Introduction
If you’ve ever found yourself watching Dolphin Tale or Freaky Friday and wondered about the talented young actress on screen, you’re not alone. Cozi Zuehlsdorff has been captivating audiences since she was just 12 years old, but tracking her age across her various film and TV appearances can be surprisingly confusing.
Maybe you’re researching her career timeline, writing a fan article, or simply curious about how old she was when she starred alongside Willie Nelson in Pure Country Pure Heart. Whatever your reason, finding a clear, reliable answer shouldn’t require digging through outdated sources and conflicting information.
This article delivers exactly that. We’ll give you the definitive answer to Cozi Zuehlsdorff’s age in 2017, along with a complete breakdown of her life, career milestones, and rise to fame. By the end, you’ll know not just how old she was during that pivotal year, but why 2017 marked such an important chapter in her journey as an actress and musician.
What is Cozi Zuehlsdorff’s Age in 2017?
The Definitive Answer
Cozi Zuehlsdorff was 18 years old for most of 2017, turning 19 on August 3, 2017.
Born on August 3, 1998, she was 18 years old from January 1, 2017, until her 19th birthday on August 3. After that date, she was 19 for the remainder of the year.
Age Breakdown by Month
| Period in 2017 | Age |
|---|---|
| January 1 – August 2 | 18 years old |
| August 3 – December 31 | 19 years old |
Why This Matters for Her Career
2017 was a significant year for Zuehlsdorff. At 18 and 19, she was transitioning from child actor to young adult performer, taking on more mature roles and expanding her creative reach. This was the year she starred alongside country music legend Willie Nelson in Pure Country Pure Heart, a role that showcased her abilities as both an actress and a singer in a new light.
Who Is Cozi Zuehlsdorff?
Early Life and Background
Cozi Noelle Zuehlsdorff was born on August 3, 1998, in Mission Viejo, California to Allison (née Beech) and Scott Zuehlsdorff. She has one sister and grew up in Orange County, California, in a Christian family where she was largely homeschooled.
Her interest in performing emerged at a very young age. She took vocal and piano lessons and, at the age of eight, was encouraged to audition for a local theater company’s production of Annie in Aliso Viejo, California. This initial step into musical theater sparked a passion that would define her career.
Acting Career
Zuehlsdorff’s professional acting career began when she was cast as Hazel Haskett in the 2011 family drama Dolphin Tale, acting alongside Hollywood heavyweights Harry Connick Jr. and Morgan Freeman. The role earned her a Young Artist Award nomination in 2012.
She reprised the role in the 2014 sequel, Dolphin Tale 2, and continued to build her resume with appearances on Disney Channel shows including:
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Liv and Maddie – as Ocean
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Mighty Med – as Jordan
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K.C. Undercover – as Pinky Carter
Musical Career
Beyond acting, Zuehlsdorff is a classically trained pianist and singer-songwriter. She wrote and performed the song “Brave Souls” for Dolphin Tale 2 and released her debut independent EP, Originals, in November 2014.
She has also found success in the electronic dance music world, collaborating with Monstercat artists including Hellberg on “The Girl” (2015) and Vicetone on “Nevada” (2016). Her streams as a featured artist have surpassed 100 million globally.
A Multifaceted Creator
Zuehlsdorff’s talents extend beyond performing. She is also a screenwriter, producer, and songwriter. In late 2023, she guest-starred on the fourth season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and wrote songs for four of the eight episodes. She is set to release her debut album, Angel Food, in summer 2024.
Why Cozi Zuehlsdorff’s Age in 2017 Matters
A Turning Point in Her Career
At 18 and 19 years old, Zuehlsdorff was navigating one of the most challenging transitions in the entertainment industry: moving from child actor to adult performer. 2017 represented a pivotal moment where she proved she could carry more mature roles while maintaining the charm and talent that made her a standout as a young actress.
Starring Alongside a Legend
In 2017, Zuehlsdorff starred with Willie Nelson in Pure Country Pure Heart, playing a young country music singer. Sharing the screen with a music legend at just 18 years old is a remarkable achievement that speaks to her talent and professionalism. The film, released direct-to-video, gave her the opportunity to showcase her musical abilities in a feature film context.
Building a Foundation for Future Success
The experience she gained in 2017 directly contributed to her landing the starring role in the 2018 Disney Channel Original Movie Freaky Friday, where she played Ellie Blake opposite Broadway star Heidi Blickenstaff. For that film, she also wrote the opening theme song, “What It’s Like to Be Me”.
A Role Model for Young Performers
Zuehlsdorff’s journey demonstrates that success in entertainment doesn’t require compromising one’s values. She remained grounded, continued her education through homeschooling, and built a career on genuine talent rather than controversy. Her age in 2017—on the cusp of adulthood—represents a moment when many young performers lose their way, but she continued to grow and evolve as an artist.
Step-by-Step: How Cozi Zuehlsdorff Built Her Career
Step 1: The Theater Years (Age 8–10)
At age eight, Zuehlsdorff was encouraged to audition for a local theater company’s production of Annie. This led to performances in other musicals including The Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Peter Pan, and The Sound of Music. These early experiences gave her the foundation in performance that would serve her throughout her career.
Step 2: The Breakthrough Role (Age 12–13, 2011)
In 2011, at just 12 years old, Zuehlsdorff was cast as Hazel Haskett in Dolphin Tale. Acting opposite Morgan Freeman and Harry Connick Jr., she held her own and earned a Young Artist Award nomination. The film’s success opened doors for her in Hollywood.
Step 3: Building a Disney Resume (Age 14–16, 2013–2015)
Following Dolphin Tale, Zuehlsdorff became a familiar face on Disney Channel and Disney XD. She appeared in Liv and Maddie, Mighty Med, and K.C. Undercover. These roles helped her build a loyal fanbase among young viewers.
Step 4: Reprising Hazel (Age 16, 2014)
In 2014, she returned to the role that made her famous in Dolphin Tale 2. She also wrote and performed “Brave Souls” for the film’s end credits, showcasing her songwriting abilities.
Step 5: Expanding into Music (Age 16–18, 2014–2016)
Zuehlsdorff released her debut EP, Originals, in November 2014 and began collaborating with electronic dance music artists. Her work with Hellberg on “The Girl” (2015) and Vicetone on “Nevada” (2016) introduced her to a global audience beyond film and television.
Step 6: The Transition Year (Age 18–19, 2017)
In 2017, Zuehlsdorff starred with Willie Nelson in Pure Country Pure Heart. This role represented a significant step forward, as she played a young country music singer in a more mature production.
Step 7: The Freaky Friday Breakthrough (Age 19–20, 2018)
In 2018, she landed the starring role in the Disney Channel Original Movie Freaky Friday, opposite Heidi Blickenstaff. She also wrote the opening theme song, proving herself as both a performer and a creator.
Step 8: Continued Growth (Age 20–Present)
Zuehlsdorff continued to build her career, guest-starring on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series in late 2023 and writing songs for multiple episodes. She is set to release her debut album, Angel Food, in summer 2024.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Researching Cozi Zuehlsdorff
Mistake 1: Confusing Her Birth Year
Some sources list her birth year as “c. 1998”, which can create confusion. The exact year is 1998, confirmed by multiple reliable sources including Wikipedia, IMDb, and biographical databases.
Mistake 2: Relying on Outdated Age Calculations
An article from 2023 saying she’s 25 is not incorrect—it was accurate at the time. But in 2026, she’s 27 (turning 28). Always check the publication date of any source you’re using. Her birth date (August 3, 1998) has remained consistent across all reputable sources.
Mistake 3: Confusing Her With Other Actresses
There are other young actresses with similar first names or birth years. Always verify that you’re looking at Cozi Zuehlsdorff—the actress known for Dolphin Tale, Dolphin Tale 2, and Freaky Friday.
Mistake 4: Assuming “Cozi” Is a Nickname
Her full name is Cozi Noelle Zuehlsdorff. Some sources list her birth name as “Cozette Noelle Zuehlsdorff”, but she is professionally known as Cozi. This isn’t a stage name—it’s her actual first name.
Mistake 5: Overlooking Her Musical Achievements
Many articles focus exclusively on her acting career, overlooking that she is also a classically trained pianist, successful EDM collaborator with over 100 million streams, and songwriter for film and television. Her age in 2017 is particularly relevant to her musical evolution, as she was actively building her credentials in the EDM world during this period.
Mistake 6: Misidentifying Her 2017 Film
In 2017, Zuehlsdorff starred in Pure Country Pure Heart, not to be confused with other “Pure Country” films. She played Piper Spencer, a young country music singer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old was Cozi Zuehlsdorff in 2017?
Cozi Zuehlsdorff was 18 years old for most of 2017 and turned 19 on August 3, 2017. Born on August 3, 1998, she was 18 from January 1 until her birthday, and 19 for the remainder of the year.
2. What movies did Cozi Zuehlsdorff appear in during 2017?
In 2017, Zuehlsdorff starred in Pure Country Pure Heart alongside Willie Nelson, playing a young country music singer. The film was released direct-to-video.
3. What is Cozi Zuehlsdorff’s full name and birth date?
Her full name is Cozi Noelle Zuehlsdorff (some sources list her birth name as Cozette Noelle Zuehlsdorff). She was born on August 3, 1998 in Mission Viejo, California.
4. What is Cozi Zuehlsdorff best known for?
She is best known for her role as Hazel Haskett in the Dolphin Tale films (2011 and 2014), as well as her starring role as Ellie Blake in the 2018 Disney Channel Original Movie Freaky Friday.
5. Is Cozi Zuehlsdorff also a singer?
Yes. She is a classically trained pianist and singer-songwriter. She has released her own EP, Originals, collaborated with EDM artists like Hellberg and Vicetone, written songs for films including Dolphin Tale 2 and Freaky Friday, and has over 100 million streams as a featured artist.
6. What is Cozi Zuehlsdorff doing now?
As of 2024, Zuehlsdorff continues to act, write, and produce music. She guest-starred on the fourth season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series in late 2023 and wrote songs for multiple episodes. She is set to release her debut album, Angel Food, in summer 2024.
7. Where did Cozi Zuehlsdorff grow up?
She grew up in Orange County, California, specifically in Mission Viejo, in a Christian family where she was largely homeschooled.
Conclusion
Cozi Zuehlsdorff was 18 years old for most of 2017, turning 19 on August 3 of that year. But her age during that pivotal year is just one piece of a much larger story—a story of a young woman who began performing at age eight, landed her first major film role at 12, and has since built a career spanning film, television, music, and songwriting.
2017 marked an important transition in her journey. At 18 and 19, she starred alongside Willie Nelson in Pure Country Pure Heart, proving she could hold her own with industry legends while expanding her creative range. The experience and confidence she gained that year directly contributed to her starring role in the 2018 Freaky Friday and her continued success as a songwriter and performer.
Today, with her streams exceeding 100 million globally and her debut album on the horizon, Zuehlsdorff is a testament to what happens when raw talent meets dedication and hard work. She’s not just a former child actor—she’s a multifaceted artist who continues to evolve, and her journey is far from over.
If you enjoyed this deep dive into Cozi Zuehlsdorff’s life and career, check out our other articles on rising young stars in film and music. Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates on your favorite actors and creators!