David Henrie

David Henrie is a familiar face to many who grew up watching Disney Channel in the 2000s. He starred in hit shows like Wizards of Waverly Place and films like Dadnapped and Little Boy. Now, he’s making a name for himself behind the camera as a writer, director, and producer.

Henrie grew up in California, the son of an entertainment talent manager. He got his start in acting at a young age, appearing in commercials and small roles on shows like How I Met Your Mother and The Pitts. But it wasn’t until 2007 that he landed his breakthrough role on Wizards of Waverly Place, playing Justin Russo, the responsible older brother of a family of wizards.

The show was a massive hit for Disney, airing for four seasons and spawning a successful TV movie franchise. Henrie became a teen heartthrob, appearing on magazine covers and red carpets alongside his young co-stars like Selena Gomez and Jake T. Austin.

But even as he enjoyed the spoils of stardom, Henrie was looking for more creative control over his career. In 2012, he directed his first short film, Catch. He followed it up with two more shorts, Little Boy Big Boy and Grown Up, that he wrote, directed, and starred in. These films showed a different side of Henrie, one that was interested in exploring more mature themes and experimenting with form and style.

In 2018, Henrie made his feature film directorial debut with This Is the Year, a coming-of-age comedy about a group of friends who embark on a road trip to see their favorite band. Henrie wrote the film with his brother, Lorenzo, and produced it through his own company, Novo Media Group.

The film was a labor of love for Henrie, who was inspired by his own experiences attending concerts and music festivals. He worked closely with the cast, which included his former Wizards co-star Gregg Sulkin, to bring his vision to life. Although the film received mixed reviews, it was a personal triumph for Henrie and a sign of things to come.

Since then, Henrie has continued to work on a range of film and TV projects. He co-created and produced the crime drama series Survive the Night, which premiered on Crackle in 2020. He’s also set to direct and star in 1000 Miles, a thriller about a man who must race across the country to save his kidnapped sister.

Henrie’s transition from child star to filmmaker is not uncommon, but it’s certainly impressive. He’s proven himself to be a talented writer and director, with a strong sense of voice and style. He’s also using his platform to give opportunities to other young artists, producing projects through his company that showcase fresh talent both in front of and behind the camera.

It’s clear that Henrie has a bright future ahead of him in the entertainment industry. He’s shown that he’s not content to rest on his past success, but is committed to continuing to grow and challenge himself as an artist. We can’t wait to see what he’ll create next.