Jason Daniel Earles (born April 26, 1977) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Jackson Stewart in the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana and his role as Rudy Gillespie in the Disney XD series Kickin' It.

Early life

Earles was born in San Diego, California. After living in Ohio and Washington state, his family moved to Oregon. In Oregon, he graduated from Glencoe High School in Hillsboro. Before moving back to southern California, Earles lived in Billings, Montana, where he graduated in theatre arts from Rocky Mountain College in 2000.

Career

Earles played a nerdy card gamer who was friends with the character Brian Miller in the CBS sitcom Still Standing. In 2004, he appeared in the film National Treasure as Thomas Gates, ancestor of Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage). In 2005, Earles played Ernie Kaplowitz in the film American Pie Presents: Band Camp.

Earles' most notable role was as Jackson Stewart, the older brother of Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus), in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana from 2006 to 2011. Earles was 28 years old when the show began, notably older than his 16-year-old character.

He guest-starred twice in the Disney Channel series Phil of the Future as Grady Spaggett, an advanced math student. Earles appeared in the 2006 Disney Channel Games on the Blue Team, and in the 2007 and 2008 Disney Channel Games on the Red team.

Earles was the co-host of Disney Channel's Sing-Along Bowl-athon (Disney Channel's 2006 New Year's Eve special) and the corresponding online voting.

He voiced Spudnik in the 2009 talking dog film Space Buddies. Earles starred as the sensei Rudy Gillespie in the Disney XD original series Kickin' It, which premiered on June 13, 2011.

Earles served as the acting coach for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and guest-starred in season three as Dewey Wood, a camp counselor.

In 2026, he started a podcast dedicated to Hannah Montana, titled Best of Both Our Worlds, alongside director Shannon Flynn and writer-producer Douglas Danger Lieblein.

Personal life

Earles has contributed cast memorabilia to fundraisers for Rocky Mountain College.

He was married to Jennifer Earles from 2002 to 2013. On August 12, 2017, Jason Earles married Katie Drysen.

Filmography

Film

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
2004National TreasureThomas Gates
Table 6Bus boyShort film
2005American Pie Presents: Band CampErnie KaplowitzDirect-to-video
Special EdYoung David
2007Gordon GlassThe Boss
2009Space BuddiesSpudnick (voice)Direct-to-video
Hannah Montana: The MovieJackson Stewart
2013Super BuddiesJack SchaefferDirect-to-video
2014HuntedDax
2018Battle DroneDax
2026Second Chances

Television

Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2003MADtvSwirley kidSeason 8, episode 18
The ShieldKyleEpisode: "Breakpoint"
Malcolm in the MiddleMarshal School pupil on the leftUncredited; episode: "Academic Octathalon"
2004Still StandingGoran the InvincibleEpisode: "Still Winning"
2005One on OneBradEpisode: "Glug, Glug"
2005–2006Phil of the FutureGrady Spaggett2 episodes
2006–2011Hannah MontanaJackson StewartMain cast; 98 episodes
2007Shorty McShorts' ShortsGuy / SheZow (voice)Episode: "SheZow"
2008Boston LegalMitchy WestonEpisode: "Indecent Proposals"
2009Yin Yang Yo!Himself (voice)Episode: "Yin! Yang! You!"
Aaron StoneHunterEpisode: "S.T.A.N. by Me"
DadnappedMervTelevision film
2010-2014Fish HooksKevin / Hamster boy (voice)2 episodes
2011–2015Kickin' ItRudy GillespieMain cast; 83 episodes, Co-producer (seasons 2-4), Directed 4 episodes
2013Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade NinjaBrent (voice)Episode: "Sword Quest"
2016Best Friends WheneverDax FragginsEpisode: "The Friendship Code"
2016–2018WTH: Welcome to HowlerChuck8 episodes
2017VampirinaCurt Spookman (voice)Episode: "Little Terror/Super Natural"
Linda from HRToddTelevision film
2019Mood SwingsAngelMain role; 8 episodes
2020Just Roll With ItSkeeter SwindellEpisode: "Shayna Pennsylvania"
2022–2023High School Musical: The Musical: The SeriesDewey WoodRecurring (season 3), Guest (season 4) 8 episodes

Web series

Web
YearTitleRoleNotes
2013The Most Popular Girls in SchoolSanta (voice)Episode: "Mall Santa"
Jennifer McMinamin (voice)Episode: "New Year"
2017BetchDavidEpisode: "A Makeup-Free Sketch Show"
2018Hotel Du LooneFlynt RogersMain role; Brat sitcom

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2009Teen Choice AwardsChoice Movie Actor: Music/DanceHannah Montana: The MovieNominated

External links