

Lambert added that the crew deserves recognition because “they are what makes us look good. Its rests on them to have the show look legit and genuine, and I think they did a great job in doing that.”

Lambert has had the opportunity to work with a lot of different cast and crews in his young career. While he started off in local community theater, he’s had several co-starring roles in television and had lead roles in the independent films “Afta Party” and “Choke” all which he claims prepared him for working with “Aaron Stone.”

“I’ve been lucky to do a lot of different things and do guest star spots here and there,” Lambert said. “I did Tyler Perry’s ‘House of Pain,’ which is a multicamera type of sitcom that makes it feel similar to doing theater, and I felt very comfortable doing that. Then I guest starred on ‘Psych’ and was with the cast for a week, which was a great learning experience. I probably learned the most there and was grateful for that, because I took a lot of what I learned on ‘Psych’ and applied it to ‘Aaron Stone.’”

Learning and taking everything in will help Lambert have a long career in television and film, but for right now, he is just focusing on taking it one day and one project at a time.