Zac Efron was born in San Luis Obispo, California, to father David (a power plant engineer) and Starla Baskett (a former secretary). They later moved to Arroyo Grande, California.

When Zac was 11, his father encouraged him to try acting. He later appeared in a number of productions at his high school and found work in a theatre named The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville. He also took up singing lessons. In 2001, Efron completed a course at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts.

Efron's drama teacher, Robyn Metchik, recommended him to an agency and he soon signed up with the Creative Artists Agency.

After graduating from high school in Arroyo Grande, Efron deferred an offer of a place at the University of Southern California, whilst he worked on a number of film projects.

Zac Efron: Acting Career

Efron's TV career started out with appearances in shows such as Firefly, The Guardian and ER. He also played Cameron Bale in the WB series Summerland. In the second series of the show, he became a regular cast member.

Since his appearance in the series, Efron has also accepted offers to appear in the likes of CSI:Miami, The Replacements and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

In 2003, Zac Efron received a Young Artist Award for his performance as an autistic twin in the TV movie Miracle Run.

Efron's career took an upturn in 2006 when he appeared in High School Musical. He played the role of Troy Bolton, the basketball captain. He won two Teen Choice Awards following the release of the film and the cast travelled to Europe and Australia to promote the movie.

In 2007, Efron appeared in a remake of Hairspray, and received positive reviews for his performance. The same year saw the release of High School Musical 2. His role will be revisited in the 2008 release of High School Musical 3: Senior Year.

In 2008, Efron spent time filming Me and Orson Welles, which was filmed on the Isle of Man, New York and London. The film was first screened at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2008.

Zac Efron: Music Career

Efron released his first two singles shortly after the release of High School Musical. 'Get'cha Head in the Game' and 'Breaking Free' both charted at the same time. The next week, he had five tracks from the film's soundtrack in the charts.

Biography by Contactmusic.com

Zac Efron Welcomes Kaya Scodelario To Ted Bundy Movie Cast With New Picture

By Daniel Falconer in Movies / TV / Theatre on 18 February 2018

Zac Efron

Efron will play the serial killer Ted Bundy in the Joe Berlinger-directed film.

When it was first announced that Joe Berlinger would be putting together a film based on notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, there was the argument that somebody of his nature shouldn't be put on a pedestal, even for entertainment. Still, it's hard to deny the palpable excitement surrounding the film since Zac Efron jumped on to play the villainous role.

Zac Efron isn't afraid to share behind-the-scenes looks at the film

With just a week left of shooting on the flick - which is aptly titled 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, And Vile' - Efron took to his social media this week, posting a picture of him in character alongside co-star Kaya Scodelario. She'll be playing Bundy's ex-wife, Carole Ann Boone in the movie, and the picture posted by Efron looks quite the tense affair.

Continue reading: Zac Efron Welcomes Kaya Scodelario To Ted Bundy Movie Cast With New Picture

Jim Parsons Joins Zac Efron On Forthcoming Ted Bundy Biopic

By Holly Mosley in Movies / TV / Theatre on 02 February 2018

Zac Efron Jim Parsons

He'll play the lead prosecutor in this intense thriller.

The latest news for the forthcoming Ted Bundy biopic starring Zac Efron sees the addition of Jim Parsons to the cast, playing prosecutor Larry Simpson. He adds to an already astounding ensemble for a movie that could be the biopic thriller of the year.

Jim Parsons at the Academy Awards

'The Big Bang Theory' star will be venturing away from comedy once again in the disturbing thriller 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile'; his first onscreen drama role since 2016's 'Hidden Figures'. He'll be playing lead prosecutor Larry Simpson, the man who was responsible for getting Bundy's conviction.

Continue reading: Jim Parsons Joins Zac Efron On Forthcoming Ted Bundy Biopic

Zac Efron Reveals First Pictures Of Himself As Serial Killer Ted Bundy

By Ed Biggs in Movies / TV / Theatre on 18 January 2018

Zac Efron Lily Collins John Malkovich

Efron plays the serial killer Ted Bundy in 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile'.

Zac Efron has wowed his fans by revealing a first look of himself in the role of Ted Bundy, one of America’s most notorious serial killers, for his new film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.

The 30 year old actor is continuing his dramatic departure from his innocent High School Musical days, branching out further than ever in his new leading role. On Wednesday night, he took to Twitter and Instagram to share images from the set of him as Bundy, the notorious serial killer who killed at least 30 women and girls in the 1970s.

“Meet Ted,” the actor captioned the picture, adding the hashtag: “behind the scenes”.

Continue reading: Zac Efron Reveals First Pictures Of Himself As Serial Killer Ted Bundy

The Disaster Artist Review

Excellent

A hilariously outrageous story based on real events, this film recounts the making of the 2003 movie The Room, which is widely considered to be one of the worst films ever made, even as it has developed a cult following. Based on the book by The Room's star Greg Sestero, it takes a remarkably personal look at the antics of aspiring actor-filmmaker Tommy Wiseau, who is played by James Franco with gonzo charm.

In late-1990s San Francisco, Tommy meets Greg (played by Dave Franco) in an acting class. As they struggle to find work, they make a pact to support each other. After moving to Los Angeles, Tommy decides to fund his own movie from his mysterious fortune, with himself in the lead role opposite Greg. They hire a cast (including Ari Graynor, Josh Hutcherson, Zac Efron and Jacki Weaver) and crew (including Seth Rogen and Paul Scheer) and set out to film Tommy's screenplay for The Room. But everyone has second thoughts, since Tommy has no discernible skill at acting, writing or directing.

The Room is indeed a terrible film, but it's remarkable simply for the fact that Wiseau managed to make it. And by accepting that the public saw his melodramatic romance as an awkward comedy, he has actually made money from it. The irony about this story is of course that the profoundly untalented Wiseau had enough cash to finance the project himself. Franco plays him with affection: he's a jerk to everyone, and refuses to admit his age, nationality or where he got his millions, but he's tenacious and loyal. It's a terrific performance that never winks at the camera. And the Franco brothers bring superb camaraderie to the screen in what becomes a surprisingly involving bromance.

Continue reading: The Disaster Artist Review

The Disaster Artist Trailer

Tommu Wiseau is an ever secretive and Louisiana-born filmmaker who directed, wrote and starred in the 2003 romantic drama 'The Room' with Greg Sestero. It's a movie that has become a cult hit among film-lovers for all the wrong reasons, as it's considered to be one of the worst films ever made.

It follows the love triangle between banker named Johnny (Tommy's character), his lying wife Lisa ( protrayed by Juliette Danielle) and his best friend Mark (who is played by Greg Sestero). Amongst the random subplots that seemingly have no relation to the plot itself, we see Johnny struggling to quash Lisa's stories that she is the victim of domestic abuse.

James Franco stars as the filmmaker while his brother Dave Franco plays Greg Sestero in 'The Disaster Artist'; a comedic retelling of Sestero's 2013 memoir and a look at the making of this iconic flick. Amusingly Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero also star in this new movie - though they portray characters Henry and the casting agent respectively. Plus, Sestero previously claimed that Wiseau would only agree to this adaptation if he would be played by either James Franco or Johnny Depp.

Continue: The Disaster Artist Trailer

The Greatest Showman Trailer

When P. T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) loses his business when the company goes bankrupt, he's left to search for another job to keep a roof, albeit a leaking one, over his head. He just wants a better life for his wife Charity (Michelle Williams) and children, and one day has the most fantastic idea of open Barnum's American Museum of Curiosity. Soon he puts together a travelling circus, a freak show featuring giants and dwarves, Siamese twins and bearded ladies. But for him it isn't about exploiting people who are different for the entertainment of the general public, it's about encouraging them to be part of a dance and acrobatic show to celebrate what's special about them. To many people today, there really is no difference between the two, but it's safe to say that his unique venture made Barnum the greatest showman who ever lived.

Continue: The Greatest Showman Trailer

Dwayne Johnson Inspired Zac Efron

By Rich Cline in Movies / TV / Theatre on 04 June 2017

Zac Efron Dwayne Johnson

Baywatch has just been released

A film adaptation of the iconic 1990s TV series Baywatch has been in the works for years, and it's finally here, with Dwayne Johnson assuming the red trunks to play Mitch Buchanan, David Hasselhoff's character in the show (with the Hoff himself appearing in a cameo as his mentor). Johnson says that turning the series into a film allowed them to emphasise what made the show so hugely popular.

The Rock and Zac on the Baywatch set

"Baywatch is all about gratuitous boobs, bums and abs," Johnson laughs. "We worked hard to make sure the flesh quota was high. And we are far dirtier than the show ever was! Obviously the show was a family show on at family time of day, but in the movie we could be dirtier. Actually, I think people are going to be shocked that Baywatch has got dirty, but there are a lot of laughs. Plot was important - don't get me wrong! But so was sorting out our slow-motion runs."

Continue reading: Dwayne Johnson Inspired Zac Efron

Baywatch Review

Clearly, it's a risky proposition adapting a cheesy vintage TV series for the big screen: this is the second one that's gone awry this year, after CHiPs. But it doesn't have to be like this. Lively movie versions of Charlie's Angels and 21 Jump Street proved that with inventive writing, snarky performances and deranged energy, the result can be thoroughly entertaining. Sadly, this movie falls back on cheap jokes that simply aren't that funny. Fans of Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron will still have a good time - they're both unstoppably engaging - but the truth is that this simply isn't good enough.

We're back in Emerald Bay, where the beefy hotshot Mitch (Johnson) heads up the lifeguard crew with babes Stephanie and CJ (Ildenesh Hadera and Kelly Rohrbach). And now they're training up three new recruits: fallen Olympic swimming champ Matt (Efron), feisty hottie Summer (Alexandra Daddario) and pudgy geek Ronnie (Jon Bass). Meanwhile, as various crimes and calamities strike the beach, Mitch decides to investigate everything himself without the help of the local police. And as he becomes convinced that resort owner Victoria (Priyanka Chopra) is involved in bribery, extortion, drug running and murder, he sends his lifeguards undercover to catch her. Which of course is just a bit beyond what they were trained to do.

The Rock and Zac Efron on the Baywatch set

Continue reading: Baywatch Review

Alexandra Daddario: Zac Efron Is An 'Intelligent Actor'

By Holly Williams in Movies / TV / Theatre on 25 May 2017

Alexandra Daddario Zac Efron

'Baywatch' star Alexandra Daddario gushes about her co-star.

A lot goes into acting as a profession, so when an actor gets the chance to work with someone who's particularly generous with their skill, it can be truly exciting. For Alexandra Daddario, working with Zac Efron on Seth Gordon's 'Baywatch' comedy was just that.

Zac Efron, Dwayne Johnson and Alexandra Daddario star in 'Baywatch'

Alexandra plays the tough girl Summer Quinn, who also happens to be an awesome surfer and super brainy - quite apart from Zac Efron's tearaway character Matt Brody, who's only on the team as a punishment for his illegal behaviour while he was on the Olympic swim team. However, in real life he's actually pretty smart.

Continue reading: Alexandra Daddario: Zac Efron Is An 'Intelligent Actor'

Zac Efron Surprises Superfan With A Hotel Room Massage

By Holly Williams in Lifestyle / Showbiz on 24 May 2017

Zac Efron Alexandra Daddario

One fan gets treated to tickets to the 'Baywatch' premiere AND a meet and greet.

How would you feel if you were enjoying a spa treatment and discovered that your masseuse was your favourite actor? One superfan got one such surprise as she prepared to go to the premiere of 'Baywatch' and was left astonished when Zac Efron and Alexandra Daddario walked into her room.

Zac Efron at the world premiere of 'Baywatch'

The actors were in Sydney, Australia promoting the upcoming movie which is out this week. They were doing an interview on a show called 'Fitzy and Wippa' when they were told that a special evening had been set up for a superfan who was staying in the hotel they were at. The show were sending her to the premiere, but as an extra treat they had arranged a surprise meet and greet.

Continue reading: Zac Efron Surprises Superfan With A Hotel Room Massage

Zac Efron, Chloe Moretz, Seth Rogen , Rose Byrne - Zac Efron puts on his saddle for a scene in 'Neighbors 2' filming in Los Angeles. The actor was seen jumping on top of a horse with a fraternity flag while co star Chloe Moretz host a frat party wearing a wig and a tight mini skirt. - Los Angeles, California, United States - Thursday 29th October 2015

Zac Efron, Chloe Moretz, Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne

Zac Efron - Los Angeles Premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'We Are Your Friends' at TCL Chinese Theatre - Arrivals at TCL Chinese Theatre - Los Angeles, California, United States - Thursday 20th August 2015

Zac Efron - Actor Zac Efron filming a scene for his new movie 'We Are Your Friends' - Encino, California, United States - Saturday 27th September 2014

Hollywood heart throb Zac Efron snapped on the set of his latest project "We Are Your Friends" in North Hollywood, California, United States - Thursday 25th September 2014