Zachary David Alexander "Zac" Efron (born October 18, 1987) is an American actor and singer. He began 表演 professionally in the early 2000s, and became known to young audiences after his roles in the 迪士尼 Channel Original Movie High School Musical, the WB series Summerland, and the 2007 film version of the Broadway musical Hairspray. Speaking to Newsweek in June 2006, director Adam Shankman described Efron as "arguably the biggest teen 星, 星级 in America right now." In 2007, right before the release of High School Musical 2, Rolling Stone declared him the "poster boy for tweenyboppers" and featured him in their late August 2007 issue.
Early life and background
Efron was born in San Luis Obispo, California and later moved to Arroyo Grande, California. His father, David Efron, is an engineer at a power plant, and his mother, Starla Baskett, is a former secretary who worked at the same power plant as Efron's father.Efron had a self-described "normal childhood" in a middle class family, and has a younger brother, Dylan. Efron is of Jewish ancestry and is an agnostic, having never been religious. He has 说 that he would "flip out" if he got a B and not an A in school, and that he was a "class clown".Although self-described as not academically gifted, he remained focused enough to achieve an 总体, 整体 GPA of 4.3. Efron's father encouraged him to begin 表演 when Efron was eleven. He subsequently appeared in theater productions at his high school, worked in a theater called The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville, and began taking 唱歌 lessons. Efron performed in plays such as Gypsy, Peter Pan, 或者 The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, Little 商店 of Horrors, and The 音乐 Man. Efron was recommended to an agent in Los Angeles 由 his drama teacher, Robyn Metchik (the mother of actors Aaron Michael Metchik and Asher Metchik). He was later signed to the Creative Artists Agency.
EducationEfron graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 2006, and was then accepted into the 大学 of Southern California, but he deferred his enrollment while he worked on film projects. He plans to return at some time. Efron also attended Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, a community college located in Santa Maria, California, which provided him with the opportunity to perform as a "young player" during the years of 2000 and 2001.
表演 career
In 2002, Efron began to appear in guest roles on several 电视 series, including Firefly, ER, and The Guardian. He portrayed Cameron Bale on the now-cancelled WB series Summerland. Originally introduced as a recurring character, Efron became a regular cast member on the 显示 in the 秒 season in 2004, starring opposite the likes of Kay Panabaker, Lori Loughlin and Jesse McCartney. Since appearing in Summerland, he has also had guest roles on the shows CSI: Miami, 海军罪案调查处 (TV series), The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Replacements. In 2003, Efron starred in the Lifetime original 电视 movie Miracle Run. He played Steven Morgan, one of two autistic twins. For his performance, he was nominated for a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie, Mini-series 或者 Special — Supporting Young Actor.In 2005, he played a main character in Hope Partlow's 音乐 video for her song "Sick Inside." Also in 2005, he played horse-loving Patrick McCardle in The Derby Stallion, where his character wants to beat the town bully at the steeple chase race.
2006: High School Musical
In 2006, Efron starred in the 迪士尼 Channel original movie High School Musical as Troy Bolton, the 流行的 student and captain of the 篮球 team. The film, which he initially made with "low expectations",[1] helped Efron gain recognition among teenage audiences as both an actor and a singer. As a result, he placed as high as #4 on the IMDBPro's STARMeter for the week of January 29, 2006.[19] In August 2006, Efron won a Teen Choice Award in the Breakout 星, 星级 and the TV — Choice Chemistry categories, shared with Vanessa Hudgens. The film's cast, along with Efron, toured Sydney, Australia, London, England, and other locations to promote the film.
Shortly after High School Musical aired, Efron debuted with two simultaneous charted songs on Billboard Hot 100 on February 4, 2006, with "Get'cha Head in the Game" and "Breaking Free", a duet with Vanessa Hudgens from the film. On the following week's chart, Efron had five simultaneous song credits from High School Musical: "Get'cha Head in the Game", "Start of Something New", "What I've Been Looking For: Reprise", "We're All in This Together" and "Breaking Free." "We're All in This Together" was credited to the whole High School Musical cast. "Breaking Free", at the time, made the fastest climb in the history of the Billboard charts, from #86 to #4 between the two weeks; the record was beaten 由 Beyoncé and Shakira's "Beautiful Liar".[20] Efron also appeared in the 2006 迪士尼 Channel Games as captain of the Red Team.
Efron's 唱歌 talents were disputed when it was revealed that Drew Seeley's voice was blended with his on the soundtrack of High School Musical. An August 23, 2007 interview in Rolling Stone magazine revealed that he had been cast in High School Musical after the songs were written, and the songs (written for a tenor) were somewhat out of his baritone vocal range. However, Efron stated in interviews that he felt his future is that of a serious dramatic actor, not necessarily a singer.
2007-present: 最近的 roles
On April 7, 2007, Efron appeared in an episode of Punk'd. Efron also starred in the 音乐 video for Vanessa Hudgens's single "Say OK", where he played her 爱情 interest. The video aired on March 16, 2007 on 迪士尼 Channel. That year, he was named one of People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in 2007. A picture and short 个人资料 of him was in the section "Coming of Age". In it, he related how he was always the shortest kid in school (he is now[when?] 5'8") and was teased for the "huge gap" in his teeth.In 2006, Efron was cast as Link Larkin in a film version of 发胶 released on July 20, 2007. Efron performed all of his own vocals in the role, which was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, from September 5 to December 2, 2006. He cut and dyed his hair dark brown and gained about 15 pounds for the role. Efron's performance and the film received positive reviews. Efron was not able to perform with his fellow castmates in High School Musical: The 音乐会 because of commitments on the film Hairspray. Drew Seeley took over for him.
High School Musical 2 was released in August 2007, and Efron topped IMDBPro's 星, 星级 Meter at #1, indicating that he was the most searched celebrity.[citation needed] Additionally, Lycos reported searches for Efron surged 由 81%.The film set a new record, becoming the most watched basic cable program in U.S. history, with 17.2 million viewers. Efron also appeared on the cover of the August 2007 edition of Rolling Stone. The 文章 about him revealed that he hoped to someday play an action hero.
Efron presented the 2007 Teen Choice Award for "Favorite Movie" along with 皇后乐队 Latifah, and later that year, he co-hosted the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards with The Veronicas on October 10 in Sydney.
Efron reprised his role in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which was theatrically released on October 24, 2008. His 下一个 role was in 17 Again, a high school-set comedy-drama produced 由 Adam Shankman and based on a pitch 由 Jason Filardi; the plot involved an adult who is transformed into a 17-year old (played 由 Efron). 17 Again was released in 2009.
In early 2008, Efron was cast as the lead role in the film Me and Orson Welles. Based on Robert Kaplow's novel of the same name, the story, set in 1937 New York, tells of a teenager hired to 星, 星级 in Orson Welles' production of Julius Caesar, where he becomes attracted to a career-driven production assistant. The film was shot in the Isle of Man, 伦敦 and New York, during February — April 2008. It was introduced to North America via the Toronto Film Festival on September 5, 6, and 11, 2008 and scheduled for release in 2009.
Efron was also scheduled to 星, 星级 in Paramount's musical remake of the film Footloose, and has 说 that he would like to add his "own little bit of flair" to the role originated 由 Kevin Bacon. In March 2009 he dropped out of the film. Efron was quoted as saying that while it was a promising gig, he left the project because he "was looking for a new challenge, and this was another musical."
Efron signed on to play a role in the movie "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud"
In 2009, Efron was revealed to be connected to the live action rendition of the Japanese 日本动漫 Full Metal Panic, simply entitled "Panic". He is also starring in the 标题 role of the live-action adaptation of the Jonny Quest cartoons.
On April 8, 2009, Efron's participation in a comedic short video entitled "Zac Efron's Pool Party" for the website Funny 或者 Die was released for public viewing.
In early June 2009 it was confirmed that Efron would be making a guest appearance during the sixth season of HBO's comedy series Entourage.[citation needed]
FILMOGRAPHY
年 Film Role Other notes
2002 Firefly Young Simon Tam Ep. 安全
2003 Melinda's World Stuart Wasser
The Guardian Luke Tomello Ep. "Without Consent"
ER Bobby Neville Ep. "Dear Abby"
The Big Wide World of Carl Laemke Pete Laemke
2004 Miracle Run Steven 摩根
Room Raiders Himself TV show, Guest 星, 星级
Triple Play Harry Fuller
2005 Sick Inside 由 Hope Partlow - 音乐 video 爱情 Interest
Summerland Cameron Bale TV series; 16 episodes (26 in series)
CSI: Miami Seth Dawson Ep. "Sex & Taxes"
The Replacements Davey Hunkerhoff Ep. "Davey Hunkerhoff / Ratted Out"
The Derby Stallion Patrick McCardle
2006 If 你 Lived Here, You'd be 首页 Now Cody
Heist 比萨, 比萨饼 Delivery Guy ep. "Pilot"
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Trevor Ep. "Odd Couples"
High School Musical Troy Bolton
海军罪案调查处 Danny Ep."Deception"
2007 Punk'd Himself Feat. Ashley Tisdale
发胶 Link Larkin
High School Musical 2 Troy Bolton
2008 High School Musical 3: Senior 年 Troy Bolton
Robot Chicken Billy Joel Ep. "Tell My Mom", Mature Content
2009 Saturday Night Live Himself/Host Aired April 11, 2009, Promotes 17 Again
17 Again Mike O'Donnell (teen) April 17, 2009 Release
Me and Orson Welles Richard Samuels
"Zac Efron's Pool Party" Himself For Funny 或者 Die
2010 "The Death & Life of Charlie St. Cloud" "The Older Brother" Pre-production
Full Metal Panic
Early life and background
Efron was born in San Luis Obispo, California and later moved to Arroyo Grande, California. His father, David Efron, is an engineer at a power plant, and his mother, Starla Baskett, is a former secretary who worked at the same power plant as Efron's father.Efron had a self-described "normal childhood" in a middle class family, and has a younger brother, Dylan. Efron is of Jewish ancestry and is an agnostic, having never been religious. He has 说 that he would "flip out" if he got a B and not an A in school, and that he was a "class clown".Although self-described as not academically gifted, he remained focused enough to achieve an 总体, 整体 GPA of 4.3. Efron's father encouraged him to begin 表演 when Efron was eleven. He subsequently appeared in theater productions at his high school, worked in a theater called The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville, and began taking 唱歌 lessons. Efron performed in plays such as Gypsy, Peter Pan, 或者 The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, Little 商店 of Horrors, and The 音乐 Man. Efron was recommended to an agent in Los Angeles 由 his drama teacher, Robyn Metchik (the mother of actors Aaron Michael Metchik and Asher Metchik). He was later signed to the Creative Artists Agency.
EducationEfron graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 2006, and was then accepted into the 大学 of Southern California, but he deferred his enrollment while he worked on film projects. He plans to return at some time. Efron also attended Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, a community college located in Santa Maria, California, which provided him with the opportunity to perform as a "young player" during the years of 2000 and 2001.
表演 career
In 2002, Efron began to appear in guest roles on several 电视 series, including Firefly, ER, and The Guardian. He portrayed Cameron Bale on the now-cancelled WB series Summerland. Originally introduced as a recurring character, Efron became a regular cast member on the 显示 in the 秒 season in 2004, starring opposite the likes of Kay Panabaker, Lori Loughlin and Jesse McCartney. Since appearing in Summerland, he has also had guest roles on the shows CSI: Miami, 海军罪案调查处 (TV series), The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Replacements. In 2003, Efron starred in the Lifetime original 电视 movie Miracle Run. He played Steven Morgan, one of two autistic twins. For his performance, he was nominated for a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie, Mini-series 或者 Special — Supporting Young Actor.In 2005, he played a main character in Hope Partlow's 音乐 video for her song "Sick Inside." Also in 2005, he played horse-loving Patrick McCardle in The Derby Stallion, where his character wants to beat the town bully at the steeple chase race.
2006: High School Musical
In 2006, Efron starred in the 迪士尼 Channel original movie High School Musical as Troy Bolton, the 流行的 student and captain of the 篮球 team. The film, which he initially made with "low expectations",[1] helped Efron gain recognition among teenage audiences as both an actor and a singer. As a result, he placed as high as #4 on the IMDBPro's STARMeter for the week of January 29, 2006.[19] In August 2006, Efron won a Teen Choice Award in the Breakout 星, 星级 and the TV — Choice Chemistry categories, shared with Vanessa Hudgens. The film's cast, along with Efron, toured Sydney, Australia, London, England, and other locations to promote the film.
Shortly after High School Musical aired, Efron debuted with two simultaneous charted songs on Billboard Hot 100 on February 4, 2006, with "Get'cha Head in the Game" and "Breaking Free", a duet with Vanessa Hudgens from the film. On the following week's chart, Efron had five simultaneous song credits from High School Musical: "Get'cha Head in the Game", "Start of Something New", "What I've Been Looking For: Reprise", "We're All in This Together" and "Breaking Free." "We're All in This Together" was credited to the whole High School Musical cast. "Breaking Free", at the time, made the fastest climb in the history of the Billboard charts, from #86 to #4 between the two weeks; the record was beaten 由 Beyoncé and Shakira's "Beautiful Liar".[20] Efron also appeared in the 2006 迪士尼 Channel Games as captain of the Red Team.
Efron's 唱歌 talents were disputed when it was revealed that Drew Seeley's voice was blended with his on the soundtrack of High School Musical. An August 23, 2007 interview in Rolling Stone magazine revealed that he had been cast in High School Musical after the songs were written, and the songs (written for a tenor) were somewhat out of his baritone vocal range. However, Efron stated in interviews that he felt his future is that of a serious dramatic actor, not necessarily a singer.
2007-present: 最近的 roles
On April 7, 2007, Efron appeared in an episode of Punk'd. Efron also starred in the 音乐 video for Vanessa Hudgens's single "Say OK", where he played her 爱情 interest. The video aired on March 16, 2007 on 迪士尼 Channel. That year, he was named one of People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in 2007. A picture and short 个人资料 of him was in the section "Coming of Age". In it, he related how he was always the shortest kid in school (he is now[when?] 5'8") and was teased for the "huge gap" in his teeth.In 2006, Efron was cast as Link Larkin in a film version of 发胶 released on July 20, 2007. Efron performed all of his own vocals in the role, which was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, from September 5 to December 2, 2006. He cut and dyed his hair dark brown and gained about 15 pounds for the role. Efron's performance and the film received positive reviews. Efron was not able to perform with his fellow castmates in High School Musical: The 音乐会 because of commitments on the film Hairspray. Drew Seeley took over for him.
High School Musical 2 was released in August 2007, and Efron topped IMDBPro's 星, 星级 Meter at #1, indicating that he was the most searched celebrity.[citation needed] Additionally, Lycos reported searches for Efron surged 由 81%.The film set a new record, becoming the most watched basic cable program in U.S. history, with 17.2 million viewers. Efron also appeared on the cover of the August 2007 edition of Rolling Stone. The 文章 about him revealed that he hoped to someday play an action hero.
Efron presented the 2007 Teen Choice Award for "Favorite Movie" along with 皇后乐队 Latifah, and later that year, he co-hosted the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards with The Veronicas on October 10 in Sydney.
Efron reprised his role in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which was theatrically released on October 24, 2008. His 下一个 role was in 17 Again, a high school-set comedy-drama produced 由 Adam Shankman and based on a pitch 由 Jason Filardi; the plot involved an adult who is transformed into a 17-year old (played 由 Efron). 17 Again was released in 2009.
In early 2008, Efron was cast as the lead role in the film Me and Orson Welles. Based on Robert Kaplow's novel of the same name, the story, set in 1937 New York, tells of a teenager hired to 星, 星级 in Orson Welles' production of Julius Caesar, where he becomes attracted to a career-driven production assistant. The film was shot in the Isle of Man, 伦敦 and New York, during February — April 2008. It was introduced to North America via the Toronto Film Festival on September 5, 6, and 11, 2008 and scheduled for release in 2009.
Efron was also scheduled to 星, 星级 in Paramount's musical remake of the film Footloose, and has 说 that he would like to add his "own little bit of flair" to the role originated 由 Kevin Bacon. In March 2009 he dropped out of the film. Efron was quoted as saying that while it was a promising gig, he left the project because he "was looking for a new challenge, and this was another musical."
Efron signed on to play a role in the movie "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud"
In 2009, Efron was revealed to be connected to the live action rendition of the Japanese 日本动漫 Full Metal Panic, simply entitled "Panic". He is also starring in the 标题 role of the live-action adaptation of the Jonny Quest cartoons.
On April 8, 2009, Efron's participation in a comedic short video entitled "Zac Efron's Pool Party" for the website Funny 或者 Die was released for public viewing.
In early June 2009 it was confirmed that Efron would be making a guest appearance during the sixth season of HBO's comedy series Entourage.[citation needed]
FILMOGRAPHY
年 Film Role Other notes
2002 Firefly Young Simon Tam Ep. 安全
2003 Melinda's World Stuart Wasser
The Guardian Luke Tomello Ep. "Without Consent"
ER Bobby Neville Ep. "Dear Abby"
The Big Wide World of Carl Laemke Pete Laemke
2004 Miracle Run Steven 摩根
Room Raiders Himself TV show, Guest 星, 星级
Triple Play Harry Fuller
2005 Sick Inside 由 Hope Partlow - 音乐 video 爱情 Interest
Summerland Cameron Bale TV series; 16 episodes (26 in series)
CSI: Miami Seth Dawson Ep. "Sex & Taxes"
The Replacements Davey Hunkerhoff Ep. "Davey Hunkerhoff / Ratted Out"
The Derby Stallion Patrick McCardle
2006 If 你 Lived Here, You'd be 首页 Now Cody
Heist 比萨, 比萨饼 Delivery Guy ep. "Pilot"
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Trevor Ep. "Odd Couples"
High School Musical Troy Bolton
海军罪案调查处 Danny Ep."Deception"
2007 Punk'd Himself Feat. Ashley Tisdale
发胶 Link Larkin
High School Musical 2 Troy Bolton
2008 High School Musical 3: Senior 年 Troy Bolton
Robot Chicken Billy Joel Ep. "Tell My Mom", Mature Content
2009 Saturday Night Live Himself/Host Aired April 11, 2009, Promotes 17 Again
17 Again Mike O'Donnell (teen) April 17, 2009 Release
Me and Orson Welles Richard Samuels
"Zac Efron's Pool Party" Himself For Funny 或者 Die
2010 "The Death & Life of Charlie St. Cloud" "The Older Brother" Pre-production
Full Metal Panic