Bridger Zadina gets Emmy buzz for demanding boy-to-girl role on NBC

By brian • on March 3, 2009

15 – year old Bridger Zadina advanced swiftly from a ProScout audition to Disney notoriety as a Movie Surfer; he can be seen currently on the Mouse channel interviewing Dwayne Johnson (the “Rock”) from the about to be released film “Escape To Witch Mountain” . Yep, that’s also him in the Alltel spot that plays all during American Idol commmercial breaks. But more surprising was his recent starring role on Law & Order SVU (NBC); a stunning achievement. In fact, after the episode, Google ranked him in their top 30 most heavily searched topics. Some people have mentioned an Emmy nomination might be appropriate.

Bridger goes from Disney Movie Surfer popularity to prime time, hitting pay dirt in Law & Order SVU.

The episode, called Transitions, dealt with controversial transgender issues, and was seen as one of the best of the recent Law and Order series. Powerfully acted, Bridger portrayed a troubled male to female adolescent, not to mention being involved in an attempted murder. Law & Order is known to be a proving ground for stellar young actors to showcase their acting chops on prime time; so Bridger made the most of it.

Casting director Jonathon Strauss reportedly saw over 200 promising kids to play the role of Henry/Hailey, and tapped Bridger for the demanding role. Bridger (originally from Poplar, WI) handled the tricky material with grace and sensitivity; transitioning deftly from aggressive teenager to scared, confused kid. Cast members said Zadina embraced the demands of the part, arriving for his audition having researched transgendered teens. “He blew us away,” many said. But his enthusiasm didn’t come without hesitation. “He did say, ‘Wow, what am I going to tell my friends?”. (See video clip below)

In the above video, Bridger shows the ability that makes him one of the most promising youth actors around. He’s come a long way since his days back in the North Woods of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and his beginning days of being a local theatre actor in Duluth. Look for Bridger’s star to continue to rise in Hollywood.

Bridger's winning smile from a recent head shot; look for him on the Disney Channel as one of the "Movie Surfer" celebrity reporting / movie reviewing clan.

What’s next for Bridger? Zadina’s talents will next appear alongside Kelsey Grammer and John Goodman in an animated Paul Bunyan film.

The success and buzz surrounding Law & Order’s Transitions episode is sure to provide a big boost beyond Bridger’s current familiarity as a Disney “Movie Surfer” cast member.

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Comments

By Joy on March 10th, 2009 at 4:38 pm

Is this the same kid from the Alltel Commercial too? Looks like him!

By Scott on March 10th, 2009 at 5:07 pm

wow! what an amazing performance! he started with proscout in wisconsin or minnesota? big change for him…

By Carrie on March 10th, 2009 at 5:08 pm

this kid def deserves some sort of award. he’s an awesome actor : )

By sara on March 10th, 2009 at 5:15 pm

that would be so cool to get an oscar!

By james on March 10th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

I can’t imagine having to play a girl on tv. I really like to act, but i’m not sure if i could do that. He’s really talented.

By Alice on March 10th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

This guy is great. He has an amazing carrier in front of him I bet.

By disneydude on March 11th, 2009 at 5:29 am

this kid is on disney channel like a dozen times a day. what a life, but this show gave me the chills. I don’t know if I could have done that role, but that’ why he’s an actor and i’m not!

By Gatsby on March 11th, 2009 at 3:19 pm

I think that is the kid from the Alltel commercial too! I love that commercial!

By Matthew on March 13th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

OMG!!! i have totally seen him on movie surfers on disneychannel and i cant wait for April cause im going to the event and i hope i get signed by disney cause i love disney movies disney shows and well all about disney… btw he is totally lucky to make it!! bye

By Matthew on March 13th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

Oh yea you guys are asking is he from alltel… he is because thats what it says on his “story”. cya (:

By Vanessa on March 14th, 2009 at 6:25 am

i have seen hin b4 on t.v….hes talented become as good as him..maybe better…

By Lyn on March 24th, 2009 at 5:38 pm

this kid.. is my bff he is amazing!!! i went to his house all the time!! i miss him sooo much! cant wait till he comes home! dont forget me! happy birthday!!!

By jessica on April 12th, 2009 at 2:42 pm

does anyone know how to contat him

By jessy on April 14th, 2009 at 12:25 pm

hey bridger i meat you at proscout i got 2 pictures with you and was wondering if you remember and i am a big fan.

thanks jessy<3

By Courtney Kennedy on April 15th, 2009 at 5:35 pm

HIII Bridger i meet you at proscout!! I was with my friend. I would really like to keep in contact with you. I am a BIG FAN!!!! Thank you Courtney Kennedy♥♥♥

By jessy on April 18th, 2009 at 6:06 pm

he is relly talented and i think he makes a pretty girl but a handsome boy and i am also trying to get the pic i took with him on here so maybe he will remember me
jessy<3

By David on April 26th, 2009 at 7:43 pm

I saw you yesterday at proscout

By Ashley Ceballos on May 19,2009 at 8:51 am on May 19th, 2009 at 9:04 am

Met him at the proscout in orange county really nice guy good luck bridger!

By Bethanni on May 28th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

I’ve acted with him before and he’s such a nice kid! He’s got such an amazing talent, i wouldn’t be surprised if he won an award! it’d be well deserved! (:

By CrisBetewsky on July 6th, 2009 at 11:32 am

I’m glad that after surfing the web for uch a long time I have found out this information. I’m really lucky.

By cialis on July 16th, 2009 at 3:01 am

Great topic. Now i can say thank you

By javagame on July 17th, 2009 at 7:52 am

Very goood!!!

By Hi on August 11th, 2009 at 8:48 am

I know this guy from a camp in LA and we were friends.

By japan on October 1st, 2009 at 3:45 am

This site is the BEST!!!
Thanks a million!

By spanking on October 2nd, 2009 at 6:38 am

Thanks again!

By mia barrera on November 10th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

ooo myy frkin baby bajesus i am in lovee with this boyy. I dont know y or how but i had a dream about him even be4 i knew who he was or wat he looked like. Plus noww im (innn loovvee) with himm! I LOVE U BRIDGER best wishes.

-mia

By wisconsin on January 7th, 2010 at 9:48 am

Bridger is a great kid. he knows how to act. I say he will big someday. oh by the why i live next to his mom. So i can see him when he is in WI.

By wisconsin on January 7th, 2010 at 9:50 am

Hay bridger tell your bro i said hi. will ya.

By wisconsin on January 7th, 2010 at 9:57 am

you guys saw him on TV but i know him for years now. he is a great guy. so bridger i know you will make the big stars. so when you get home. you and me are going to fun.

By nike soccer on September 9th, 2011 at 3:21 pm

I would love to be your foot model and I just had a pedicure so you wont even have to shell out the dough for one:-) All I know is, I’m in! I want to go to

By Dominique on September 14th, 2011 at 2:36 pm

Wow, I just saw this episode of L&O SVU on DVD in the Netherlands, it was a surprise from my Bff and we watched it together with some other friends.

Thanks for the amazing performance. From the excellent performance on the part of Hailey I can really tell that you took the part very serious and did your research very well. I also think it is very courageous of you to play this part when you are not transgendered yourself. I recognized a lot in Henry/Hailey and also had a very difficult time at first at school when after the summer I came back in a dress. Now some of my friends started to accept me for who I really am but many find it very difficult because many people don’t know what transgendered is. It is not a phase and I am not a boy and never have or will be one.

I hope that this episode gets aired many times. You really made me cry out of relief when I saw you play Hailey on SVU. My parents always supported me although my dad found it very hard at first they accept me for who I am. You really did something great here and I really want to thank you. You are my hero now and I really think you made a lot of people aware that this mistake in nature really happens and that people sometimes are born in the wrong body.

Love and big huggs,
Dominique

By Nicola on September 16th, 2011 at 7:12 am

I am trans-gendered and the role he played was excellent. I have had real issues with the way the trans gendered are played and the episode was excellent.

I hope he plays other roles.