He was the kid who peed on a wall in Big Daddy. Then he was the sarcastic, smart-aleck twin on a Disney cruise ship. For a long time, it felt like we knew exactly who Cole Sprouse was: a child star destined for the usual "Where are they now?" listicles. But honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention lately, you’ve missed a pretty massive shift.
Cole Sprouse is no longer just "the guy from Riverdale" or "Zack’s brother." At 33, he’s become something much harder to pin down—an archaeologist-turned-actor, a legitimate fashion photographer, and a guy who isn't afraid to smoke a cigarette during a podcast interview while talking about "elected trauma."
The Quiet Reinvention of Cole Sprouse
Most people forget that after the Disney machine stopped churning, Cole didn't immediately jump into the next CW pilot. He actually quit. He went to NYU, studied archaeology, and worked in an artifact laboratory in Brooklyn for about forty dollars a day. Basically, he traded the paparazzi for dirt and satellite imaging.
It was a deliberate move to find a personality outside of a script.
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When he finally came back for Riverdale, he didn't return as the bubbly kid from the Tipton Hotel. He brought a weird, moody, and often polarizing energy to Jughead Jones. That show ran for seven seasons, and while it became a bit of a meme toward the end, it gave him the "public currency" (his words) to finally start doing projects that actually interest him.
Take Lisa Frankenstein (2024). He played a reanimated Victorian corpse. No lines. Just grunts and physical acting. It was a bizarre, campy risk that most former teen idols wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole. But that's sort of the point. He’s chasing the "weird" now.
What's Actually Happening in 2026?
If you're looking for where he's headed next, keep an eye on The Rivals of Amziah King. It’s been sitting on a shelf for a while, but it’s finally hitting theaters in August 2026. This isn't a teen drama. It’s a gritty crime thriller set in rural Oklahoma, starring Matthew McConaughey as a bluegrass-playing beekeeper.
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Sprouse is part of an ensemble that includes Kurt Russell and Owen Teague. The buzz from its SXSW premiere was huge—97% on Rotten Tomatoes huge. It’s the kind of role that suggests he’s done with the "heartthrob" phase of his career and is ready to be a serious character actor.
Recent and Upcoming Work:
- I Wish You All the Best (2025): He took a supporting role in this indie drama directed by Tommy Dorfman.
- Dead Letters: Currently in post-production, continuing his streak of independent, tonally specific films.
- Photography: He’s still shooting for L'Uomo Vogue and W Magazine. Photography isn't a hobby for him; it’s a secondary career that he’s hinted might eventually replace acting entirely.
Dealing with the "Riverdale" Shadow
It’s no secret that the transition from a teen show to "serious" adult actor is a minefield. Sprouse has been pretty vocal about the baggage. He’s talked openly about the "psychological toll" of growing up in the spotlight and the weirdness of having his romantic life—specifically his past relationship with Lili Reinhart—dissected by millions of strangers.
He’s in a much more stable place now with model Ari Fournier. They’ve been together since 2021, and he’s gone on record saying this is the first time he’s felt "real compatibility." It’s a low-key relationship compared to the circus of his 20s. He’s even jokingly called himself the "spouse-less Sprouse" while watching his twin brother, Dylan, marry Barbara Palvin.
Why He Still Matters
Cole Sprouse is a case study in how to survive child stardom without losing your mind—or at least, how to lose it and rebuild it on your own terms. He doesn't post "relatable" content to win you over. He’s kind of pretentious, he uses words like "macabre" in casual conversation, and he maintains a second Instagram account (@camera_duels) just to take pictures of fans who try to take pictures of him.
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But that authenticity, even when it's a little "cringe," is why he stays relevant. He isn't a polished product anymore. He’s a guy who grew up, got an education, and decided he’d rather be a weird corpse or a secondary character in a McConaughey thriller than a leading man in a rom-com he doesn't believe in.
Next Steps for the Sprouse Obsessed:
- Check out his photography: If you want to see how he views the world, look at his work in The Sunday Times or his personal portfolio. It’s heavy on landscapes and cinematic lighting.
- Watch the trailer for The Rivals of Amziah King: It’s expected to drop mid-2026. It’ll give you a first look at his transition into the "grit" era.
- Revisit Lisa Frankenstein: If you only know him from Disney or Archie, this is the best way to see his range without any of the teen drama tropes.