Zac Efron has grown himself a beard

Zac Efron looks a little scruffy as he prepares to depart from NYC, NY on August 18, 2010. Fame Pictures, Inc

Zac Efron somehow manages to look nothing like himself after growing a beard.

Zac Efron was spotted at New York’s JFK airport Wedneday, sporting some serious facial hair.

Maybe that’s why girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens walked through the terminal separate from her boyfriend?

The lovebirds were in town for a performance of Broadway’s Memphis: The Musical — and apparently to give Zac’s scruff time to grow.