If you spent any time on Disney XD in the early 2010s, you know Spencer Boldman. He was the tall, muscular guy with the perfect hair who played the lovable, super-strong, but slightly dim-witted Adam Davenport on Lab Rats. For a few years there, he was basically everywhere in the teen-idol circuit. But then, things got a little quiet. Honestly, it’s one of those Hollywood stories where an actor manages to transition from "Disney kid" to "serious actor" without making a massive, tabloid-worthy scene about it.
Looking back at Spencer Boldman movies and tv shows, it’s a weirdly diverse list. You’ve got the high-energy sitcom stuff, a massive R-rated comedy cameo, and then some really gritty indie drama. He didn’t just stick to the mouse house. He actually tried to build a real filmography, and honestly, he's better at it than most people give him credit for.
The Disney Era: Lab Rats and Zapped
Let's be real: Lab Rats was the peak. From 2012 to 2016, Spencer played Adam, the eldest bionic teen. It was a role that required a lot of physical comedy—tripping over things, lifting heavy props, and delivering deadpan lines that were actually pretty funny. It wasn't just a job; it was a phenomenon for a certain age group. He stayed with that character for four seasons, even crossing over into Mighty Med and Jessie.
While he was doing the sitcom thing, he also landed the lead in the Disney Channel Original Movie Zapped in 2014. He played Jackson Kale, the love interest to Zendaya’s character. It’s funny looking back at that now because Zendaya has obviously become one of the biggest stars on the planet, but at the time, they were just two rising Disney stars trying to make a goofy movie about a phone app that controls boys. It’s a bit of a time capsule of that mid-2010s Disney vibe.
Breaking Out: 21 Jump Street and Dakota’s Summer
A lot of people forget that Spencer actually had a part in the 2012 21 Jump Street movie. It was a small role—he played a guy named French Samuels—but it was his first real "big screen" moment. He worked alongside Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, which is a pretty huge deal for a kid who was just starting out on a cable sitcom. He’s mentioned in interviews that watching Tatum’s comedic timing was a huge learning experience for him.
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Then there was Cowgirls 'n Angels: Dakota's Summer (2014). This was a sequel to a rodeo movie, and Spencer played Bryce. It wasn't a blockbuster, but it showed he could do the "earnest romantic lead" thing without the laugh tracks.
The Pivot to "Serious" Acting
By the time 2018 rolled around, Spencer was clearly done with the teen heartthrob image. He took a massive swing with the movie Cruise.
This movie is kinda the "lost" gem of his career. It’s set in the summer of '87 in Queens, New York. Spencer plays Gio Fortunato, an Italian-American kid who is obsessed with cars and girls. He starred opposite Emily Ratajkowski. If you haven't seen it, it feels like a mix between American Graffiti and Saturday Night Fever. It was a complete 180 from Adam Davenport. He had the slicked-back hair, the leather jacket, and the thick Queens accent.
Critics were actually surprisingly kind to him here. While some people thought the movie was a bit heavy on the 80s nostalgia, Spencer’s performance was grounded. He wasn't playing a caricature; he was playing a guy who was terrified of his own future and used cars to hide that fear. It was a "grown-up" role that should have propelled him into the A-list, but the movie had a limited release and didn't quite get the marketing push it needed.
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That Hulu Comeback: Welcome to Chippendales
After Cruise, there was a bit of a gap. Spencer stayed active on social media—mostly posting about his dog and his travels—but he wasn't on screen as much. That changed in 2022 when he showed up in the Hulu limited series Welcome to Chippendales.
He played Lance McCrae, a character based on one of the real-life Chippendales dancers. This role was a huge deal for a few reasons:
- It was a high-prestige drama produced by Kumail Nanjiani.
- It required an insane physical transformation (even for him).
- It dealt with the dark, gritty, and often violent history of the 80s male revue scene.
Seeing him in Welcome to Chippendales was a reminder that he’s still around and he’s still got the chops. He wasn't just "the hot guy"; he played the tension of the era perfectly. It was a far cry from the bionic teenager days.
What's Next in 2026?
As of right now, Spencer seems to be being very selective about his work. He’s moved away from the "quantity over quality" approach of his early career. He’s often spotted at events like the Radio Disney Music Awards (more as a legacy guest) but his focus is clearly on more mature, narrative-driven projects.
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There have been rumors about him moving into producing or even directing, which makes sense given how long he’s been in the industry. He started professional acting at 12 years old after a teacher saw him in a school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. That’s over two decades in the business.
If you're looking to catch up on his work, here’s a quick rundown of the essential Spencer Boldman movies and tv shows:
- Lab Rats (Disney XD) – The definitive starting point.
- Cruise (2018) – His best dramatic performance to date.
- Welcome to Chippendales (Hulu) – The "adult" comeback.
- Zapped (2014) – Pure Disney nostalgia.
- 21 Jump Street (2012) – Catch his early big-screen cameo.
Honestly, Spencer Boldman is one of those actors who could easily have a second act like an Austin Butler or a Zac Efron. He has the look, he has the experience, and he clearly has the patience to wait for the right role instead of just taking whatever comes his way.
To really appreciate his range, try watching an episode of Lab Rats and then immediately watch the trailer for Cruise. The difference is wild. He went from a kid who couldn't figure out how to use a toaster to a 1980s street racer with a dark side.
If you're a fan, keep an eye on his production credits in the coming year. He's been hinting at some "behind the camera" projects that might surprise people who still only see him as Adam Davenport. Check out his older films on platforms like Tubi or Disney+ to see the progression for yourself.