TV Stars

"Hannah Montana" star Jason Earles is exposing a "big secret" he had on the set of the popular Disney sitcom ... he told execs he was 10 years younger than he actually was in order to nab the part!

In the inaugural episode of the "Best of Both Our Worlds" podcast, Jason cops to lying about his age in his audition and telling producers he was 18 years old ... because he was really 28, but was supposed to be playing a teenager.

In fact, casting director Lisa London encouraged him to fudge the truth -- except she believed he was only 19 ... because the actor had "lied to her in a different audition."

JE admitted he almost didn't audition because he was "too old," saying ... "Nobody's gonna buy it."

But they did ... for a while. It wasn't until Season One's eighth episode that 'Hannah' producer and podcast cohost Douglas Danger Lieblein learned the truth.

The Disney alum also recalled being found out by a network exec, saying he "showed up on show night and was like, 'Hey, you're, uh, 28? And you're married?' I was like, 'Yeah, that girl I keep making out with … that's my wife.'"

Ultimately, Jason said showrunner Steven Peterman was grateful for the dishonesty and told him ... "Thank you so much for lying to us because we would’ve gotten nervous if we’d found out during the pilot and we would’ve recast you."

Douglas seconded the sentiment, adding that Jason made the show what it was because "the kids thought you were a kid and they treated you as such."

The "Baywatch" reboot is officially underway, and star Brooks Nader told us she had a lot to learn ... Brooks says she needed someone to give her swimming lessons -- so she got the hottest trainer ever!

We caught up with Brooks on set Wednesday ... and after admitting she didn't grow up swimming and never had any lessons, she assured us she's making up for it.

She joked, "I'm an Olympic swimmer now!"

The model says she's taking acting lessons as well ... and if she acts as well as she takes pictures, we're in for the best show ever! Just watch our video ... we have the first shots of Brooks and Livvy Dunne in the iconic skintight red swimsuits.

Kerry Washington was feeling a little Scandalous -- calling up her former costar Tony Goldwyn for a cheeky chat about their famously steamy chemistry.

It all went down on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast … with Alex Cooper daring Kerry to ring Tony and relive the hottest moment between their characters Olivia Pope and President Fitzgerald Grant ... and yeah, he didn’t hold back!

The two picked up like no time had passed ... with Tony casually dropping that their steamiest scene was hooking up in an electrical closet.

Chris O'Neal -- who played Kevin Reed in Nickelodeon's "How to Rock" -- was arrested Monday ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... deputies responded to a burglary call in Malibu at 5:45 AM. We're told the caller stated they viewed security camera footage and saw three adults inside the home.

According to our sources, officers were told the suspects entered through the rear, manipulating the cameras so that the caller couldn't see what happened afterward.

Rebecca Gayheart and her daughters understand Eric Dane's ex-girlfriends are grieving his loss -- and they don't want to diminish anyone's feelings -- but they want the facts straight about his final days.

TMZ previously reported ... Eric was single for a while after he became ill ... and on his deathbed, it was just Rebecca and his two teen girls.

A source close to the family tells TMZ ... they "feel a deep responsibility to ensure that his story and memory remain accurate" about who was "present until the very last chapter of his life."

Before this sweet girl from Los Angeles, California turned into a TV personality and singer, she was just hittin' the beaches and singing in the choir ...

You probably best know her from MTV's "Ridiculousness."

Christine Quinn's "Selling Sunset" comeback has hit a snag ... and it all comes down to location and accommodations ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Christine is still in active negotiations to return for Season 10, but the deal hasn't been finalized as both sides remain stuck on logistics tied to where she'll live during filming, and who's footing the bill.

We're told the main issue is that Christine currently lives full-time in the Dallas area with her son, Christian, after relocating in early 2025 for a fresh start following her divorce. Meanwhile, 'SS' shoots in Los Angeles, where producers want her based for 5 to 6 months. That’s created a major sticking point.

"Today" cohost Dylan Dreyer has filed for divorce from her estranged husband, Brian Fichera ... TMZ has learned.

The official filing comes months after the pair first announced their separation in July. Us Weekly was the first to report the news.

Dreyer spoke about their split in November, shedding light on their relationship ...

The "Baywatch" reboot is already bringing the heat ... and if these first pics of Livvy Dunne and Brooks Nader are anything to go by, we’re in for a seriously steamy watch!

Former gymnast Livvy was serving in a blue swimsuit, flashing a thumbs-up alongside swimsuit model Brooks -- who rocked a skintight, all-black look … both looking like they’ve already bonded before cameras really started rolling at the L.A. beach.

Just look -- big smiles, blazing sun, water sparkling ... the vibes were very much giving beachy bliss.

There will be a public memorial for Eric Dane ... and in large part, it's thanks to the fans.

A source close to Rebecca Gayheart tells TMZ ... the family has been deeply moved by all the condolences and tributes coming in from around the globe ... and a celebration of life is being planned.

We're told the event will be for the fans ... but also to make Dane "smile and feel loved and know that his life was not in vain."

Niecy Nash’s birthday getaway took a wild turn after she got stranded in Mexico last month thanks to drug cartel chaos -- but somehow, she and her crew still made it work ... with a little unexpected help from some swingers!!!

The actress spilled the story on Keke Palmer’s podcast, saying she, wife Jessica Betts, and their family were running low on food while stuck in Puerto Vallarta last month during a surge of violence in the streets ... so, naturally, when they scoped out a nearby W Hotel, they headed there to restock -- but didn't exactly get a warm welcome.

Niecy says staff was giving major attitude ... so they ditched the front entrance and slipped in through the back instead -- and that’s when things got interesting.

Sarah Michelle Gellar was knocked down, but not out, after the 'Buffy' reboot got shelved ... and she was spotted looking amazing on her way to dinner in New York yesterday.

The Emmy-winning actress dressed warmly for the night at popular hotspot The Polo Bar ... seen with security right after revealing why she believes fans won't be getting a 'Buffy' reboot anytime soon.

Earlier in the day, People published an interview where Sarah called out a Hulu executive "who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn't for him."

Jesse Metcalfe says he was fired from "Desperate Housewives" after just one season ... and for one very specific reason.

The "John Tucker Must Die" star was on the "Not Skinny But Not Fat" podcast when he recalled his unceremonious exit from 'DH' back in the day.

Kiki Shepard -- the longtime cohost of the legendary music showcase "Showtime at the Apollo" -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

LaShirl Smith, Kiki's rep, tells TMZ ... she suffered a massive heart attack in Los Angeles on Monday, adding her passing was completely unexpected.

Shepard became a familiar face to millions of viewers during her long run on "Showtime at the Apollo" from 1987 to 2002, where she shared the stage with Steve Harvey and helped introduce aspiring performers at the iconic Harlem theater.

Police believe Jesse James' wife, Bonnie Rotten -- whose real name is Alaina James -- attacked him Saturday in a fight that left him with visible injuries on his face and neck.

As we reported ... Alaina was arrested and booked into the Hays County Jail outside San Antonio, Texas on a charge of assault causing bodily injury involving a family member. But now we have all the gritty details of the shocking incident that Jesse says preceded the arrest.

In a police report obtained by TMZ, cops say Jesse accused Alaina of striking him several times in the face and biting his right thumb.

The "Baywatch" reboot is already making waves ... the cast hit the beach to start training for their steamy new roles!

Shay Mitchell was swimwear-ready alongside castmates Noah Beck, Jessica Belkin, Thaddeus LaGrone, and Stephen Amell as they splashed into the L.A. surf to get the hang of playing real-life lifeguards.

The weather in L.A. over the weekend was scorching ... basically the perfect conditions for a little "method acting" in the water. Tough job, right?