Zac Efron Shares How Costar Matthew Perry "Pushed" Him in Life

Zac Efron “Devastated” by Death of Costar Matthew Perry

Zac Efron will always be all in this together with Matthew Perry.

While accepting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Dec. 11, the High School Musical alum paid tribute to his former 17 Again costar, who was found dead in his Los Angeles home in October at age 54.

After thanking friends Miles Teller and Jeremy Allen White, “I really also want to mention someone that’s not here today,” Efron said, “and that’s Matthew Perry, who was so kind and generous with me when we worked on 17 Again.”

For Efron—who starred as the younger version of Perry’s character Mike O’Donnell in the 2009 movie—collaborating with the Friends star and director Burr Steers will always be a career highlight.

“It really did propel me and motivate me in so many ways,” the 36-year-old shared. “It really pushed me into the next chapter of my career. And for that, thank you so much Matthew, thinking about you a lot today.”

Another collaborator who helped launch his career? Kenny Ortega, who directed High School Musical back in 2006.

“I still think about it every day,” Efron said during his speech. “I sing the songs in the shower. Go Wildcats!”

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Today, he feels like he’s soaring, flying.

“I’ve been acting, singing and dancing for as long as I can remember,” he noted elsewhere in his speech, “but never in my wildest dreams that I’d imagine I would be standing here today.”

You can bet on these photos of Efron at the Hollywood Walk of Fame to help you bop to the top today:

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A Star Is Born

Zac Efron, wearing a IWC Schaffhausen watch, received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Dec. 11.

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All for One

Joining the High Scholl Musical alum was longtime friend Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh Sperry, as well as Zac’s The Iron Claw costar Jeremy Allen White and director Sean Durkin, and comedian and entrepreneur Jeff Beacher.

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They’re All in This Together

Zac’s dad David Efron, mom Starla Baskett and brother Dylan Efron were also in the crowd to cheer him on.

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The Boys Are Back

Miles, who costarred with Zac in the 2014 film That Awkward Moment, delivered a speech to commemorate the occasion.

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Right Here, Right Now

Jeremy also honored Zac with a speech of his own.

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A Day to Remember

Taking the stage, Zac thanked his past family, friends and past castmates, including his late 17 Again costar Matthew Perry.