The Tipton Hotel wasn't real, obviously. But for a specific generation of kids who grew up glued to the Disney Channel in the mid-2000s, it felt more like home than their own living rooms. We watched Dylan and Cole Sprouse go from blonde-haired menaces in the lobby to slightly more mature menaces on a cruise ship.
But then the show ended. Usually, Disney stars do one of two things: they have a massive, chart-topping pop career, or they sort of vanish into the "where are they now" listicles of the internet. The cast of The Suite Life took a weirdly different path. They didn't all follow the Miley Cyrus or Selena Gomez blueprint.
Honestly, looking back at Zack and Cody now is a trip. You've got one twin who basically quit acting to get a degree in archaeology and open a meadery, while the other became a brooding teen heartthrob on a gritty CW reboot. It’s a mess of successful, strange, and surprisingly grounded career moves that most people didn't see coming when the show wrapped in 2011.
The Sprouse twins and the art of the tactical disappearance
Dylan and Cole Sprouse were the highest-paid actors on Disney Channel for a while. They were making bank. But instead of trying to milk that fame into a mediocre movie career immediately, they did something nobody does: they walked away.
They went to NYU. They lived in dorms. They actually studied.
Cole Sprouse eventually found his way back to the screen as Jughead Jones in Riverdale. It was a complete 180 from Cody Martin. Instead of being the "smart one" in a colorful hotel, he was the "weirdo" in a dark, often nonsensical teen drama. It worked. He became a massive style icon and a professional photographer, shooting for high-end fashion magazines like L'Uomo Vogue. He proved that you can outrun your childhood persona if you're willing to wait long enough for people to forget the laugh track.
👉 See also: Karely Ruiz y Santa Fe Klan Video: What Really Happened Between Them
Then there is Dylan. Dylan Sprouse is a fascinating case study in doing whatever you want. He didn't rush back to Hollywood. He opened All-Wise Meadery in Brooklyn. He got into competitive gaming. He did indie films like Tyger Tyger and The Duel rather than chasing blockbusters. He’s essentially the indie-darling version of a former child star. While Cole embraced the mainstream again, Dylan seemed to prioritize his personal life and niche interests, marrying supermodel Barbara Palvin in 2023. They’re basically the internet’s favorite couple because they seem... surprisingly normal?
Brenda Song: The underrated MVP of the cast of The Suite Life
London Tipton was a caricature. She was the "dumb rich girl" trope pushed to its absolute limit. But Brenda Song played her with so much genuine comedic timing that it’s easy to forget how much talent that actually takes.
Most people don't realize that Brenda was already a Disney veteran before the show even started. After the Tipton doors closed, she took a role in The Social Network. Think about that transition. You go from saying "Yay me!" to being in a David Fincher movie about the founding of Facebook.
She's been working steadily ever since, starring in Dollface on Hulu and voicing the lead in Disney’s Amphibia. She also entered the "celebrity royalty" circle in a way nobody expected by starting a family with Macaulay Culkin. Seeing London Tipton and Kevin McCallister together in real life feels like a crossover episode that shouldn't exist, but somehow, they are one of the most low-key, stable couples in Hollywood.
Ashley Tisdale and the lifestyle pivot
Ashley Tisdale was the "it girl" for a minute. Between The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and High School Musical, she was everywhere. But if you look at her career lately, it’s not really about acting.
She’s a mogul.
👉 See also: Erika Kirk Beauty Pageant History: What the Headlines Got Wrong
She launched Frenshe, a wellness and interior design brand that’s actually doing really well. She’s been very open about her mental health journeys and her experiences with cosmetic surgery reversals, which has given her a level of authenticity that her character Maddie Fitzpatrick—the hardworking girl at the candy counter—would have probably admired. She didn't try to stay 19 forever. She leaned into being a lifestyle authority for the people who grew up watching her.
What happened to the "adults" in the lobby?
We can't talk about the cast of The Suite Life without mentioning Phill Lewis. Mr. Moseby was the heartbeat of that show. His "PRNDL" bit is still one of the most viral memes from that era.
Phill Lewis didn't just retire after the show. He became one of the most prolific directors in multi-cam sitcoms. If you watch a sitcom on Netflix or Disney+ today, there’s a massive chance his name is in the credits. He directed episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, One Day at a Time, and iCarly. He basically moved from in front of the camera to running the whole set.
Then there’s Kim Rhodes, who played Carey Martin. She went from being the hardworking single mom on a sitcom to a cult-favorite icon in the Supernatural fandom as Sheriff Jody Mills. It’s a wild transition. One day you’re singing in a hotel lounge, the next you’re hunting demons. She’s stayed incredibly active in the fan convention circuit and is known for being one of the most transparent, honest actors on social media regarding the realities of the industry.
The "Suite Life on Deck" shift and the newcomers
When the show moved to a boat, the dynamic changed. We lost Maddie, but we got Bailey Pickett, played by Debby Ryan.
Debby Ryan is another one who stayed in the spotlight. She stayed with Disney for Jessie, then went on to the controversial but highly-watched Netflix series Insatiable. She’s also a musician with her band The Never Ending and is married to Josh Dun from Twenty One Pilots.
The ship era also introduced us to characters like Marcus Little (Doc Shaw), who had a stint on Pair of Kings before stepping back from the massive limelight. It’s interesting to see how the "on deck" crew had a slightly different trajectory than the original hotel staff. The original cast felt like they were part of a lightning-in-a-bottle moment, whereas the later additions were part of a more streamlined Disney machine.
Why this specific cast stayed relevant while others faded
There is a "Disney Curse" people talk about. Usually, it involves a public breakdown or a total disappearance. But this group? They stayed largely scandal-free.
Why?
Maybe it’s because the Sprouse twins had parents who, despite the typical industry pressures, eventually supported their decision to take a four-year break for college. Maybe it’s because the show itself was more of a classic ensemble comedy than a "star-making" vehicle like Hannah Montana.
In The Suite Life, the humor was character-driven. It relied on chemistry. When you have actors who actually know how to play off each other, they tend to develop skills that translate to other genres. You can't fake the timing Phill Lewis and the twins had.
The weird truth about the reboot rumors
Every few years, a fake poster for a "Suite Life" reunion movie goes viral on Facebook or X. People lose their minds. But the reality is that a reboot is probably never happening.
Cole Sprouse has been very vocal about this. He’s said in multiple interviews that reboots are dangerous because they can ruin the "nostalgia-colored glasses" fans have. He’s right. Do we really want to see Zack and Cody dealing with taxes and mid-life crises in a Marriott? Probably not.
📖 Related: Ryan Haddon and Marc Blucas Wedding Pictures: What Really Happened
The legacy of the show isn't in a new season; it’s in the fact that the actors have all carved out these distinct, weird, successful lives. They didn't get stuck in the hotel lobby.
Where to see them now (The Cheat Sheet)
If you're looking to catch up with the crew, you don't have to look far.
- Cole Sprouse: Check out his photography portfolio or watch Riverdale if you can handle the chaos.
- Dylan Sprouse: Look for his indie film work or his comic book series Sun-Eater.
- Brenda Song: Watch Amphibia or her guest spots on Station 19.
- Ashley Tisdale: Follow her "Being Frenshe" brand for wellness content.
- Phill Lewis: Look for his name in the credits of basically any modern sitcom.
Moving forward with your nostalgia
If you're feeling the itch to revisit the Tipton, the best way to support the cast of The Suite Life is to look at their current projects rather than just wishing for 2005 to come back.
Start by following their current ventures that aren't acting-related. Brenda Song’s production work and Dylan Sprouse’s business ventures offer a much more interesting look at who they’ve become as adults.
Check out the "PRNDL" episode on Disney+ for the tenth time, but then go watch an episode of a show Phill Lewis directed. It gives you a much better appreciation for the technical skill that went into the show we all loved. The Tipton was just the starting line, and honestly, the race they've run since then is way more impressive than any prank Zack Martin ever pulled.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of this era, the best way to stay updated is to follow the actors on Instagram rather than relying on tabloid news. Most of the original cast is very active and shares behind-the-scenes looks at their current professional lives, which are far more interesting than the "reunion" rumors you see in clickbait. Take a look at Cole Sprouse's photography specifically; it's a legitimate artistic career that most Disney fans completely overlook.