From teen heartthrob in 'High School Musical' to millennial crush and beyond, Zac Efron has come a long way

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Zac Efron certainly left an indelible mark with his role as Troy Bolton in the 'High School Musical' movie series. For many millennials, he remains a heartthrob associated with those Disney Channel days. As time went by, Efron, now in his mid-thirties, has changed, both in his career and personal life. The evolution of his image from the teen superstar to the versatile actor he is today reflects the natural progression and growth that comes with navigating the entertainment industry.

Zac Efron in epic 'High School Musical' teaser

Zac Efron's iconic pose in the 2006 'High School Musical' promo photograph captures a moment in cinematic history. It marks the beginning of his portrayal of Troy Bolton on-screen, a role that would skyrocket him to fame and make him a teen heartthrob all over the world.

Zac Efron shines bright in 'Hairspray'

Zac Efron graced the premiere of 'Hairspray' in July 2007, where he took on the role of the heartthrob Link Larkin in the movie. 'Hairspray' showcased his versatility as an actor and allowed him to further explore his talents in the realm of musicals.

Zac Efron returns as Troy Bolton in ‘High School Musical 3’

The filming of 'High School Musical 3 – Senior Year' in 2008 marked another chapter in Zac Efron's journey with the franchise. In just two years since the release of the first movie, Efron had indeed grown up, both in terms of his age and his acting career.

Zac Efron shows off his dark hair on 'The Tonight Show'

In 2015, Zac Efron found himself in an egg-related mishap during his appearance on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'. The actor, gearing up for his role in the upcoming coming-of-age DJ drama 'We Are Your Friends', participated in a lively round of Egg Russian Roulette against host Jimmy Fallon. In the course of the game, Efron's impeccably styled hair took a hit, adding an unexpected twist to the playful competition.

Zac Efron spotted with a mustache!

Zac Efron sported a mustache during his trip to Japan in 2015 with his girlfriend Sami Miro. The couple's adventures were shared through several photographs posted by Efron on his Instagram page.

Zac Efron's killer abs in 'Dirty Grandpa'

'Dirty Grandpa' (2016) marked Zac Efron's return to the big screen following the commercial disappointment of 'We Are Your Friends', an EDM dramedy where he portrayed an up-and-coming San Fernando Valley DJ. Efron flaunted his killer abs in the movie which also starred Robert De Niro. Interestingly, the release of 'Dirty Grandpa' coincided with the tenth anniversary of 'High School Musical'.

When Zac Efron suffers ACL injury while skiing

In 2019, Zac Efron became aware of his ACL injury when he attempted to stand up and reattach his ski. Recounting the incident to The Hollywood Reporter, he mentioned, "This blade just gave out." Despite being offered the option to descend on a sled, he chose to ski down the hill on one leg, unaware at that point that he had torn his ACL.

Zac Efron as Chickie in ‘The Greatest Beer Run Ever’

In 2022, Zac Efron starred in ‘The Greatest Beer Run Ever', where he played a New Yorker who delivered a bag of beers to his friends serving in the Vietnam War. He sported a mustache again in the movie and had a mature look.

Zac Efron basks under the sun on yacht

In May 2023, Zac Efron celebrated the success of his Netflix series 'Down to Earth with Zac Efron' which earned four Emmy award nominations by sharing a shirtless photo. Accompanying the snapshot, he playfully captioned, "We're all in this together!" – a reference to his 'High School Musical' roots and a joyful acknowledgment of the show's recognition.