If you grew up in the early 2010s, you probably remember the absolute chaos of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. You remember Greg Heffley. You definitely remember Holly Hills. But more than that, you probably remember the relentless rumors about the two actors playing them.
Honestly, the internet has a weird obsession with childhood co-stars. It's like we can't accept that two people can just be friends after playing a "will-they-won't-they" couple on screen. For over a decade, fans have been digging for proof that Zachary Gordon and Peyton List were a real-life item.
But what actually happened?
The truth is a lot more grounded than the fan-fiction threads would have you believe. While their characters, Greg and Holly, were the quintessential middle-school crush pairing, the real-life dynamic between Zach and Peyton was built on karaoke, zip-lining, and the shared trauma of being famous before you're old enough to drive.
The "Puppy Love" Rumors That Won't Die
The core of the Zachary Gordon and Peyton List speculation usually points back to a specific window between 2009 and 2012. If you scroll through old YouTube "shipping" videos or questionable celebrity dating wikis, you’ll see claims that they dated for a few months during the filming of Rodrick Rules.
Is there any actual proof? Not really.
Back in 2012, while promoting Dog Days, Zachary Gordon did an interview with Girls' Life where he basically gushed about how "normal" Peyton was. He mentioned she wasn't full of herself like other Hollywood kids. They were tight. They went zip-lining at Grouse Mountain in Vancouver. They spent their breaks on set playing tennis because, well, they had to film tennis scenes and actually needed to look like they knew what they were doing.
They even had a "go-to" karaoke song: "You're The One That I Want" from Grease.
When two thirteen-year-olds are singing Grease duets and hanging out on mountain tops, the internet is going to assume they're dating. But looking back from 2026, it’s pretty clear it was just a solid, high-pressure friendship. They were kids navigating a massive franchise together.
Why the rumors feel so real
- The Chemistry: Greg Heffley’s entire motivation in the sequels was Holly Hills. When actors play that well, fans want it to be real.
- The "Disney" Effect: Around that same time, almost every Disney or tween star was dating their co-star (think Zac and Vanessa). Fans just applied that template to Zach and Peyton.
- The Social Media Longevity: Even years later, whenever one of them posts a throwback, the comments section explodes with "Are you guys still together?" or "I knew they loved each other!"
Where they are in 2026
It’s been a long time since the cheese touch.
Peyton List has arguably become one of the most consistent faces in Hollywood. Between her massive run on Cobra Kai and her lead role in School Spirits, she’s moved way past the "pretty girl at the mall" archetype. As of early 2026, she’s still very much linked to her Cobra Kai co-star Jacob Bertrand. They’ve been public for years now, and honestly, they seem like one of the few Hollywood couples that actually makes sense.
Zachary Gordon took a slightly different path. He didn't chase the "leading man" heartthrob roles as aggressively. Instead, he leaned into voice acting—you might have heard him in Genshin Impact as Tighnari—and indie projects. He’s also been pretty open about the struggles of being a child star. In a 2024 episode of The Sit and Chat podcast, he talked about how weird it is to have your entire childhood preserved in 4K for people to dissect forever.
They aren't "together," but they are still cool. That’s the thing people miss. You don't have to be dating to have a "special" relationship. They’re part of a very small club of people who know exactly what it felt like to be at the center of the Wimpy Kid craze.
The "Secret Dating" Theory (Debunked)
Some corners of the internet insist they dated secretly in 2010.
If you look at the timeline, Peyton was filming Jessie while Zach was still doing the Wimpy Kid circuit. Their schedules were grueling. While there are "sources" (usually unverified gossip blogs) that claim a breakup happened in May 2010, neither actor has ever confirmed a romantic relationship.
In fact, Peyton has been fairly open about her dating history over the years, from Cameron Monaghan to Jacob Bertrand. Zachary Gordon’s name is conspicuously absent from her "official" list.
People love a narrative. They love the idea that Greg Heffley actually "got the girl" in real life. But the reality is that they were just two talented kids who liked each other's company and managed to stay friends without the messy Hollywood breakup drama.
Why we're still talking about them
It's nostalgia. Plain and simple.
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid films have reached "cult classic" status for Gen Z and late Millennials. When we see Zachary Gordon and Peyton List, we aren't just seeing two actors in their late 20s. We're seeing our own childhood.
We’re seeing the 2011 summer where we all wanted to go to a country club even though we didn't have a membership. We’re seeing a version of "first love" that was innocent and awkward.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're still holding out hope for a secret wedding or a romantic reunion, you're probably going to be disappointed. However, here is how you can actually support them today:
- Watch School Spirits: If you want to see Peyton List's best work to date, skip the Disney reruns and check out this series. It shows her range in a way Jessie never could.
- Listen to Zach’s Voice Work: He’s a powerhouse in the gaming and animation world. Support his transition from "the kid with the diary" to a serious voice talent.
- Respect the Privacy: They’ve both been in the spotlight since they were toddlers. If they haven't confirmed a relationship in fifteen years, it’s safe to assume they're just friends.
The "Holly and Greg" era is over, but the careers of Zachary Gordon and Peyton List are still very much in motion. They’ve managed to do the impossible: grow up in Hollywood without losing their minds or their friendship.
Check out their recent podcast appearances for a deeper look at how they view their "Wimpy" legacy. It’s a lot more insightful than a decade-old dating rumor.
