Date Of Birth
October 18, 1987
Biography
Born on October 18, 1987, Zach Efron is an actor who rocketed to fame and who became especially popular to young audiences for his role as heartthrob Troy Bolton on award-winning Disney Movie franchise High School Musical. Since landing his breakthrough role, he has won several awards, has landed many film projects and has established himself as one of Hollywood’s promising celebrities.
Efron grew up in a middle class family and was raised as an agnostic. And though he never saw himself as a highly intelligent student, he remained focus with his studies. At age 11, he also got exposed to acting in theater productions at Arroyo Grande High School, where he graduated in 2006. Following plays like The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Music Man, his drama teacher recommended Efron to a Los Angeles agent, subsequently leading to Efron joining the Creative Artists Agency.
In 2002, Efron made his first TV appearance on Firefly as the young Simon Tam. A year later, he guest starred as Luke Tomello on The Guardian and as Bobby Neville on ER, before landing the regular role of Cameron Bale on the WB series Summerland, where he worked alongside Kay Panabaker, Lori Loughlin and Jesse McCartney.
After a string of TV gigs and a couple of big screen projects such as Melinda’s World, The Big Wide World of Carl Laemke, Miracle Run and The Derby Stallion, Efron got his big break as Troy Bolton, the captain of the school’s varsity basketball team and the main protagonist of the first three High School Musical films. His role earned him several awards and nominations, as well as a massive fan following. At the same time, his chemistry with co-star Vanessa Hudgens, who played love interest Gabriella Montez, translated to an off-camera love affair. The couple has been together since 2006.
Efron continued to linger in the limelight as he was cast in films like Hairspray as lead character Link Larkin– which is yet another character that earned him several award nominations. He also starred in 17 Again, Me and Orson Welles and the titular character in Charlie St. Cloud.
Place of Birth
San Luis Obispo, California
Birth Name
Zachary David Alexander Efron
Gender
Male
Fun Facts
-He was a big fan of Tyra Banks as a teen.
-His most prized possession is his autographed baseball collection.
-He rejected Simon Cowell’s record deal offer since acting is his first priority.
Awards
2006 – Teen Choice Award for TV – Choice Breakout Star for High School Musical
2006 – Teen Choice Award for TV – Choice Chemistry
for High School Musical (shared with Vanessa Hudgens)
2007 – Hollywood Film Award
2007 – Blimp Award for Fave Movie Star
2007 – Teen Choice Award for Choice Hottie – Male
2007 – Young Hollywood Award for One to Watch
for Hairspray
2008 – MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Performance for Hairspray
2008 – Ensemble Cast Award for Hairspray at the Palm Springs International Film Festival
2009 – MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance
for High School Musical 3: Senior Year
2009 – ShoWest Award for Breakthrough Performer of the Year
2009 – Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Comedy for 17 Again
2009 – Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Music/Dance for High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Filmography
2010: Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III (TV movie) – Anakin Skywalker (voice)
2010: Charlie St. Cloud – Charlie St. Cloud
2009: 17 Again – Mike O’Donnell (Teen)
2009: Robot Chicken (TV series) – Billy Joel/Bowling Pin/Harry Potter/…
2008: High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Troy Bolton
2008: Me and Orson Welles – Richard Samuels
2007: High School Musical 2 (TV movie) – Troy Bolton
2007: Hairspray – Link Larkin
2006: The Replacements (TV series) – Davey Hunkerhoff
2006: Heist (TV series) – Pizza Delivery Guy
2006: Disney 365 (TV series)
2006: The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (TV series) – Trevor
2006: High School Musical (TV movie) – Troy Bolton
2006: NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service (TV series) – Danny
2006: If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home Now (TV movie) – Cody
2005: The Derby Stallion – Patrick McCardle
2004-2005: Summerland (TV series) – Cameron Bale
2005: CSI: Miami (TV series) – Seth Dawson
2004: Miracle Run (TV movie) – Steven Morgan
2004: The Guardian (TV series) – Luke Tomello
2004: Triple Play (TV movie) – Harry Fuller
2003: ER (TV series) – Bobby Neville
2003: The Big Wide World of Carl Laemke (TV movie) – Pete Laemke
2002: Firefly (TV series) – Young Simon
Nickname
Zacquisha
Hollywood
Zefron
Height
5’10 1/2
Quotes
“If I had to hear the High School Musical songs anymore, I would have jumped off of something really tall.” (On why he chose not to do the High School Musical Tour)
“The fans make the person a star”
“The number one question I’ve been asked [for his movie 17 Again] is, ‘If you could go back, would you change anything? If you could be 17 all over again, what would you do different? Would you go down this road?’ I’m like, absolutely. This is like the best job in the world. I’m having the time of my life… It’s always fun. It’s always interesting. It’s always a challenge. I’m very happy with that and I’m very happy with my life right now.”
