Dylan Efron has a strong bond with his older brother, Zac Efron.
David Efron i Starla Baskett welcomed son Zac in 1987 before welcoming son Dylan in 1992. Zac and Dylan’s parents separated in 2016, and David married his second wife, jenny. Jenny and David welcomed daughter Olivia, followed by son Henry.
Growing up, Dylan and Zac didn’t always get along because of their age difference, but as Dylan got older, things started to change.
“Once I graduated college, Zac really took me under his wing and let me live with him when I got my first job in Los Angeles,” Dylan recalled in an interview with BroBible in January 2021. “He really became this big brother, and that’s when I would say we became closer than ever. Our relationship was something that developed more as we both became adults and stopped fighting so much.”
Zac Efron wasn’t in the Dancing With the Stars audience to cheer on his brother Dylan Efron on Dedication Night, but he still got a special shout out. During the Tuesday, Oct. 14, episode of the ABC reality competition series, Dylan, 33, and his partner, Daniella Karagach, performed a contemporary routine to “Rewrite the (…)
Zac has continued to support Dylan in all of his endeavors, including when he appeared on season 34 of Dancing with the stars in 2025.
“This means everything. I grew up watching him do stuff like that,” Dylan said Entertainment tonight in November 2025 after Zac made a surprise appearance in the DWTS ballroom.
Keep scrolling to learn more about Dylan and Zac’s relationship over the years:
They always fought each other as children
In January 2021, Dylan opened up about his childhood relationship with Zac, noting that they were “always fighting each other” when they were young.
“It was interesting because I was always really big for my age, and Zac was pretty small for his age,” Dylan recalled. BroBible. “We were always fighting each other. But I would say we grew up super combative, just because we’re so different and he was so much older. We were into different things.”
Dylan went on to say that after he graduated college, he and Zac became very close after Zac let him live with him in Los Angeles when he got his first job.
“He really became this big brother, and that’s when I would say we became closer than ever,” she said. “Our relationship was something that developed more as we both became adults and stopped fighting so much.”
Zac inspired Dylan to be a good big brother to his younger siblings
Dylan revealed that Zac’s the guide like an older brother inspired him when it came to bonding with her younger siblings, Olivia and Henry.
“But really, I just think back and my brother was such a good brother to me and I want to be that to them,” Dylan exclusively said. Us Weekly in September 2023. “So it’s really: I like to think what they think of me and I want to be that presence for them.”
Dylan said he loves doing things with Zac
After working as a producer on Zac’s Netflix series, On EarthDylan said how he loves to “do things” with his brother.
“There’s something really comforting about being with family (and) doing these things. That will always be up there with what I like to do,” he shared with we in September 2023. “But I think it’s good that we do things separately as well. As I remember back then, we wanted to do a show together and I really wouldn’t have prepared for it. He’s been in front of the camera his whole life and it’s been second nature to him. He was a shy little kid, so I’ve had to grow into that.”
Dylan has no problem being called Zac’s little brother
In February 2025, Dylan shared that he doesn’t mind people referring to him “Zac’s younger brother.”
“I love my brother. I’m so proud of him,” Dylan said cosmopolitan in an interview at the time. “If anything, it’s helped me with my career, so I don’t have a problem with people calling me Zac’s little brother.”
How Dylan chose to honor Zac at a ‘DWTS’ dance.
During “Dedication Night” on DWTS Season 34, Dylan and his pro partner, Daniella Karagach, performed a contemporary routine to “Rewrite the Stars” from The best showman. The song was originally sung by Zac i Zendaya in the 2017 film.
Dylan later shared that it was a no-brainer that he would use that song for his dance, which he dedicated to his younger sister, Olivia.
“This it just made sense. It wasn’t even a thought,” he said we in October 2025. “It’s like my favorite Zac performance, so it was special.”
While discussing his song choice during the episode, Dylan explained that it was a “nod” to his brother who has always been there for him.
“Zac has always taken care of me and done such selfless things,” Dylan said. “I want to be that for Olivia, I want to be the best role model I can.”
Dylan shared that having Zac’s support on “DWTS” meant “everything” to him
When Zac made a surprise audience appearance on DWTS in November 2025, Dylan couldn’t help but share how happy it made him.
“It means everything. I grew up watching him do stuff like that,” Dylan said Entertainment tonight. “Looking up, my family is there, my girlfriend. Just seeing them all together, that’s my support.”