Even if you haven’t seen HBO Max’s “Euphoria,” you’ve at the very least heard of that scene. You know, the one where there’s a play and a bunch of high school boys gyrate onstage in gold biking shorts?
You know, this one:
Can we get a little commotion for the choreography? #euphoria pic.twitter.com/Vg4NI7hvXy
— HBO Max (@hbomax) February 21, 2022
Well, leading that scene is the character Ethan, played by none other than Jewish actor Austin Abrams!
While we join the rest of the world in “Euphoria” mania — and continue to think about the giant, phallic weight training bags — let’s learn more about Austin!
Here are 18 things to know about Austin Abrams.
1. Austin was born in 1996 to a Jewish family.
2. He is of Russian Jewish descent.
3. Austin’s birthday is September 2, making him a Virgo.
4. He first got into acting at 5 years old when his mom took him to an acting camp to help get over his shyness.
5. In his first role in a theater production, Austin played Chip in “Beauty and the Beast.” Austin, if you’re reading this, please send us pics stat.
6. In 2012, Austin played young Adam Lipschitz in the movie “Jewtopia.”
You can watch the trailer here:
7. After finishing high school, Austin did not attend college.
“A part of me is kind of sad that I haven’t gone, like a part of me feels like there’s this whole other education that I just never got, in terms of keeping studying and expanding my mind in that way,” Austin said.
There’s always time to go back later, Austin!! Education doesn’t have to be linear!!
8. What time period would Austin live in if he could live in one beyond now?
“I think I would most likely choose the Renaissance, just because it sounds like such an extremely creative time,” he said in an interview.
9. Austin’s break-through TV role came in 2015 when he played Ron Anderson in “The Walking Dead.”
Watch here to see what happens to his character (tw: death, violence, gore):
10. Speaking of major roles, one of Austin’s first major movie roles was as Ben in “Paper Towns.”
Check out this scene in which Austin is “the world’s best grandma”:
11. Austin doesn’t having any social media!
“…I’m not very interested in showing people my life,” he told Coup de Main Magazine. “And I also feel like it seems to be this mental trap that I’ve seen a lot of people get in, trying to get your likes, and also people think it will get you more work. I suppose it might help get you the work, but once you get the work, you still need to be good…”
12. In 2017 Austin was adopted by Ben Stiller!
JK, but Ben did make that joke when doing press for their movie “Brad’s Status.”
13. Continuing his work in the horror genre, in 2019 Austin starred in “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” as Tommy.
Check out one of his scenes here:
14. Some of his favorite actors include Heath Ledger, Robert Pattinson, Christopher Abbott, Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya and Ryan Gosling.
15. In 2020 Austin starred in the movie “Chemical Hearts.”
Check out the chemistry between his character Henry and Lili Reinhart’s character Grace:
16. When filming the show “Dash and Lily,” Austin and his co-star Midori Francis developed a connection in a very interesting way.
“During filming, we shared our own little notebook of writings — kind of personal things to help develop a sense of trust and to get to know each other,” Austin said. “We tried to mirror what was happening in the show a little bit. That was helpful in getting to know one another and creating that connection. ”
17. Austin isn’t the only actor with Jewish descent in “Euphoria.” There’s also Maude Apatow!
18. He apparently loves the song “Holding Out for a Hero,” having first heard it in “Shrek 2.”
“It’s one of those songs that makes me so happy. It puts everyone in a great mood, honestly,” Austin said.
You can hear more of his thoughts on performing to it here:
It's not magic, it's choreography. #euphoria pic.twitter.com/bM2TqIlQdJ
— HBO Max (@hbomax) February 22, 2022
