“He Shoved My Uncle in a Locker”: Surprising Stories of Celebrities’ School Days Before the Spotlight

#11: Zac Efron

Being an actor requires a wide range of skills, and while standing up in front of a crowd and reciting lines is important, the real challenge is convincing people of something. Not everyone can do that, but High School Musical star Zac Efron proved his potential early on by joining his high school’s speech and debate team.

The fact that he once won a debate by accusing someone of wanting to kill Oprah shows he’s always had a gift for persuasion and making people believe what he says—a talent that would serve him well in his acting career.