Name Zac Efron

Birth name Zachary David Alexander Efron

Date of birth 18 October 1987

Star sign Libra

Birthplace San Luis Obispo, California, USA

Height 5ft 9in

Eye colour Blue

Marriages None

Children None

Biography

A poster boy for tweens – and teens – everywhere, heart-throb Zac Efron has become one of America’s biggest stars, thanks to his appearances in Disney’s High School Musical.

Born in San Luis Obispo, California, Zac was encouraged by his father to take up acting when he was 11 and, after starring in several school productions, signed up with an LA agent.

He made the jump from local theatre productions to national TV in 2002, when he landed guest spots in series such as ER and later CSI: Miami, as well as a recurring role in short-lived series Summerland.

But it was in 2006, when the Disney Channel’s TV movie musical, High School Musical, became a surprise hit – drawing in 26 million viewers in its first six airings – that Zac Efron, teen sensation, was born. His role as Troy Bolton won him Breakout Star at the 2006 Teen Choice Awards, while the High School Musical soundtrack – including the hit, Breaking Free, sold around 4 million copies.

A big-screen role in the film remake of the musical Hairspray followed, before Zac reunited with the gang to wrap up High School Musical 2 in March 2007 – the single most watched show in cable TV history.

Just a month later, he broke thousands of hearts by striking up a relationship with HSM co-star Vanessa Hudgens but still makes People Magazine’s Most Beautiful list.

The couple will reprise their roles as Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez for High School Musical 3: Senior Year, scheduled for release in October 2008.

Quotes
‘I think if a girl is easy to talk to then that’s the first thing I look for. It’s great when you meet a girl and three hours later you’re like, “Oh, my gosh, we’ve been talking for three hours, what happened to the time?” I just think that is a great connection and you know there is potential there.’ (Missoandfriends.com)

‘Seriously, I was the short kid in high school. I didn’t get much attention from the chicks. I was, like, 5ft 6in tall. But as soon as I left and started working, then I started to grow up a little bit.’ (Teen Now, 30 March 2008)

‘I go to the gym five days a week. It’s so important, you feel incredible.’ (Pbskids.org)

‘It’s not even that I’ve made a conscious decision not to party. I don’t think clubbing is a choice you make. You can have fun with friends without part of that scene.’ (Teen Now, 30 March 2008)

‘I was a very regular 17-year-old. I don’t know any other way to put it. I wasn’t fighting crime or anything.’ (Seventeen magazine)