Disney Channel made Dylan Sprouse one of the most recognizable young actors of his generation.
But more than a decade after his days starring on “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” Sprouse is looking back at childhood fame with a much different perspective.
The former Disney Channel star recently discussed what working in television actually felt like as a child. Despite the fun audiences saw onscreen, Sprouse says there was another reality behind it.
He was working a job.
In fact, Sprouse went even further with his description.
He called childhood acting “child labor.”
Dylan Sprouse Opens Up About Being a Child Actor
Sprouse discussed his career during the “Wildmen” podcast while talking about the experiences of people who entered Hollywood at a young age.
He acknowledged that acting wasn’t comparable to the dangerous forms of child labor seen throughout history, but he still believes the basic description applies.
“Some kids used to work in coal mines and guard the mine cart door when they were 15, we just sang and danced. It’s still child labor,” Sprouse said.
Sprouse also compared working in television to having an ordinary day job.
“You go in, you clock in, you clock out,” he explained.
For audiences watching Disney Channel, Sprouse’s job looked considerably different.
He starred alongside his twin brother, Cole, with Dylan playing Zack Martin and Cole playing Cody Martin. The brothers became major faces of Disney Channel through “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” and their continued work together.
Behind the comedy, however, they were still professional actors expected to work regular hours.
Childhood Fame Came With Mental Challenges
Sprouse’s comments went beyond simply describing the hours he spent working.
He also opened up about what happened emotionally when those jobs ended.
Sprouse said finishing a television production could leave him feeling a “void.” He explained that his self-esteem became connected to his ability to continue working and being on set.
Those feelings didn’t completely disappear as he got older.
Sprouse acknowledged that he’s still dealing with some of the “mental hurdles” associated with that period of his life.
His comments came as he spoke with Mark Indelicato, another former child actor who became famous through “Ugly Betty” at just 12 years old.
Indelicato could relate to Sprouse’s experience, particularly when it came to connecting self-worth with professional success.
Sprouse Doesn’t Completely Regret Acting
Despite describing childhood acting as “child labor,” Sprouse hasn’t suggested that his entire experience was negative.
He said having Cole alongside him helped. Both brothers understood what the other was experiencing in a way few people outside the industry could.
Dylan has also continued acting as an adult, while Cole went on to star in “Riverdale.”
Perhaps most tellingly, Dylan hasn’t ruled out allowing his own children to act.
Sprouse and his wife, Barbara Palvin, are expecting their first child, and he previously said he wouldn’t stop his children from entering acting.
That makes his comments less of a rejection of his Disney past and more of a candid assessment of what childhood stardom actually required.
Fans saw two kids becoming Disney Channel stars.
Sprouse remembers that they were also two kids doing a job.
