", "Zac Efron Confesses He Ruined His First On-Screen Kiss In A Really Gross Way Watch", Recording Industry Association of America, "No Drama Here! Zac Efron $25 Million. His third 2016 comedy, released in July, was Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. Vanessa Hudgens is now 29, and would've been 19 years old. 'Firestarter,' 'Senior Year': New films streaming and in theaters Zac Efron - Age, Movies & Life - Biography Zac Efron, here at an event in 2019, worked with his brother to "bust" their grandfather out from his retirement home to go watch a game. In this memorable, laugh-out-loud sequence, Dan arrives on set with a ferocious intensity, punching the wall to prepare for his scene. Everything is thrown at you. "[47] Efron began a relationship with model and entrepreneur Sami Mir in September 2014. Again, this doesn't get more than a little nod and shrug combo from me. Within two weeks, Efron received the life-changing call that he was cast as Troy Bolton. Obsessed with travel? Y2k Outfits. The 2014 comedy "That Awkward Moment" stars Efron, Miles Teller, and Michael B. Jordan as three millennial besties. The following year, he could be seen in the film The Guardian, as well as the pilot for Triple Play and the made-for-television movie Miracle Run. While a departure from Efron's prior characters, the role makes expert use of Efron's innate charisma and ability to charm. Some of Efron's first professional on-screen gigs included guest spots on TV series like Fox's "Firefly" and NBC's "ER.". With each new part, he continues to find new ways to surprise audiences. Afterward, he took on the lead role in Richard Linklater's drama Me and Orson Welles (2008) and hosted Saturday Night Live in 2009, to positive reviews. Efron subsequently rose to mainstream prominen Zac Efron $25 Million. The former Disney heartthrob revealed how far he had come with a January 2018 Instagram photo, showing him as a scowling Bundy posing for a mug shot. Offers for acting roles and record deals followed, but Efron declined. The 12 Best Zac Efron Movies, Ranked - /Film In 2017, Efron starred alongside Dwayne Johnson in Baywatch, an action comedy film version of the television series of the same name, released in May. The 2015 indie was a pivotal stepping stone for Efron, in line with his musical roots but featuring far more adult subject matter than his Disney trilogy. Efron later starred in Neighbors, Dirty Grandpa, the .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}P.T. 61 of 61 found (86-4) 82 points, "Breaking Free" by Zac & Vanessa. News. Before appearing in the movie, Zac had done a couple of roles in shows while also appearing in advertisements. Everything to Know About Zac Efron's Life and Career - Insider As for Efron, the actor was most recently linked to model Vanessa Valladares, who he met while she was working at the Byron Bay General Store & Caf in Australia in September 2020. After a string of comedies that ranged from successful to critically panned (cough, "Baywatch," cough), "The Greatest Showman" came at the perfect time, reestablishing Efron as a multi-talented performer capable of greatness when given the right material. When "High School Musical" premiered on Disney Channel in 2006, no one knew what a cultural ', Astrological Sign: Libra, Article Title: Zac Efron Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/actors/zac-efron, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: April 13, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. The film became a major commercial and critical success upon its release in July 2007. Efron and Zendaya's characters' storyline is a standout, with their doomed romance anchoring the film with genuine, heart-wrenching emotion. It's outrageously melodramatic, but if Efron is going to do one thing, it's to give his absolute all to a performance with commendable abandon. Efron and Hudgens were launched into stardom with their roles as Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez in the "High School Musical" franchise. Despite his fame and heartthrob status, his performances lack any ego or self-seriousness. [58][59][60][61], Efron was a vegan for two years until 2022, when he began intermittent fasting,[62] and reintroduced meat into his diet after undergoing a series of food sensitivity tests. Zac Efron gained worldwide popularity when he famously played Troy Bolton, a teenage basketball player, in Disneys musical film High School Musical in 2006. Additionally, he was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone, which dubbed him "The New American Heartthrob.". The 2012 film "Paperboy" first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The actress recently told Insider's Olivia Singh that her character wore a headband throughout the series because the crew didn't know how to style Black hair. He then played the title role in the supernatural romantic drama Charlie St. At just 21 years old, he landed a place on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list, which measures stars by fame and money. Coleman was nearly a decade older than her on-screen character. How Old Was Zac Efron In High School Musical? - Celeb Answers Like most of the junior class, Sharpay is also 16 or 17 years old. It's a challenge he's proven he can handle. As critic Owen Gleiberman of Variety wrote, "How is Zac Efron as Bundy? The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. In the years since, Efron has gone on to become one of the most bankable actors in the business, with credits that range from a stuck-up frat bro to a sinister serial killer. Gabriella met Troy at a New Year's Eve party. Zac Efron returns to East High from 'High School Musical' | CNN Find images and videos about cute, zac efron and hudgens on We Heart It - the app to get lost in what you love. Efron says he was completely flabbergasted and actually broke out in tears during the call. He began acting professionally in the early 2000s and rose to prominence in the late 2000s for his leading role as Troy Bolton in the High School Musical trilogy (20062008). ", "Zac Efron Says He Had to "Fight" to Get His Voice in "High School Musical 2", "Me and Orson Welles Character Card: Richard Samuels (Zac Efron)", "17 Again Movie Review and Film Summary (2009)", "Zac Efron Interview for Charlie St. "I really love TM, transcendental meditation. Efron grew up in Arroyo Grande, California. While Zac is best known for starring in the High School Musical franchise, he actually got his first acting gig in a 2002 episode of the series Firefly. The number is simultaneously brilliant and utterly absurd because of Efron's commitment to the bit. Zac Efron The High School Musical star did graduate high school, despite his various commitments, attending all the way through grades Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Cloud (2010), which became a moderate success at the box office despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics. In 2013, Efron went to rehab for an alcohol and drug addiction, something he has opened up about many times since. In the first part of the movie, Zacs voice was not used. 3:14 PM EDT, Sat July 23, 2022, Zac Efron returned to the high school that made him a star in "High School Musical.". In 2019, Efron played a drug-addled libertine in the Harmony Korine film The Beach Bum. Every Zac Efron Musical Movie, Ranked Rocking his signature side-swept hair and a leather biker jacket, Efron showcases the effortless cool that made him one of the biggest young stars of his time. At the time, GQ likened Efron's career shift to that of fellow "Hollywood Hunk" Channing Tatum, who went from teen movies to saucy films like "Magic Mike.". Also in 2017, Efron had a supporting role in two biographical films released in December, The Disaster Artist, a comedy-drama directed by and starring James Franco, and, as Phillip, in the musical The Greatest Showman. Efron's natural musicality is on display in the many dance floor scenes, and he's utterly convincing as a prodigious young DJ who can control a crowd with his music. The film received a pretty poor reception, but it's on this list for a reason: The chemistry between three young actors makes the entire endeavor worthwhile. The film received mostly negative reviews from critics for its crude humor, but became a commercial success upon its release. Cloud", "Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Hilary Swank, Josh Duhamel and Lea Michele New Year's Eve Interview", "At Any Price Movie Review and Film Summary (2012)", "Being Zac Efron: An On-Set Liberal Arts Body Double Speaks Out", "Zac Efron Raises His Voice in 'Dr. "It's never one specific thing. Zac Efron posted an Instagram snap of himself Friday in front of East High School, the real-life high school in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he filmed High School Musical. The 2006 film made Efron a teen icon and led to two sequels. Eventually recognized as one of the most successful made-for-television movies ever, the movie produced unprecedented ratings, a best-selling soundtrack and loyal fans. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Barnum biopic The Greatest Showman, alongside Hugh Jackman. Where Did Zac Efron Go To High School, And Did He Graduate? The second he picked up the karaoke mic in the opening scene, a new American heartthrob was born. He later told E! With the help of Gabriella Montez, Troy also embraces his artistic side. Director Adam Shankman nearly passed on Efron for the role of golden boy Link Larkinreportedly, Shankman initially felt Efron was "too Disney"but he later reconsidered. Zac Efron has been in a handful of musicals from High School Musical to The Greatest Showman. "It was a long process to get my mind around if I could, or if I wanted to play a guy like Ted Bundy," he explained. Zac Efron at the premiere of "High School Musical 2" in 2007. Zac Efron has come a long way from East High School with his starring role in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile, on Netflix now. Efron's next release was Richard Linklater's period drama Me and Orson Welles, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2008 and received a wide release in late 2009. Kelsi Nielsen, played by Olesya Rulin, was 22. [33], In 2010, Efron started his own production company under Warner Bros., Ninjas Runnin' Wild. "Hairspray" was the perfect transition to more mature projects for Efron, allowing him to play off his teen idol status and prove that his musical skills are the real deal. WebMichael Jackson called Zac Efron to tell him he enjoyed his work in High School Musical. It also establishes Efron's ability to deliver one of the most memorable performances in a film despite appearing in only a few scenes, an impressive feat given the movie's roster of great actors. The courtroom scenes are particularly transfixing, affording Efron the chance to deliver a chilling monologue during Bundy's sentencing. Efron is swoon-worthy, yes, but he also gets to flex his comedic muscles in the role, foreshadowing a streak of impressive leading performances in mainstream rom-coms and raunchy comedies. J. Emilio Flores/Corbis via Getty Images The film followed the same couple who team up with their former rival (Efron) to take down a hard-partying sorority led by a freshman (Chlo Grace Moretz). He also starred in The Paperboy (2012), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2012 and received a wider release later that year. [26] He also starred as serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, alongside Lily Collins as Bundy's girlfriend. Sadly, no High School Musical 4: College Freshman. [35] In 2019, Efron's brother Dylan, who also plays a role in the company, stated that Ninjas Runnin' Wild has started to produce more digital content in addition to their traditional film work. Zac Efron has accomplished a feat that Disney stars historically struggle with: making a smooth transition from teen idol to adult actor. 2023 EHM Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. Time to investigate Our leading man, Zac Efron, is 30 years old now, and when. as well as other partner offers and accept our, Shutterstock/Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images, Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images, "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile.". Fans got to see him as the popular High School kid who was ready to remove the line between cool and not-so-popular kids. In 2021, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for the Netflix web documentary series Down to Earth with Zac Efron (2020present). Zac Efron starred in High School Musical. ", "Zac Efron: The New American Heart Throb", "Before The Fame: Zac Efron In Cute Guest Appearance! Niall Horan Reveals He Cringes at Old 'X Factor' Videos & If He Would Turn the Chair For Himself on 'The Voice' He played Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019). [48][49], In March 2014, Efron engaged in a fight with a homeless man on Skid Row. Despite this, Zac seems to be happy to return if there is something in the making. The starkest deviation from Efron's mainstream fare at that point in his career, "The Beach Bum" showed the actor's willingness to play weirder, more outside-of-the-box characters. Cloud (2010) and an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (2012). "It started off really organically," she recalled of their romance. [37] The video sharing platform hosts two weekly series. With a heart-melting central romance between Efron and Vanessa Hudgens and an abundance of catchy musical numbers, "High School Musical" gave Efron everything he needed to achieve stardom. Its relevance persists over 15 years later, and it remains one of the best Disney Channel original movies. Zanessa fans are feeling all types of nostalgia after noticing Zac Efron's recent gesture of good faith towards ex-girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens. The Richest Disney Channel Stars, Ranked From Lowest to Nonetheless, fans did get to enjoy Zacs voice in the next two parts of the film. While Efron's character, a popular frat boy, doesn't seem like a huge stretch for the actor on the surface, he gets to sink his teeth into genuinely sharp comedic material. One of his most popular projects as a leading man, "17 Again" cemented Efron's status as a bona fide heartthrob. While Efron was only 19 at the time when High School Musical was released, his co-stars Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens were equally young. Seuss' The Lorax', "Ebiri on Neighbors: Zac Efron's Blank Face Is This Movie's Secret Weapon", "The Girls from That Awkward Moment Spill Everything About Zac Efron, Miles Teller, and Michael B. Jordan", "Zac Efron: In the Best Place I've Ever Been After Rehab", "Getting Weird with the Real Mike and Dave Who Needed Wedding Dates", "Neighbors 2 Is a Good Comedy with a Surprisingly Great Zac Efron", "See The Disaster Artist Stars and Their Real-Life The Room Counterparts", "Matthew McConaughey Plays the Most Florida Guy Ever in Harmony Korine's Next Film", "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile Review Zac Efron Shocks As Ted Bundy", "Zac Efron Channels Ted Bundy's Intensity in 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile Image", "Warner Bros' Animated Scooby-Doo Finds Its Fred & Daphne In Zac Efron & Amanda Seyfried", "Zac Efron to Star in Australian Survival Thriller 'Gold', "Zac Efron Joins Universal-Blumhouse's 'Firestarter' Reboot", "Apple Poised To Take 'The Greatest Beer Run Ever' With 'Green Book's Peter Farrelly & Skydance; Zac Efron & Russell Crowe To Star", "Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, And Joey King Set To Lead Untitled Romcom Film Coming To Netflix", "The Iron Claw: What is the true story behind Zac Efron's new film? [43], People magazine reported in 2007 that Efron and Vanessa Hudgens began dating in 2005 during the filming of High School Musical,[44][45][46] although Us magazine reported, after the two broke up in December 2010, that they "met in 2005 while making the first High School Musical flick, and became a romantic item about two years later. With bleached hair and a beard with horizontal lines shaved through it, Efron embraces the absurdity of his character with full conviction, unafraid to look both ridiculous and unattractive. ", "I was drinking a lot, way too much," he toldThe Hollywood Reporter in 2014, reflecting on his time prior to entering rehab. He screams obscenities at Philip while holding him at gunpoint, leaving his scene partner rattled even after the director calls cut. He began acting professionally in the early 2000s and rose to prominence in the late 2000s for his leading role as Troy Bolton in the High School Musical trilogy (20062008). Efron told The Hollywood Reporter in 2014 that his father encouraged him to pursue music early on and his parents enrolled him in voice and piano lessons while he was in elementary school. After Mikey (Jordan) is served divorce papers by his wife, his roommates drag him out for a night on the town to cheer him up. The couple relocated to Arroyo Grande, California, a town roughly 200 miles north of Los Angeles, to raise Zac and his younger brother, Dylan. He performed in shows such as Gypsy; Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up; Little Shop of Horrors; and The Music Man. This shows that while Efrons success as Troy Bolton came when he was only 19 years old, the Californian actor was able to steadily grow his career alongside his own age. Efrons decisive breakthrough in his acting career came when he got the role of teen basketball player Troy Bolton in the Disney musical movie High School Musical, which was came out in 2006. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. : FLORENCE PUGH AND OLIVIA WILDE FEUD RUMOURS EMERGE AFTER TRAILER RELEASE, KENLY POLICE DEPARTMENT RESIGN WITH SOME CITING HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT, Funny Joe Biden Covid memes take over the internet as President tests positive. 2000s Party. However, his big break came when he became the lead role in the Disney Channel movie. He was flown to St Andrews War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, and was treated before flying back home on December 25. Zac was only 18 years old when he took on the role of Troy Bolton in the High School Musical. In January, Grabeel spoke with Insider's Olivia Singh and weighed in on whether Sharpay was the villain or victim of the movie. He stars in the film as '60s dreamboat Link Larkin, a dancer on the popular teen program "The Corny Collins Show." At the box office, "The Greatest Showman" opened to a reported $434 million, and had multiple theatrical releases, including a singalong version. The movie starred Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller, and Efron as young bachelors who vow to never get married. Here's How Old The "High School Musical" Cast Were He chose instead to take time off to focus and graduate from high school. The twins have worked their entire lives to star as leads in a musical and feel the roles are being stolen from them. 2023 Cable News Network. He plays a mid-20s DJ trying to make it in the California festival scene, stumbling into temptation, romance, and trouble along the way. [27] The film premiered at Sundance in early 2019 and was released by Netflix on May 3. As a pair of troublemakers who can't go to a family gathering without accidentally causing a scene, Efron and DeVine have effortless natural chemistry. Early 2000s Fashion. When Kenny Ortega's "High School Musical" was released 15 years ago, nobody had any idea just how popular it would be. Zac Efron made his first television appearance on the series Firefly. In case you haven't watched the movies, Zac starred as Troy Bolton when he was just 18 years old. Efron's only release in 2015 was the moderately successful We Are Your Friends (2015), in which he played a struggling DJ. Published Feb 1, 2022. He also starred in the drama At Any Price, which premiered at the 2012 Venice International Film Festival, and the historical drama Parkland, which premiered at the 2013 Venice International Film Festival. [31] Also that year, he starred in Peter Farrelly's Vietnam Warset comedy The Greatest Beer Run Ever, which received mixed reviews. A more adult musical than "High School Musical," it showed that he could deliver a compelling performance outside of Disney and that it was time for him to take on increasingly dramatic roles. He also landed a leading role in his first feature film, The Derby Stallion (2005). A running thread in Efron's filmography is his ability to generate chemistry with seemingly anyone. "I remember one time we did have a fight and it was while we were at rehearsals," she said. How Old 'High School Musical' Stars Were Vs Their Characters The film proved that Efron could lead a mainstream project outside of Disney, as it was both commercially successful and loved by audiences. Zac Efron The film became a major success and helped Efron gain recognition among teenage audiences. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile premiered at the Sundance Film Festival the following January, before earning its release on Netflix in May 2019. Discovery Company. "Hairspray" wasn't a grand departure from the Disney phenomenon that put Efron's name on the map, and that's exactly what made it such an excellent bridge to more adult projects. ", Hudgens continued, "It was this massive phenomenon and [all] eyes were on me and it's just a really weird foreign thing to go through, and by being in a relationship, it kind of kept me stabilized and grounded, and I had someone to lean on who was going through it as well.". Efron's recordings of the film's songs were not included in the final cut, and the majority of his parts were sung by Drew Seeley. Back in April 2019, Hudgens opened up about her previous relationship with Efron during an appearance on the Awards Chatter podcast and revealed she was grateful to have the "Neighbors" actor as a partner during the early days of being famous. That year, he took on a lead role yet again in The Lucky One, opposite Taylor Schilling, as a soldier stationed in Iraq who searches for a mysterious woman from a photo. [15], Efron graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 2006[16] and was then accepted into the University of Southern California but did not enroll. Efron was next seen as Link Larkin in the musical comedy film Hairspray (2007), based on the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name. During a 2007 interview with Rolling Stone, he recalled the experience and said it motivated him to continue participating in theater. [32], He is set to appear in Sean Durkin's The Iron Claw, about the Von Erich family of wrestlers. Unfortunately, another movie never happened. During this time, he also starred in the musical film Hairspray (2007) and the comedy film 17 Again (2009). When the two are called upon to sing a karaoke duet, it's immediately apparent they have chemistry. His charisma and charm ooze through the screen as he portrays a young Matthew Perry who wakes up as a teenager after a freak accident. Zachary David Alexander Efron was born on October 18, 1987, in San Luis Obispo, California. When Troy and Gabriella return to school from winter break, they audition for the school musical and find themselves struggling to attend callbacks for the lead roles while Troy juggles basketball and Gabriella juggles East High's Scholastic Decathlon Team. It's certainly nothing groundbreaking, but the film confirmed Efron's ability to anchor a mainstream comedy, proving his brilliance in "Neighbors" was no fluke. In the film, high school junior Gabriella, played by Vanessa Hudgens, is a new student at East High, where she meets Troy, played by Efron, who is a star player for the East High Wildcats basketball team. The Disney Channel alums dated for three years and eventually called it quits in 2010. She added that because there wasn't a lot of time to fix her hair before filming, crewmembers suggested she "incorporate headbands into her character" and "just make that a part of who she is.". She eventually moved on with her now fianc Cole Tucker and made their relationship official in February 2021, the couple announced their engagement after two years of dating.