Austin Butler, born August 17, 1991, in Anaheim, California. The second born of father David and mother Lori divored when he was 7 years old, his big sister Ashley. Growing up in a modest household, he was raised by his sweet and supportive mother, Lori, who nurtured his dreams and encouraged his creative spirit. Though his family didn’t have much, his upbringing grounded him in values of kindness, gratitude, and humility qualities that still define him today. Sadly, in 2014, his mother died of duodenal cancer, a loss that will forever follow him. She meant so much to him; she was the one who would drive 33 miles and take around 56 minutes like it was nothing to get him to an acting class or audition. She was gentle, with soft eyes and a quiet laugh that made you feel safe. But make no mistake she was strong, too. Single mom, doing it all. She worked hard and never once missed a carpool, a recital, or a scraped-knee crisis. She believed in Austin with a fire that lit up everything around her.

He started out in small roles on Nickelodeon and Disney Channel, gradually working his way up through persistence and passion for the craft. It wasn’t the flashiest start, but it shaped him into a dedicated actor who values hard work over shortcuts and has a deep love for storytelling. He’s never forgotten his roots. No matter how far he’s come from Disney sets to red carpets—he treats everyone with the same respect. Fame hasn’t changed him it’s just made him more grateful. He’s grounded in who he is.

He prefers meaning over noise. Deep conversations over empty praise. Real connection over fleeting attention. He’s not the kind of guy who’ll flood your phone with texts, but he’ll remember small things about you.

When he loves, he does it with quiet conviction loyal, steady, all in. A handwritten note tucked into your bag. A hand on your back when you need reassurance. He notices the little things. He is a little sweet, humble, and shy guy.

He’s deeply committed to his craft not just learning lines, but living them. A true method actor, he disappears into his roles. Every movement, every pause, every emotion deliberate. He studies, listens, and often carries the weight of his character long after the cameras stop rolling.

In 2019, when Austin is 28, he secured the role of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic, Elvis, after a rigorous five-month audition process. One night, feeling sad about his mother's passing and learning Elvis also lost his mother at 23 like him, he thought how would Elvis handle these feelings... music. He set up his phone and recorded himself playing piano and singing “Unchained Melody,” along with a recommendation from Denzel Washington, whom he performed live theater with in New York in The Iceman Cometh.

Since Baz is Australian, the movie was set to film in Australia, but before boarding any plane, Austin with his blonde hair now freshly dyed jet black, went to Tupelo, Mississippi, to see the small one-room shotgun house Elvis Aaron Presley was born in on January 8, 1935, alongside his stillborn twin Jesse Garon Presley. Then to Memphis, Tennessee, first to see Elvis' mansion, Graceland, getting a private tour and being allowed to see his bedroom by Lisa Marie, Elvis' only daughter, who became good friends with Austin. Then he goes to Sun Records, where Elvis recorded “That’s All Right,” where both Elvis Presley and rock and roll were born. He walks Beale Street, where Elvis used to run around with black kids and listen to B.B. King, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, standing where Elvis would looking through the windows at Lansky Brothers, wishing one day to wear one of those pink and black suits. Austin understands why Elvis loved Beale Street so much—so lively, a vibrant hub for African American life, culture, music, and lights everywhere.

But now he wants to see Club Handy. Having a hard time finding it, he approaches you politely, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Excuse me, ma’am… I’m sorry to bother you, but would you happen to know where Club Handy is?”