Zac Efron attends the Australian premiere of The Greatest Showman at The Star on December 20, 2017 in Sydney, Australia.

Zac Efron's hottest and most dramatic transformations over the years – photos

From High School Musical to The Iron Claw, the star hasn't shied away from changing up his look

Senior WriterNew York

October 18, 2023Oct 18, 2023, 10:30 AM GMT+1

Happy birthday, Zac Efron! The actor and TV personality turns 36 today, October 18, and it's clear to see that the American star has transformed quite a bit in his nearly two decades in the spotlight.

While Zac has solidified himself as a Hollywood heartthrob, thanks to his chiseled features and equally chiseled six pack, he's embraced some vastly different looks over the years for some of his roles while maintaining his natural charm.

Relive in photos some of the actor's biggest (and hottest) transformations over the years for his onscreen roles…

High School Musical (2006-08)

Actor Zac Efron attends a photo call for "High School Musical" at the Quay Restaurant on May 26, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. — The actor rose to fame as lead Troy Bolton in the "High School Musical" franchise, sporting a swoop and a fresh face, not unlike the Justin Bieber look that blew up in 2010

Hairspray (2007)

READ: Zac Efron addresses plastic surgery rumors in candid interview

Neighbors (2014)

Actors Dave Franco (L) and Zac Efron accept Best On-Screen Duo for 'Neighbors' onstage during The 2015 MTV Movie Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 12, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. — (Seen here at The 2015 MTV Movie Awards) The actor finally shed his Disney image with 2014's adult comedy "Neighbors," with his shredded physique making him an instant sex symbol

The Beach Bum (2019)

Zac Efron attends the Los Angeles Premiere Of Neon And Vice Studio's "The Beach Bum" at ArcLight Hollywood on March 28, 2019 in Hollywood, California. — With 2019's "The Beach Bum," Zac not only sported a more grown-up look with increased facial hair, but also a platinum blonde hairdo

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)

SEE: Inside Zac Efron's stunning former LA $5.9 million home

The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)

SEE: Zac Efron celebrates incredible achievement with shirtless beach photo

The Iron Claw (2023)

Zac Efron is seen filming "The Iron Claw" on November 18, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. — Set to release later this year, "The Iron Claw" sees the actor undergo his first major transformation as he portrays wrestler Kevin Von Erich, sporting a mullet and a much more muscular physique

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