You probably recognize him. Maybe it was that weirdly catchy "Uncle Josh" vibe from Disney, or perhaps you saw him getting terrorized in a Blumhouse flick. Honestly, Uriah Shelton has been around so long it’s easy to forget he’s still only in his late twenties. He’s one of those rare child actors who didn't just flame out. Instead, he’s spent the last two decades quietly building a filmography that jumps from gritty dramas to high-octane martial arts and slasher comedies.
It’s a bit wild when you look at the sheer variety of Uriah Shelton movies and shows. He’s not a "one-note" guy. He can play the sensitive kid with a guitar just as easily as the arrogant high school athlete. If you’re trying to figure out where you know him from—or what you should actually bother watching next—here’s the real deal on his career.
The Roles That Put Him on the Map
Most people first clocked Uriah when he landed the role of Jeff Cargill in The Glades. It ran from 2010 to 2013, and he basically grew up on that set. Playing the son of a single mom (Kiele Sanchez) in a sun-drenched Florida crime drama gave him room to breathe. He wasn't just "the kid"; he had actual subplots.
But if we’re talking about the cult following, we have to talk about Girl Meets World.
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In the Boy Meets World sequel, he played Joshua Matthews. He was the "cool younger uncle" who was only a few years older than the main cast. Fans obsessed over the "long game" romance subplot with Maya Hart. It was wholesome, sure, but Shelton brought a specific kind of grounded maturity to a show that could sometimes get a little too "Disney."
Beyond the Disney Bubble
While the Mouse House was great for his profile, Shelton was already doing much heavier lifting elsewhere. Take the 2011 film Lifted. He played Henry Matthews, a boy dealing with a father deployed to Afghanistan. This wasn't just a "child actor" role; he had to sing, play guitar, and carry the emotional weight of a broken family. He actually wrote and performed the song "I Miss You" for the movie.
From "Freaky" to "Motorheads": The Modern Era
If you haven't seen Freaky (2020), go watch it. It’s a body-swap slasher where Vince Vaughn plays a teenage girl and Kathryn Newton plays a serial killer. Shelton plays Booker, the love interest who has to deal with the absolute absurdity of the situation. It proved he could handle comedy and horror without losing his leading-man energy.
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Then there’s Unhuman (2022). He played Danny in this Blumhouse survival horror. It’s basically "The Breakfast Club" meets a zombie apocalypse. It’s messy, it’s bloody, and Shelton leans into that "outcast" energy he’s perfected over the years.
What's New in 2025 and 2026?
Right now, the big buzz is around Motorheads.
This is a Prime Video series that’s basically a love letter to car culture and high school drama. Shelton plays Curtis, a guy who knows his way around an engine. It feels like a natural progression for him—moving into more adult, ensemble-driven storytelling. The series had a special screening in May 2025 at the Ted Mann Theater, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about Uriah Shelton movies and shows for fans of The Bear or Friday Night Lights.
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The "Must-Watch" List
If you’re doing a deep dive, don’t just stick to the hits. You’ve got to see the range.
- Alabama Moon (2009): He plays Kit, a kid living off the grid. It’s a survivalist coming-of-age story that’s way better than it has any right to be.
- The Warrior's Gate (2016): This one is a trip. He plays a gamer who gets magically transported to ancient China. It involves a lot of martial arts—Shelton is actually trained in MMA, so he does a lot of his own heavy lifting here.
- Looking for Alaska (2019): He had a recurring role as Longwell. It’s a small part, but in a prestige Hulu limited series, it showed he can fit into more "literary" adaptations.
- 13 Reasons Why: He played Pratters. Love the show or hate it, his performance added to the chaotic high school ecosystem of the later seasons.
Why He’s Different From Other Child Stars
A lot of guys who start at seven (like he did in commercials) disappear by twenty. Shelton didn't. He survived the transition by being a "utility player."
He’s worked on everything from procedural staples like NCIS: Los Angeles and Justified to weird web series like Blue (starring Julia Stiles). In Blue, he played Josh across 24 episodes, proving he could handle the "prestige" digital era before it was even a thing. He doesn't seem to care if the project is a massive blockbuster or a tiny indie film, as long as the character isn't boring.
Actionable Tips for Fans
If you're looking to keep up with his career, here is the best way to navigate his filmography:
- Check Prime Video for "Motorheads": It's his most current work and arguably his most "adult" leading role in a series format.
- Don't Sleep on the Indies: Films like Flock of Four or Alabama Moon show a side of his acting that you won't see in his Disney or horror projects.
- Watch "Lifted" for the Music: If you didn't know he could sing, this is the one. It’s a genuine tear-jerker.
- Look for the Guest Spots: He has one-off episodes in Monk, The Suite Life on Deck, and Ghost Whisperer that are fun "time capsules" of his early career.
Uriah Shelton has managed to stay relevant by avoiding the "stuck in time" trap. He isn't just "that kid from the Disney show" anymore. Whether he's fixing cars in Motorheads or fighting off zombies, he’s carved out a space as a reliable, talented actor who actually knows his craft. Keep an eye on his 2026 slate; the transition from "teen star" to "leading man" is officially complete.