Early life and education

Efron was born in San Luis Obispo, California, and later moved to Arroyo Grande, California. His father, David Efron, is an electrical engineer at a power station, and his mother, Starla Baskett, is a secretary who worked at the same power plant. Efron has a brother, Dylan, and had, as he has described it, a "normal childhood" in a middle-class family. He was raised in an agnostic household and did not practice any religion as a child. His surname, "Efron" (אפרון), is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, taken from a Biblical place name (his paternal grandfather was Jewish, and Zac has described himself as Jewish).

Efron has said that he would "flip out" if he got a "B" and not an "A" in school, as well as that he was a class clown. His father encouraged him to begin acting when Zac was eleven years old. Efron subsequently appeared in theater productions at his high school, worked in the theater The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville, and began taking singing lessons. He performed in shows such as Gypsy; Peter Pan; or, The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up; Little Shop of Horrors; and The Music Man. He was recommended to an agent in Los Angeles by his drama teacher, Robyn Metchik (the mother of actors Aaron Michael Metchik and Asher Metchik). Efron was later signed to the Creative Artists Agency.

Efron graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 2006 and was then accepted into the University of Southern California, but has deferred his enrollment to work on film projects. He 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.

Career

2002-06: Early career

Efron began acting in the early 2000s with guest roles on several television series including Firefly, ER, and The Guardian. In 2004, he began appearing as a recurring character in the first season of the WB series Summerland. For the show’s second season, which aired in 2005, he was promoted to the main cast. He also appeared in some films, including the Lifetime television film Miracle Run (2004), for which he earned a Young Artist Award nomination for his performance as one of two autistic twins.

2006-09: High School Musical and breakthrough

Efron’s career reached a turning point with the teen musical television film High School Musical (2006), which premiered on the Disney Channel in January 2006. The film, which has been described as a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, saw Efron playing the male lead Troy Bolton, a high school basketball player who feels conflicted when he finds himself interested in participating in the school musical with Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens), a girl from the scholastic decathlon team. The film, which also starred Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, and Monique Coleman in pivotal roles, became a major success and helped Efron gain recognition among teenage audiences. The film’s soundtrack was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA, making it one of the best-selling albums of the year in the United States. Efron’s singing talents were disputed when it was revealed that his voice had been blended with Drew Seeley’s on the soundtrack, but Efron clarified that the songs (written for a tenor) were written before he was cast and therefore did not suit his more baritone vocal range. In his subsequent musical films, Efron did his own singing.

Efron was next seen playing the role of Link Larkin in the musical comedy film Hairspray (2007), based on the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name. The film became a major commercial and critical success upon its release in July 2007. Later that year, he was seen reprising his role of Troy Bolton in High School Musical 2 (2007), which aired on the Disney Channel in August 2007.

Efron went on to reprise his role of Troy Bolton in High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008), the first film in the High School Musical franchise to receive a theatrical release. The film became a major blockbuster at the box office, and received mixed to positive reviews from critics. He followed this with the commercially successful comedy 17 Again (2009) about a 37-year-old man (Matthew Perry) who is transformed into his 17-year-old self (Efron) after a chance accident.

2009-14: Other work

Efron’s next release was Richard Linklater’s period drama Me and Orson Welles, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2008 and received a wide release in late 2009. The film earned mostly positive reviews from critics. He next played the title role in the supernatural romantic drama Charlie St. Cloud (2010), which became a moderate success at the box office despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics.

Efron next appeared as a part of the large ensemble cast in Garry Marshall’s New Year's Eve (2011), which depicted a series of holiday vignettes of around different groups of characters. The film received almost unanimously negative reviews from critics, but became a major success at the box office. 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. He also starred alongside Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey, David Oyelowo, and John Cusack in The Paperboy (2012), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2012 and received a wider release later that year. The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics.

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. The film became a major box office success despite negative reviews from critics. He also starred in the drama At Any Price, which premiered at the 2012 Venice International Film Festival, and the historical drama Parkland, which premiered at the 2013 Venice International Film Festival. Both of these films received mixed reviews from critics.

Efron’s first release of 2014 was the romantic comedy That Awkward Moment (2014), which he also co-produced. The film, which starred Efron alongside Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan as three bachelors in New York City, became a moderate commercial success despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics.

2014-present: Major commercial success

Later in 2014, Efron was seen in the adult comedy Neighbors (2014), co-starring Seth Rogen. The film revolved around a young couple, played by Rogen and Rose Byrne, who struggle to raise their baby daughter while living next to the house of a wild fraternity led by its president, played by Efron. The film became a major commercial success and earned mostly positive reviews from critics, who also added that Efron had successfully shed his “Disney kid” pretty boy image.

Efron’s only release in 2015 was the moderately successful We Are Your Friends (2015), in which he played a struggling DJ. In January 2016, he starred alongside 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 film received mostly negative reviews from critics for its crude humor, but became a commercial success upon its release. He subsequently co-starred with Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, and Chloë Grace Moretz in the comedy sequel Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, which became a commercial and critical success upon its release in May 2016. The film followed the same couple (Rogen and Byrne) who team up with their former rival (Efron) to take down a hard-partying sorority led by a freshman (Moretz).

Upcoming projects

Later in 2016, Efron will feature with Adam DeVine, Anna Kendrick, and Aubrey Plaza in Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, which is set to release in July 2016. He has also completed work for his supporting role in The Masterpiece, a biographical comedy-drama directed by and starring James Franco.

Efron has also completed work for Baywatch, an action comedy film adaptation of the television series of the same name. The film, which is currently slated to release in May 2017, will feature Dwayne Johnson and Efron leading an ensemble cast including Alexandra Daddario, Kelly Rohrbach, Jon Bass, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Priyanka Chopra.

Personal life

Efron was on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list in 2008 as number 92, with estimated earnings of $5.8 million from June 2007 to June 2008. In April 2009, his personal wealth equaled about $10 million. In May 2015, Efron's net worth was $18 million.

People magazine said in 2007 that Efron and Vanessa Hudgens began dating in 2005 during the filming of High School Musical, although Us magazine said, after the two broke up in December 2010, that they "met in 2005 while making the first High School Musical flick, and became a romantic item about two years later." Efron has been in a relationship with model and entrepreneur Sami Miró since September 2014.

Efron sought treatment in early 2013 after struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse. He has been sober since June 2013. In November 2013, Efron had to have his jaw wired shut after breaking it in a fall at home. In March 2014, Efron engaged in a fight with a homeless man in Skid Row. Law enforcement officials did not make any arrests because they viewed it as mutual combat.

Filmography

Films

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2003	Melinda's World	Stuart Wasser
2003	Big Wide World of Carl Laemke, TheThe Big Wide World of Carl Laemke	Pete Laemke
2004	Miracle Run	Steven Morgan	1 award (1 nomination) Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special - Supporting Young Actor
2004	Triple Play	Harry Fuller
2005	Derby Stallion, TheThe Derby Stallion	Patrick McCardle
2006	If You Lived Here, You'd be Home Now	Cody
2006	High School Musical	Troy Bolton	4 awards (3 winnings; 1 nomination) Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Award for Best TV Actor Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Breakout Star Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Chemistry (shared with Vanessa Hudgens) Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actor
2007	Hairspray	Link Larkin	14 awards (8 winnings; 6 nominations) Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast (shared with Hairspray Cast) Hollywood Film Award for Ensemble of the Year (shared with Hairspray Cast) MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Award for Fave Movie Star Palm Springs International Film Festival for Ensemble Cast (shared with Hairspray Cast) People's Choice Award for Favorite Song from a Soundtrack (shared with Hairspray Cast) Teen Choice Award for Choice Other: Hottie - Male Young Hollywood Award for One to Watch Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Song (shared with Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky & Elijah Kelley) Nominated—Empire Award for Best Soundtrack (shared with Hairspray Cast) Nominated—Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media (shared with Hairspray Cast) Nominated—People's Choice Award for Favorite Star Under 35 Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Original Song (shared with Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky & Elijah Kelley) Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (shared with Hairspray Cast)
2007	High School Musical 2	Troy Bolton	7 awards (4 winnings; 3 nominations) Bravo Otto for TV Star - Male CMA Wild and Young Award for Best Single International (shared with Vanessa Hudgens) Family Television Award for Best Actor Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Award for Fave Movie Star Nominated—ASTRA Award for Favourite International Personality or Actor Nominated—People's Choice Award for Favorite Star Under 35 Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Other: Male Hottie
2008	High School Musical 3: Senior Year	Troy Bolton	9 awards (6 winnings; 3 nominations) CMA Wild and Young Award for Best Actor International CMA Wild and Young Award for Most Popular Celebrity International MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Fave Movie Star ShoWest Award for Breakthrough Performer of the Year Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Actor Music/Dance Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (shared with Vanessa Hudgens) Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Liplock (shared with Vanessa Hudgens) Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Music: Album - Soundtrack (shared with High School Musical 3: Senior Year Cast)
2009	17 Again	Mike O'Donnell (teen)	6 awards (3 winnings; 3 nominations) Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Award for Fave Movie Star Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Actor - Comedy Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Rockstar Moment Nominated—CMA Wild and Young Award for Best Actor International Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance Nominated—Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor
2009	Me and Orson Welles	Richard Samuels
2010	Charlie St. Cloud	Charlie St. Cloud	7 awards (1 winning; 6 nominations) People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie Star Under 25 Nominated—CMA Wild and Young Award for Best Actor International Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Other: Male Hottie Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Other: Smile Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Summer: Movie Actor Nominated—Teen Icon Award for Iconic Actor
2011	New Year's Eve	Paul	1 award (1 nomination) Nominated—Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Ensemble (shared with New Year's Eve Cast)
2012	Liberal Arts	Nat
2012	Lorax, TheThe Lorax	Ted Wiggins	1 award (1 nomination) Voice role Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Voice
2012	Lucky One, TheThe Lucky One	Logan Thibault	5 awards (3 winnings; 2 nominations) People's Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic Movie Actor Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Drama Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Romance Nominated—Capricho Award for International Cat Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Liplock (shared with Taylor Schilling)
2012	Paperboy, TheThe Paperboy	Jack Jansen	2 awards (1 winning; 1 nomination) People's Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic Movie Actor Nominated—Village Voice Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
2012	At Any Price	Dean Whipple
2013	Parkland	Dr. Charles James "Jim" Carrico	2 awards (1 winning; 1 nomination) Capricho Award for Best International Actor Nominated—Capricho Award for International Cat
2014	That Awkward Moment	Jason Flynn	6 awards (1 winning; 5 nominations) Also executive producer MTV Movie Award for Best Shirtless Performance Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Fashion: Male Hottie Nominated—Young Hollywood Award for Best Threesome (shared with Miles Teller & Michael B. Jordan) Pending—Capricho Award for Best International Actor Pending—Capricho Award for Best Moment of Zac Efron Shirtless Pending—Capricho Award for Trophy Makeout (shared with Imogen Poots)
2014	Neighbors	Teddy Sanders	10 awards (2 winnings; 8 nominations) MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo w/ Dave Franco MTV Movie Award for Best Shirtless Performance Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Fashion: Male Hottie Nominated—Young Hollywood Award for Best Cast Chemistry - Film (shared with Neighbors Cast) Nominated—Young Hollywood Award for Best Threesome (shared with Dave Franco & Christopher Mintz-Plasse) Pending—Capricho Award for Best International Actor Pending—Capricho Award for Best Moment of Zac Efron Shirtless Nominated—People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedic Movie Actor Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Fight (Seth Rogan vs Zac Efron) Nominated—Best Musical Moment (Seth Rogan & Zac Efron)
2015	We Are Your Friends	Cole Carter
2016	Dirty Grandpa	Jason Kelly
2016	Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising	Theodore "Teddy" Sanders
2016	Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates	Dave Stangle	Post-production
2016	The Masterpiece	Dan Janjigian	Post-production
2017	Baywatch	Matt Brody	Post-production

Television

Year	Title	Role	Episode
2002	Firefly	Young Simon Tam	"Safe"
2003	Guardian, TheThe Guardian	Luke Tomello	"Without Consent"
2003	ER	Bobby Neville	"Dear Abby"
2004-2005	Summerland	Cameron Bale	Lead role; 16 episodes
2005	CSI: Miami	Seth Dawson	"Sex & Taxes"
2005	Replacements, TheThe Replacements	Davey Hunkerhoff	"Davey Hunkerhoff / Ratted Out"
2006	Heist	Pizza Delivery Guy	"Pilot"
2006	Suite Life of Zack & Cody, TheThe Suite Life of Zack & Cody	Trevor	"Odd Couples"
2006	NCIS	Danny	"Deception"
2008-2014	Robot Chicken	Various	Voice role 4 episodes
2009	Saturday Night Live	Himself	2 episodes
2009	Entourage	Himself	"Security Briefs"
2014	Running Wild with Bear Grylls	Himself	Single episode; Season 1 Episode 1

Discography

Soundtrack albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions										Certifications
		US	US OST	AUS	AUT	CAN	FRA	GER	ITA	NZ	UK
High School Musical	Released: January 10, 2006 Formats: CD, digital download Label: Walt Disney	1	1	1	13	1	6	22	6	—	1	US: 4× Platinum AUS: Platinum GER: Platinum UK: 3× Platinum
Hairspray	Released: July 10, 2007 Formats: CD, digital download Label: Warner Music	2	1	5	71	2	34	—	—	7	—	US: Platinum
High School Musical 2	Released: August 13, 2007 Formats: CD, digital download Label: Walt Disney	1	1	4	2	1	12	5	1	3	1	US: 3× Platinum GER: Platinum
High School Musical 3: Senior Year	Released: October 24, 2008 Formats: CD, digital download Label: Walt Disney	2	1	4	1	1	6	3	1	1	1	US: Platinum AUS: Platinum AUT: Platinum GER: Gold NZL: 2× Platinum
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result
2008	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Other: Red Carpet Fashion Icon - Male	Himself	Nominated
2010	Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards	Cutest Couple (shared with Vanessa Hudgens)		Won
	Capricho Awards	Best Royal Couple (shared with Vanessa Hudgens)		Nominated
	Bravo Otto	Best TV Star - Male		Won
2014	Capricho Awards	Best Moment of Zac Efron Shirtless		Nominated

Charities

Zac Efron supports the following charitable causes: Teens, Underprivileged Children.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]