Some of the most well-known performers in Hollywood’s history got their start at Disney. Who do you think has the most fame on Disney Channel?
Top 20 female DCS when they were younger and how they look now (with photographs)
Kids make up the bulk of Disney’s target audience. You, as a Disney film lover, may be wondering what became of your favorite young actresses.
Many now-famous child performers got their start in the Disney Entertainment Industry. So, who are the famous women on Disney Channel?
SUMMARY
- Genevieve Hannelius
- Paris Berelc
- China Anne McClain
- Bella Thorne
- Kelli Berglund
- Sarah Gilman
- Sarah Jeffery
- Katherine McNamara
- Caroline Sunshine
- Laura Marano
- Debby Ryan
- Raini Rodriguez
- Selena Gomez
- Bridgit Mendler
- Demi Lovato
- Eden Sher
- Brenda Song
- Vanessa Anne
- Ashley Tisdale
- Mandy Moore
Let’s get going!
1. Genevieve Hannelius
- Full name: Genevieve Knight Hannelius
- Date of birth: December 22nd, 1998
- Place of birth: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Nationality: American
Genevieve was born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 22nd, 1998. Kathy and Paul Hannelius are her parents.
Even as a small child, Hannelius enjoyed putting on shows for others. Her acting career began when she started taking part in community theater.
When she was just eight years old, she earned the lead part of Madeline in the stage production of Madeline’s Rescue.
Her role as the lead in Dog with a Blog on Disney Channel, for which she received three Emmy nominations, made her a household name.
2. Paris Berelc
- Full name: Paris Berelc
- Date of birth: December 29th, 1998
- Place of birth: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
- Nationality: American
Berelc was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 28th, 1998. They found that she was part Filipino. It’s true that Paris Berelc is a model and actress.
She was only nine years old when modeling agency Ford Models noticed her. She appeared in commercials for several different department stores.
She debuted in the industry in 2012 and has since been in dozens of movies and series.
Her breakout role as Skylar Storm on the Disney XD show Mighty Med propelled her to stardom.
3. China Anne McClain
- Full name: China Anne McClain
- Date of birth: August 25th, 1998
- Place of birth: Decatur, Georgia, United States
- Nationality: American
China was born in Decatur, Georgia, on August 25, 1998.
McClain began her professional career at the tender age of seven.
In The Gospel, she played Alexis, and in Daddy’s Little Girls, she played China James.
She shot to stardom after turning up a pair of critically acclaimed performances in these films.
Disney fans will recognize her as Chyna Parks from the show A.N.T. Farm.
In addition to her roles in Jonas and Wizards of Waverly Place, she has also appeared in How to Build a Better Boy and other Disney productions.
4. Bella Thorne
- Full name: Annabella Avery Thorne
- Date of birth: October 8th, 1997
- Place of birth: Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States
- Nationality: American
On October 8, 1997, in the United States of America, Bella was born in the town of Pembroke Pines. Bella Thorne has a variety of careers.
She became a household name in 2010 because to her role as Zendaya’s BFF in Shake It Up.
The show aired for three seasons on Disney Channel before being canceled.
Bella has continued her acting career after leaving Disney, appearing in shows including Famous in Love and The Duff.
She is most known for her portrayal as Lily Mayflower on Paradise City.
5. Kelli Berglund
- Full name: Kelli Berglund
- Date of birth: February 9th 1996
- Place of birth: Moorpark, California, United States
- Nationality: American
On February 9, 1996, in Moorpark, California, Kelli Berglund entered the world. Her parents’ names are Mark Berglund and Michelle.
At a little age, she was already a frequent cast member on TLC’s Hip Hop Harry.
Famous for her role as Bree Davenport on Disney XD’s Lab Rats and its spinoff, Lab Rats: Elite Force, Kelli has a wide fan base.
She’s been on various programs, including Heels, where she played Crystal Tyler.
6. Sarah Gilman
- Full name: Sarah Gilman
- Date of birth: January 18th, 1996
- Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Nationality: American
Gilman was born to Tabitha and Samwel Gilman on January 18, 1996, in Los Angeles, California.
A alumnus of USC, she attended there for a while.
The character of Delia in the Disney Channel show I Didn’t Do It made Sarah a household name.
She has also appeared in the films Foursome, Daphne & Velma, and Last Man Standing.
7. Sarah Jeffery
- Full name: Sarah Marie Jeffery
- Date of birth: April 3rd, 1996
- Place of birth: Vancouver, Canada
- Nationality: Canadian
She entered this world on April 3, 1996, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Actress, singer, and dancer Sarah is a Canadian native.
She started performing in musicals and plays at the tender age of three.
She has been starring in the 2018 CW revival of Charmed. In the Disney film Descendants, she portrayed Audrey.
Aliens in the House, a television film on Cartoon Network, was her first major acting job.
8. Katherine McNamara
- Full name: Katherine Grace McNamara
- Date of birth: November 22nd, 1995
- Place of birth: Kansas City, Missouri, United States
- Nationality: American
Grace was born on November 22, 1995, in the United States. Her birthplace was Kansas City, Missouri. She is Ursula and Evan McNamara’s only child.
She debuted in the industry in 2007, and most recently, she played Julie Lawry on The Stand.
She played the part of Myra Santelli in the Girl vs. Monster film that debuted on Disney Channel.
The roles of Clary Fray on Shadowhunters and Mia Smoak on Arrow are Katherine’s most recognizable ones.
9. Caroline Sunshine
- Full name: Caroline Mohr Sunshine
- Date of birth: September 5th, 1995
- Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Nationality: American
On September 5, 1995, Sunshine joined this world in Atlanta, Georgia. From 2004 till 2017, she had an acting career.
Her role as Tinka Hessenheffer on the Disney Channel show Shake It Up has brought her fame.
She has performed as a dancer and vocalist and has worked at the White House before.
She had a prolific cinema career during this time, with roles in features like Marmaduke, Behind the Scenes, and The Outfield.
Among the many popular Disney Channel stars, Caroline Sunshine stands out.
10. Laura Marano
- Full name: Laura Marie Marano
- Date of birth: November 29th 1995
- Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Nationality: American
She was born to Ellen and Damiano Marano in Los Angeles on November 29th, 1995.
She first told her parents she wanted to be an actress when she was five years old.
It was at her mother’s theater that Laura first tried her hand at acting.
She made her acting debut in 2003 and has since appeared in a wide variety of film and TV productions.
American singer and actress Laura. She played the lead role of Ally Dawson on the Disney Channel show Austin & Ally.
11. Debby Ryan
- Full name: Deborah Ann Popp
- Date of birth: May 13th 1993
- Place of birth: Huntsville, Alabama, United States
- Nationality: American
Debora’s birthday is May 13th, and she was born in Huntsville, Alabama.
Deborah’s professional acting career began when she was just seven years old.
Disney Channel conducted a nationwide search and eventually found her.
In 2006, she made her acting debut on the children’s television show Barney & Friends.
She has established herself as one of the most recognizable faces on Disney Channel.
12. Raini Rodriguez
- Full name: Raini-Alena Rodriguez
- Date of birth: July 1st 1993
- Place of birth: Bryan, Texas, United States
- Nationality: American
She entered the world on July 1, 1993, to parents Roy and Diane Rodriguez in Bryan, Texas, USA.
Raini made her acting debut in 2003, at the age of 10.
Raini has performed in theater and onstage. Her portrayal as Trish on the Disney show Austin & Ally propelled her to fame.
Her perseverance and dedication paid off, and she is now a successful performer.
13. Selena Gomez
- Full name: Selena Marie Gomez
- Date of birth: July 22nd, 1992
- Place of birth: Grand Prairie, Texas, United States
- Nationality: American
Selena was born in Grand Prairie, Texas on July 22nd, 1992. She was born to Ricardo Joel Gomez and Mandy Teefey, becoming their daughter.
Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place was where she first gained recognition.
Since then, she has appeared in a few middling films, but she is better known for her music.
14. Bridgit Mendler
- Full name: Bridgit Mendler
- Date of birth: December 18th, 1992
- Place of birth: Washington, DC, United States
- Nationality: American
On December 18, 1992, in Washington, United States, Bridgit Claire Mendler entered the world.
Her first role was in the 2004 Indian animated film The Legend of Buddha. Alice Upside Down, The Clique, and Alvin all featured her as a main cast member.
Claire has performed on stage and recorded songs. Her role as Juliet van Heusen on Wizards of Waverly Place began after she signed with Disney Channel in 2009.
She was cast again because of her remarkable abilities in the Disney comedy Good Luck Charlie.
15. Demi Lovato
- Full name: Demetria Devonne Lovato
- Date of birth: August 20th, 1992
- Place of birth: Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Nationality: American
Lovato entered the world on the 20th of August, 1992, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dianna De La Garza and Patrick Martin Lovato are her parents.
Demi Lovato is an American singer-songwriter-actress. She made her acting debut on Barney & Friends when she was just 10 years old.
Some of them are still working in the industry as actors, but others have made a 180 and are now musicians instead. However, they are doing nicely wherever their data may be.
In 2008, she shot to stardom when audiences saw her as Mitchie Torres in Camp Rock.
Since 2002, she has been working in show business. The female Disney Channel stars are among the most accomplished performers in the entertainment industry.
16. Eden Sher
- Full name: Eden Rebecca Sher
- Date of birth: December 26th, 1991
- Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Nationality: American
On December 26, 1991, she entered this world in Los Angeles, California.
Sher has been performing since she was a young child. She has guest-starred on shows like Sons and Daughters, Weeds, and The O.C.
In Star vs. the Forces of Evil, she played the role of Star Butterfly.
The Middle, a family sitcom, made Eden a household name as Sue Heck
17. Brenda Song
- Full name: Brenda Julietta Song
- Date of birth: March 27, 1988
- Place of birth: Carmichael, California, United States
- Nationality: American
On March 27, 1988, in Carmichael, California, Brenda Song entered the world.
She started out as a child model when she was just six years old.
She debuted in the industry in 1993 and hasn’t stopped since.
Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior is Song’s title role thanks to a contract she signed with Disney Channel.
She also played London Tipton on The Suite Life series of comedies. These parts are what make her famous.
18. Vanessa Anne
- Full name: Vanessa Anne Hudgens
- Date of birth: December 14th, 1988
- Place of birth: Salinas, California, United States
- Nationality: American
Vanessa Hudgens was born to Gina and Gregory Hudgens on December 14, 1988, in Salinas, California.
In 2002, she made her acting debut. She has become one of the most well-known actors in America.
Her breakout role as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical films came after her debut in the genre with 2013’s Thirteen.
Vanessa is an American singer and actor. She is also among the most well-known female Disney actors and actresses.
19. Ashley Tisdale
- Full name: Ashley Michelle Tisdale
- Date of birth: July 2nd, 1985
- Place of birth: Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality: American
Ashley entered this world on July 2, 1985, in the small town of Wall, Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Besides acting, Ashley is also a singer. She was a popular Disney heroine when she was a kid.
Her role as Maddie Fitzpatrick on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody on the Disney Channel propelled her to fame.
She has appeared in over a hundred commercials and played supporting roles in both television and the stage.
She also appeared in High School Musical, a Disney Channel film from 2006.
20. Mandy Moore
- Full name: Amanda Leigh Moore
- Date of birth: April 10th, 1984
- Place of birth: Nashua, New Hampshire, United States
- Nationality: American
Moore’s birthday is April 10th, and he was born in Nashua, New Hampshire. Stacy Friedman and Donald Moore raised her as their own.
She debuted in the industry in 1993 and is still going strong now.
She’s been hitched a couple of times. She had been married to Ryan Adams since 2009, however the couple eventually split up. She eventually tied the knot with Taylor Goldsmith in 2018.
Mandy is multitalented; she also writes songs and acts. Her breakthrough performance in A Walk to Remember earned her a nomination for an MTV Movie Award and widespread acclaim.
She’s a well-known Disney starlet.