Zack and Cody Today: Why the Sprouse Twins Actually Walked Away

Zack and Cody Today: Why the Sprouse Twins Actually Walked Away

You remember the lobby. The sweeping staircase of the Tipton Hotel, Mr. Moseby’s exasperated "PRNDL" lesson, and the blonde chaos of the Martin twins. It’s been over two decades since the premiere, but seeing zack and cody today isn't just a trip down memory lane. It is a masterclass in how to survive the "Disney Curse" without actually losing your mind.

Cole and Dylan Sprouse are 33 now. That’s a weird sentence to write.

They aren't living in a hotel. They aren't even really "Zack and Cody" anymore, except in the hearts of people who still quote the "Am i-talian?" line when they eat pasta. While most child stars of the mid-2000s era spiraled or stayed stuck in the mouse-shaped machine, the Sprouse brothers did something radical: they quit. They basically vanished for years to go to New York University, get degrees in archaeology and video game design, and live like normal humans before ever stepping back in front of a lens.

The Reality of Zack and Cody Today: No Reboots in Sight

If you’re holding your breath for a Suite Life revival, you might want to exhale.

Honestly, the brothers have been pretty blunt about it. In a 2024 interview with E! News, Dylan mentioned that while he’d love to work with Cole again, it would have to be on something they create themselves. They aren't interested in a nostalgia cash-grab. They actually pitched a final season of The Suite Life on Deck to Disney that would have set up a spin-off to help the crew keep their jobs, but Disney reportedly said no, then tried to pitch the same idea back to the twins without giving them producer credits.

They walked.

That’s why the "reunion" vibes stay strictly personal. Just last year, in July 2024, the twins reunited with Phill Lewis (Mr. Moseby) at the premiere of Dylan’s film The Duel. It was a quiet, sweet moment that went viral because, let’s be real, seeing Moseby with "his" boys still hits different.

Where is Dylan Sprouse now?

Dylan has taken a path that feels very "Zack" but with a much higher IQ. He’s a business owner. He co-founded All-Wise Meadery in Brooklyn, turning a passion for brewing into a legitimate revenue stream. He’s also the brand ambassador for Thor’s Skyr.

But he hasn't ditched the screen entirely.

  • Action Hero Era: In 2025, Dylan pivoted hard from rom-coms like Beautiful Disaster to full-blown action. He starred in Aftermath as Eric, an ex-Army Ranger fighting extremists on a bridge.
  • Marriage: He married supermodel Barbara Palvin in 2023 in a stunning Hungarian ceremony. They’ve become one of the internet’s favorite "low-drama" power couples.
  • Gaming: He actually uses that NYU degree, frequently involving himself in the gaming world and comic book writing (Sun Eater).

Cole Sprouse and the "Darker" Path

Cole, on the other hand, became the face of the CW for a hot minute. His seven-season run as Jughead Jones on Riverdale completely scrubbed the "Cody" image for a new generation. But if you look at zack and cody today, Cole’s interests seem to lie more in the dirt and the dark.

He’s a professional photographer whose work has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler and The Sunday Times. He literally gets paid to travel the world and take photos of things that aren't him. As of January 2026, he’s still making moves in the film world, though. His upcoming project, The Rivals of Amziah King, where he stars alongside Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell, is slated for an August 2026 release.

It’s a far cry from the Tipton.

The Rest of the Tipton Staff in 2026

You can’t talk about the twins without the people who kept them in line.

Brenda Song (London Tipton) is arguably living her best life. She’s been in a long-term relationship with Macaulay Culkin—talk about a child-star crossover—and has continued to work steadily in projects like The Social Network and the recent film The Last Showgirl.

Ashley Tisdale (Maddie Fitzpatrick) moved away from acting to become a lifestyle mogul. Her brand, Being Frenshe, is a massive success in the wellness space. She’s basically the "cool older sister" of the Disney era who grew up and realized she’d rather sell high-end body butter than deal with hotel guests.

Phill Lewis (Mr. Moseby) is a powerhouse behind the camera now. He’s directed episodes of almost every major sitcom you’ve seen recently, from the iCarly reboot to Lopez vs. Lopez. He’s the guy who actually knows how the industry works from the inside out.

Why We Are Still Obsessed

There’s a reason zack and cody today still trends. It represents a "safe" era of television.

The Sprouse twins didn't have the tragic trajectory we’ve seen with other stars. They weren't in the tabloids for the wrong reasons. They were the highest-paid kids on TV for a while, earning a combined $40,000 per episode, but they used that leverage to buy their freedom.

They’ve both spoken about the "body-shaming" that happened on set—Kim Rhodes, who played their mom Carey Martin, famously stood up for Dylan when Disney execs tried to make jokes about his weight during a growth spurt. That kind of protection is rare. It’s probably why they turned out so well.

Actionable Insights: Lessons from the Sprouse Playbook

If you’re looking at the careers of these two and wondering how they stayed relevant without being "washed up," here’s the breakdown:

  1. Education as an Exit Strategy: They didn't treat NYU as a hobby; they treated it as a way to prove they were more than their characters.
  2. Diversify or Die: Dylan’s meadery and Cole’s photography aren't "side hustles." They are genuine professional identities that keep them from being desperate for a paycheck.
  3. Protect the Brand: By refusing a mediocre reboot, they’ve kept the legacy of the original show "golden."

Keep an eye out for Cole’s The Rivals of Amziah King this August. It’s expected to be a major awards contender and might finally put the "Disney kid" labels to rest for good.

Next Steps for Fans:

  • Check out Cole Sprouse’s photography portfolio on his official site if you want to see the world through a non-Cody lens.
  • Look for Aftermath on streaming platforms to see Dylan’s transition into the action genre.
  • Follow Brenda Song’s production updates; she’s currently moving more into executive producing roles for 2026.
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Robert Lopez

Robert Lopez is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in leading publications. Specializes in data-driven journalism and investigative reporting.