how you know him: Erik landed his first big gig, a regular role on Days of Our Lives, when he was only 9 years old. Since then he's been on TV tons - most memorably as the title role in Brink! On the Disney Channel - and he recently made a scene on the big screen as big bro Wally in the feature film Leave It to Beaver.

get to know him better: Set aside Monday nights to watch Erik in action on the Disney Channel's spooky new series So Weird, kind of an X-Files for families.

family fate: "My older sister was an actress - she was 17, I was 8 - and always ran along with her to agency meetings. I just kind of fell into acting; one agent liked me a lot and signed me up,"

training days: "I was on Days of Our Lives for two years. That's where I learned all about acting. It was tough! I was working long hours six days a week, plus three hours of school. But I loved being on set."

acting aspirations: "I wouldn't mind following in River Phoenix's footsteps - but not that last step! He did some really good work! I'd love to play a real disturbed character, something I could sink my teeth into.

troubled times: "There are a lot of issues out there for teens. The sad thing is some teenagers aren't able to communicate with their parents. I can talk to my mom about just about anything, but a lot of kids' parents don't play a big role in their lives."

blush boy: "I got to work about 6 a.m., went in my trailer and got dressed - or at least I thought I did. I totally had this huge crush on the guest star, and as I was heading toward the makeup trailer she said to me, 'Nice pants, Erik.' I said, 'What?' and looked down. I only had on silk, see-through long underwear with my shoes, long coat and everything. I was pretty embarassed. I was wearing briefs, but it was like 'Yikes!'"

full name: Erik Thomas von Detten

birthday: October 3 (Libra)

hometown: El Segundo, Calif.

dating status: Taken

fave movies: Get Shorty, Shawshank Redemption

fave TV show: ER

fave actor: John Travolta

fave actress: Susan Sarandon

fave band: Barenaked Ladies

fave color: Dark green

fave food: Chinese

hobbies: Surfing, Sailing, Snowboarding, Golf, playing guitar