5:55AM, Dec 02, 2009
The former teen sensation turned global megastar has the record-breaking show High School Musical to thank for his newfound fame.
The so-called "poster-boy for tweeny-boppers" played basketball captain Troy Bolton in Disney HSM. a TV musical phenomenon that went on to spawn movies, stage shows. books and even an ice tour.
In the original, Troy and beautiful maths whizz Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) try out for the lead parts in their high school musical, and as a result, divide the school.
Despite other students' attempts to thwart their dreams, Troy and Gabriella resist peer pressure and rivalry, inspiring others along the way not to "stick to the status quo".
The son of a power station engineer and a secretary, Efron admits he played the "class clown" and was encouraged by his father to act from the age of eleven.
After appearances in school productions and a little theatre work, his drama teacher recommended him to an agent in Los Angeles and he was signed up by Creative Artists Agency.
After graduating from school he was accepted by the University of Southern California - but deferred his entry while he worked on film projects.
In 2002, he landed TV guest roles in the likes of Firefly and ER before getting a permanent role in the series Summerland.
Early film appearances included that of an autistic twin in Miracle Run and the horse-racing drama The Derby Stallion in 2005.
The following year he was cast as Troy in High School Musical and went on to reprise the role in numerous spin-offs.
He also played Link Larkin in the likable big screen adaptation of Hairspray which meant he had to be replaced for High School Musical: The Concert by Drew Seeley.
However, he returned as Troy for HSM2 and HSM3: Senior Year with his celebrity rising so swiftly that it was reported that he was the most searched celebrity on the internet.
In 2008, he was cast in the comedy 17 Again and forthcoming projects include the drama Me and Orson Wells.
