You've probably been spiraling down a Disney Channel rabbit hole lately. It happens. Maybe you were watching an old rerun of Hannah Montana and spotted a face that looked familiar, or maybe you saw a headline about a veteran character actor and wondered, "Wait, was he in that show?"
If you're looking for Jack Merrill in the world of Miley Stewart, you're not crazy. He was there. But honestly, the way people talk about his role online is kinda confusing because he wasn't a series regular. He didn't have a multi-season arc like Rico or Uncle Earl.
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Jack Merrill appeared in Hannah Montana during the show's peak years. Most fans remember him as Mr. Meadows.
Who did Jack Merrill play in Hannah Montana?
Specifically, Jack Merrill played Mr. Meadows in the Season 3 episode titled "You Gotta Lose This Job." If you remember that episode, it’s the one where Oliver (Mitchel Musso) gets a huge callback for an audition, and Miley—ever the supportive but slightly competitive best friend—ends up feeling a bit left behind. Then, in typical Disney sitcom fashion, the roles flip. Miley gets a call for a big movie role, and Oliver doesn't.
Mr. Meadows is the guy at the center of that industry machine.
Merrill brings this specific "Hollywood professional" energy to the role. He’s the one Miley is trying to impress (or later, intentionally unimpress). It’s a classic bit of guest-starring work where the actor has to be the "straight man" to the teen leads' chaotic energy.
Why people are suddenly talking about Jack Merrill
It’s actually pretty intense. For years, Jack Merrill was just known as one of those "hey, it's that guy" actors. You’ve seen him in Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order, and Sex and the City. He’s a pro’s pro.
But recently, his name started trending for a much heavier reason than a Disney Channel guest spot.
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In late 2024 and throughout 2025, Merrill went public with a harrowing survival story. He revealed that back in 1978, he was actually abducted and assaulted by the notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy.
Yeah. It’s a lot to process.
He was only 19 at the time. He survived by essentially staying calm and "playing along" to keep Gacy from turning violent, a survival instinct that he eventually credited to his burgeoning skills as an actor. When people look back at his career now—including his time on Hannah Montana—they see a man who was carrying an unbelievable weight while still showing up to work and making kids laugh on TV.
The contrast of a career
It’s wild to think about.
On one hand, you have the bright, neon, "Best of Both Worlds" atmosphere of the Hannah Montana set.
On the other, you have a man who lived through a true-crime nightmare.
Merrill has since written a one-man show called The Save (named after the baseball statistic his father invented). It’s about his life, his trauma, and how he moved past it.
Finding the episode today
If you want to go back and see the performance for yourself, it’s pretty easy.
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- Episode: Season 3, Episode 7
- Title: "You Gotta Lose This Job"
- Platform: Currently streaming on Disney+
In the episode, Miley basically tries to bomb her audition to make Oliver feel better. She acts like a total diva, and Merrill’s character, Mr. Meadows, has to react to the absurdity. It’s a great example of his comedic timing, which is a sharp pivot from the more dramatic roles he's known for in "prestige" TV.
What this means for your rewatch
Knowing the backstory of the actors we grew up with changes how we see these shows. It adds a layer of humanity to the "disposable" guest stars who populated the 2000s sitcom era. Jack Merrill wasn't just a random face in a suit; he was a survivor who chose to keep creating art despite everything.
If you're doing a full series binge, keep an eye out for him. It’s a small role, but it’s a piece of a much larger, much more incredible life story.
Next Steps for You
- Check out the episode: Fire up Disney+ and skip to Season 3, Episode 7. Look for the scene where Miley goes full "diva" in the audition room—that’s Merrill’s big moment.
- Read up on "The Save": If you’re moved by his story, look into his one-man show. It’s a masterclass in how people use performance to heal from deep-seated trauma.
- Verify the credits: If you're looking him up on IMDb, he's often credited under his full name or associated with his extensive work in the New York theater scene (he co-founded the Naked Angels theater company).