Former Disney Star Hailed As Hero After Defending Wife Against Home Intruder

Stories about an individual jumping to action when confronted by danger are nothing new, but they don’t often involve a celebrity.

Dylan Sprouse, the former child actor best known for the Disney Channel’s “Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” reportedly stopped a would-be home invasion in progress after his wife noticed an apparent burglar.

Fox News provided the details:

According to the Los Angeles Times, the 33-year-old “Suite Life of Zack and Cody” star and his wife, Victoria’s Secret model Barbara Palvin, called the police around 12:30 a.m. Friday, when she saw an unknown man on their property.

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After Palvin reported the attempted burglary, Dylan reportedly tackled the intruder to the ground and held him there until authorities arrived, per TMZ.

The LA Times reported that no one was hurt during the alleged incident and that the man, who was taken away by authorities that night and is in custody on outstanding warrants, did not enter the couple’s home.

Sprouse’s action were met with widespread praise on social media:

Dylan Sprouse finally found a role more exciting than The Suite Life. Intruder didn't get the memo. 👇

— Pop Culture Radar (@Mr_memes__1) April 20, 2026

But with some reports indicating that Sprouse held the would-be intruder at gunpoint, a few comments either criticized him for having a weapon or called out Hollywood’s apparent hypocrisy on gun ownership in general:

It’s hilarious how Hollywood elites lecture the rest of the country on gun control until someone steps on their lawn.

Then suddenly, it’s all tactical takedowns and gunpoint pins. I guess Second Amendment rights only apply when you’re protecting a Victoria’s Secret model in a…

— Gurdaat⚡️ (@Gurdaat45) April 18, 2026

People are really celebrating this like it’s heroic, but pulling a gun and playing vigilante could’ve gone sideways real fast this isn’t a movie.

— 👑king👑 (@boi_king1) April 18, 2026

The couple responded publicly to the incident, as E! News reported:

“It’s dealing with the trauma with jokes and fun,” Barbara exclusively told E! News Creator Cam hostErin Lim Rhodes at the New York City premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2 April 20, with Dylan adding that he’s “not a ‘too soon’ guy” when it comes to comedy.

“We’re laughing about things the moment they happen,” the Suite Life of Zack & Cody alum continued. “You got to have levity in life. Thankfully, no one was hurt and there was no more violence than what happened. So, it’s all OK.”

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Here’s a clip of their red carpet comments: