Dylan Sprouse compares being a young actor to 'child labour'

Dylan Sprouse views his early career as "child labour" in "coal mines".

The 34-year-old star and his twin brother Cole Sprouse began working in TV as infants, sharing the role of Patrick Kelly in Grace Under Fire from 1993 until 1998, and they became household names at the age of 12 thanks to their roles in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. He admitted his early career has had a lasting impact on his self-esteem.

Speaking on his Wildmen podcast, he noted to co-host Brendan Columbus that he had known their guest Mark Indelicato since he was around 12 or 13 years old.

He said: “We worked together on an episode of The Suite Life."

Brendan asked: “Did you sing and dance?”

Dylan replied: “I did. I sung and danced. I’m a Disney kid. I have to sing and dance."

He went on to praise Mark as “one of the most talented actors I know” and noted that they both grew up in the industry.

Dylan laughed: “It’s child labour. When you work a career at that age, some kids used to work in coal mines and guard the minecart door when they were 15; we just sang and danced. It’s still child labour."