Disney Channel alum Dylan Sprouse is likening his early acting career to “child labor.”
“Some kids used to work in coal mines and guard the mine cart door when they were 15, we just sang and danced. It’s still child labor,” Sprouse, 34, said on Tuesday’s episode of the “Wildmen” podcast.
The “Suite Life of Zack & Cody” alum went on to compare his years as a child actor to working a full-time office job, noting that between the ages of 8 and 17, he was essentially clocking in and out of work every day.
He said wrapping a TV production would then leave him with “this void,” explaining that his self-esteem became closely tied to his ability to continue working and being on set.
Sprouse admitted to co-host Brendan Columbus that he’s still dealing with some of the “bulls–t” and “mental hurdles” from that era.
Sprouse, who married model Barbara Palvin in 2023, raised the topic while discussing guest Mark Indelicato, who similarly entered the industry at a young age, rising to fame on ABC’s “Ugly Betty” when he was just 12.
“I definitely want to dive in and talk with him a little bit about some of that, how he’s coped growing up in the industry because, essentially, we’re beating around the bush, but it’s child labor,” Sprouse said.
Indelicato agreed with a lot of Sprouse’s sentiments — especially his comment about self-esteem being tied to his work as a child — saying it’s something not many people would be able to understand.
“We have to grapple with the reality of our lived experience, as does everyone, but I think what makes it a little bit different is that most people do not have our lived experience,” Indelicato said.
Sprouse, who starred on the hit Disney Channel show alongside his twin brother, Cole, admitted he was lucky to have his brother by his side as they dealt with the highs and lows that came with their profession, and is grateful to be able to lean on fellow former child stars like Indelicato in adulthood.
Prior to landing their Disney gigs, Dylan and Cole shared the same role in projects like “Big Daddy” and “Grace Under Fire.”
Both continue to act, with Cole notably starring on The CW’s “Riverdale.”
Dylan is expecting his first child with Palvin, and previously stated on the “Tea Time” podcast he wouldn’t prevent his kids from acting.
