It’s been 30 years since kids and families first turned on their televisions to watch the magic seven days a week.
The Disney Channel, now known as Disney Channel, has played a pivotal role in defining many generations since first premiering on the small screen with programs that taught viewers the facts of life, Disney history, healthy living, and more. Who could forget those original shows, especially the all-new Mickey Mouse Club, Even Stevens, Lizzie McGuire, That’s So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Hannah Montana, and Wizards of Waverly Place?
To celebrate the Channel’s 30 years in show business, we want to rewind and highlight some of our favorite alumni—stars who’ve become some of today’s brightest and best-known celebrities.
Disney Channel Show:
The all-new Mickey Mouse Club
Famous For:
Justin was the apple of many teenage girls’ eyes as the front man for popular boy band *NSYNC. He also acted in the Academy Award®-winning film, The Social Network, and has an upcoming album, The 20/20 Experience.
Disney Channel Show:
The all-new Mickey Mouse Club
Famous For:
Do you remember the song that started it all for Britney, “Hit Me Baby One More Time”? Her music has appeared on pop charts around the world and was a judge on The X Factor.
Disney Channel Show:
The all-new Mickey Mouse Club
Famous For:
She was trapped in a genie’s bottle and told us that girls just want the simple things in life. Christina has become a musical legend since her Mickey Mouse Club debut, and she was a mentor and judge for The Voice.
Disney Channel Show:
The all-new Mickey Mouse Club
Famous For:
“Tearin’ Up My Heart,” “Bye, Bye, Bye,” “Girlfriend.” The list of *NSYNC’s hits is long, and JC, with Mickey Mouse Club co-star Justin Timberlake, formed one of the most popular boy bands in history. Today, JC is a writer and producer for many popular recording artists.
Disney Channel Show:
The all-new Mickey Mouse Club
Famous For:
From his humble beginnings as a member of the Mickey Mouse Club, Ryan is a Hollywood heartthrob and acclaimed actor who is a regular on red carpets.
Disney Channel Show:
The all-new Mickey Mouse Club
Famous For:
Although Keri was a member of the Mickey Mouse Club, she is also well-remembered for her lead role in Felicity and today is a famous Hollywood actress. Keri starred in Disney’s Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler.
Disney Channel Original Movies:
Horse Sense, Jumping Ship.
Famous For:
Joey started his Disney career by lending his voice to Oliver in Disney’s 1988 animated feature Oliver & Company. He starred in the Disney Channel Original Movies Horse Sense and Jumping Ship and today is a regular on ABC Family with a role in the original movie My Fake Fiancé and the series Melissa & Joey.
Disney Channel Original Movies:
Horse Sense, Jumping Ship, The Other Me
Famous For:
Andy was the littlest member of the loveable Lawrence Brothers trio. He co-starred with his brother Joey Lawrence in Horse Sense and Jumping Ship and cloned himself in the original movie, The Other Me.
Disney Channel Show/Original Movies:
Even Stevens, The Even Stevens Movie, Tru Confessions, Hounded
Famous For:
His mischievous and quirky role as Louis Stevens in Even Stevens and The Even Stevens Movie made Shia a household name. Today, he’s a respected actor, headlining such blockbuster movies as Transformers and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Disney Channel Original Movie:
Rip Girls
Famous For:
Since her debut on Disney Channel as teen surfer Sydney Miller in Rip Girls, Camilla has become a fashion icon and red carpet vixen.
Disney Channel Original Movies:
Smart House, The Luck of the Irish, A Ring of Endless Light
Famous For:
Who didn’t want to live in a house that could grant wishes? His roles have included Ben Cooper in Smart House and basketball star Kyle Johnson in The Luck of the Irish. Ryan recently starred in ABC Family’s hit show Pretty Little Liars as Coach Ian Thomas.
Disney Channel Show/Original Movie:
Lizzie McGuire, Cadet Kelly
Famous For:
Fashion, boys, and (of course) drama! Hilary’s role as Lizzie in Lizzie McGuire made her America’s sweetheart and, at the same time, the envy of girls everywhere for kissing pop star Aaron Carter! Since bidding adieu to her popular Disney Channel original series, she has starred in many movies and televisions shows, including ABC Family’s Beauty & the Briefcase.
Disney Channel Show:
Lizzie McGuire
Famous For:
Aside from playing the conniving and crafty Matt McGuire, Jake appeared in Disney Channel’s Corey in the House and ABC Family’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
Disney Channel Show/Original Movies:
Kim Possible, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, Zenon the Zequel, Zenon: Z3, Johnny Tsunami, Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time, Kim Possible: So the Drama
Famous For:
She “zoom, zoom, zoom”-ed onto television screens as Zenon Kar, the girl from the 21st century, in the Zenon original movies. Kirsten also voiced Bonnie Rockwaller in the Kim Possible animated series and played Emily in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Johnny Tsunami. Today, you can watch her as Maxie Jones on the acclaimed soap opera General Hospital.
Disney Channel Show/Original Movies:
That’s So Raven, Kim Possible, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, Zenon the Zequel, Zenon: Z3, Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time, Kim Possible: So the Drama, The Cheetah Girls, The Cheetah Girls 2
Famous For:
Raven-Symoné could see the future playing Raven Baxter in the hit Disney Channel show That’s So Raven. She co-starred as Zenon’s best friend, Nebula, in the Zenon original movies, voiced Monique in Kim Possible, and played the “cheetalicious” Galleria Garibaldi in The Cheetah Girls and The Cheetah Girls 2. She made a guest appearance on Disney Channel’s Sonny with a Chance, played Abigail Scanlon in ABC Family’s Revenge of the Bridesmaids and Georgia Chamberlain in State of Georgia. She currently voices Disney Fairy Iridessa and took on the role as Deloris Van Cartier in the Tony-nominated musical, Sister Act.
Disney Channel Show:
That’s So Raven
Famous For:
Beginning her Disney Channel career as Chelsea Daniels, Raven’s best friend and confidant in That’s So Raven, Anneliese made a guest appearance in Disney Channel’s Shake It Up! and also graced the Broadway stage as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast musical.
Disney Channel Shows/Original Movies:
That’s So Raven, Cory in the House, Life is Ruff
Famous For:
Kyle, also remembered as Raven’s little brother Cory Baxter in That’s So Raven, starred in the spin-off series Cory in the House. Recently, he put on his dancing shoes as a contestant on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, earning the runner-up spot in the popular dance competition’s 11th season. You can hear him as Milo in Disney Channel’s animated comedy series, Fish Hooks.
Disney Channel Original Movies:
High School Musical, High School Musical 2, High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Famous For:
Zac became a teenage heartthrob for his title role as Wildcats team captain and East High student Troy Bolton in the High School Musical series. Today, he’s an emerging Hollywood actor who starred in the Golden Globe-nominated The Paperboy with Nicole Kidman and Matthew McConaughey.
Disney Channel Original Movies:
High School Musical, High School Musical 2, High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Famous For:
Vanessa starred as Troy Bolton’s love interest—the brilliant, timid, and lovable Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical series.
Disney Channel Original Movies:
Jump In!, High School Musical, High School Musical 2, High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Famous For:
Corbin was Troy Bolton’s wingman and Wildcats star Chad Danforth in the High School Musical films. He followed his career to the stage when he was cast as Usnavi in the musical, In the Heights.
Disney Channel Show/Original Movies:
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, High School Musical, High School Musical 2, High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Famous For:
Although Ashley was the Tipton Hotel’s candy connoisseur, Maddie Fitzpatrick, in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, she also played the role of Disney’s ultimate drama queen Sharpay Evans in the High School Musical movies. Currently, she voices Candace for Disney Channel’s acclaimed animated series, Phineas and Ferb.
Disney Channel Show/Original Movies:
Halloweentown High, Return to Halloweentown, High School Musical, High School Musical 2, High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Famous For:
Lucas had quite the magical Disney Channel debut, portraying Ethan the Warlock in Disney Channel Original Movies Halloweentown High and Return to Halloweentown. He’s also known for being Sharpay’s conspiring twin brother, Ryan Evans, in the High School Musical movies. Lucas is now on the ABC Family’s original series, Switched at Birth, playing the role of musician and older brother Toby Kennish.
Disney Channel Shows/Original Movie:
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, The Suite Life on Deck, The Suite Life Movie
Famous For:
The twins are known for their roles as the Tipton Hotel’s youngest guests and pranksters, Zack and Cody Martin, in Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. The twosome took to the high seas—on a cruise ship, that is—in the Suite Life spin-off, The Suite Life on Deck.
Disney Channel Shows/Original Movies:
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, The Suite Life on Deck, The Suite Life Movie, Stuck in the Suburbs, Get a Clue, The Ultimate Christmas Present
Famous For:
Her character, London Tipton, was the extravagant heiress on The Suite Life series and movie. Following her Disney Channel debut, Brenda voiced Chloe in Pixie Hollow Games and currently stars in ABC’s hit drama, Scandal.
Disney Channel Shows/Original Movies:
As the Bell Rings, Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, Princess Protection Program
Famous For:
Playing Mitchie Torres in the famed Camp Rock original movies gave Demi her breakthrough role on Disney Channel. She was also cast as Sonny Munroe, the small-town girl turned Hollywood star, in Sonny with a Chance. Today, she sits behind the judges table for The X Factor.
Disney Channel Show/Original Movies:
Jonas L.A., Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam
Famous For:
This rock star trio’s tunes were regularly featured on Disney Channel and they also co-starred with Demi Lovato in the Camp Rock original movies. The Grammy-nominated JoBros are currently on a world tour for their album, It’s About Time.
Disney Channel Show:
Hannah Montana
Famous For:
Miley Cyrus is most revered for her “best of both worlds” role, playing average student Miley Stewart by day, and transforming into pop diva Hannah Montana by night in the Disney Channel series, Hannah Montana.
Disney Channel Show/Original Movie:
Hannah Montana, Dadnapped
Famous For:
Emily Osment was Miley Stewart’s best friend, Lilly Truscott, and Hannah Montana fan, Lola Luftnagle on Hannah Montana. She’s still a member of the Disney ABC Television Group family, voicing smart aleck Kendall on Disney XD’s Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil; starring in Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 and Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta! as the animated and adventurous Pep; and was a lead actress for ABC Family’s original movie, Cyberbully.
Disney Channel Show/Original Movies:
Wizards of Waverly Place, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, Princess Protection Program
Famous For:
Wizard Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place and Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie provided Selena her big Disney Channel debut. Today, she is a celebrated cover girl, fashion icon, humanitarian, and musician. Selena Gomez & the Scene’s “Love You Like a Love Song” is a mainstay on popular music charts around the world.
Disney Channel Show/Original Movie:
Wizards of Waverly Place, Dadnapped, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
Famous For:
Our 30th Disney Channel star, David Henrie, took on the role of Justin Russo, a “wiz” of a wizard and older brother to Alex Russo, on Wizards of Waverly Place. David was recently animated… as a voiceover actor for Shawn in the U.S. version of The Secret World of Arrietty.
By D23: The Official Disney Fan Club’s Cynthia Momdjian
