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Who can forget the blue-eyed high school jock with the Justin Bieber haircut – who melted the hearts of teenage fans around the globe?
Zac Efron's break-out role as Troy Bolton in the High School Musical movies in the early 2000s led to a slew of roles in musicals, comedies and dramas.
Now, after two decades in showbiz, he's been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
“I’ve been singing and dancing since I was a little boy and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d be standing here today,” Zac (36) said at the unveiling of his star.
“Standing here today, I realise how unbelievably lucky I am – that over the course of 20 years I’ve been blessed to work with truly the most talented, the most creative and the most kind people.”
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Zac was joined by fellow actors, Jeremy Allen White and Miles Teller and Sean Durkin, the director of his newest movie The Iron Claw, which co-stars Jeremy.
Miles, who worked with Zack on the 2014 film, That Awkward Moment, said that his star was overdue.
"You are my friend and running mate. You are the man, the myth, the legend that is Zac Efron, baby. For my generation, our generation, Zac was and is the first true superstar to really come out of our class," he said.
The Maverick actor added that Zac is a true triple threat with a combination of immense talent, incredible work ethic and "an above-average face".
Jeremy quipped that "Zac doesn't know he is, in fact, a movie star," so the big star on Hollywood Boulevard is there to remind him that he is."
Zac’s career highlights include 17 Again (2009), with Matthew Perry. New Year's Eve (2011), The Lucky One (2012), The Paperboy (2012), Neighbors (2014), Dirty Grandpa (2016), Baywatch (2017), and The Greatest Showman (2017).
The award-winning actor hosted the Netflix travel show Down to Earth with Zac Efron where he travelled the world with wellness expert Darin Olien to explore healthy, sustainable ways to live.
In his latest film, he plays professional wrestler Kevin Von Erich, who he hailed as his hero in his acceptance speech.
And of course, his speech wouldn't have been complete without a nod to the movies that put him on the map.
“A long time before The Iron Claw, I spent a lot of time with [director] Kenny Ortega and [producer] Bill Borden – you guys were both instrumental in giving my start in High School Musical and for that I am eternally grateful,” he said.
“I still think about it every day. I sing the songs in the shower – Go Wild Cats!” he joked.
Zac also took a moment to pay tribute to his 17 Again co-star Matthew Perry (54) who passed away in October, saying the Friends actor was kind and generous.
"Collaborating with him and [director Burr Steers] — it was so much fun and really did propel me and motivate me in so many ways. It really pushed me into the next chapter of my career, and for that, thank you so much, Matthew. Thinking about you a lot today.”
The Lucky One actor acknowledged his fans for their support over the years and thanked his “first fans”, his family, who were there to mark the occasion.
“Thank you, mom, thank you dad and [brother] Dylan. There’s been a lot of sacrifices that you guys have made for me over my life and it couldn’t have been easy but thanks for believing in me and you’re the reason why I’m here today,” he said.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awards stars to about 24 celebrities each year, on the condition that the stars attend the award ceremony, and pay $75 000 (R1,4 million) for the creation and installation of the star, as well as general maintenance of the Walk of Fame.
SOURCES: YOUTUBE.COM, PEOPLE.COM, INSTAGRAM.COM, MENSHEALTH.COM, USATODAY.COM
