Zac Efron

Zachary David Alexander Efron (; born October 18, 1987) is an American actor. Efron began acting professionally in the early 2000s and rose to prominence as a teen idol for his leading role as Troy Bolton in the High School Musical film series (2006–2008). During this time, he also starred in the musical film Hairspray and the comedy film 17 Again (2009).

Efron had starring roles in New Year's Eve (2011), The Lucky One (2012), The Paperboy (2012), Neighbors (2014), That Awkward Moment (2014) Dirty Grandpa (2016), Baywatch (2017), and The Greatest Showman (2017). His roles have included Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) and Kevin Von Erich in The Iron Claw (2023).

In 2021, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for hosting the Netflix travel show Down to Earth with Zac Efron (2020–2022). In 2023, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Early life Zachary David Alexander Efron was born on October 18, 1987, and grew up in Arroyo Grande, California. His father, David Efron, is an electrical engineer at Diablo Canyon Power Plant, and his mother, Starla Baskett, is an administrative assistant who also works at Diablo Canyon. Efron has a younger sister and two younger brothers, including Dylan Efron, His surname originates from Hebrew. He has described himself as Jewish, though he was raised agnostically and did not practice religion as a child.

He has said that he would "flip out" if he got a "B" and not an "A" in school, and was a class clown there. Efron subsequently worked at The Great American Melodrama and the Vaudeville theaters, and began taking singing lessons. 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. He was recommended to an agent in Los Angeles by his drama teacher, Robyn Metchik, the mother of actor Aaron Michael Metchik. Efron was later signed to the Creative Artists Agency.

Efron graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 2006 and was then accepted into the University of Southern California but did not enroll. He also attended Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, a theater company operating out of Allan Hancock College, a community college located in Santa Maria, California, where he performed in 2000 and 2001.

Career

2002–2009: Early career and High School Musical

Efron began acting in the early 2000s with guest roles on several television series including Firefly, ER, and The Guardian. In 2004, he began appearing as a recurring character in the first season of the WB series Summerland. For the show's second season, which aired in 2005, he was promoted to the main cast. He also appeared in some films, including the Lifetime television film Miracle Run (2004), for which he earned a Young Artist Award nomination for his performance as one of two autistic twins.

Efron's career reached a turning point with the teen musical television film High School Musical (2006), which premiered on the Disney Channel in January 2006. The film, which has been described as a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, saw Efron playing the male lead Troy Bolton, a high school basketball player who feels conflicted when he finds himself interested in participating in the school musical with Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens), a girl from the scholastic decathlon team. The film's success helped Efron gain recognition among teenage audiences. The film's soundtrack was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA. However, 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; the Troy Bolton role had been intended for a tenor before Efron's casting and Efron was a baritone. In his subsequent musical films, Efron did his own singing.

Efron was next seen as Link Larkin in the musical comedy film Hairspray (2007), based on the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name. Production conflicted with the High School Musical concert tour, which prevented Efron from joining; Drew Seeley filled in. The film became a major commercial and critical success upon its release in July 2007. Later that year, he reprised his role of Troy Bolton in High School Musical 2 (2007), which aired on the Disney Channel in August 2007.

Efron again reprised his role in High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008), the first film in the High School Musical franchise to receive a theatrical release. The film succeeded at the box office, and received mixed to positive reviews from critics. He followed this with the commercially successful comedy 17 Again (2009) about a 37-year-old man who is transformed into his 17-year-old self (Efron) after a chance accident.

2009–present: Dramatic roles and mainstream projects

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. The film earned mostly positive reviews from critics. He then played the title role in the supernatural romantic drama Charlie St. Cloud (2010), which became a moderate success at the box office despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics. Efron appeared as a part of the large ensemble cast in Garry Marshall's New Year's Eve (2011), which depicted a series of holiday vignettes of different groups of characters. The film received almost unanimously negative reviews from critics, but did well at the box office. He also played a supporting role in the critically successful Liberal Arts (2012), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2012 and received a limited release later that year. 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. The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics.

After lending his voice to the animated film The Lorax (2012), he appeared as the male lead in the romantic drama The Lucky One (2012), based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The film became a success financially despite negative reviews from critics. 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. Both films received mixed reviews from critics. Efron's first release of 2014 was the romantic comedy That Awkward Moment, for which he also served as an executive producer. The film, which starred Efron as one of three bachelors in New York City, became a moderate commercial success despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics.

Later in 2014, Efron was seen in the adult comedy Neighbors (2014). The film revolved around a young couple who struggle to raise their baby daughter while living next to the house of a wild fraternity led by its president, played by Efron. The film was a commercial success and earned mostly positive reviews from critics, who also added that he had successfully shed his "Disney pretty boy" image.

Efron's only release in 2015 was the moderately successful We Are Your Friends, in which he played a struggling DJ. In January 2016, he starred in the adult comedy Dirty Grandpa as a straitlaced young man who begrudgingly indulges his grandfather's unhinged personality by taking him on a vacation to Florida. The film received mostly negative reviews from critics for its crude humor but became a commercial success. He subsequently starred in the comedy sequel Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, which became a commercial and critical success upon its release in May 2016. 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. His third 2016 comedy, released in July, was Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates.

In 2017, Efron starred as Matt Brody in Baywatch, an action comedy film version of the television series of the same name, released in May. 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. Both films were nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

In 2019, Efron played a drug-addled libertine in the Harmony Korine film The Beach Bum. He also starred as serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. The film premiered at Sundance in early 2019 and was released by Netflix on May 3.

Efron and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile co-star Lily Collins in 2019In 2020, Efron voiced Fred Jones in Warner Bros.' Scooby-Doo animated film, Scoob! In 2021, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Program Host for the Netflix web documentary series Down to Earth with Zac Efron.

In 2022, he starred in the survival thriller Gold, directed by Anthony Hayes and headlined the horror film Firestarter, a remake of the 1984 film based upon the novel of the same name by Stephen King, directed by Keith Thomas. Also that year, he starred in Peter Farrelly's Vietnam War–set comedy The Greatest Beer Run Ever, which received mixed reviews.

In 2023, he starred as Kevin Von Erich in Sean Durkin's The Iron Claw, about the Von Erich family of wrestlers. That same year, Efron was awarded his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2024, Efron played Chris Cole, the role with Joey King and Nicole Kidman in the romantic comedy A Family Affair of Netflix. That same year, he also played a lead role in the comedy Ricky Stanicky.

In 2025, Efron played himself in an episode of the comedy series The Studio.

In 2026, Efron is set to play a lead role with Debby Ryan and Phoebe Dynevor in the thriller movie Famous. That same year, he is also expected to play a lead role with Will Ferrell and Regina Hall in the comedy film Judgment Day.

Other work In 2010, Efron started his own production company under Warner Bros., Ninjas Runnin' Wild. The company played a part in the production of his films Dirty Grandpa, That Awkward Moment, and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. In 2019, Efron's brother Dylan Efron, 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.

Efron announced the creation of his YouTube channel in March 2019. The video sharing platform hosts two weekly series. "Off the Grid" follows Efron and his brother Dylan as they participate in outdoor activities and trips without electronic devices—with the exception of a video camera in order to document their experiences. "Gym Time" spotlights fitness and nutrition, with Efron informing his viewers that he plans to "train with celebrities, athletes, and interesting people". YouTube received backlash for promoting Efron's new channel in a post made from their official Twitter account. Some YouTube users accused the platform of promoting a mainstream celebrity's account, which they feared would overshadow lesser known creators.

Personal life Efron was on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list in 2008 at number 92, with estimated earnings of $5.8 million from June 2007 to June 2008. In April 2009, his personal wealth equaled about $10 million. In May 2015, Efron's net worth was $18million.

Efron turned to Transcendental Meditation to help decompress after struggling to separate himself from his role as serial killer Ted Bundy. "I really love TM, transcendental meditation. I did TM on the way home. Not while driving, but when you're shooting a movie, one thing we can afford is a ride home, so on the way home I just do some TM and try to phase out of it."

Efron moved to Australia after selling his Los Angeles home in early 2021 and purchased a property in Byron Bay while working on projects there.

Relationships

From 2005 to 2010, Efron was in a relationship with actress Vanessa Hudgens, whom he met on the set of High School Musical.

From September 2014 to April 2016, he was in a relationship with model Sami Miro.

From June 2020 to April 2021, Efron dated Australian model Vanessa Valladares.

Health Efron sought treatment in early 2013 after struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse. He got sober in June 2013. He revealed in 2022 that he almost died during this incident, and that it was responsible for his facial swelling, apparent in a viral 2021 video for Bill Nye's Earth Day Musical.

Efron was a vegan for two years until 2022, when he began intermittent fasting, and reintroduced meat into his diet after undergoing a series of food sensitivity tests.

In 2022, Efron opened up about his struggles with insomnia, agoraphobia, and depression. He developed insomnia and depression after taking diuretics for a long period to prepare for his role in Baywatch.

Filmography

Film + Key Denotes films that have not yet been released Year Title Role Notes 2003 Melinda's World Stuart Wasser 2005 The Derby Stallion Patrick McCardle 2007 Hairspray Link Larkin 2008 High School Musical 3: Senior YearTroy Bolton Me and Orson Welles Richard Samuels 2009 17 Again Mike O'Donnell 2010 Charlie St. Cloud Charlie St. Cloud 2011 New Year's Eve Paul 2012 At Any Price Dean Whipple Liberal Arts Nat The Lorax Ted Wiggins (voice) The Lucky One Logan Thibault The Paperboy Jack Jansen 2013 Parkland Dr. Charles James "Jim" Carrico 2014 Neighbors Teddy Sanders That Awkward Moment Jason Also executive producer 2015 We Are Your Friends Cole Carter 2016 Dirty Grandpa Jason Kelly Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Dave Stangle Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising Teddy Sanders 2017 BaywatchMatt Brody The Disaster Artist Dan Janjigian / Chris-R The Greatest Showman Phillip Carlyle 2019 The Beach Bum Flicker Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and VileTed Bundy Also executive producer 2020 Scoob! Fred Jones (voice) 2021 Save RalphBobby (voice)Short film 2022 Gold Virgil Firestarter Andy McGee The Greatest Beer Run Ever John "Chickie" Donohue 2023 The Iron ClawKevin Von Erich 2024 Ricky Stanicky Dean A Family Affair Chris Cole TBA Famous Lance Dunkquist / James Jansen Post-production Judgment Day Post-production

Television

Music video appearances Year Title Performer(s) Album 2005 "Sick Inside" Hope Partlow Who We Are 2007 "Say OK" Vanessa Hudgens V

Discography

Singles + List of songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album US AUS CAN FRA NZ SPA SWE UK "Breaking Free"(with Drew Seeley and Vanessa Hudgens) 2006 4 13 — 17 — 4 — — 9 RIAA: Platinum BPI: Gold High School Musical "You Are the Music in Me"(with Vanessa Hudgens) 2007 31 86 54 12 — — — — 26 RIAA: Gold BPI: Silver High School Musical 2 "Gotta Go My Own Way"(with Vanessa Hudgens) 34 — — 36 — — — — 40 RIAA: Platinum "Everyday"(with Vanessa Hudgens) 65 — — — — — — — 59 RIAA: Gold "Bet on It" 46 — 93 — — — — 65 — "Right Here, Right Now"(with Vanessa Hudgens) 2008 119 — — — — — — — 137 High School Musical 3: Senior Year "Rewrite the Stars" 2018 70 24 71 21 115 32 82 90 16 RIAA: 3× Platinum ARIA: 2× Platinum BPI: 3× Platinum MC: Gold RMNZ: Platinum The Greatest Showman

Other charted songs + List of songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album US BPI: Silver High School Musical "Ladies' Choice" 2007 — — — — — — 96 Hairspray "You Are the Music in Me (Reprise)"(with Ashley Tisdale) — — — — — — 89 High School Musical 2 "Can I Have This Dance"(with Vanessa Hudgens) 2008 98 84 — — — — 81 High School Musical 3: Senior Year "Just Wanna Be with You"(with Lucas Grabeel, Olesya Rulin, and Vanessa Hudgens) — — — — — — 153 "The Boys Are Back"(with Corbin Bleu) 101 72 — — — — 101 "The Greatest Show" 2017 88 42 — 34 110 — 20 RIAA: 2× Platinum ARIA: 2× Platinum RMNZ: 2× Platinum Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2008 Best Acting Ensemble Hairspray CinemaCon 2016 Comedy Star of the Year(shared with Anna Kendrick and Adam DeVine) Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Daytime Emmy Awards 2021 Outstanding Daytime Program HostDown to Earth with Zac Efron Outstanding Travel, Adventure and Nature Program Down to Earth with Zac Efron Golden Raspberry Awards 2012 Worst Screen Ensemble New Year's Eve 2018 Worst Actor Baywatch Hollywood Film Awards 2007 Ensemble Acting of the Year – Musical/Comedy Hairspray MTV Movie Awards 2008 Best Breakthrough Performance Hairspray 2009 Best Male Performance High School Musical 3: Senior Year Best Kiss(shared with Vanessa Hudgens)High School Musical 3: Senior Year 2010 Best Male Performance 17 Again 2011 Best Male Performance Charlie St. Cloud 2014 Best Shirtless Performance That Awkward Moment 2015 Best On-Screen Duo(shared with Dave Franco) Neighbors Best Shirtless PerformanceNeighbors Best Fight(shared with Seth Rogen)Neighbors Best Musical Moment(shared with Seth Rogen)Neighbors 2017 Best Kiss(shared with Anna Kendrick) Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates National Board of Review 2023 Best Acting Ensemble The Iron Claw Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards 2007 Fave Movie Star Hairspray 2009 Fave Movie Star 17 Again 2010 Cutest Couple(shared with Vanessa Hudgens) — Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2010 Favorite Movie Actor 17 Again Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards 2007 Best TV Actor High School Musical Palm Springs International Film Festival 2008 Best Ensemble Cast Hairspray People's Choice Awards 2009 Favorite Star Under 35 — 2011 Favorite Movie Star Under 25 — 2013 Favorite Dramatic Movie Actor The Lucky One 2015 Favorite Comedic Movie Actor Neighbors 2017 Favorite Comedic Movie Actor Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising Saturn Awards 2019 Best Actor in Streaming Presentation Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile Screen Actors Guild Awards 2008 Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Hairspray ShoWest Convention 2009 Breakthrough Performer of the Year High School Musical 3: Senior Year Teen Choice Awards 2006 Choice Breakout TV Star High School Musical Choice TV Chemistry(shared with Vanessa Hudgens)High School Musical 2007 Choice Male Hottie — 2008 Choice Male Hottie — Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon – Male — 2009 Choice Comedy Movie Actor 17 Again Choice Music/Dance Movie Actor High School Musical 3: Senior Year Choice Movie Rockstar Moment 17 Again Choice Movie Liplock(shared with Vanessa Hudgens) High School Musical 3: Senior Year Choice Male Hottie — Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon – Male — 2010 Choice Summer Movie Actor Charlie St. Cloud Choice Male Hottie — Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon – Male — Choice Smile — 2011 Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon – Male — 2012 Choice Drama Movie Actor The Lucky One Choice Romance Movie ActorThe Lucky One Choice Movie Voice The Lorax Choice Movie Liplock(shared with Taylor Schilling) The Lucky One 2014 Choice Male Hottie — 2016 Choice Comedy Movie Actor Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising Choice Movie Hissy FitNeighbors 2: Sorority Rising 2017 Choice Comedy Movie Actor Baywatch Choice MovieShip(shared with Dwayne Johnson)Baywatch 2018 Choice Drama Movie Actor The Greatest Showman Choice MovieShip(shared with Zendaya) The Greatest Showman Choice Collaboration(shared with Zendaya for "Rewrite the Stars") The Greatest Showman Choice Liplock(shared with Zendaya) The Greatest Showman Choice Male Hottie — Young Artist Awards 2005 Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special – Supporting Young Actor Miracle Run 2007 Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor High School Musical Young Hollywood Awards 2014 Best Cast Chemistry – Film Neighbors Best Threesome(shared with Dave Franco and Christopher Mintz-Plasse)Neighbors Best Threesome(shared with Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan) That Awkward Moment