Devon Werkheiser aims to back-pocket a few nuggets of his alter ego Ned Bigby’s wisdom while navigating the hurdle-filled halls of TV’s James K. Polk Middle School.  The 14-year-old actor from Atlanta and straight-A student figures he can pull them out to his advantage when he returns to high school in the fall of 2005.“Ned knows a lot, and I’m picking up tips from his survival guide on first kisses, pep rallies, handling bullies, crushes and much more,” says the eighth grader, who notes an affinity for his self-aware character.  “We’re both nice, generous guys and loyal friends.   Ned has way more insight than I do, but he does slack off sometimes.  I’m much better in math and science.”Academic achievements aside, Devon loves the acting business.  “I want to learn my craft well and continue to improve.  I don’t care about money or fame, but I know I want to act the rest of my life.  I just love it, and I’m having a blast every day going to work.   I hope to get back to doing films in between seasons of Ned's and also spend some quality time at home in Atlanta so I can hang with my buds and catch up with everyone.”Devon knew his destiny early on.  Reenacting the entire “Ace Ventura Pet Detective” movie with exact dialogue and accents at age six, he exhibited a performing gene and photographic memory that prompted his parents to enroll him in the Atlanta community children’s theatre/acting school, The Talent Factory. A leading player in the company for three years, he played the wolf in “Little Red Riding Hood,” the emperor in “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” Baby Bear in “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and Little Devil in “Halloween at Boo Castle.”   Concurrently he kicked off a career in commercials, first appearing with Charles Barkley for the NBA on TBS/TNT. At age 10, Devon landed the part of Mel Gibson’s son in the Ft. Benning, Georgia-filmed feature “We Were Soldiers” and thrived on the experience.  The following year, he and his mom headed for Hollywood during pilot season, and he was cast as John Larroquette and Lesley Ann Warren’s son in the independent film/video release “Recipe for Disaster. “ But his biggest coup came on the day he arrived in Los Angeles for pilot season 2003, when he clinched the title role in “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.” Off-camera, Devon enjoys playing one of his three guitars, jamming with friends, listening to "pretty much all kinds of music,” going to the movies and playing X-Box.  He’s hooked on the “Harry Potter” book series and “The Family Guy.”   The goal-oriented teen aspires someday to win an Oscar and to appear on “Saturday Night Live.” Devon and his family -- 16-year-old sister Vanessa, dad Gary who works as a commercial real estate exec, and mom Valerie who accompanies Devon in all his acting endeavors -- currently split their time between Atlanta and Los Angeles.