Sprouse Twins: Suite Life to Riverdale & Beyond

For millions of people worldwide, the mere mention of Zack and Cody instantly conjures images of mischievous twins causing chaos at the Tipton Hotel. But the journey of Cole and Dylan Sprouse is far more complex and fascinating than their Disney Channel days suggest.

They successfully transitioned from being among the most famous child actors in the world to serious college students, successful entrepreneurs, and leading men in their own right. Here is a look at how the Sprouse Twins built an enduring career that spans nearly three decades.

Early Career: The Road to Disney Stardom

Born on August 4, 1992, in Arezzo, Italy, the twins began acting when they were just eight months old. Their earliest roles demonstrate the practical advantage of casting twins—sharing a single role allows production to circumvent strict child labor laws.

Starting Young: The Shared Role Phenomenon

While many people associate the Cole and Dylan Sprouse with their Disney roles, their foundational work included major film and television projects:

Grace Under Fire (1993–1998): They shared the role of Patrick Kelly for five years, providing stability in their earliest television exposure. Big Daddy (1999): Sharing the role of Julian McGrath alongside Adam Sandler, this film cemented their place as breakout child stars and a recognizable commodity in Hollywood. Friends (2000–2002): Cole Sprouse famously played Ben Geller, Ross’s son, marking an early solo role before the twins reunited for their biggest breakthrough.

The Disney Dynasty: Suite Life Dominance

By the mid-2000s, the twins had landed the roles that would define a generation of Disney Channel viewers: Zack (Dylan) and Cody (Cole) Martin.

The Tipton Hotel Legacy

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005–2008) and its subsequent sequel, The Suite Life on Deck (2008–2011), were global phenomena. The shows were not only wildly popular but also made the twins some of the highest-paid child actors of the era.

Their success included: A combined six years of continuous series production. The Suite Life on Deck becoming the highest-rated scripted series in cable television for several years. The twins gaining significant creative control, becoming producers on On Deck by the final season.

This period of intense fame eventually led both Cole and Dylan Sprouse to decide to take a massive step back from the spotlight.

The Hiatus and College Years

Following the conclusion of The Suite Life on Deck, both twins made a crucial and intentional decision: step away from acting entirely. They did not immediately jump into the next high-profile project, opting instead for anonymity and academic focus.

Life at NYU

In 2011, both Sprouse twins enrolled at New York University (NYU). This move was pivotal in reshaping their public narrative and defining their separate adult interests:

Cole Sprouse: Attended the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, focusing on archaeology and photographic arts. Dylan Sprouse: Attended the Gallatin School as well, focusing on video game design, which later evolved into business and entrepreneurial pursuits.

This educational period allowed them to define their identities away from the shared character dynamic that had dominated their childhood.

The Adult Era: Separating Identities

After graduating from NYU in 2015, the Cole and Dylan Sprouse began their adult careers, carefully choosing projects that allowed them to showcase maturity and range.

Cole Sprouse: From Jughead Jones to Photography

Cole Sprouse’s return to acting in 2017 was a calculated move that firmly cemented his post-Disney identity.

Riverdale (2017–2023): Landing the role of Jughead Jones, Cole was able to successfully shed the “child star” label. The dark, serious tone of Riverdale allowed him to demonstrate dramatic range. Five Feet Apart (2019): This successful romantic drama further established him as a leading man in feature films. Photography: Cole also maintains a prolific career as a fashion and fine-art photographer, often shooting for major publications like Teen Vogue and The Sunday Times.

Dylan Sprouse: Crafting, Brewing, and Film

Dylan Sprouse focused heavily on entrepreneurship and independent film roles, avoiding the mainstream television rush that his brother embraced.

All-Wise Meadery: Dylan launched this successful craft brewing company in Brooklyn, New York, demonstrating his strong interest in business and ancient fermentation processes. Independent Film: He has taken on various roles in indie features, including the psychological thriller Dismissed (2017) and the fantasy film After We Collided* (2020), showcasing versatility outside the sitcom format.

The Enduring Appeal of the Sprouse Twins

What makes Cole and Dylan Sprouse unique in the realm of child actors is their successful navigation of the transition into adulthood.

They managed to:

  1. Avoid Typecasting: Their hiatus allowed them to return to the industry as mature adults, not perpetual teenagers.
  2. Cultivate Separate Interests: Cole focused on photography and drama; Dylan focused on entrepreneurship and niche film roles.
  3. Maintain Authenticity: Both twins are known for their unfiltered, often humorous, social media presence, which resonates strongly with their millennial and Gen Z fans.

The careers of Cole and Dylan Sprouse serve as a refreshing blueprint for post-child stardom success, proving that longevity and self-definition are possible, even after spending your formative years in the global spotlight.