You remember the Tipton. That shiny, gold-tinted lobby, the smell of candy-counter popcorn, and the absolute chaos of two blonde kids terrorizing a man who just wanted his lobby to stay clean. It’s been twenty years. Twenty. Let that sink in for a second. If you grew up watching The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, you probably still have a soft spot for the Martin twins, but the version of Zack and Cody now looks a lot more like a couple of indie film veterans and savvy businessmen than the pranksters who shoved a horse into an elevator.
People always expect child stars to crash and burn. It’s the Hollywood cliché we’ve been fed for decades. But Dylan and Cole Sprouse basically pulled off the ultimate "how-to" on surviving Disney fame. They didn't just stay relevant; they completely rebuilt themselves from the ground up, mostly by walking away when they were at the very top.
The Disney Divorce and the NYU Years
There’s this misconception that the twins just stopped acting because they were bored. Honestly, the reality is a bit more frustrating. They actually pitched a third series to Disney—one where they’d have producer credits and a say in the creative direction. Disney said no, then allegedly tried to pitch the same idea back to them without giving them the credits. So, they walked. Just like that.
They traded the Tipton for New York University. Dylan went into video game design (which, if you know his personality, makes total sense) and Cole dove into archaeology. Imagine being a freshman at NYU and realizing the guy next to you in your Humanities 101 lecture is the kid who used to be in Big Daddy.
Cole Sprouse: From Riverdale to the Hill Country
Cole’s path back to the screen was the most visible. Most people know him as the moody, beanie-wearing Jughead Jones from Riverdale, a role he played for seven seasons until 2023. But look at him in 2026. He’s moved far beyond the CW's "epic highs and lows of high school football."
Right now, Cole is leaning heavily into the indie film circuit. He spent the end of 2025 in the Texas Hill Country—specifically a tiny town called Llano—filming Elastic Hearts. It’s a gritty, grounded movie about siblings escaping their father's strict religious beliefs. It’s a far cry from the laugh tracks of the early 2000s. He’s also starring in The Rivals of Amziah King alongside Matthew McConaughey, which premiered at SXSW and is hitting theaters this year.
And then there's the photography. Cole isn't just a "celebrity who takes pictures." He’s a legitimate professional who shoots for L’Uomo Vogue and Condé Nast. If you follow him on Instagram, you know his aesthetic is less "red carpet" and more "hauntingly beautiful landscapes and high-fashion portraiture."
Dylan Sprouse: The Action Hero and the Meadery
Dylan took a way more unpredictable route. While Cole stayed in the acting lane, Dylan became a brewmaster. No, really. He co-founded All-Wise Meadery in Brooklyn. He spends his time brewing honey wine and managing a business that, as of a few years ago, was clearing over a million in revenue.
But don't think he’s done with movies. Zack and Cody now have both found their niche, and Dylan’s seems to be action and thrillers. He just starred in Aftermath, which hit Netflix in early 2025 and got compared to Die Hard. He plays a war veteran with PTSD caught in a hostage situation on a bridge. It’s loud, it’s violent, and it’s a million miles away from Zack Martin’s "PRNDL" jokes. He also has Under Fire coming out, another high-octane thriller where he plays an undercover agent.
He also got married! He wed Hungarian model Barbara Palvin in 2023. They’re basically the internet’s favorite couple because they actually seem to like each other, which is rare in the "PR relationship" era of Hollywood.
What About the Rest of the Tipton Staff?
You can’t talk about the twins without checking in on the people who made the show actually work.
- Brenda Song (London Tipton): She’s thriving. She’s a mom now (she has two kids with Macaulay Culkin—yes, Kevin McAllister and London Tipton are a power couple). Professionally, she’s been doing great work in shows like Dollface and the 2025 Netflix series Running Point. She’s also been vocal lately that she’d totally be down for a revival if the script was right.
- Ashley Tisdale (Maddie Fitzpatrick): Ashley has basically become a lifestyle mogul. Her brand, Frenshe, is all over Target shelves. She’s moved into interior design and wellness, though she still does voice work and the occasional acting gig.
- Phill Lewis (Mr. Moseby): He’s the secret MVP. Phill Lewis didn't just stay in front of the camera; he became one of the most prolific directors in sitcom history. If you watch a hit show on Disney or Netflix today, there’s a massive chance "Directed by Phill Lewis" is in the credits.
The Reality of a Reboot
Is a reboot actually happening? Honestly, probably not. Not in the way you want.
Both Cole and Dylan have been pretty firm about not wanting to "ruin the legacy." They’ve said reboots are tricky because you can’t recreate the specific energy of being a kid in that specific era of the 2000s. Dylan has mentioned he’d love to work with Cole again, but it would be on something new—maybe a gritty thriller or a dark comedy where they play brothers who aren't trying to sneak a girl into their hotel room.
There’s a beautiful irony in how it all turned out. The twins who spent their childhoods living in a fictional hotel are now homeowners, business owners, and serious artists. They escaped the "child star curse" by simply refusing to play the game.
What You Can Do Next
If you’re feeling nostalgic for the Tipton days but want to see what they’re doing in 2026, here is your watch list:
- Watch Aftermath on Netflix: If you want to see Dylan Sprouse prove he can lead an action movie, this is the one.
- Look for The Rivals of Amziah King: Keep an eye on local theater listings for this summer; it's Cole’s biggest "prestige" role to date.
- Check out All-Wise Meadery: If you're over 21 and in the NYC area (or want to order online), you can actually try the mead Dylan brews.
- Follow Cole's Photography: Skip the tabloid accounts and look at his actual portfolio to see the work he’s doing for major fashion houses.
