You remember the lobby. The candy counter. The perpetual chaos of the Tipton Hotel. For a huge chunk of the 2000s, Dylan and Cole Sprouse were the undisputed kings of the Disney Channel, two kids who basically lived the dream of every pre-teen with a TV. But then, they just... stopped.
If you’re looking for zach and cody now, you won't find them in a hotel. You'll find them in the middle of a career pivot that most child stars never survive. Honestly, the way they transitioned from being "the twins" to two distinct, somewhat eccentric adults is a masterclass in how to leave a goldmine before it collapses on you.
The Break That Saved Them
Most people don't realize that when The Suite Life on Deck ended in 2011, the Sprouse brothers were at the absolute peak of their power. They had toys, clothes, and more money than most adults see in a lifetime. They walked away anyway.
Why? Because Disney wouldn't give them executive producer credits or let them have a say in the show’s creative direction. So, they went to NYU. Dylan studied video game design—a massive departure from the spotlight—and Cole fell into humanities and archaeology.
There’s a famous story about Cole working at an archaeology lab in Brooklyn, where people would walk in, see Cody Martin cataloging pottery shards, and just blink in confusion. It wasn't a stunt. They were genuinely trying to figure out who they were without a script in their hands.
Cole Sprouse: From Jughead to Independent Film
Cole’s return to acting was the big shocker. Nobody expected him to jump back in, let alone as the moody, beanie-wearing Jughead Jones on Riverdale. That show ran for seven seasons, finally wrapping up in 2023. It gave him a weird, cult-like following that was totally different from the Disney era.
As of early 2026, Cole is leaning hard into the "serious actor" lane. He just finished filming an indie drama called Elastic Hearts in the Texas Hill Country. It’s a gritty sibling story about escaping a strict household—very far from the Tipton. He’s also got The Rivals of Amziah King in the pipeline, which features heavy hitters like Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell.
If you follow his photography, you know he’s not just a hobbyist. He’s shot for Vogue and GQ. He’s carved out this identity that feels much more like a 1970s film star than a former child actor. He’s still dating model Ari Fournier, and they’ve been together for about five years now, keeping things relatively low-key for a Hollywood couple.
Dylan Sprouse: The Marriage and the Meadery
Dylan’s path has been, frankly, more interesting. While his brother went back to TV, Dylan opened a meadery in Brooklyn called All-Wise. He was literally brewing honey wine in a basement for years. It’s such a specific, non-Hollywood move that you have to respect it.
Recently, his life has been a whirlwind of high-fashion red carpets and action movies. He married supermodel Barbara Palvin in 2023 in a ceremony in Hungary that basically broke the internet. They’re essentially a power couple in the fashion world now.
Work-wise, Dylan is moving away from the "pretty boy" rom-coms like Beautiful Disaster. His new project, Under Fire, is a buddy action comedy where he plays an undercover FBI agent. He’s also been doing more voice work and developing his own comic book, Sun Eater. He seems much more interested in being a creator than just a face for hire.
Will There Ever Be a Reboot?
Don't hold your breath.
Cole has been very vocal about this. He’s said multiple times that reboots are a "nostalgia trap." He thinks they tarnish the legacy of the original show. Dylan is slightly more open, but he’s said if they ever work together again, it has to be on something they make themselves. They don't want to play twins. They don't want to do the "kitschy twin thing" where they finish each other's sentences.
They did have a mini-reunion in late 2024 with Phill Lewis (Mr. Moseby) at a movie premiere, and the photos went viral because everyone realized they’re now older than Mr. Moseby was when the show started. That’s a sobering thought.
The Rest of the Tipton Crew
You can’t talk about the twins without checking in on the others.
- Brenda Song (London Tipton): She’s doing great. She’s with Macaulay Culkin, and they have two kids. She’s still acting, recently appearing at the 2026 Golden Globes looking incredible. She’s described the Suite Life set as a "safe space," which is rare for child stars.
- Ashley Tisdale (Maddie): She’s pivoted mostly to lifestyle and wellness with her brand Frenshe. She’s a mom now and seems very content being away from the frenetic pace of the Disney era.
- Kim Rhodes (Carey Martin): She’s become a bit of a TikTok icon, often sharing behind-the-scenes stories about how she protected the boys from executives who tried to body-shame them back in the day.
Making Sense of the Legacy
The reason we still care about zach and cody now is because the Sprouse twins are the rare success story. They didn't crash. They didn't have a public breakdown. They just outgrew the hotel.
If you want to keep up with them in 2026, look for the projects they’re producing. Cole is likely to stay in the prestige indie film world, while Dylan seems to be balancing a mix of business ventures and high-energy action roles.
To stay updated on their latest film releases, follow the official A24 or Focus Features social channels, as these are the types of studios the brothers are gravitating toward now. You can also check out Dylan’s meadery if you’re ever in New York—it’s a tangible reminder that there’s life after the Disney Channel.
