Zac Efron

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Zachary David Alexander Efron (born October 18, 1987) is an American actor and singer. He began acting in the early 2000s, and became known to young audiences after his roles in the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical,[1] the WB series Summerland, and the film version of the Broadway musical Hairspray.[2] Speaking to Newsweek in June 2006, director Adam Shankman described Efron as "arguably the biggest teen star in America right now."[3] 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 issue.[4]

Biography

Early life

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.[5][6] Although of Jewish ancestry, Efron was raised agnostic and has never been religious.[7] Efron had a self-described "normal childhood" in a middle class family,[1] and has a younger brother, Dylan. He has said that he would "flip out" if he got a 'B' and not an 'A' in school, and that he was a "class clown."[8] Efron's father encouraged him to begin acting when Efron was eleven.[5] He subsequently appeared in theater productions at his high school,[9] worked in a theater called the Melodrama,[1] and began taking singing lessons.[5] Efron performed in plays such as Gypsy, Peter Pan, Little Shop of Horrors, The Music Man and Mame, appearing at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts.[10] Efron was recommended to an agent in Los Angeles by his drama teacher, Robyn Metchik (the mother of actors Aaron Michael Metchik and Asher Metchik).[10][11]

Education

Efron was accepted to the University of Southern California, but deferred his enrollment while he works on film projects. He plans to return at some time.[12]

Early work

In 2002, Efron began to appear in guest roles on several television 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 show in the second season in 2004, starring opposite the likes of Kay Panabaker and Lori Loughlin. Since appearing in Summerland, he has also had guest roles on the shows CSI: Miami, NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Replacements. In 2003, Efron starred in the Lifetime original television 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 or Special - Supporting Young Actor.[13] In 2005, he played a main character in Hope Partlow's music 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.

High School Musical

In 2006, Efron starred in the Disney Channel original movie High School Musical as Troy Bolton, alongside actresses Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and Monique Coleman (who, like Efron, have all appeared on the series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody), as well as actors Lucas Grabeel and Corbin Bleu. 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.[14] In August 2006, Efron won a Teen Choice Award in the Breakout Star and the TV - Choice Chemistry categories, shared with Hudgens. The film's cast, along with Efron, toured Sydney, Australia, London, England, and other locations to promote the film, although Efron did not participate in the High School Musical Concert that toured the U.S. and Canada throughout the fall and winter 2006 as he was filming Hairspray in Toronto at the time.[citation needed]

Shortly after High School Musical aired, Efron debuted with two simultaneous charted songs on February 4, 2006, Billboard Hot 100, with "Get'cha Head in the Game" and "Breaking Free," a duet with Vanessa Anne Hudgens from High School Musical. 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 has since been beaten by Eminem and Akon's "Smack That." [15] Efron also appeared in the 2006 Disney Channel Games as captain of the Red Team.

Efron's singing talents were disputed when it was revealed that Andrew Seeley's voice was blended with his on the soundtrack of High School Musical.[16] 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. Efron's subsequent singing performances in Hairspray and High School Musical 2 were genuine, though arguably not as polished as those of Seeley's. Efron stated in interviews that he feels his future is that of a serious dramatic actor, not necessarily a singer.

2007-present

On April 7, 2007, Efron appeared in an episode of Punk'd with High School Musical co-star Ashley Tisdale. Efron also starred in the music video for Vanessa Hudgens's single "Say OK", where he played her love interest. The video aired on March 16, 2007 on Disney Channel. That year, he was named one of People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in 2007. A picture and short profile of him was in the section "Coming of Age," along with pop singer/actress Hilary Duff, actress Hayden Panettiere and R&B singer Chris Brown. In it, he related how he was always the shortest kid in school (he is now 5'8")[6] and was teased for the "huge gap" in his teeth.[17]

In 2006, Efron was cast as Link Larkin in a film version of Hairspray, also starring Amanda Bynes, Queen Latifah, and John Travolta and released on July 20, 2007. Efron performed all of his own vocals in the role,[3] 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.[18] Both Efron's performance and the film have received positive reviews.[10]

Efron presented the 2007 Teen Choice Award for "Favorite Movie" alongside Queen Latifah.[19]

Efron's upcoming roles include Seventeen, a high school-set drama/comedy produced by Adam Shankman and based on a pitch by Jason Filardi;[20] the plot involves an adult who is transformed into a 17-year old (to be played by Efron).[21] Efron is also scheduled to star in Paramount's musical remake of the film Footloose;[22] he has said that he would like to add his "own little bit of flair" to the role originated by Kevin Bacon.[6]

For his portrayal of Link Larkin in Hairspray, Efron (along with his co-star Nikki Blonsky) won the "One to Watch" award of the Young Hollywood Awards.[23]

Efron appeared on the cover of the August 2007 edition of Rolling Stone.[24] The article about him revealed that he hopes to someday play an action hero.

Efron has finalized negotiations with the producers of Seventeen, a film slated to commence shooting in November 2007.[25][26]

Before the release of High School Musical 2, Efron topped IMDBPro's Star Meter at #1, indicating that he was the most searched celebrity.[27] Additionally, Lycos reported searches for Efron surged by 81%.[28] Amid the frenzy surrounding Zac Efron, the release of High School Musical 2 set a new record, becoming the most watched basic cable program in U.S. history, with 17.2 million viewers.[29]

Efron co-hosted the 2007 Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards with The Veronicas on October 10 in Sydney.[30]

Personal life

Efron is represented by the Creative Artists Agency.[31]

Efron has two dogs, Australian shepherds named Dreamer and Puppy, along with a Siamese cat named Simon.[32]

He is involved in a relationship with his High School Musical and High School Musical 2 co-star Vanessa Hudgens.[33]

Filmography

Year Film/television Role
2002 Firefly Young Simon Tam
2003 Melinda's World Stuart Wasser
2003 The Guardian Luke Tomello
2003 ER Bobby Neville
2003 The Big Wide World of Carl Laemke Pete Laemke
2004 Miracle Run Steven Morgan
2004 Room Raiders Himself
2004 Triple Play Harry Fuller
2005 Sick Inside — Hope Partlow Love Interest
2005 Summerland Cameron Bale
2005 CSI: Miami Seth Dawson
2006 The Replacements Davey Hunkerhoff
2006 If You Lived Here, You'd be Home Now Cody
2006 Heist Pizza Delivery Guy
2006 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Trevor
2006 High School Musical Troy Bolton
2006 NCIS Danny
2006 The Derby Stallion Patrick McCardle
2007 Punk'd Himself
2007 Hairspray Link Larkin
2007 High School Musical 2 Troy Bolton
2008 17 (pre-production) TBA
2008 High School Musical 3 (pre-production) Troy Bolton

Discography

Soundtracks

Singles

Year Title Album Chart positions
U.S. U.S. Pop 100 UK AUS ARC NZ
2006 "Breaking Free"
(with Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Andrew Seeley) 		High School Musical Soundtrack 4 6 9 13 - 5
"Start of Something New"
(with Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Andrew Seeley) 		28 30 - - - -
"What I've Been Looking For (Reprise)"
(with Vanessa Anne Hudgens) 		67 54 - - - -
2007 "Ladies' Choice" Hairspray Soundtrack - - 96 [34] - - -
"What Time Is It?" High School Musical 2 Soundtrack 6 6 20 20 - -
"Bet On It" 46 35 65 - - -
"You Are the Music in Me"
(with Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Olesya Rulin) 		31 28 26 - - -
"Gotta Go My Own Way"
(with Vanessa Anne Hudgens) 		34 31 40 - - -
"Everyday"
(with Vanessa Anne Hudgens) 		65 46 55 - - -

Awards and nominations

Awards

Nominations

References

Wikiquote has quotations related to Zac Efron.
  1. ^ a b c d Ouzounian, Richard (2007-08-04). "Zac Efron: The High School hunk". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2007-08-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ "Zac Efron Joins Cast of 'Hairspray'". CBS Studios. 2006-06-26. Retrieved 2006-08-15. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ a b "MSNBC". Hollywood: Hello to Hairspray. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "zac efron the new american heart throb". Retrieved 2007-09-27.
  5. ^ a b c "Zac Efron". Life Story: 11. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ a b c Elkin, Michael (2007-08-02). "'High' Times Ahead". The Jewish Exponent. Retrieved 2007-08-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ Strauss, Neil (August 23, 2007), Zac Efron - the new American hearthrob, The Rolling Stone, pg 43. Retrieved August 21, 2007.
  8. ^ "It's True!". BOP. 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  9. ^ "The Inside Scoop on Zac Efron". Life Story III. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ a b c Pemberton, Patrick S. (2007-07-19). "A Rising Star". SanLuisObispo.com. Retrieved 2007-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ "Getting to Know Zac Efron". Life Story I. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ Steven Chupnick, "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens Sing Their Praises for High School Musical", May 22, 2006.
  13. ^ "IMDB". IMDB Awards for Zac Efron. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "IMDB Pro". IMDB Prop StarMeter. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Eur Web". MUSIC/WEB BITS: Akon’s record; Fat Joe’s label; Madonna denies adoption; Ice T & NYC mayor; B-Real on ‘Scarface’ LP; Doin' It Network. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Billboard.com
  17. ^ "Coming of Age." People Magazine 7 May 2007: 171.
  18. ^ "Canada.com". Summer of stars. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ http://quibblo.com/quiz/4FxHsm/The-Zac-Efron-Quiz-Zac-Efron-Trivia
  20. ^ McNary, Dave (2007-02-27). "School ties for New Line". Variety. Retrieved 2007-06-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Carroll, Larry (2007-06-19). "'High School Musical' Star Zac Efron Pulling A Reverse Tom Hanks With 'Seventeen'". MTV Movie News. Retrieved 2007-06-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ Gans, Andrew (2007-07-11). ""Hairspray" Star Efron Will Be "Footloose" in Film Remake". Playbill.com. Retrieved 2007-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  23. ^ http://imdb.com/title/tt0427327/awards
  24. ^ http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/15824947/zac_efron_the_new_american_heart_throb
  25. ^ http://www.movieweb.com/news/46/22046.php
  26. ^ http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20052339,00.html
  27. ^ http://www.zac-e.com/
  28. ^ Kathy O'Reilly, "Lycos Announces HBO 'Weeds' Star Mary Louise Parker Sparks Online Interest, Making First-Ever Appearance on Search List; Golf Continues to Score Hole in One with Web Users", August 22, 2007.
  29. ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN2140314620070822
  30. ^ "Efron to host Aussie Kids Choice awards", August 26, 2007.
  31. ^ Dave McNary, "New Line taps Steers to drive '17'", September 9, 2007.
  32. ^ Millea, Holly (July, 2007). "Zac Attack". ELLE. Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ "Vanessa Hudgens: 'I'm A Good Kid'", August 30, 2007.
  34. ^ ChartStats.com

External links

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