Dylan Sprouse, a well-known former Disney Channel star, recently expressed his thoughts on his early career as a child actor. During an episode of his podcast “Wildmen,” the 34-year-old actor discussed with co-host Brendan Columbus and guest Mark Indelicato regarding the challenges faced by child actors, describing such work as “child labor.”
“I definitely want to dive in and talk with him a little bit about some of that, how he’s coped growing up in the industry because, essentially, we’re beating around the bush, but it’s child labor,” Sprouse remarked. He pointed out that working as a child actor is likened to labor, drawing a comparison to children working in coal mines, even if the skill sets differ.
Sprouse further shared his personal struggles with mental challenges in remaining in the acting industry as an adult. He admitted finding it difficult to continue in the same career path he started in and remarked, “I act like a kid anyway. So, I wonder if I’m just always chasing that.”
Indelicato, known for his role in “Ugly Betty,” joined the conversation with Sprouse and Columbus. Sprouse made another comparison, likening the rigorous schedule of a child actor to a full-sized office job, emphasizing long hours and a demanding work ethic.
Dylan and his twin brother, Cole Sprouse, entered the spotlight together as children. Their film debut was in “Big Daddy” with Adam Sandler, and they appeared as Patrick Kelly on “Grace Under Fire” from a young age. They gained further popularity with the Disney Channel show, “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” and its subsequent spin-off.
Following “The Suite Life on Deck,” Dylan stepped back from acting to study video game design at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, graduating in 2015. Since then, he has returned to intermittent acting roles and often reflects on the void left by projects ending during his childhood. “It feels like my self-esteem, for a long time, was tied integrally to my ability to work and be on set,” Sprouse explained.
His brother Cole has also voiced his opinions on their early acting career. In an interview, he candidly spoke about their mother’s influence on their acting jobs. He shared the benefits and challenges faced during their initial careers due to family circumstances.