The Sprouse Twins today: Inside their life now, at 30

Dylan and Cole Sprouse prove that sometimes, two really are better than one.

These charming identical twins first captured hearts nearly 25 years ago, charming audiences as the playful toddler in Big Daddy alongside Adam Sandler. But those little boys have grown up—now 30 years old, Dylan and his younger twin Cole, born just 15 minutes apart, have evolved both personally and professionally.

Dylan (left) and Cole Sprouse with their mother and manager, Melanie. Photo by Maureen Donaldson/Online USA, Inc.
Born in 1992, the blond duo began their journey as infants, sharing roles in commercials, TV shows, and movies before they could even walk. Following in the footsteps of other famous twins like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, they took advantage of the unique benefits twins bring to the industry, particularly with child labor restrictions.

Their early breakthrough came with Grace Under Fire (1993–1998), where they jointly portrayed Patrick Kelly, the son of Brett Butler’s character Grace Kelly. Growing from babies into lively six-year-olds on the show, the twins impressed audiences with their seamless shared performance.

“As Grace’s 8-month-old, it’s tough to say if Dylan and Cole Sprouse would be the next Olsen twins,” noted Tim Grey in Variety.

The Sprouse twins stole every scene in Big Daddy (1999) with their impeccable timing and charm as Adam Sandler’s adopted son.

In a 2022 interview with People, Cole reflected on Sandler’s career: “Maybe I’m biased since I’ve known him for so long, but I really admire how he balances art and commerce—the true mark of a working actor. He manages to lift up his friends along the way, which is amazing.”

Between 2000 and 2002, the brothers took separate paths briefly when Cole landed a solo role on Friends as Ben, Ross Geller’s son. It was his first role without Dylan. Cole fondly remembers his favorite episode, The One with the Holiday Armadillo, sharing, “I loved the costumes and practical effects.”

He also admitted to having a crush on Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel. “I think I fell in love with her,” Cole told TODAY, adding, “I was intimidated and sometimes blanked on my lines when she sat next to me.”

In 2002, the twins reunited onscreen in Master of Disguise, playing the character Pistachio Disguisey. Around this time, their individual personalities began to emerge, setting the stage for separate career paths.

Their big Disney breakthrough came with The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005), where they starred as mischievous twins on a hit Emmy-nominated show. The series expanded into guest appearances on shows like Hannah Montana and a feature film, The Suite Life Movie.

Teen idols to many, they gradually shifted focus. Dylan pursued video game design while Cole explored humanities and archaeology at New York University.

“I needed a break to step back and get a reality check,” Cole shared. “I had to see myself objectively. Now, I enjoy acting for its own sake. It was work before—a career and business that got me to college, which is an incredible gift. But now I act by choice.”

After graduating in 2015, Cole returned to TV independently. Their distinct personalities have continued to guide their individual journeys.

Since 2017, Cole has starred as Jughead Jones in Riverdale, a supernatural drama based on Archie comics. He’s been in a relationship with French-Canadian model Ari Fournier for over two years.

Meanwhile, Dylan lends his voice to video game characters and is engaged to Sports Illustrated model Barbara Palvin. He also co-founded All-Wise Meadery, a craft brewery in Brooklyn, NY.

In a 2020 US Weekly interview, Dylan joked about future projects together: “I’d probably write something for us to do together, rather than wait for someone else. Twin movies rarely work—that’s just the truth the universe gave us. But if the right project comes along, why not?”

It’s incredible to reflect on how much time has passed since the Sprouse twins first charmed us in Big Daddy. They’ve both carved impressive paths on and off screen, and fans eagerly await their next moves.