You remember the dirt. You remember the yellow-spotted lizards and that relentless, dry heat radiating off the screen. If you grew up in the early 2000s, Holes wasn’t just another Disney movie; it was a cultural reset for every kid who felt like an outcast. While Shia LaBeouf was the "name" on the poster as Stanley Yelnats IV, the real heart of the story—the kid who actually broke your heart and made you cheer—was Hector Zeroni.
So, who played Zero in Holes?
His name is Khleo Thomas.
He was just 13 years old when he stepped onto that desert set at Cuddeback Lake in California. Honestly, it’s wild to look back and realize how much weight he carried in that role. Zero didn't talk much. He was the "silent" kid. Most child actors would have played that flat, but Khleo did something different. He used his eyes. He used his posture. He made you care about a kid who everyone else at Camp Green Lake had written off as a "nothing."
The Audition That Almost Didn’t Happen
Khleo Thomas wasn't exactly a Hollywood veteran when he landed the part. He’d done a few bits here and there, but Holes was the big leagues. Funnily enough, the casting process was a bit of a marathon. The producers were looking for a specific kind of vulnerability. They needed someone who could look tough enough to survive the "D-Tent" but soft enough to make the "If only, if only" lullaby feel earned.
Khleo has mentioned in various interviews and on his own social media channels—where he’s super active these days—that the chemistry between him and Shia was instant. That mattered. If you don't believe that Stanley and Zero would die for each other on God's Thumb, the whole movie falls apart. The director, Andrew Davis, who did The Fugitive, treated the kids like professional actors, not just "child stars." That respect shows up in the performance.
Why Zero Became an Icon for a Generation
Let’s be real for a second. Zero is the underdog’s underdog.
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He was homeless. He was illiterate. He was being exploited by a corrupt penal system run by a woman who used rattlesnake venom as nail polish. When Khleo Thomas played Zero, he wasn't just playing a "poor kid." He was playing a genius who had been denied the tools to succeed.
There is that one scene. You know the one. Stanley is trying to teach Zero how to read, and Zero explains how he’s not stupid, he just doesn’t like answering questions. He says he "likes to dig holes." It’s a defense mechanism. Khleo plays it with this quiet dignity that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
It’s also worth noting how Zero’s character arc flips the script on the "savior" narrative. Usually, in these movies, the main lead (Stanley) saves the sidekick. But in Holes, it’s a symbiotic relationship. Zero is the one who finds the "Sploosh." Zero is the one who survives the desert on pure will. Without Zero, Stanley stays in that hole forever.
Life After Camp Green Lake: Where is Khleo Thomas Now?
A lot of people think child stars just vanish if they aren't in a Marvel movie every two years. That's not the case here. Khleo didn't stop. He went on to do Roll Bounce with Bow Wow, which is another cult classic if you’re into the mid-2000s R&B and skating scene. He also appeared in Sons of Anarchy, Shameless, and even House.
But if you really want to know what the man who played Zero is doing today, you have to look at the gaming world.
Khleo Thomas has successfully pivoted into being a massive figure in the gaming and "nerd culture" space. He’s a regular at conventions. He streams on Twitch. He has a brand called "Slick Living." He’s basically the cool older brother of the internet now. He also hasn't distanced himself from Holes at all. He embraces it. He’s often seen wearing the iconic orange jumpsuit for fans or posting throwback content that hits right in the nostalgia.
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The Music Career and "Dig It"
We can’t talk about who played Zero in Holes without talking about the soundtrack.
"Dig it oh oh oh, dig it."
That song was everywhere. Khleo was actually a rapper and singer long before he was a professional "hole digger." He contributed to the soundtrack, and that song became a certified anthem for Disney Channel kids. It’s one of those rare movie tie-in songs that actually holds up because it’s so tied to the rhythm of the film itself. The shovels hitting the dirt? The beat? It’s iconic.
The Physicality of the Role
Filming Holes was no joke. It wasn't a green screen in a climate-controlled studio in Atlanta.
The cast was out in the Mojave Desert. It was 100-plus degrees. They were actually digging. Khleo has talked about how the physical exhaustion you see on their faces in the movie isn't always acting. They were tired. They were covered in actual dust. That grit gives the movie a texture that most modern CGI-heavy films lack.
When you see Zero struggling to climb the mountain, carrying that heavy bag of onions, you’re seeing a young actor pushing his physical limits. It’s that commitment that makes the payoff—when they finally find the suitcase—so satisfying.
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The Legacy of Hector Zeroni
Why do we still care about who played Zero?
Maybe because Zero represents the part of us that feels unseen. Louis Sachar, who wrote the book and the screenplay, created a character that was fundamentally "disposable" to society. By casting Khleo Thomas, the filmmakers gave that character a face that was impossible to forget.
There’s a nuance to the performance that deals with race, poverty, and the foster care system without ever being "preachy." It’s just there, in the background of the story. Zero is the descendant of Madame Zeroni, carrying a multi-generational curse he didn't even know existed. Khleo plays the revelation of his family history with a sense of wonder that grounds the more "magical" elements of the plot.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans of Holes
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to dive deeper into the world of Holes and Khleo Thomas’s career, here is how you can actually engage with the history of the film today:
- Watch the 20th Anniversary Interviews: Khleo Thomas frequently hosts Q&A sessions on his YouTube and TikTok channels where he reveals "behind the scenes" secrets, including how they handled the "lizards" (which were actually bearded dragons with some CGI help).
- Follow the Gaming Journey: Check out Khleo’s Twitch streams. It’s a great example of a child actor finding a second, healthy career in a completely different industry.
- Re-read the Louis Sachar Novel: If you’ve only seen the movie, the book provides even more internal monologue for Zero. It makes Khleo’s performance look even more impressive when you realize how much "internal" work he had to translate to the screen.
- Support the "Slick Living" Brand: Khleo has built a community based on positivity and "living slick," which is a far cry from the dusty pits of Camp Green Lake.
The kid who played Zero didn't just disappear into the desert. He grew up, kept his head on straight, and continues to be a positive force in entertainment. Whether you know him as Hector Zeroni or Khleo Thomas, his work in Holes remains a masterclass in how to make a "silent" character the loudest voice in the room.
Next time you see an orange jumpsuit or a jar of "Sploosh," you’ll know exactly whose talent made those moments stick in our collective memory for over two decades.