Disney Channel is the starting point for many of the entertainment industry's biggest stars. The channel's original content offers its cast the chance to explore both musical and acting career paths, and it's fascinating to see which way certain actors choose to take their careers, including Miley Cyrus, who largely focuses on music now, and Zac Efron, who continues to act. Primarily targeting younger audiences, Disney Channel's original TV shows and movies have continued to be praised by critics and audiences over the years.
The widespread popularity of Disney Channel movies and shows has given its stars a platform like no other and allows them to experiment in a variety of genres, such as comedies and musicals. Though some of the former Disney Channel stars have pivoted away from acting to focus on music or careers outside the entertainment industry, each has found a great level of success outside their respective sitcoms and Disney Channel Original Movies.
10 Jonas Brothers
Starred in an episode of Hannah Montana
The Jonas Brothers are a band made up of brothers Joe, Nick, and Kevin. The brothers are known best for their current music careers, but they first received attention after starring in an episode of a Disney Channel show. Before the trio of brothers played a fictional band in the television film Camp Rock, they were special guest stars in an episode of Hannah Montana, "Me and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas." The excitement around the band's appearance is apparent in the episode's numbers, which saw it as the highest-rated Hannah Montana episode.
Since departing from Disney Channel, the Jonas Brothers split off in both their musical and acting careers, only making a return as a band in recent years. During their solo endeavors, Nick was the band member who took on more acting roles than his brothers. Notable films Nick has starred in include the Jumanji sequel films and the recent romantic comedy Love Again, which is led by his wife Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
9 Miley Cyrus
Starred as the lead role in Hannah Montana
Miley Cyrus' film debut was in Tim Burton's Big Fish, with her time on Disney Channel beginning just a few years later. Premiering in 2006, Hannah Montana told the story of a teenage girl living a double life as the eponymous pop singer. Throughout her years on the show, Cyrus showed off her vocal and acting abilities, the former of which proved to be more indicative of the direction her career would go.
After her Disney days, Cyrus was simultaneously invested in both her musical and acting career, releasing albums and starring in films such as So Undercover and providing her voice to the character of Mainframe in a post-credit scene of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. However, like the Jonas Brothers, Cyrus has pivoted and prioritized her career as a singer and has earned her first two Grammy Awards in 2024 for her song "Flowers."
8 Vanessa Hudgens
Starred as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical films
As a performer, Vanessa Hudgens got her start on the stage in local musical theater productions, but she eventually made her Disney Channel debut in the television film High School Musical. The High School Musical films are considered to be some of the best original movies on Disney Channel as a result of their catchy songs, well-choreographed numbers, and inspiring messages to audiences. Starring as Gabriella Montez, the intelligent and kind new girl at East High, Hudgens proved to be a charming and musically gifted lead on screen.
Following the end of her High School Musical years, Hudgens went on to star in films that highlighted her various talents, from films like Beastly and Spring Breakers to Tick, Tick... Boom! Hudgens has recently had recurring roles in the Bad Boys and The Princess Switch franchises, the latter in which Hudgens plays the role of two identical strangers who swap places.
7 Bridgit Mendler
Starred as Teddy Duncan in Good Luck Charlie
Differing from the other former Disney Channel stars mentioned, Bridgit Mendler's career in the spotlight ended relatively soon after her time on Good Luck Charlie had come to an end. After taking on ing roles in other Disney series, Jonas and Wizards of Waverly Place, Mendler played one of the main children in the sitcom Good Luck Charlie. Mendler also played the main character in the DCOM Lemonade Mouth, where she got to flaunt her vocal talent, which was further explored in her debut album, Hello My Name Is...
However, after Mendler enrolled at MIT and Harvard, she made a drastic career pivot and focused on her entrepreneurial endeavors. Earlier this year, Mendler announced she was the CEO and co-founder, alongside her husband, of a satellite data startup, Northwood Space. The company's goal is to produce satellite ground stations to help companies get vast amounts of data quickly and reliably.
6 Olivia Rodrigo
Starred as Paige Olvera in Bizaardvark
Quickly rising to fame following the release of "Drivers License" in 2021, Olivia Rodrigo may be best known for her music career, but her entry into the entertainment industry was through a Disney Channel show. In 2016, Rodrigo made her TV debut in Bizaardvark, a comedy series that sees two best friends find fame through comedic online videos. After Bizaardvark, Rodrigo led the Disney+ mockumentary series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Taking place where High School Musical was filmed, Rodrigo played Nini, one of East High's students participating in a stage performance inspired by the DCOM. However, after Rodrigo's musical career took off, the actor parted ways with the series and Disney Channel entirely. Since her Disney Channel days, Rodrigo has only continued to find more musical success, earning three Grammy Awards and embarking on the successful GUTS World Tour.
5 Selena Gomez
Starred as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place
Although Selena Gomez started her career with minor roles in Barney & Friends and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, the earliest series Gomez is most associated with is Wizards of Waverly Place. In 2007, Gomez began portraying the series' protagonist, Alex Russo, the mischievous middle child in a family of wizards. The Disney Channel show ended in 2012 and opened up opportunities for Gomez to take on more mature roles.
Spring Breakers and Getaway were two of the first projects for Gomez outside of Disney Channel, and she'd continue to star in a variety of films, both live-action and animated films, such as those in the Hotel Transylvania franchise. Recently, Gomez has taken on the lead role of Mabel Mora in Hulu's Only Murders in the Building, where she also acts as an executive producer. Gomez's latest project is Netflix's crime comedy Emilia Pérez. Gomez's part in the film earned her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, alongside her co-stars.
4 Jenna Ortega
Starred as Harley Diaz in Stuck in the Middle
After playing the younger version of the titular character in The CW's Jane the Virgin, Jenna Ortega led the Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle. In the show, Ortega played Harley Diaz, the family's middle child known for her creative inventions. The series lasted for three seasons, and in the following years, Ortega's acting career gradually gained the attention of critics and audiences. While Ortega hasn't pivoted to a music career or retired from acting as other former Disney Channel stars have, she's had quite a unique shift in her work.
Moving away from work on Disney Channel, Ortega starred in The Fallout, a drama about the trauma revolving around a school shooting. Ortega's performance in the film caught the attention of critics and earned positive , with it being recognized as her breakout role. The next year, after playing the titular character in Netflix's Wednesday, and taking on prominent roles in the slasher films Scream and X, Ortega cemented her status in the horror genre.
3 Zac Efron
Starred as Troy Bolton in the High School Musical films
Before landing the role of Troy Bolton in High School Musical, Zac Efron appeared in popular TV series like Firefly and ER. However, Efron rose to fame as the high school student conflicted between his ion for basketball and musical theater. Though Efron didn't sing in High School Musical, he did in the sequel films and the actor would continue to sing periodically in films like Hairspray and The Greatest Showman.
Efron's musicals are some of his most beloved projects, but his filmography shows the impressive range he has as an actor. Neighbors and 17 Again highlight Efron's comedic talents, while the moving biographical film The Iron Claw shows a serious side to the actor that critics and audiences were utterly impressed by. Efron hasn't been recognized at prominent award shows as his fellow Disney Channel peers have, but there's no denying his growth and success as an actor.
2 Zendaya
Starred as Rocky Blue in Shake It Up
The TV series Zendaya is most likely to be recognized for is Euphoria, where she plays Rue Bennett and acts as an executive producer behind the scenes. In 2020, Zendaya won an Emmy for her performance, which allowed her to become the youngest recipient of the award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series. However, Zendaya made her television debut with Disney Channel's Shake It Up in 2010. Zendaya led another comedy series for the channel, K.C. Undercover, in addition to a few television movies.
When Zendaya moved away from Disney Channel, she began focusing on movie roles as opposed to those on TV, starting with Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017. Since then, Zendaya has worked with celebrated directors like Denis Villeneuve and Luca Guadagnino on the Dune films and Challengers, respectively. In the latter film, Zendaya plays a promising tennis player-turned-coach following a career-ending injury. Zendaya's performance of the complex character earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
1 Ryan Gosling
Starred as a Mouseketeer in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club
Due to his current status as a major movie star, people sometimes forget Ryan Gosling got his start on Disney Channel. Alongside other acclaimed entertainers like Keri Russell and Britney Spears, Gosling starred in a revival of The Mickey Mouse Club, aptly titled The All-New Mickey Mouse Club. The main cast , known as Mouseketeers, were featured in a variety of skits, music videos, and other live performances, though Gosling didn't get as much air time as his fellow cast mates.
Gosling has been nominated for many of his performances throughout his career and there's no denying his star quality. Since his short-lived time on Disney Channel, Gosling has produced, directed, and led a variety of films, showcasing his range as an actor. From his dramatic roles in films like The Notebook and Blue Valentine to his humorous ones in The Nice Guys and Barbie, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Gosling's filmography.