Growing up in the mid-2000s meant one thing: you definitely spent your Saturday mornings watching the Martin twins terrorize a luxury cruise ship. It’s been fifteen years since the SS Tipton docked for the last time. Fifteen years! Let that sink in for a second. We’ve all aged, but the zack and cody on deck actors have undergone some of the most fascinating transformations in Hollywood.
Honestly, most child stars either vanish into the "Where are they now?" void or become tabloid fodder. But this group? They took a wildly different path. Some went to the Ivy League, others became indie film darlings, and one is basically the king of the "wife guy" era on social media.
The Sprouse Twins: Beyond the Tipton
Let's talk about Dylan and Cole. For a while, they were the highest-paid teenagers on the planet. Then, they just... stopped. They famously walked away from Disney to attend NYU, which at the time felt like a massive gamble.
Cole Sprouse didn't just go to college; he studied archaeology. Like, actually digging in the dirt for artifacts. It paid off, though. By the time he returned to the screen as Jughead Jones in Riverdale, he had a perspective most actors lack. Fast forward to 2026, and Cole has pivoted again. He’s moved away from the CW teen drama vibe and into gritty, prestige cinema. He recently starred in the crime thriller The Rivals of Amziah King alongside Matthew McConaughey. People are starting to talk about him not as "Cody Martin," but as a legitimate character actor.
Then there’s Dylan Sprouse. While Cole stayed in the moody TV lane for a while, Dylan went the entrepreneur route. He opened All-Wise Meadery in Brooklyn. Yeah, Zack Martin makes honey wine now. But don't think he's done with movies. In the last year, Dylan has leaned hard into the action-hero genre. His 2025/2026 film Aftermath saw him playing an ex-Army Ranger. It’s a far cry from hiding juice boxes in a hotel lobby. He also married model Barbara Palvin in 2023, and they’ve basically become the internet’s favorite couple.
London Tipton and the Legacy of Brenda Song
Brenda Song is, quite frankly, a legend. Her portrayal of London Tipton was high-key brilliant—playing "clueless rich girl" with that much comedic timing is harder than it looks.
Post-Disney, Brenda didn't just stick to sitcoms. She took a massive swing with The Social Network and later Dollface. But if you look at her 2026 status, she’s in a whole new chapter. She’s been in a long-term relationship with Macaulay Culkin (talk about a child-star power couple), and they have two sons, Dakota and Carson.
Career-wise, she’s doing the "prestige indie" thing. Her latest project, The Last Goodbye, has been hitting the festival circuit, and critics are calling it her most "raw" performance yet. She’s also returning to her voice-acting roots, reprising her role as Candace in the 2025/2026 Phineas and Ferb revival. She’s managed to balance being a literal icon of our childhoods with being a respected adult professional.
Debby Ryan and the Pivot to Indie
When Debby Ryan joined the cast as Bailey Pickett, the show shifted. She brought a grounded energy that the series needed. After On Deck ended, she stayed in the Disney machine for Jessie, but her adult career has been much more "alt."
You probably saw the memes from her Netflix show Insatiable, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. Debby has become a staple in the indie-thriller world. She’s worked with directors like Alison Brie in Spin Me Round and recently popped up in American Horror Stories.
Aside from acting, she’s heavily involved in the music scene with her husband, Josh Dun from Twenty One Pilots. In 2026, she’s less about the "Disney Princess" image and more about being a creative polymath. She produces, she directs (she was actually the youngest female director on a Disney set back in the day), and she picks roles that are genuinely weird. We love that for her.
What Happened to Mr. Moseby?
We can't talk about the zack and cody on deck actors without mentioning Phill Lewis. While the kids were the stars, Phill was the glue.
If you're looking for him on screen in 2026, you might not see him as often as you used to. That’s because he’s become one of the most sought-after directors in multi-cam comedy. If you’ve watched a sitcom in the last five years—from The Neighborhood to B Positive—there’s a huge chance Phill Lewis directed it. He’s also a frequent guest at fan conventions, where he still gets asked to do the "PRNDL" bit. And honestly? He usually does it. He’s one of the few who has embraced his Disney legacy while building a massive career behind the camera.
Why This Cast is Different
Most child star casts don't stay this close. Most don't stay this successful. There’s something about the environment of that show that kept them grounded. Maybe it was the fact that they all took breaks to go to school. Maybe it was the influence of the veteran actors on set.
Whatever it was, the zack and cody on deck actors have successfully navigated the "Disney Curse" better than almost any other group. They aren't trying to recreate the past; they’re just building on it.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch their new stuff: If you haven't seen Cole in Lisa Frankenstein or Dylan in Aftermath, you're missing out on their best work.
- Check the credits: Start looking at the director's name on your favorite sitcoms; you'll be surprised how often Phill Lewis is the one calling the shots.
- Follow the Meadery: If you're of age, Dylan’s All-Wise Meadery is a legit business with great reviews—it’s not just a vanity project.
- Stay tuned for the Phineas and Ferb reboot: Brenda Song’s return to voice acting is going to be a huge nostalgia trip when it hits streaming later this year.
