Zac Efron has admitted that he tried to apologise to Leonardo DiCaprio over a quote he gave about the Titanic star. The High School Musical actor had joked that the only advice DiCaprio ever gave him was not to do heroin, although he later regretted how the quip appeared in print.

Speaking to The Times, he explained: “[I thought], ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe I just did that to him.’ It was a joke, it was meant completely in sarcasm, but it came across so differently in print. I was devastated. I tried to call Leo and say, ‘Dude, I’m so sorry, that’s not at all what I meant to say.’ It was the worst feeling in the world.” [Source]

Actor Zac Efron has said that he is a “very private person” and that he finds fame difficult.

Speaking to The Times, he said: “They can do anything they want. It’s the law. Maybe you could call me paranoid, but I have become a very private person. I imagine there are people who can thrive in this scenario, who can be the centre of attention, but I just get overwhelmed.” [Source]

“Me and Orson Welles” may have been the first Zac Efron movie not to debut at number one, but it wasn’t supposed to. It’s a smaller movie he chose to explore a bit more of his craft outside the high school, singing, dancing, basketball genres.

“You know, we tried to do the musical version, but we couldn’t get the rights,” Efron joked. “No, it was different and it was a very unique opportunity for me at the time and it still is. I think it was something that just didn’t seem so cut and dry. It wasn’t an obvious decision. Even I was a bit surprised, and that’s very cool. I hope I can continue to maintain that and have those options. I mean, that’s why we do this, to grow, and try new things, and that was exactly what this movie represented for me. It came at the perfect time.”

Efron plays a young actor who gets to work in Welles’ famous production of Julius Caesar. “It seemed ambitious to make a film about Orson, because [director] Ric[hard Linklater] says we made a sort of a screwball comedy at times about Welles, which is something that he would have never done himself. He never would have made a screwball comedy, so we put him into a movie that he never would have [made]. I just thought that was so funny. Rick is full of those.”

The film was not Efron’s first encounter with the legendary filmmaker, however. “I was probably 16, and I worked with a director who said that his favorite movie of all time was Citizen Kane. As a wrap gift, he gave me the DVD and I was definitely fascinated by it and I thought that it was an incredible movie but I was probably too young to fully appreciate it at that point.”

Efron’s character learns a valuable lesson about dealing with Hollywood egos, and they don’t come much bigger than Welles. Fortunately, in real life, 70-some years later, it’s been easier for Efron.

“I think things have changed a little bit. I’ve never had an experience quite like that. I’d say it was reminiscent of a lot of my early theater experiences. It’s pretty cut throat, there’s always another kid on the sidelines ready to take your place, but never experience it quite like Orson, I don’t think.”

“Me and Orson Welles” is out in theaters now. [Source]

Zac Efron, who’s currently starring in (the just-released in limited theaters) “Me and Orson Welles,” has always lucked out with his roles and beautiful costars. Among his roster of women are Ashley Tisdale and girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens, but he really hit the jackpot this time role playing opposite Claire Danes.

In “Orson Welles,” Zac plays a shmoozing and talentless actor who is smitten with Claire’s Sonya Jones. But, according to Zac, Claire is just as amazing as her alter ego. “She’s perfect. She’s so beautiful and so talented and so willing to work with me and help me,” he gushed. “We bonded a lot, it was great.” [Source]

“High School Musical” star Zac Efron said he views his role in the independent U.S. film “Me and Orson Welles” as a “step forward” in his acting career. Efron, 22, said he wanted to throw himself a “curveball” by portraying teenage character Richard Samuels who works alongside the famed film director on a Broadway production, The Washington Post reported Sunday.

“It wasn’t another musical,” said Efron, referring to his “High School Musical” roots. “It was definitely a step forward in my opinion, and a risk, and something that I wasn’t even expecting of myself at the time, so I knew no one else would be. It would be kind of a curveball.”

Efron downplayed the industry stigma attached to an actor or actress best known for lighthearted teen fare such as “Musical,” saying his challenge is choosing the next best project.

“I’d say the challenge right now is finding specifically what to try and work on next,” Efron told the Post. “It’s not in terms of people being close-minded, really, to be honest.” [Source]

Miley Cyrus admits she has a crush on “High School Musical” actor Zac Efron. The “Hannah Montana” star tells Sirius XM’s The Morning Mash Up that she thinks Efron is “the hottest person in the world.”

“I think Zac Efron is the hottest person in the world. I really, really like him,” she admits. “It’s weird because he’s my friend… I could call him and be like, whatever.”

Cyrus says it is Efron’s loyalty to his longtime girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens that makes him so attractive. “Zac could get any girl… and do whatever, and he is so loyal and a really good friend… He’s just like super good looking,” she adds. [Source]

Zac Efron arrived at LAX airport in Los Angeles on 25 November 2009. Enjoy the pics.

Gallery link:
• November 25 – At LAX Airport In Los Angeles (x4)

Zac Efron tries to look his best whenever he leaves the house – because dressing well and keeping fit is “the least” he can do to please his adoring fans. The 22 year old won over a devoted following around the globe as the hunky star of Disney franchise High School Musical – and he believes maintaining his heart-throb looks is the key to keeping himself out of the tabloids and making fans happy.

He tells IFC.com, “There are little things you have to forgo (as a celebrity). If you walk around in sweatpants and don’t shave or shower, or look a bit sleepy, there’s a high probability that there are going to be rumours out there that you’re on drugs or starting some sort of spiral downhill. So I’ve always tried to look my best, and look clean when I go outside. I think I owe it to everybody to show up well-groomed and put in a little effort. It’s the least I can do.”

But the actor insists discussing his fame makes him uncomfortable – because very few people can understand what it’s like to be internationally recognised.

He adds, “There are small things you definitely miss. The thing about it is if you comment on it (fame), or talk about the negativity around it, it’s not really comprehensible to anybody. It’s one of the weirdest things to talk about with friends or family or anyone, to be honest.” [Source]

At the Cinema Society opening of “Me and Orson Welles” on Monday night, the actor had to stop in the middle of an interview when another Zac walked by. Efron got flustered, halted mid-sentence and asked his publicist, “Wait … is that Zac Posen? Wow.”

After regaining his composure and apologizing to the reporter, Efron stopped once more when photographers’ flashing bulbs signaled that Amber Rose had shown up – sans Kanye West. “Amber Rose is here?” he asked incredulously.

At least the admiration was mutual. Rose nervously approached the heartthrob at the Gramercy Park Hotel’s Three ­Olives fete later in the evening and asked him to pose for photos with her. Gushed Efron yet again: “I just can’t believe she’s here.”

But the 22-year-old was a little less humble when he admitted that kissing Claire Danes, who plays his love interest in the movie, came “relatively easy.” Said Efron, with a smile, “She is a very beautiful lady.” [Source]

Zac Efron arrived at the Late Show with David Letterman on 24 November 2009. Enjoy the pics! More will be added soon!

Gallery link:
• The Late Show With David Letterman 11/24/2009 (x95)