Jason Priestley: ‘Zac Efron Is The New Jason Priestley’

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Zac Efron,High School Musical,Jason Priestley,TV,90210,Young Hollywood,Movies

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Jason Priestley and Zac Efron
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Zac Efron attends ‘17 Again’ photocall at the Villamagna Hotel on April 28, 2009 in Madrid
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Jason Priestley at the Odyssey Ball at the Beverly Hills Hotel (April 18, 2009)
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Jason Priestley poses on the Oceana 2006 arrival line, LA
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Naomi Lowde and Jason Priestley at the ‘90210’ DVD party in Beverly Hills (Nov. 2006)
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Zac Efron, recipient of the Breakthrough Performer of the Year Award, arrives at the ShoWest awards ceremony at the Paris Las Vegas during ShoWest, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, April 2, 2009 in Las Vegas

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FIRST PUBLISHED: April 28, 2009 6:08 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: April 28, 2009 6:41 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

As Brandon Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Jason Priestley made a generation of young girls swoon during the 1990s.

But now, Jason says that honor has been passed to a new young “High School” heartthrob.

“Zac Efron is the new Jason Priestley,” Jason told “Valentine in the Morning” on LA’s 104.3 MYFM on Tuesday.

And while it may be hard to compete with Jason’s trademark sideburns, the actor thinks Zac has him beat in one physical aspect.

“He’s got better abs than I ever had,” Jason added.

Despite Zac’s tidal wave of success, Jason said he doesn’t envy the young actor’s position in Hollywood these days.

“It’s so different. So much harsher now than it was for us. Brutal,” Jason admitted. “The paparazzi that stalk these poor kids — and they’re kids! You know what I mean?”

And if he were to offer any advice to the new generation of pop culture superstars, Jason said it’s important to keep priorities in order.

“My belief has always been it’s about the work. The fame should always be a byproduct of quality work. Don’t get into this business with the hopes of becoming famous,” he said. “If you get into this business with the sole purpose of becoming famous, you’re going to find that fame is empty and hollow and you’ll end up naked and strung out on the streets of downtown Los Angeles.”

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