17 Disney Channel Actors You Had No Idea Were Nominated For Oscars
Remember when Rachel McAdams was on The Famous Jett Jackson?
1. Brie Larson
Who she played on the Disney Channel: Brie iconically played the role of Courtney Enders – opposite her onscreen sister Beverley Mitchell – in the 2003 DCOM Right on Track.
What she was nominated for: She won the Lead Actress Oscar in 2015 for her role in Room.
2. Rachel McAdams
Who she played on the Disney Channel: In her very first acting role in 2001, Rachel McAdams played Hannah Grant (Riley's sister) in The Famous Jett Jackson. Her character struggled with an eating disorder and only appeared in one episode.
What she was nominated for: She was nominated for Supporting Actress for the movie Spotlight in 2015.
3. Emma Stone
Who she played on the Disney Channel: She provided the voice of Ivana Tipton (London Tipton's dog) in The Suite Life of Zach & Cody. It was her third acting role ever.
What she was nominated for: Emma has been nominated for Supporting Actress twice, once for Birdman in 2014 and the other for The Favourite in 2018. She won for Lead Actress in 2016's La La Land.
4. Octavia Spencer
Who she played on the Disney Channel: Octavia played Dr. Evilini in a few episodes of The Wizards of Waverly Place in 2008.
What she was nominated for: She's been nominated for three Supporting Actress Oscars (The Help in 2011, Hidden Figures in 2016, and The Shape of Water in 2017), winning for her role as Minny Jackson in The Help.
5. Bryan Cranston
Who he played on the Disney Channel: He played Uncle Nick in the 2001 DCOM 'Twas the Night. His character stole Santa's sleigh and almost ruined Christmas.
What he was nominated for: He was nominated for Lead Actor in 2015 for playing Dalton Trumbo in the movie Trumbo.
6. Melissa McCarthy
Who she played on the Disney Channel: She voiced the evil villain DNAmy in several episodes of Kim Possible from 2002–2005.
What she was nominated for: She's been nominated for two Oscars, once as Supporting Actress for Bridesmaids in 2011, and the other as Lead Actress for Can You Ever Forgive Me? in 2018.
7. Debbie Reynolds
Who she played on the Disney Channel: This should go without saying, but Debbie Reynolds played Aggie Cromwell in the Halloweentown series.
What she was nominated for: She was nominated for Lead Actress in 1964 for playing the title character in The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
8. Frank Langella
Who he played on the Disney Channel: He played Max, a magician, in the DCOM Now You See It... in 2005. The movie also starred Aly Michalka, in case you need a refresher.
What he was nominated for: Three years after appearing on the Disney Channel, he was nominated for Lead Actor at the Oscars for portraying Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon.
9. Samuel L. Jackson
Who he played on the Disney Channel: He voiced the character Joseph in the best Proud Family episode "The Seven Days of Kwanzaa."
What he was nominated for: Samuel L. Jackson was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1994 for his role in Pulp Fiction.
10. Mare Winningham
Who she played on the Disney Channel: She played Ginny (Shia LaBeouf's mom) in the 2002 DCOM Tru Confessions.
What she was nominated for: Mare was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in 1995 for her role in the movie Georgia.
11. Dolly Parton
Who she played on the Disney Channel: She fittingly played Aunt Dolly in a few episodes of Hannah Montana between 2006–2010. In real life, Dolly is Miley Cyrus' godmother.
What she was nominated for: Dolly has been nominated for two Oscars, both for Best Original Song. The first was for "Nine to Five" in 1980, and the second was for "Travelin' Thru" in 2005.
12. Mo'Nique
Who she played on the Disney Channel: Mo'Nique voiced one of Penny's family members (Boonnetta Proud) in The Proud Family.
What she was nominated for: She won Best Supporting Actress in 2009 for her work in Precious.
13. James Whitmore
Who he played on the Disney Channel: Simply enough, he played "Grandfather" in the 2002 DCOM A Ring of Endless Light (you know, the dolphin movie with Mischa Barton).
What he was nominated for: You may recognize James from his role as Brooks in The Shawshank Redemption, but before that he was nominated for two Oscars: one for Supporting Actor in Battleground (1949) and the other for Lead Actor in Give 'em Hell, Harry! (1975).
14. Ryan Gosling
Who he played on the Disney Channel: Gosling was a Mouseketeer alongside Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.
What he was nominated for: He's been nominated for two Lead Actor Oscars, once in 2006 for Half Nelson and the other in 2016 for La La Land.
15. Justin Timberlake
Who he played on the Disney Channel: Timberlake was also a Mouseketeer with Gosling on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.
What he was nominated for: He was nominated for Best Original Song for "Can't Stop the Feeling" in 2016 for the movie Trolls.
16. Mickey Rooney
Who he played on the Disney Channel: He played Movie Mason (aka the old guy who basically lived in the movie theater) in the 2000 DCOM The Phantom of the Megaplex.
What he was nominated for: Mickey Rooney has been nominated for four competitive Oscars: two for Lead Actor (Babes in Arms in 1939 and The Human Comedy in 1943), and two for Supporting Actor (The Bold and the Brave in 1956 and The Black Stallion in 1979). He was also awarded the Juvenile Award in 1939 and an Honorary Oscar in 1980.
17. And Kobe Bryant
Who he played on the Disney Channel: Kobe played himself in a 2003 episode of The Proud Family.
What he was nominated for: He won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film for his movie Dear Basketball in 2017. He became the first African American to win an Oscar in that category and was also the first former professional athlete to win an Oscar in any category.