Austin Butler has quickly risen to fame as one of Hollywood’s most talented and intriguing actors. From his breakout role as Elvis Presley in Elvis (2022) to his early days on Disney and Nickelodeon, Butler’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
But beyond the glitz and glamour, there are some truly bizarre and lesser-known facts about him that even his biggest fans might not know. In this deep dive, we’ll explore 25 weird, surprising, and downright fascinating facts about Austin Butler—from his quirky habits to unexpected career twists.
1. He Couldn’t Stop Saying “Elvis” After Filming
After spending two years immersed in the role of Elvis Presley, Butler admitted in interviews that he struggled to shake off the King’s voice. Even months after filming, he still spoke with a slight Southern drawl—something fans and critics noticed during his awards season appearances.
2. He Once Lived in a Haunted House
In an interview, Butler revealed that he once lived in a creepy, old Hollywood home that he believes was haunted. He reported hearing unexplained footsteps and even claimed objects moved on their own!
3. His First Acting Gig Was a Background Extra on Hannah Montana
Long before Elvis, Butler appeared as an uncredited extra in Hannah Montana (2006). He played a random partygoer in one episode—talk about humble beginnings!
4. He Was Almost Spider-Man
Before Tom Holland landed the role, Butler was in the running to play Spider-Man in the MCU. He auditioned but ultimately lost the part—though he later joked that he’s glad he didn’t have to wear spandex for years.
5. He Has a Strange Fear of Butterflies
Despite his tough-guy roles, Butler has a weird phobia of butterflies. He once admitted that their unpredictable fluttering freaks him out.
6. He Dated Vanessa Hudgens for 9 Years
Butler and High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens were in a long-term relationship from 2011 to 2020. They even adopted a dog together named Pig, who became a social media sensation.
7. He Learned to Play Guitar Left-Handed for Elvis
Elvis Presley was left-handed, but Butler is right-handed. To perfect the role, he taught himself to play guitar with his left hand—an impressive (and slightly obsessive) dedication to authenticity.
8. He Was Homeschooled to Focus on Acting
Butler left traditional school at 13 to be homeschooled, allowing him to pursue acting full-time. His first major role was on Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.
9. He’s a Huge Lord of the Rings Fan
Butler has admitted he’s a massive Tolkien nerd and even named his production company “Olorin Productions” after Gandalf’s original name in The Lord of the Rings.
10. He Once Worked as a Magician’s Assistant
Before acting, Butler had a brief stint as a magician’s assistant for kids’ birthday parties. He’s still pretty good at card tricks!
11. He Lost 20 Pounds for Elvis
To accurately portray Elvis’s final years, Butler drastically lost weight, surviving on a diet of mostly protein shakes and steamed vegetables.
12. He’s Obsessed with Vintage Cars
Butler owns a 1965 Ford Mustang and loves collecting classic cars. He once said if he weren’t an actor, he’d be a mechanic.
13. He Was Almost in The Hunger Games
Butler auditioned for Gale Hawthorne in The Hunger Games but lost the role to Liam Hemsworth.
14. He Can Do a Perfect British Accent
Despite being California-born, Butler mastered a flawless British accent for The Shannara Chronicles—so well that fans thought he was faking his real voice!
15. He Once Broke His Foot Doing a Stunt
While filming The Carrie Diaries, Butler performed his own stunts and broke his foot during a skateboarding scene.
16. He’s a Big Fan of Meditation
Butler practices daily meditation to stay grounded, especially after the intense Elvis press tour.
17. He Was Discovered at a County Fair
A talent scout spotted Butler at the Orange County Fair when he was just 13, launching his acting career.
18. He’s Secretly a Great Singer
Before Elvis, Butler had no formal singing training—but his natural talent blew away director Baz Luhrmann.
19. He Lived in Elvis’s Actual Bedroom
To get into character, Butler slept in Elvis’s real bedroom at Graceland for a night.
20. He Has a Mysterious Tattoo
Butler has a small, cryptic tattoo on his ribs that he’s never fully explained. Fans speculate it’s a quote or symbol from The Lord of the Rings.
21. He Was Almost in Twilight
Butler auditioned for Edward Cullen but was deemed “too young” at the time.
22. He’s a Trained Martial Artist
Butler studied karate as a kid and still incorporates it into his fitness routine.
23. He Collects Rare Vinyl Records
His prized possession? A first-edition Elvis record he found in a thrift store.
24. He’s a Method Actor to the Extreme
During Elvis, Butler stopped seeing friends and family for months to stay in character.
25. He’s Secretly Shy
Despite his confident on-screen presence, Butler admits he’s naturally introverted and gets nervous at big events.
Final Thoughts: Why Austin Butler is One of Hollywood’s Most Interesting Stars
From his unusual phobias to his extreme dedication to roles, Austin Butler is far from your average Hollywood heartthrob. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering him, these 25 weird and wild facts prove there’s more to him than meets the eye.
Which fact surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!
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