"Erik von Detten's Rise to Stardom" SuperTeen January, 2000

For Erik Von Detten, star of the ABC series, Odd Man Out, art definitely imitates life- his life that is. The 17 year old, who was born and currently resides in San Diego, California plays Andrew, a typical high school freshman who lives with 5 other women- his mother, aunt, and three sisters. Living in this environment, Andrew has spent most of life waiting for the bathroom adn competing for the phone. According to Erik, no research was needed for this role. "I'm so like my character, especially in my situation," he explains. "My father was there, but he was a workaholic. My sisters, (he has three) my mother and I were the ones in the house. They'd breathe down my neck about dates, etc. So my situation is just like him." While Erik definately sees similarities between himself and the character, he points out one major difference. He says, "My mom knows me very well, but not like my character and his mother. I'm a little more unpredictable." In fact, one might say, unpredictability led Erik to where he is today.

Getting Started

While Erik had always enjoyed watching movies and fantasizing about playing the roles in them, it was actually one of his sisters who was interested in pursuing an acting career. Their mother took her to see an agent, and as fate would have it, little Erik went along for the ride. He remembers, "I was sitting in the lobby, then the agent wanted me to try out, so I did. I got the agent and one thing led to another..." It certainly did. After commercials and a cameo appearance in All I Want for Christmas , Erik landed the role of Nicholas Alamain on the soap, Days of Our Lives . He notes, "... Days of Our Lives was a real training experience and a true challenge....That's when I really knew I really wanted to act for the rest of my life."

On the Launch Pad

Although Erik went on to do a number of pojects including several made for TV movies and some big screen stints, it was his role as lovable, shy and naive Wally Cleaver in the film, Leave It to Beaver that initiated him into the heartthrob club. Two years later, Erik's a few inches taller and cuter. Girls can't help but scrutinize over peaches 'n creme looks, and his kind submissive personality doesn't help either. Of his pin-up persona Erik says, "...Who'd have thought girls would be like that over me?...It's an honorable position to be in...I never thought it [acting]would bring about that type of attention." But it has- and not only from droves of girls, but casting directors as well.

After his role as Wally, Erik was soon offered the role as Wally, Erik was soon offered the role of Andy Brinker in the 1998 Disey Channel movie, Brink! and from there, a permanent gig on the Disney series, So Weird . The show was shot in Canada and after 13 episodes, Erik traveled to Los Angeles to audition for, you guessed it- Odd Man Out . Once he got the part, he was gradually written out of the Disney series, and here we are.

Well, on his way through the first season, Erik still tries to make time for himself. The blond-haired hunk likes to surf, sail, workout, snowboard, listen to reggae, funk and pop and he plays guitar. As far as his perfect mate is concerned, Erik digs, "Someone I can connect with mentally and have a great conversation with..."

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