Erik Thomas von Detten (born October 3, 1982) is an American actor and singer. He is known for his roles in Escape to Witch Mountain, Toy Story, Brink!, Meego, The Princess Diaries, Complete Savages, and So Weird. He voiced Erwin Lawson through the full run of Recess (1997–2001) and the series' four successive direct-to-video films.
Early life Erik Thomas von Detten was born in San Diego, California, the son of Susan von Detten (née Farber), a photographer, and Volker von Detten. He has three sisters, Dolly, Britta and Andrea, and a brother, Timothy. He has German, English, and Russian Jewish ancestry.
Career One of von Detten's earliest roles was Nicholas Alamain on the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives from 1992 until 1993, appearing in 55 episodes. Nicholas was revealed to be the secret son of Lawrence Alamain (Michael Sabatino) and Carly Manning (Crystal Chappell), two of the show's major characters. As a result, von Detten was heavily involved in some of the show's main storylines, despite only being 10 years old.
In 1995, when he was 13, von Detten provided the voice of the villainous and heartless toy-tormentor Sid Phillips in Toy Story. He also starred alongside Elisabeth Moss in the TV movie remake of Escape to Witch Mountain. He starred in the film Christmas Every Day in 1996, played Wally Cleaver in the 1997 film Leave It to Beaver, and in 1998, had the lead as the title character in the Disney Channel original movie Brink!. He followed this up on the television series So Weird, on which he played Clu Bell from 1999 to 2001. Von Detten also appeared in a theatrical release as Josh Bryant in The Princess Diaries in 2001. In addition, he has made several television appearances in shows such as Dinotopia (2002), the first celebrity edition of the ABC reality show The Mole, the third season's Celebrity Mole: Hawaii (2003), and Fox's Malcolm in the Middle.
In 2007, he made his stage debut in the children's play The Christmas Princess in Santa Monica. In 2009, he was featured in the music video "Wanted" by pop singer Jessie James. In 2010, he made a brief cameo appearance before he retired from acting in Toy Story 3 reprising his role as Sid Phillips, who is now a garbageman in his 20s.
As of 2018, von Detten worked for Rosland Capital, a precious metals asset management firm.
Von Detten has been married to his wife, Angela, a Taiwanese-American real estate agent, since 2018. They have a daughter, Claire Elizabeth (b. 2019), and two sons, Thomas Henry (b. 2021), and Nicholas (b. 2022).
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1991All I Want for ChristmasChoir1995Top DogMatthew SwansonToy StorySid Phillips (voice)1996AmandaKelsey Farnsworth1997HerculesBoy #1 (voice)Leave It to BeaverWallace 'Wally' Cleaver1999TarzanFlynt (voice)2001Recess: School's OutErwin Lawson / Capt. Brad (voice)Josh BryantRecess Christmas: Miracle on Third StreetErwin Lawson (voice)Direct-to-video2002Tarzan and JaneFlynt (voice)Direct-to-videoAmerican GirlKenton2003National Lampoon's Barely LegalDeacon LewisRecess: Taking the Fifth GradeErwin Lawson (voice)Direct-to-videoRecess: All Growed Down2005SmileChris2010Toy Story 3Sid Phillips (voice)Cameo
Television Year Title Role Notes1993Days of Our LivesNicholas AlamainRegular roleNight SinsTV film1994In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride & MadnessOlder JohnAaahh!!! Real MonstersVic / Tough Kid (voice)Episode: "The Switching Hour"1995Tyler HackettTV filmKidnapped: In the Line of DutySam HoneycuttEscape to Witch MountainDannyERBen LarkinEpisode: "Hell and High Water"1996TV filmLife with LouieAdditional voicesEpisode: "Summer of My Discontent"JustinTV filmMr. RhodesMiloEpisode: "Pilot"7th HeavenRandyEpisode: "Halloween"Christmas Every DayBilly JacksonTV film1997Things That Go BumpChristianMeegoTrip ParkerEpisode: "Pilot"Toy Story TreatsSid Phillips (voice)Episode: "Woody's Nightmares"1997–2000RecessErwin Lawson (voice)Recurring role1998You WishJeff CollinsEpisode: "Bride and Prejudice"Brink!Andy 'Brink' BrinkerTV filmAdolescent Jaguar (voice)Episode: "Temple of Eliza"1999Replacing DadDrewTV film1999–2000Odd Man OutAndrew WhitneyMain role1999–2001So WeirdClu Bell Lead Role (seasons 1 & 2); guest role (season 3) 2001As Told by GingerKid #2 (voice)Episode: "The Right Stuff"Raising DadBrad SingerEpisode: "The Drama Club"Flynt (voice)Recurring role2002Do OverGary RossEpisode: "Valentine's Day Dance"2002–2003DinotopiaKarl ScottMain role2003Law & Order: Special Victims UnitDrew LamerlyEpisode: "Privilege"CharmedNewspaper ReporterEpisode: "Baby's First Demon"20048 Simple RulesErikEpisode: "C.J.'s Party"2004–2005Complete SavagesChris SavageMain role2005Malcolm in the MiddleBradEpisode: "Secret Boyfriend"2006Brandy & Mr. WhiskersAdditional VoicesEpisode: "Dog Play Afternoon"2007Girl, PositiveJasonTV filmAvatar: The Last AirbenderChan (voice)Episode: "The Beach"2008BonesEd DekkerEpisode: "Player Under Pressure"2009Family GuyShovin' Buddy (voice)Episode: "Peter's Progress" 2024 Acting Coach Nightmare Mark TV filmTBAThe Tonopah FiveHimselfPost-Production
Video games Year Title Role Notes 1996 Animated Storybook: Toy Story Sid Phillips
Music video Year Title RoleArtist 2001 "SuperGirl!" Student Josh Bryant Krystal Harris
References
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