“I discovered that he would be joining us for dinner and promptly messaged my friends,” shared Nathan Todd ’27, a student of aerospace engineering, as he hurriedly secured tickets with three of his female friends. “We binge-watched every single episode of those series.”
With humor and introspection, Sprouse openly recounted his journey post the shows that served as the springboard for his career, delving into his pursuit of a college education (both twins graduated from New York University), navigating his own path, handling his mother’s mental health challenges, and his recent venture as producer and lead actor in the Lionsgate-acquired film “Duel.” Here are some key points:
Disclosing the winner of the Danimals sweepstakes: The Sprouse twins were featured in advertisements for the Dannon drinkable yogurt, and in 2009, they were part of a sweepstakes offering a grand prize of $10,000 and a chance to meet the stars of “Suite Life.” According to Sprouse, an Arkansas woman purchased the drink for her two sons, with the elder sibling stumbling upon the winning bottle. “The boy was 17 and drove a pickup truck,” Sprouse recounted. “When I met him, I jokingly said, ‘You didn’t consider giving this to your younger brother?’”
Navigating towards the “right path” has no set formula: Driven by curiosity, hard work, and serendipity, Sprouse found himself exploring various avenues—from his breakthrough role in the Adam Sandler film “Big Daddy” (1999) and almost two decades on television to delving into mead brewing in Brooklyn, a skill he honed in his NYU dorm room. Presently, he derives fulfillment from engaging in projects he is passionate about alongside like-minded individuals, a piece of advice he imparted to the countless students present. “Ultimately, the most rewarding career path is the one that brings you satisfaction,” he emphasized.
Transition to L.A. spurred by Animal Crossing: While studying video game design in college, Sprouse was drawn to single-player games set in immersive worlds where he could shape the narrative. However, during the COVID pandemic, as he and his wife found themselves confined to their Brooklyn apartment, indulging in Pabst Blue Ribbon and immersing themselves in Animal Crossing, they made the decision to relocate to the sunny environs of L.A. “The atmosphere was becoming rather gloomy, prompting us to make a move,” he chuckled. “And truth be told, I haven’t checked on my [Animal Crossing] village since then.”
Inspiration drawn from Sprouse’s mother for the tragic protagonist in his comic: Sprouse unveiled that while he and his brother emerged unscathed from their Hollywood stint as child actors, the glitz and glamor took a toll on their mother, who was diagnosed with drug-induced schizophrenia. His mythological Viking comic book series, Sun Eater, pays homage to his family’s Danish roots—with the hero of the saga resembling his mother. “It’s heavily inspired by her,” he acknowledged. “It forms a part of the healing process.”
Resolution of the “will they or won’t they” revival of “Suite Life”: Given the scarcity of compelling options for twins, the likelihood of a collaboration lies in a joint project envisioned by him and Cole—but it won’t involve a revival of “Suite Life.” “Certain things deserve to exist within the era they were born,” he reflected. “We hold a special affection for these shows because they were integral to people’s childhoods. Revisiting them evokes emotions; it captures a moment in time. That’s precisely why I prefer not to revisit it.”