Here Are 19 Actors Who Grew Up On The Disney Channel And What They Look Like Now

    Get ready for some serious Disney Channel nostalgia.

    Michele Bird
    by Michele Bird

    BuzzFeed Contributor

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    The Disney Channel has brought us some pretty iconic TV shows and movies over the years.

    Disney+ / Via giphy.com

    From High School Musical to Lizzie McGuire, the network was a launching pad for many young stars who are still in the limelight today. Here's a look at where these once rising stars ultimately ended up:

    1. To start, Miley Cyrus became a household name after starring in 100 episodes of Hannah Montana between 2006 and 2011.

    Miley Cyrus and Emily Osment in Hannah Montana
    Joel Warren / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection
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    And here's what she looks like now.

    Miley Cyrus performing on stage
    NBC / Vijat Mohindra / NBC via Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: The music video for her January 2023 single, "Flowers"

    2. Selena Gomez had a leading role as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place from 2007 to 2012.

    David Henrie and Selena Gomez in Wizards of Waverly Place
    Eric McCandless / © Disney / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what she looks like now.

    Selena Gomez on the red carpet
    Amy Sussman / Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: Only Murders in the Building as Mabel Mora

    3. Between 2001 and 2004, we watched Hilary Duff grow up on the set of Lizzie McGuire.

    Hilary Duff in Lizzie McGuire
    © Walt Disney Enterprises / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what she looks like now.

    Hilary Duff on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
    Bravo / Heidi Gutman / BRAVO via Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: How I Met Your Father as Sophie

    4. Cole Sprouse spent his childhood making audiences laugh as Cody Martin in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

    Cole Sprouse in The Suite Life on Deck
    Dean Hendler / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what he looks like now.

    Cole Sprouse on the red carpet
    Michael Buckner / WWD via Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: Riverdale as Jughead Jones

    5. Cole's twin brother Dylan Sprouse was also on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody as Zack Martin.

    Dylan Sprouse in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
    Joel Warren / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what he looks like now.

    Dylan Sprouse on the red carpet
    Elisabetta A. Villa / Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: My Fake Boyfriend as Jake

    6. Demi Lovato was a Disney Channel staple with acting credits in the Camp Rock series and Sonny with a Chance.

    John Medland / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection, Randy Holmes / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what she looks like now.

    Demi Lovato on the red carpet
    Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic

    Most recently seen in: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga as Katiana Lindsdóttir

    7. Zac Efron kept our heads in the game when he played Troy Bolton in the High School Musical franchise.

    Zac Efron in High School Musical
    Fred Hayes / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what he looks like now.

    Zac Efron on the red carpet
    Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: The Greatest Beer Run Ever as Chickie Donohue

    8. Vanessa Hudgens showed off her vocal talents as Gabriella Montez in all three of the High School Musical movies.

    Vanessa Hudgens in High School Musical
    Fred Hayes / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what she looks like now.

    Vanessa Hudgens on the red carpet
    Daniele Venturelli / WireImage

    Most recently seen in: Entergalactic as the voice of Karina

    9. Brenda Song portrayed London Tipton in over 80 episodes of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

    Brenda Song in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
    Danny Feld / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what she looks like now.

    Brenda Song on the red carpet
    Rich Fury / Getty Images for Gucci

    Most recently seen in: The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder as the voice of Vanessa Vue

    10. Two of Ashley Tisdale's most famous Disney Channel roles were Maddie Fitzpatrick in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Sharpay Evans in the High School Musical trilogy.

    © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection, Fred Hayes / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what she looks like now.

    Ashley Tisdale on the red carpet
    Steven Simione / Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes as the voice of Rachel

    11. Kimberly J. Brown proved Halloween is cool when she starred as Marnie Piper in the Halloweentown films.

    Kimberly J. Brown in Halloweentown
    © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what she looks like now.

    Kimberly J. Brown on the red carpet
    Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: Vegas Tales as Alice Goodly

    12. Ross Lynch had a leading role from 2011 to 2016 on Austin & Ally.

    Ross Lynch in Austin & Ally
    Bruce Birmelin / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what he looks like now.

    Ross Lynch performing on stage
    Steve Jennings / WireImage

    Most recently seen in: On stage performing with his band, The Driver Era

    13. Raven-Symoné saw glimpses of the future during her time on That's So Raven in the '00s.

    Raven-Symoné in That's So Raven
    © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what she looks like now.

    Raven-Symoné on the red carpet
    Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: Raven's Home as Raven Baxter

    14. Emily Osment previously played Miley Stewart's BFF Lilly in Hannah Montana.

    Miley Cyrus and Emily Osment in Hannah Montana
    Jordin Althaus / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what she looks like now.

    Emily Osment on the red carpet
    Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for WarnerMedia

    Most recently seen in: Young Sheldon as Mandy McAllister 

    15. Corbin Bleu brought the sports-loving Chad Danforth to life in the trio of High School Musical movies.

    Corbin Bleu in High School Musical
    Fred Hayes / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what he looks like now.

    Corbin Bleu on the red carpet
    Rodin Eckenroth / WireImage

    Most recently seen in: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series as himself

    16. You might remember Bella Thorne as CeCe Jones in Shake It Up.

    Bella Thorne in Shake It Up
    Bruce Birmelin / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what she looks like now.

    Bella Thorne on the red carpet
    Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: Divinity as Ziva

    17. Lucas Grabeel is another High School Musical alum, best known for his role as Ryan Evans.

    Lucas Grabeel and Ashley Tisdale in High School Musical
    © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what he looks like now.

    Lucas Grabeel on the red carpet
    Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series as himself

    18. The Jonas Brothers made their first Disney Channel movie appearance in 2008's Camp Rock.

    Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas on the red carpet
    Mike Marsland / WireImage

    And here's what they look like now.

    The Jonas Brothers on the red carpet
    Amy Sussman / Getty Images

    Most recently seen in: On stage still performing together as a band

    19. Finally, Zendaya's first major recurring TV role was Rocky Blue in Shake It Up.

    Zendaya in Shake It Up
    Eric McCandless / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    And here's what she looks like now.

    Zendaya on the red carpet
    Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic for HBO

    Most recently seen in: Euphoria as Rue Bennett

    Who was your favorite Disney Channel star back in the day? Share your pick in the comments!

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