Disney Star Compares Child Labor to Coal Mining

Dylan Sprouse has spoken out about his experiences as a child actor on Disney Channel's 'The Suite Life of Zack & Cody'. The 34-year-old actor, who starred alongside his twin brother Cole from ages 12 to 18, likened working on the show to labor in coal mines.

'I've described this to people a lot before: when you're working on television, it's a day job,' Sprouse said. 'You go in, you clock in, you clock out, you have a cubicle, you work, obviously, you're on a stage, and it's different, but it's the same hours.'

Sprouse began working in commercials at eight months old and regularly appeared on ABC's 'Grace Under Fire' by one year old. He believes that his experiences as a child actor were akin to labor.

'Some kids used to work in coal mines and guard the mine cart door when they were 15; we just sang and danced,' Sprouse said. 'It's still child labor!' He expressed how growing up in the entertainment industry led him to develop a 'workaholic attitude', feeling a void after productions wrapped.