INTERVIEW: Zac Efron

Zac Efron

Full Name: Zachary David Alexander Efron
Birthday: October 18th, 1987
Hometown: San Luis Obispo, California
Height: 5 feet 10 inches
Celeb Crush: Jessica Alba
Favorite TV Show: 'American Idol'
Favorite Food: Orange Chicken
Favorite Actors: Brad Pitt, Christian Bale and Jack Black

Childhood
October 18th, 1987 may have seemed like a normal day, but that Sunday, one of the most famous actors in the world, Zac Efron, was born!

Zac had a normal childhood growing up in San Luis Obispo, California with his parents and younger brother Dylan. "I grew up so far from this industry and so far away from LA."

Troy Bolton may have been the most popular guy in school, but that was not the case for Zac Efron. "I was never the cool kid. I was always sort of a bookworm. I wore goofy hats to school and did musical theatre. Most people thought I was a dork. "

He continued, "I wasn't a heartthrob at school, I was a geek. A lanky, skinny, awkward kid."

When Zac was eleven, his parents noticed that their son possessed a remarkable singing voice. They signed him up for vocal lessons to develop his talent.

A few months into his singing lessons, Zac decided to try his hand at acting, as well. He had found his calling! Zac starred in local productions of 'Gypsy', 'Peter Pan', 'Little Shop of Horrors' and more. "From day one, I got addicted to being on stage and getting the applause and laughter."

An agent and television roles soon followed. He guest starred on numerous shows, including 'Firefly', 'ER' and 'The Guardian'. Producers on the show 'Summerland' were so impressed with Zac's performance as troubled teen Cameron Bale that they made him a series regular!

Unfortunately, 'Summerland' was only on air for two seasons. Zac's biggest break was yet to come.

'High School Musical'
In 2006, Zac heard about a made for TV movie Disney was casting called 'High School Musical'. He was a standout for the Troy Bolton role and won the part. Because of the film's small budget and tight shooting schedule, Zac had low expectations.

Never having done a musical before, he needed lots of training to prepare. "Musicals are very different from other films." he said. "And as an actor, when you're preparing for one, you train an entirely different skill set altogether. I grew up being into sports and I wasn't trained to move my body in the right way for dancing."

In the film, Zac plays a hunky and popular basketball star who falls in love with shy brainiac Gabriella Montez. "Troy and Gabriella are very much like real high school kids. It's what high school romance should be like - not too lustful. I've always said that Troy and Gabriella were best friends before being boyfriend and girlfriend."

Much to Zac's surprise, 'High School Musical' became a mega hit! Over 7.7 million people tuned in to the premiere, making it the most watched Disney Channel movie of the year.

Seemingly overnight, Zac was catapulted to superstardom. Fans wanted to know all about the hottie, including who he was dating. In 2006, Zac confirmed his relationship with co-star Vanessa Hudgens. 'Zanessa' were often spotted together kissing and going on dates, and many people thought that they were a perfect match.

While grateful for his fans, Zac had a hard time adjusting to life in the public eye, especially dealing with the aggressive paparazzi. "I woke up and my dad told me that I was in a newspaper on the beach. He made of fun of me; he said I was 'frolicking'. I had no idea that anyone could ever care (what I was doing). That happens to big stars." said Zac of the first time he saw himself in tabloids.

Zac and Vanessa continued to act together in the wildly successful 'High School Musical' sequels. Unfortunately, in December 2010, the two actors ended their relationship after five years together. "It was mutual." said a source close to Zac and Vanessa. "They have been together for so long. It just ran its course."

What's next for Zac? Although the High School Musical franchise made him a star, Zac was excited about taking his career in new directions. He scored hits with the films '17 Again' and 'Charlie St. Cloud'. You can see him next in 'The Lucky One', as a soldier who searches for a woman he believes was his lucky charm during the war.