Whatever Happened To The Cast Of Suite Life Of Zack And Cody?
The popular Disney Channel series "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" originally aired from 2005 to 2008, comically chronicling the lives of twin brothers Zack and Cody during their time at the Tipton Hotel. The title characters caused plenty of mischief, often dragging others at the hotel (like the candy counter worker Maddie or the bellhop Esteban) into their shenanigans. The series' success led to a TV movie, a crossover special, and even a spinoff called "The Suite Life on Deck," which saw the twins take on a "semester-at-sea program" and live aboard a ship.
Of course, since the series has ended, many of the talented stars that made the show unforgettable have continued to entertain audiences on the big and small screen. While some are still dominating television like actor Cole Sprouse, who stars on the popular CW series "Riverdale" as Jughead Jones, others — like long-time actor Phill Lewis — have decided to transition to working behind the camera. But, of course, not everyone has stayed in the industry, and some of these stars now lead relatively low-profile lives. For example, former child actor Charlie Stewart (who played the twins' lovable friend Bob) has taken a step back from Hollywood in recent years.
Naturally, fans of "Suite Life" and its memorable characters have definitely been wondering what the talented actors behind this beloved Disney series have been up to in recent years.
Dylan Sprouse learned how to brew mead
Dylan Sprouse and his twin brother Cole were just 12 when "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" made its Disney Channel debut. And when the series ended after three seasons, it wasn't the end for Zack and Cody; their adventures continued on the high seas in "The Suite Life on Deck." By then, the brothers were 18 and wanted to exert some creative control. "I mean, we had a really awesome idea for where the show needed to go," Sprouse told Vulture, revealing that their ideas were rebuffed. "So we stopped the show," he said.
They spent the next few years attending NYU. After graduating, Dylan Sprouse appeared in a few movies — including 2019's "Tyger Tyger," 2022's "My Fake Boyfriend," and "The Duel" and "Beautiful Disaster," which were both released in 2023.
Along the way, he developed another interest beyond acting: Brewing mead, a honey-based, fermented alcoholic beverage, which led him to co-found Brooklyn's All-Wise Meadery. As Sprouse told Vanity Fair, his goal was twofold: Having an engaging enterprise to fall back on when he wasn't acting and creating a business venture that would provide a steady income. "I think that if you are an actor, or you are an entertainer, and you don't invest money in something that is more stable than the commission job that is acting, then you are a fool," Sprouse explained. In June 2023, it was revealed that he and his longtime girlfriend Barbara Palvin had gotten engaged.
Cole Sprouse reinvented a classic comic book character in Riverdale
While attending NYU alongside his brother Dylan, Cole Sprouse developed an interest in archaeology — so much so that he considered giving up acting to pursue his passion for geographical information systems and satellite imaging. "It's kind of like virtual cartography," he told ABC News, explaining that he created models of archaeological sites that would serve as a guideline of where artifacts were likely to be found. He also developed a reputation as a sought-after photographer, and his work has appeared in prestigious outlets including Vogue and Conde Nast Traveler.
However, the lure of Hollywood proved too attractive to pass up when Sprouse was offered the role of Jughead Jones in "Riverdale," a dark, "Twin Peaks"-like take on the iconic "Archie" comics. The show became a hit, and Sprouse found himself in high demand. During his "Riverdale" hiatuses, he managed to star in the movies "Five Feet Apart" and "Moonshot." During the show's filming, he also dated co-star Lily Reinhart for several years, but they broke up in 2020.
After seven successful seasons, "Riverdale" ended its run in 2023. While Sprouse considers which projects to take on next, one that is definitely not on the table is a return to "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." "I'm asked all the time if Dylan and I are going to do a 'Suite Life' reboot, and I go, 'No, absolutely not,'" Sprouse said during a 2021 appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show."
Brenda Song shares two children with partner Macaulay Culkin
Brenda Song was a standout in her role as hotel heiress London Tipton on "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" as well as its spinoff series, "The Suite Life on Deck." After "The Suite Life," Song made a concerted effort to shed her rep as a Disney star by tackling edgier, more adult roles. These included a role in the 2010 feature "The Social Network" and various television guest spots, including a four-episode recurring role in "Scandal," a multi-episode stint in the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff "Station 19," and a series regular role on the Hulu comedy "Dollface." In 2019, she starred in the thriller "Secret Obsession," which became a massive hit for Netflix when it was streamed by more than 40 million households within its first 28 days of release.
In her personal life, Song has been in a long-term relationship with another former child star, Macaulay Culkin, since 2017. During the course of that relationship, the couple welcomed two children together. In 2020, she celebrated Culkin's 40th birthday with a sweet tribute on Instagram. "I could sit here and write endlessly about how wonderful, kind, loving, genuine, loyal, honest, brilliant and hilarious you are, and how grateful I am that I get to share and do this life thing with you," she wrote. "But firstly, that would take me an eternity and secondly, you won't even see this because you don't ever use Instagram."
Ashley Tisdale found further Disney fame with High School Musical
On "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," Ashley Tisdale played Maddie Fitzpatrick, who worked at the Tipton Hotel's candy counter while gently rebuffing the awkward advances of Zack (Dylan Sprouse), who had nursed an enduring crush on her. Tisdale was still a cast member on the show when she appeared in the Disney Channel movie "High School Musical," a massive hit that spawned two sequels and propelled her to a successful music career. Her first album, "Headstrong," was released in 2007, followed by "Guilty Pleasure" in 2009, and then, a decade later, 2019's "Symptoms."
Tisdale continued dividing her time between music and acting, lending her voice to various animated series and most notably playing Candace on "Phineas and Ferb." Tisdale also built up an impressive array of screen credits on television, from portraying an escort on "Sons of Anarchy" to starring as the daughter of Patricia Heaton's character in the CBS sitcom "Carol's Second Act. She also served as one of the judges on "The Masked Dancer," Fox's short-lived offshoot of its hit "The Masked Singer."
Tisdale's life took an entirely different turn in March 2021, when she and her husband Christopher French welcomed their first child, daughter Jupiter Iris. Tisdale admitted to Parade that she's become choosier about projects since becoming a mom. "I think for me and acting, I have to be really excited and passionate about it to go do a role."
Estelle Harris continued her successful acting career until her death at 93
Known for the recurring role of hotel maid Muriel on "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," Estelle Harris only appeared in 14 episodes but she left a major impression on fans. Of course, Harris was far from an acting newcomer when she appeared on "Suite Life," having started her career in theater before appearing in numerous films, TV series, and dozens of commercials (including singing the praises — literally — of Handi-Wrap).
Of course, her most iconic role remains Estelle Costanza, the shrill and overbearing mother of George Costanza (played by Jason Alexander) on "Seinfeld." This role led to a whole other career as a voice actor in animated TV series and movies — particularly Pixar's "Toy Story" movies, in which she provided the distinctive voice of Mrs. Potatohead. "I was very successful — B.S., Before 'Seinfeld' — but 'Seinfeld' really, everyone watches it," Harris told take2markTV, of how her recurring role on "Seinfeld" continued to overshadow everything else she'd done. She also shared that it led to opportunities she wouldn't have received otherwise. "Everyone is thrilled with it, all ages ... and of course it opened doors. It was a delightful six years."
After a long and fruitful career that extended from the 1970s through to the 2010s, Harris died in 2022 at the age of 93.
Alyson Stoner launched a podcast about the dark side of child stardom
Alyson Stoner (who uses they/them pronouns) didn't make a lot of appearances in "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" — they were only in six episodes — but remains associated with the memorable role of Max, a young dancer and pal of the titular Zack and Cody. In a lot of ways, Stoner's career after "The Suite Life" shared similarities with Ashley Tisdale's; not only did they go on to star in a wildly popular Disney Channel movie series, "Camp Rock" and its sequels, but Stoner also branched off into music and voice acting, releasing numerous singles and voicing a character on "Phineas and Ferb."
Stoner firmly placed her Disney Channel persona in the past when they came out as openly queer in a 2018 essay they wrote for Teen Vogue. As they subsequently revealed, that revelation cost them a job on a children's TV show.
Meanwhile, Stoner has become an advocate for child actors, sharing their own experiences in a 2021 essay they wrote for People. Titled "The Toddler to Trainwreck Industrial Complex," Stoner offered an insider's look at how Hollywood can chew up and spit out a child actor, from the perspective of someone who contended that their acting career peaked at age 11. Furthering their mission and offering a deeper exploration of the themes introduced in their essay, in 2023 Stoner launched a new podcast titled "Dear Hollywood."
Phill Lewis turned his attention to behind the camera
Even before his role as the uptight but well-meaning Mr. Moseby on "Suite Life," Phill Lewis already had quite the acting resume (via IMDb). He'd appeared on well-known shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "The Wayans Bros.," and "Friends." Even during his "Suite Life" days, Lewis made appearances in popular series like "Scrubs" and "How I Met Your Mother." In 2020, he did voice work for "American Dad!" and "The Healing Powers of Dude."
However, since his time with Disney, the long-time actor has primarily shifted his focus to being behind the camera. Not long ago, Lewis directed multiple television episodes for shows, including Netflix's "Mr. Iglesias," CBS's "B Positive," Disney's "Bunk'd," and the revivals of "Punky Brewster" and "iCarly." Recently, Lewis also directed his first animated episode, "The Politics Episode," for "One Day at a Time."
In an interview with Variety, while discussing his method for directing an animation, Lewis said, "The most important part was knowing the actors as well as I did. I think that really helped alleviate any stress going from live-action to animation because I knew what their wheelhouse was." With plenty of knowledge being in front of and behind the camera, Lewis' career in entertainment clearly isn't slowing down anytime soon.
Kim Rhodes voiced a video game character after The Suite Life
Disney fans remember her as Carey Martin, Zack and Cody's caring mother, who also performed as a lounge singer at the Tipton Hotel. But, of course, actor Kim Rhodes isn't just known for playing Carey (via IMDb). Before her time with Disney Channel, Rhodes was a soap star who played Cindy Harrison on "Another World."
After "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," Rhodes appeared on the popular CW series "Supernatural," where she played the recurring character Sheriff Jody Mills. Rhodes also made appearances on another long-running hit series, "Criminal Minds" and "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders," playing recurring character Linda Barnes.
She also voiced the English version of Mariko Hyodo in "Persona 5 Strikers." As shared by Nerds & Beyond, Rhodes made the announcement of this role on her Twitter account, saying, "Today I am allowed to officially tell you I had the immense privilege to be a part of this stunning and exciting game. Truly one of my favorite roles and experiences." Fans of Rhodes definitely got a treat hearing the actor performing in something completely different than her other roles.
The Suite Life star Adrian R'Mante balances acting and his personal life
During his Disney days, Adrian R'Mante was known for playing Esteban, the kindhearted and comedic bellman at the Tipton Hotel. His character was incredibly hardworking, and it's later revealed in the spinoff that he managed to earn the assistant night manager position at the hotel. Like his beloved character, R'Mante has also kept himself busy, expanding his impressive acting resume (via IMDb). So, naturally, fans have been wondering, whatever happened to Esteban from "Suite Life"?
R'Mante has appeared on various popular crime series, including "24," "CSI: NY," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," and "NCIS: Los Angeles." He even jumped over to the big screen for movies, playing the role of Peter Blair for the 2019 film "Twice the Dream," Jacob in the 2020 thriller "Unbelievers," and 2021's "Even in Dreams," where he reprised his role as Peter Blair.
In addition to his acting work on both the big and small screen, R'Mante is also a family man. He married Mayara Reina in a private ceremony back in 2018. Together, the couple has two children, a daughter named Ara and a son named Ian, both of whom are prominently featured on R'Mante's social media.
Brian Stepanek voices Lynn Loud Sr. in The Loud House
Fans of "The Suite Life" can't forget Brian Stepanek's portrayal of Arwin Hochauser, the kindhearted yet eccentric hotel engineer who harbored a crush for Zack and Cody's mom, Carey. His comedic moments and zany ideas definitely made a lasting impression. But, of course, with Stepanek's impressive acting resume (via IMDb), his Disney days are hardly all he's remembered for.
Stepanek's versatility has seen him making appearances on both the big and small screen. His various roles have spanned from popular films such as 2007's "Transformers" to commercial work for well-known brands like Progressive and Fruit of the Loom. Stepanek even appeared in a 2012 Super Bowl commercial for Honda. However, his more recent appearances include roles on "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn," "Team Kaylie," and "Young Sheldon."
Currently, Stepanek voices Lynn Loud Sr. on "The Loud House." In 2018, during an interview with Trunk Space about his role as Lynn Loud Sr., Stepanek stated, "The show reminds me of Charlie Brown at times. These characters really like and support each other. I come from a large family and so the Loud family is very familiar to me in that regard." Additionally, Stepanek appeared as the character in the 2021 live-action movie, "A Loud House Christmas."
Charlie Stewart has stepped back from entertainment
On "The Suite Life," Charlie Stewart portrayed Bob, a recurring character who was a friend of Zack and Cody Martin. Of course, this memorable redhead's career as a young actor wasn't limited to just one series. Stewart also made appearances in television shows (via IMDb), such as "ER," "7th Heaven," and "Malcolm in the Middle." He even appeared on the big screen in movies like the 2001 comedy "The Animal" and the Disney holiday franchise film "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause."
Even after his role in "The Suite Life," Stewart continued to gain notoriety with guest appearances on several popular television series, including "Bones" and "How I Met Your Mother." His acting credits continued up until 2013, with Stewart's last released entertainment role being Ollie in the 2013 comedy film "The Secret Lives of Dorks."
In recent years, Stewart appears to have taken a step back from acting. It would seem that Stewart has chosen to regain his anonymity. Though it's been years, Stewart still may surprise his fans and perhaps one day will return to the entertainment industry.
Camilla and Rebecca Rosso maintain a low profile these days
These charming British twins were best known for their appearances in seven episodes of "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" as twins Janice and Jessica. They even reprised their roles on the series' spinoff, appearing in the 2010 episode "Model Behavior." Outside of their work on Disney Channel, Camilla and Rebecca Rosso, known as Milly and Becky, made their debut on the big screen, starring as Izzy and Annie Woods (Elle Woods' British cousins) in the "Legally Blonde" movie "Legally Blondes." The twins even got to meet Reese Witherspoon, according to a 2009 interview with Kidz World. It seemed as if the Rosso twins were headed for success.
However, the twins decided to take a step back from acting to focus on pursuing musical careers. Along with their sisters Lola and Georgina Rosso, they formed a girls' group called The Rosso Sisters. Though they never released a full album, the band released a single, "Hola Hola."
Unfortunately, after their mother's passing in 2015, the twins decided to take a step back from entertainment and have since kept a low profile. However, in 2020, TV Over Mind reported that both twins had gotten married in 2018.
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody actor Patrick Bristow teaches improv
Fans of "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" might know Patrick Bristow for his role as Patrick, the sarcastic maître d' at the Tipton Hotel's restaurant. However, his extensive acting resume hardly ended with his work on the sitcom series (via IMDb). The comedian, actor, and director has made appearances in a number of well-known series, including "Ellen," "Friends," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
Bristow has even appeared on the big screen in films, such as "Transformers: Age of Extinction" and 2013's "Pain & Gain." His more recent roles include the television series "SuperHero Diaries," "Criminal Minds," "AJ and the Queen," and "American Woman." Bristow's extensive credits prove that he's clearly versatile.
Outside of his acting pursuits, Bristow is the director of "Puppet Up! – Uncensored," an adult improv show that has toured worldwide. According to his personal website, Bristow also makes time to "teach improv classes" and "provide consulting services for entertainment based companies." In his personal life, Bristow has been in a long relationship with his husband, Andrew Nicastro, whom he married in 2010.
Sophie Oda runs an online vintage shop
California native, Sophie Oda is known for her recurring role on "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" as the clever Barbara Brownstein and for being Cody's girlfriend for a few episodes. She even made an appearance on the series spinoff, "The Suite Life on Deck," in the episode "Flowers and Chocolate." Aside from acting, Oda is also a singer and even appeared as a performer on "Star Search" in 2003 (via IMDb).
Outside of her work with Disney, Oda's had roles in popular television series like "The Big Bang Theory," "NCIS: Los Angeles," and "Hawaii Five-0." Oda has definitely branched out since her days on "The Suite Life." Still, this multi-talented creative has not limited herself.
In addition to her pursuits as an actor and singer, Oda also runs a Depop vintage shop called Public Secret, which boasts "mostly vintage, all sustainable" items for "2020 Queens." Of course, Oda have been creative in another area as well. She also has her own YouTube channel where she reflects on her industry experiences, which, of course, includes her time on "The Suite Life" playing Barbara.