School of Rock hit cinemas in 2003 and instantly became a hit for audiences around the world. Despite having a relatively meagre budget of $35 million, it made a staggering $131 million at the box office. School of Rock was also nominated for a number of awards, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor – Comedy or Musical. Years later, it would kickstart a stage show of the same name that has also been massively successful. 

Perhaps the best-loved parts of the movie came from the children and their incredible dedication to the stories. But Mr Cool himself had his story taken from a real-life experience.

Robert Tsai played the young keyboard player Lawrence who struggled with his own image. How could viewers forget his heartbreaking scene with Black’s Dewey Finn where he demanded to be taken out of the band?

The touching scene showed him say: “People in bands are cool, I am not cool!” 

Well, this emotional moment was actually a real interaction Tsai had with the film’s director, Linklater.

Tsai reportedly approached Linklater after joining the film to convince him to let him go from School of Rock. He apparently felt like he “wasn’t right” for the role of Lawrence.

Linklater explained to the 13-year-old that it was his very insecurity that made him the perfect fit for the role of Lawrence. Eventually, Tsai agreed to stay on the picture – but not before Linklater decided to make some changes to the script.

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Tsai put his musical talents to good use performing as a pianist in live concerts and competitions to this day. But he did drop the rock music and this time stuck to classical music instead.

Most of the other children who starred in School of Rock stayed in rock music or acting. But not all of their stories had happy endings.

The actor behind Freddy Jones, Kevin Clark, died in May 2021 after being hit by a car. The 32-year-old was cycling in Chicago before being struck by a vehicle. He later died in hospital.

Black paid tribute to the star, saying: “Devastating news. Kevin is gone. Way too soon. Beautiful soul.” Miranda Cosgrove, who played Summer, wrote: “I’ll always remember your spirit and how kind you were to me.”

School of Rock is available to watch now on Netflix.

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