If you grew up in the mid-2000s, you didn't just know who Dylan Sprouse and Cole Sprouse were—you basically lived at the Tipton Hotel with them. They were the faces of a generation. Every lunchbox, every Tiger Beat cover, every Friday night Disney Channel premiere seemed to revolve around their blonde mop-top hair and chaotic energy.
But then, they just... vanished. Or at least, that’s how it felt for a while.
They did the one thing child stars almost never do successfully: they took a decade off to become real people. No meltdowns. No public "downward spirals." They just went to college. Fast forward to 2026, and the Sprouse brothers have pulled off one of the most sophisticated career pivots in Hollywood history. They aren't just "the twins" anymore. They are two distinct, slightly eccentric, and highly successful adults who happen to share a face.
The NYU Years: A Radical Act of Normalcy
Most people don't realize how much of a risk it was for them to walk away from Disney at the height of their power. We're talking about kids who were making roughly $40,000 per episode combined. They were the highest-paid child actors on television.
Instead of chasing the next blockbuster, they moved into a dorm at New York University. Dylan studied video game design. Cole focused on archaeology and geographic information systems. Honestly, it’s kinda cool to think about Cole Sprouse—at the peak of his teen idol fame—literally digging in the dirt in the Balkans looking for artifacts.
This break wasn't just a hobby; it was a survival strategy. It allowed them to shed the "Zack and Cody" skin before the industry could typecast them forever. When they finally returned to the screen, they didn't look like former Disney kids. They looked like actors with lives outside of a soundstage.
Cole Sprouse and the Post-Riverdale Reality
For a long time, Cole was the one back in the spotlight thanks to Riverdale. Playing Jughead Jones for seven seasons is a marathon, and by the time the show wrapped, he was clearly ready for something with more teeth.
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In 2024, we saw him in Lisa Frankenstein, a movie that leaned into his love for the weird and the macabre. It felt like a mission statement. He’s not interested in being the "leading man" in a generic rom-com. He wants the dark stuff.
The Photography Obsession
If you follow him on Instagram, you’ve probably seen his "Camera Duels" project. He basically takes photos of fans trying to take secret photos of him. It’s hilarious, but it also shows his genuine skill behind the lens. He’s shot for Teen Vogue and W Magazine. He’s not just an actor who likes cameras; he’s a legitimate fashion photographer.
His latest project, I Wish You All The Best (2025), and his work in the upcoming The Rivals of Amziah King show a man who is meticulously picking roles that challenge his "pretty boy" image. He's leaning into indie cinema and character work that feels miles away from the Tipton.
Dylan Sprouse: The Entrepreneurial Rogue
Dylan’s path has been even more unconventional. While Cole was doing the CW grind, Dylan was brewing honey wine in Brooklyn.
He co-founded All-Wise Meadery, and he wasn't just a celebrity face for the brand—he was the one actually making the mead. It was a profitable business by 2019, and it’s still a huge part of his identity. It’s rare to see a celebrity venture that feels this authentic and, frankly, this nerdy.
Back to the Screen
Lately, Dylan has been leaning back into acting with a specific focus on the "New Hollywood" landscape.
- Beautiful Disaster (2023) and Beautiful Wedding (2024): These films proved he still has that massive pull with the YA audience.
- Sun Eater: He didn't just stop at mead; he launched a comic book series.
- The Curse of Turandot: He even filmed a massive fantasy epic in China, playing a character named Calaf.
He seems to care less about "prestige" and more about "fun." Whether it's a horror short or a massive romantic franchise like After We Collided, he’s carving out a space as a versatile performer who doesn't take himself too seriously.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Twins
There is a common misconception that there is a "rivalry" between them. People love to compare their net worth—both are hovering around $8 million as of late 2025/early 2026—or who has the "better" career.
In reality, they are rarely seen together on red carpets because they are actively trying to maintain their individual brands. When they do show up together, like they did for the Lisa Frankenstein screening, the internet loses its mind. They’ve managed to stay close without becoming a "package deal."
Dylan married model Barbara Palvin in a high-profile wedding that looked like something out of a fairytale, while Cole has been in a long-term relationship with Ari Fournier. They’ve built separate lives, which is probably why they’re still sane.
The Legacy of the Sprouse Bros Brand
Let’s be real: most child stars don't make it. The industry is designed to use them up and throw them away by age 21. Dylan Sprouse and Cole Sprouse beat the system by refusing to play the game.
They used their Disney money to buy their freedom. They got an education when everyone told them to keep filming. They took "unproductive" years to find hobbies like mead-making and archaeology.
The result? In 2026, they aren't "where are they now" stories. They are working actors, photographers, and business owners. They’ve proven that you can survive the Disney machine if you’re willing to walk away from it for a while.
What to Watch Next
If you want to see how far they’ve come, skip the Suite Life reruns for a night and check these out:
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- Lisa Frankenstein (Cole): For a weird, gothic comedy vibe.
- Beautiful Disaster (Dylan): If you want to see that classic leading-man energy.
- Borrasca (Cole): This is a podcast, but his voice work here is incredible and genuinely chilling.
- Dismissed (Dylan): A 2017 thriller where Dylan plays a terrifyingly overachieving student. It’s underrated.
Keep an eye on their upcoming indie projects. Both brothers are moving toward production roles, meaning the next "Sprouse Bros" project might be one where they are behind the camera instead of in front of it.