Everything You Wanted to Know About Zombies 4 Actor and Singer-Songwriter Julian Lerner
17-year-old actor and singer-songwriter Julian Lerner is the definition of a multi-hyphenate. He's no stranger to the musical stage, and after appearing in The Wonder Years reboot and Netflix's Yes Day starring Jenna Ortega, he's catching more attention than ever as one of the stars of Disney's latest hit musical.
Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires premiered on Disney+ and Disney Channel last month, adding two new factions to the Zombies mythos in the form of Daywalker and Nightwalker Vampires. Julian plays Ray, one of the Daywalker Vampires caught in a longstanding feud between the two groups, who also showcases his slick R&B vocals all over the soundtrack. He's also a powerful artist in his own right. He released his debut single, the moody breakup anthem "Dead End," in April, and later this week on Aug. 29, he's dropping his second track, "Velvet." To celebrate, we got the opportunity to chat with Julian all about his artistry and life. Discover everything he shared with us as our Man Crush Monday below.
(Photo credit: Jena Cumbo)
Name: Julian Lerner
Hometown: New York City, New York
Birthday: November 5
Fun Facts:
1. Julian's wanted to be in entertainment from the very beginning.
"My parents say I came out singing! Performing has always felt like a part of who I am. My paternal grandmother was an opera singer, my paternal grandfather was a flautist with the Pittsburgh Symphony and my maternal grandparents were puppeteers, so music and the arts have always been in my blood.
When I was 7, my parents hosted a dinner party, and one of the guests—a friend of a friend—happened to be the vice president of a major talent agency. Partway through the evening, he suggested my parents bring me by his office. The next day, I went in, read some sides, sang a song, did a few back handsprings—and I absolutely loved every second of it. From that moment on, I was hooked."
-Julian Lerner
2. He was just 9 when he got caught his first big break with the role of Gavroche in the Broadway national tour of Les Misérables.
"I toured the country, performed in incredible theaters and learned so much from the cast and crew—many of whom still feel like family to this day. It was an unforgettable experience and cemented my love for performing."
-Julian Lerner
3. His all-time favorite fictional vampire is Jasper from the Twilight series.
"There's something quietly powerful about him. He's not flashy or dramatic—he's complex, reserved and carries the weight of a darker past. His struggle to control his instincts makes him feel more grounded and human than most vampires."
-Julian Lerner
(Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires via Disney Channel)
4. He says between zombies, werewolves and vampires, he's personality most like a zombie.
"I'm extroverted, always moving and love being part of a group—especially if we're headed somewhere with energy. I thrive on momentum, love hitting the gym and pushing limits physically."
-Julian Lerner
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5. Pumpkin pie is his favorite dessert in the world.
6. When he needs a bit of inspiration, he'll turn to music every time.
"My Spotify playlist is 45 hours long and still growing. I listen to everything: from Stevie Wonder and Eric Clapton to D'Angelo, George Harrison and Jimi Hendrix. My taste is all over the place, and I find inspiration in all of it—melodies, lyrics, guitar riffs, grooves. Each artist brings something different that fuels my creativity."
-Julian Lerner
(Velvet via Julian Lerner)
7. His favorite piece of clothing at the moment is a specific shirt.
"My AWAKE T-shirt. It's simple but makes a statement—and it just fits right. I've probably worn it way too many times this week, but no regrets."
-Julian Lerner
8. His all-time favorite musicians are Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton and George Harrison.
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9. In fact, he's a little obsessive about the music of Stevie Wonder.
"I can recognize any Stevie Wonder song within the first three seconds of it playing. And name the album and the year it came out!"
-Julian Lerner
(Photo credit: Jena Cumbo)
10. If he could go back in time and live in any decade, it'd have to be the 1970s.
"Some of the best music!"
-Julian Lerner
11. One of his weirdest talents is being able to make Jim Carrey's Stanley Ipkiss face from The Mask.
"Like, the full-on wild eyes, rubbery grin, the whole thing. It's kind of terrifying…"
-Julian Lerner
12. For Julian, staying authentic and true to himself is always the most important thing.
"I think being an artist means tapping into your most honest, raw self—and having the courage to share that with the world. Whether I'm writing, performing or just being in the moment, I try to lead with authenticity. If I can make people feel something real through my art, then I'm doing what I was meant to do."
-Julian Lerner
For more on the creative entertainers who inspire us, click HERE to learn all about animation and video game voice over actor Aleks Le.