We all love him. Maybe our obsession for this Hollywood day-dream stemmed from his perfectly manicured hair, his Caribbean blue eyes, or his laundry list of television shows and films in which he has starred. Now that Zac has graduated from his Disney Channel days, he is no longer just the boy next door … or, well, at least now he has an entire brotherhood or Seth Rogen as a co-star. In time for the release of his new movie "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising," I took a trip down memory lane to review some of the best roles we have fan-girled over the lovely Zac Efron.
1. "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody."
We are accustomed to seeing the new and more chiseled Zac Efron. We can’t forget our first crush on "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," though, when he guest-starred as the nerdy boy Trevor … yeah, we were all very jealous of Maddie by the end of the episode.
2. "High School Musical" (1…2…and 3).
Zac traded in his nerdy little vests and pocket protectors to take on the role of high school jock, Troy Bolton. Not only was he the captain and star on the basketball court, he reunited all the high school cliques and snatched the hearts of movie goers time after time with his sweet serenades to Gabriella Montez. You go Troy, tell those graduating students! Wildcats, get your head in the game!
3. "Hairspray."
The angelic voice continued into the 1960s with slicked back hair and women’s ‘dos high enough to scrape the sky … with a little help from "Hairspray." Zac puts on his dancing shoes, again, to be Link Larkin, the lead male dancer of the Corny Collins Show and Tracy Turnblad’s heartthrob. Even I can hear the bells!
4. "17 Again."
In this film, Zac plays the young Mike O’Donnell, a middle-aged executive who regrets how his life turned out and is looking for a do-over and relive 17 again. A magical janitor gives him a look back into his high school glory years and a second chance.
5. Charlie St. Cloud.
A tear-jerker based on the novel, "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud," stars Zac Efron as Charlie, who is crushed with the choice between seeing visions of his dead little brother or spending time with his girlfriend.
6. "The Lorax."
Even voicing the cartoon character Ted in this animated film, Zac is fighting to win the heart of a girl and save the town from pollution.
7. "The Lucky One."
This time the book leaping off the pages is a romantic drama. Logan Thibault is a marine who has returned from serving in Iraq, and is searching for a woman in a photograph he found in the midst of a battle -- who he believes to be his “guardian angel.” I could be an angel…
8. "Dirty Grandpa."
Prior to his wedding, Efron’s character, Jason Kelley must take his aging grandfather to Florida for spring break. Along their journey, Zac’s character not only runs into a little bit of trouble with drunken college parties, a “flex off,” and being arrested once or twice on their travels, but reconnects with his grandfather and learns the meaning of living.
9. Neighbors.
Getting into shorts that are just a little too short and reppin’ some greek letters, Zac takes on the role of Teddy, a party-throwing fraternity president who moves into a quiet neighborhood. The movie is a constant battle between the fraternity house and the young couple next door. Teddy, a bit more toned and a little less frat returns in the new movie, "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising." Zac, the house next door to us is not occupied!
10. Baywatch.
Not yet in theaters, this movie showcases Zac playing a lifeguard in a remake of the '90s television series! The veteran lifeguard and Zac’s character clash, but are destined to work together to uncover a criminal plot that threatens the Bay. Help, Zac! I’m drowning!
In many of his movies, Zac Efron is praised for being easy on the eyes and a teen heart-throb. In almost every one of his movies, Zac manages to land the leading lady but all is not lost even if Troy and Gabriella get back together. Don’t worry ladies, Zac has a brother … who may just be as adorable.
