J. Emilio Flores/Corbis via Getty Images Can you see it ?? The second he picked up the karaoke mic in the opening scene, a new American heartthrob was born. So there I was, doing some ~important~ research on the movies when I stumbled across a lil' fact that had me, frankly, shook. one of the most recognizable stars in the business. Efron subsequently rose to mainstream prominence with starring roles in the films New Year's Eve (2011), The Lucky One (2012), The Paperboy (2012), Neighbors (2014), Dirty Grandpa (2016), Baywatch (2017), and The Greatest Showman (2017). Law enforcement officials did not make any arrests because they viewed it as mutual combat. His father David, an electrical engineer, and mother Starla, an administrative assistant, met while working at the same nuclear power plant. Our leading man, Zac Efron, is 30 years old now, and when HSM3 was released on 24 October 2008, he would've just turned 21. Zac Efron at the premiere of "High School Musical 2" in 2007. So if Tiara Gold was actually only 13, how old was everybody else? The directorial debut of Max Joseph, one of the brains behind the MTV phenomenon "Catfish: The TV Show," "We Are Your Friends" was Efron's first venture into arthouse territory. News. When Zac Efron broke out in 2006's "High School Musical" on the Disney Channel as basketball player and all-around good guy Troy Bolton, he became an Instead, Drew Seeley, who is a Canadian singer, stepped in to fill the role. When the two are called upon to sing a karaoke duet, it's immediately apparent they have chemistry. Some of Efron's first professional on-screen gigs included guest spots on TV series like Fox's "Firefly" and NBC's "ER.". It has a superbly curated soundtrack that captures the edgy, artistic atmosphere of the Los Angeles music scene. In 2020, Efron voiced Fred Jones in Warner Bros.' Scooby-Doo animated film, Scoob! While the second movie followed the summer vacation of Troy Bolton and his friends, the third movie thematized their senior year at high school and their departure to college. How Old 'High School Musical' Stars Were Vs Their Characters Hudgens also posted a video of herself at East High at the end of June, sparking rumors that one or both of the actors may make a cameo in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, a mockumentary series based on the films. Why Zac Efron Hated His Role In High School Musical - TheList.com The film is the rare example of a Disney Channel movie that becomes a childhood classic and gains mainstream relevance. ", "Why This Could Be Zac Efron's Best Year Yet", "My new @YouTube channel is live! "Look at the reasons. Zac Efron The actor confessed this in an interview with E! After lending his voice to the commercially successful computer-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. "Neighbors" defines Efron's career so strongly both because of its financial success, but also because of his performance opposite Seth Rogen. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation/YouTube. Efron and Hudgens were launched into stardom with their roles as Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez in the "High School Musical" franchise. one of the highest-grossing R-rated movies in the US. show has been called out for its pseudoscientific claims. Zac Efron starred in High School Musical. Zac Efron first rose to fame through Disney's 'High School Musical' films and has since starred in 'Hairspray' and 'The Greatest Showman. The film received mostly negative reviews from critics for its crude humor, but became a commercial success upon its release. '", "I pride myself on being a professional," she added. Ask someone who their celebrity crush is, and there's a good chance they'll name the "High School Musical" alum. 'Firestarter,' 'Senior Year': New films streaming and in theaters 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. In between filming the "HSM" movies, he booked roles on two other films, most notably the musical comedy "Hairspray.". When he turned 21, Efron and co-stars reunited a last time when they appeared in High School Musical 3, the final installment of the Disney trilogy. Published Feb 1, 2022. "I don't think she's a victim at all," Grabeeltold Insider. Zac Efron The 12 Best Zac Efron Movies, Ranked - /Film Troy, Gabriella, and the rest of the main cast are juniors at East High School in the first "HSM" film. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. Ever since the third part of High School Musical was released, fans had been hoping to get more of it. 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. "I remember Kenny Ortega coming around the corner with the most concerned look on his face like, 'Oh no, is our movie going to fall apart right? "We Are Your Friends" was met with mixed reviews, but a captivating central performance from Efron grounds the film. 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. When High School Musical debuted in 2006 it became an instant success and produced huge movie ratings, a best-selling soundtrack and an army of loyal fans. [26] He also starred as serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, alongside Lily Collins as Bundy's girlfriend. You remember Tiara Gold, right? All Rights Reserved. And now, as a grown-up, Efron has fully build an acting career for himself off his initial success as the teenage basketball player. During this time, he also starred in the musical film Hairspray (2007) and the comedy film 17 Again (2009). Zac Efron - Wikipedia In January 2016, he starred with Robert De Niro in the adult comedy Dirty Grandpa, about a straitlaced young man who begrudgingly indulges his grandfather's unhinged personality by taking him on a vacation to Florida. The 2012 film "Paperboy" first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. "" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. Earlier this year, he starred on "Down to Earth With Zac Efron," a Netflix docuseries in which he travels the world with health guru Darin Olien. From the mind of arthouse auteur Harmony Korine, "The Beach Bum" was the buzzed-about follow-up to Korine's prior endeavor, "Spring Breakers." Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! In this memorable, laugh-out-loud sequence, Dan arrives on set with a ferocious intensity, punching the wall to prepare for his scene. 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. When "High School Musical" premiered on Disney Channel in 2006, no one knew what a cultural Although some critics weren't fans of this modern-day take on an old story, audiences couldn't get enough of it. Did you encounter any technical issues? 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. Barnum with, "Zac Efron to play Ted Bundy in film about American serial killer", "Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried Join Animated Scooby-Doo Film as Fred and Daphne", "Alex Trebek, Zac Efron, Karrueche Tran, More, Announced As Daytime Emmy Fiction & Lifestyle WinnersComplete Winners List", "Anthony Hayes strikes Gold with Zac Efron and Susie Porter", "Zac Efron Starring in 'Firestarter' Reboot From Blumhouse, Universal", "Zac Efron Goes Indie, Will Star in A24 Film 'The Iron Claw', "Zac Efron Has a Production Company: Help Pick His Next Project! Bleu's real age is a spot-on match for his "HSM" character. Published Its relevance persists over 15 years later, and it remains one of the best Disney Channel original movies. The film's soundtrack was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA,[20] and was one of the best-selling albums of the year in the United States. Kelsi Nielsen, played by Olesya Rulin, was 22. impressive $70 million during its opening weekend alone. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. The Transformation Of Zac Efron From High School Musical To Now The Hollywood A-lister started acting in theater productions near his hometown when he was a child. [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. High School Musical saw him play Troy Bolton, a basketball player who falls in love with Gabriella Montez (played by Vanessa Hudgens) and subsequently fells conflicted when he finds himself wanting to participate in the schools musical with her. A post shared by High School Musical (@highschoolmusical) on Jul 29, 2019 at 11:43am PDT. In addition to High School Musical 2, Efron also appeared in the big-screen remake of John Waters' Hairspray (1988) in 2007. Gabriella met Troy at a New Year's Eve party. Zac Efron returns to East High from 'High School Musical' | CNN Before appearing in the movie, Zac had done a couple of roles in There's a memorable dance sequence that you just can't help but smile at while acknowledging that Efron has a natural sense of rhythm and musicality. Barnum biopic The Greatest Showman and as serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. 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. ", "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. [39] "Gym Time" spotlights fitness and nutrition, with Efron informing his viewers that he plans to "train with celebrities, athletes, and interesting people". If you're here it's probably because you're also a stan of the Oscar snubbed movie franchise. Zac was only 18 years old when he took on the role of Troy Bolton in the High School Musical. 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. 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. 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 [37] The video sharing platform hosts two weekly series. High School Musical will literally never be the same. Unfortunately, the film turned out to be a critical and commercial flop that reportedly didn't even clear $1 million at its opening. Time to investigate Our leading man, Zac Efron, is 30 years old now, and when. A Warner Bros. Zachary David Alexander Efron (/frn/; born October 18, 1987[1]) is an American actor. How Old 'High School Musical' Stars Were Vs Their Characters At the box office, "The Greatest Showman" opened to a reported $434 million, and had multiple theatrical releases, including a singalong version. It seemingly marked the beginning of Efron's tendency to get typecast as stereotypical "dude bro" characters. Efron couldn't have asked for a better follow-up to "High School Musical." The Richest Disney Channel Stars, Ranked From Lowest to 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. 2023 EHM Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. The film became a major commercial success and earned mostly positive reviews from critics, who also added that Efron had successfully shed his "Disney pretty boy" image.[23]. In 2005, Efron landed the lead role in the Disney Channel film High School Musical, which proved a massive hit and spawned two sequels. When Kenny Ortega's "High School Musical" was released 15 years ago, nobody had any idea just how popular it would be. 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. Zac Efron would be all for a 'High School Musical' sequel - New "Neighbors" proved that, if Efron could hold his own next to Rogen, he could act opposite some of our greatest actors and still stand out. Zac Efron, 2008 At the age of 21, Zac was looking to move away from the Troy Bolton/Bieber 'do, and fashioned it slightly more stylishly at the premiere of High Niall Horan Reveals He Cringes at Old 'X Factor' Videos & If He Would Turn the Chair For 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. In the sequence, Efron galivants through a golf course while overcome by heartache and angst, belting out the lyrics. Many of us can still recite the lyrics for "We're All in This Together"; more than a few of us still remember the dance moves, too. And after the end of the High School Musical franchise, Efron further established himself in Hollywood. The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. From bringing a magnetic warmth to the school's star basketball player to portraying a serial killer with sickening charm, Efron always manages to defy expectations. 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. Efron grew up in Arroyo Grande, California. 34-year-old actor Zac Efron rose to fame way back in 2006 through his main role in the iconic High School Musical series. While on the set of the film, he met co-star Vanessa Hudgens, and the two began dating off set. ', Photo: Brendon Thorne:Getty Images for Paramount Pictures, Jennifer Garner Loves This Drugstore Skin Tint, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Zachary David Alexander Efron, Birth Year: 1987, Birth date: October 18, 1987, Birth State: California, Birth City: San Luis Obispo, Birth Country: United States, Best Known For: Zac Efron first rose to fame through Disney's 'High School Musical' films and has since starred in 'Hairspray' and 'The Greatest Showman. Here's where each Like Troy Bolton, Efron's character is a popular kid and basketball team captain, but he has entirely different nuances and subtleties. Here are, as of this writing, his best films. This is a freaky Friday, indeed: Zac Efron is playing a dad and Rebel Wilson is a 37-year-old cheerleader. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile premiered at the Sundance Film Festival the following January, before earning its release on Netflix in May 2019. Yet despite the star-studded cast, the movie was ripped apart by critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Efron subsequently rose to mainstream prominen This week the internet went wild after discovering the 35-year-old actor started following the "Rent: Live" star on Instagram more than a decade after their split. [7] His surname originates from Hebrew. Barnum biopic The Greatest Showman, alongside Hugh Jackman. Efron says he was completely flabbergasted and actually broke out in tears during the call. Efron proves he can thrive amidst fellow rising stars; his chemistry with DeVine in particular stands out, making the film worth watching. Barnum was a massive hit, garnering a plethora of awards buzz, including three Golden Globe nominations. one of the most-watched events ever broadcast on cable TV at the time, hosted an episode of "Saturday Night Live" for his first and only time in 2009. didn't even clear $1 million at its opening. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. [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. In the following years he starred, for example, in the movie 17 Again in 2009 and a remake of Baywatch in 2017. Also in 2017, it was announced that Efron would play notorious serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. In the first part of the movie, Zacs voice was not used. The High School Musical cast auditions! Throughout the years, his status as a heartthrob stuck with him as he developed into a CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. He later acted in several plays at his high school and joined an improv troupe. Following his standout appearance in High School Musical, Zac Efron and his co-stars appeared in the 2007 follow-up High School Musical 2 , when Efron was 20 years old. 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. Within two weeks, Efron received the life-changing call that he was cast as Troy Bolton. Adamant that I was being lied to, I hunted down Jemma's Instagram and scrolled back to 2 June where I found THIS. This week the internet went wild after discovering the 35-year-old actor started following the "Rent: Live" star on Instagram more than a decade after their split. 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. Zac Efron revealed he is very open to the possibility of returning to the Disney franchise High School Musical for a reboot if one were to be made. For a decade and counting, Efron's name has been nearly synonymous with the word "heartthrob." Notably, the sequel allows Efron to sing more (in the original movie, Drew Seeley provided many of Troy's vocals) and show his range. The 2019 crime drama "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" was a transformative moment for Efron. Despite this, Zac seems to be happy to return if there is something in the making. 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. 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. Controversy later erupted when sources disclosed that Efron wasn't actually responsible for voicing his High School Musical songs, and that Canadian singer-songwriter Drew Seeley was the actual voice behind the role. "High School Musical" put Efron on the map and made him the star he is today. ", Efron also explained that battling an addiction is a "never-ending struggle" and told the publicationhe had also joined Alcoholics Anonymous and began seeing a therapist, which "changed [his] life.". "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. As a result, Efron made it a contractual point to ensure that his voice appeared unaided on songs for High School Musical 2, which became the most-watched event in cable television history in 2007. After playing love interests in the global Disney Channel phenomenon, the duo took their romance off-screen and confirmed their relationship in 2007. [32], He is set to appear in Sean Durkin's The Iron Claw, about the Von Erich family of wrestlers. 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.