Honestly, if you grew up in the mid-2000s, you probably thought you knew everything about Zac Efron. He was the poster child for Disney, the guy with the hair, the basketball, and the singing voice that defined a generation. But as the years have rolled on, a different Efron has started taking up a surprising amount of the spotlight.
Dylan Efron.
For a long time, Dylan was just "Zac’s hot younger brother" who occasionally popped up in shirtless Instagram photos or behind-the-scenes credits. But 2025 and 2026 have changed that narrative completely. Dylan isn't just a sibling anymore; he’s a legitimate reality TV powerhouse and a documentary filmmaker who’s arguably having a bigger cultural moment right now than his movie-star brother.
The Sibling Rivalry That Actually Wasn't
People love a good "feuding brothers" story, but that’s not what’s happening here. It’s actually the opposite, which is kinda refreshing for Hollywood.
When they were kids in Arroyo Grande, things were a bit more typical. Dylan has been open about the fact that they fought constantly. He told BroBible a while back that they were just "so different" and would end up in wrestling matches and actual punches. Zac was the theater kid, four years older, and Dylan was the scrappy younger one trying to find his own lane.
The shift happened after college. Dylan graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Zac basically took him under his wing in LA. That’s when the "Efron Duo" we see today was born. They aren't just brothers; they are business partners. Dylan was a producer on Down to Earth with Zac Efron, the Netflix show that actually snagged Zac a Daytime Emmy.
Think about that for a second. The younger brother helped the older brother win one of the most prestigious awards in his career.
Dylan Efron is Owning the Reality TV Space
If you missed The Traitors Season 3, you missed the moment Dylan became a household name. He didn't just participate; he won the whole thing. He managed to navigate a house full of backstabbing reality veterans with a level of chill that most people didn't expect.
And then came Dancing with the Stars Season 34 in late 2025.
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Watching Dylan on the dance floor was a trip. He was paired with Daniella Karagach, and while he wasn't a natural (he’s more of a "climb a mountain" guy than a "foxtrot" guy), his growth was what kept people voting.
There was this viral moment during the semi-finals where Zac was in the audience. The cameras caught Zac leaning over to their mom, Starla, asking, "Is that a good score?" when Dylan got a 27/30. The internet went nuts, thinking Zac was being shady. But Dylan later cleared it up on The Viall Files and Radio Andy, saying Zac was actually being defensive. He thought Dylan deserved a 30.
The Family Dynamic is Way More Complex Than You Think
Most fans don't realize that Zac and Dylan have two much younger half-siblings, Olivia and Henry.
Their parents, Starla Baskett and David Efron, divorced in 2016. David remarried and had two more kids who are currently around 5 and 6 years old. This has added a whole new layer to the Efron brand. Zac and Dylan aren't just "the brothers" anymore; they're the cool, much older siblings who are constantly posting about "Livy" and Henry.
It’s a different vibe. You see them at Lakers games or on hiking trips, and it feels less like a celebrity PR stunt and more like a guy who just really loves his family.
Why the Outdoor Obsession Matters
Dylan is a legit athlete. This isn't just for the Gram. He’s finished Ironman triathlons in under 11 hours. He’s an ultramarathon runner.
While Zac has had to transform his body for roles like The Iron Claw—often at a physical and mental cost—Dylan’s fitness is tied to his identity as an adventurer. He’s used that to build a career outside of Zac’s shadow. He’s worked with brands like GoPro and Yeti, and he recently released a documentary called The Village That Saved a Fish about conservation in Guyana.
He’s carved out a niche in "eco-adventure" that feels more authentic than the typical influencer pivot.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Dylan is "using" Zac’s fame.
If you look at the credits of movies like American Sniper or Ready Player One, you’ll find Dylan Efron listed as a production coordinator. He did the grunt work in Hollywood for years before he ever stepped in front of a camera. He knows how the machine works.
He’s also stayed surprisingly grounded. He’s been dating his high school sweetheart, Courtney King, for nearly a decade. She’s not an influencer. She works a 9-to-5 job and stays off social media. In an industry where everyone is chasing the next viral "ship," that kind of stability is almost unheard of.
The Efron Legacy in 2026
So, where does this leave them?
Zac is still the A-list actor, but he seems to be leaning into more meaningful, less "Hollywood" projects. Dylan is the bridge between the celebrity world and the "real" world.
They’ve managed to do something most celebrity siblings fail at: they’ve stayed close without becoming a parody of themselves. They support each other’s wins, laugh off the viral misunderstandings, and actually seem to enjoy each other's company.
Next Steps for Efron Fans
- Watch The Traitors Season 3: If you want to see how Dylan actually plays the game (and why he won), it’s essential viewing.
- Check out Down to Earth on Netflix: Don't just watch for Zac; look at the production credits and see how the brothers worked together to highlight sustainable living.
- Follow Dylan's "Flow State" content: If you're into fitness or travel, his YouTube and social channels offer actual advice on endurance training that isn't just "celebrity trainer" nonsense.
The Efron brothers have transitioned from teen heartthrobs to serious creators, and honestly, the best stuff probably hasn't even happened yet.