Viacom Inc.'s Nickelodeon and Paramount Television announced today that actor/comedian Tony Cavalero will take on the beloved role of Dewey Finn, portrayed by Jack Black in the 2003 movie, in the upcoming musical-comedy TV series, School of Rock.

Said Tony Cavalero:

"I am so honored to be part of the rad legacy that is School of Rock. Jack Black is one of my biggest comedy influences and I am ready to shred!"

School of Rock, set to air on Nickelodeon early 2015, will be a live-action series following a group of unconventional prep schoolers who are taught the joy of rock 'n' roll by Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck rocker who poses as a substitute teacher at their school.

Tony Cavalero has guest starred in television series including Modern Family, 2 Broke Girls, Hart of Dixie and Adam Devine's House Party. He stars as a series regular in the Glamour web series The Single Life and in the WB/Maker Studios web series Robin Banks and the Bank Roberts. Tony Cavalero, like many of the successful comedians who came before him, is currently a main company member at the legendary Los Angeles improv company, The Groundlings.

School of Rock is a Paramount Television production. The straight-to-series, 13-episode order, will be written by Jim and Steve Armogida (Crash & Bernstein, My Family), who will also serve as executive producers and show runners. The 2003 movie's director Richard Linklater and producer Scott Rudin will executive produce the television series.