It’s a well-known fact that many of the biggest celebrities in the world right now began their career on Disney Channel, which has a reputation for setting up actors and singers for greatness. It is a fact that many Disney Channel newcomers, either actors or singers, are on their way to great things.
Many actors started their illustrious careers on the channel, either as secondary characters, by having their own show, or even just by singing a song. Some of the world’s biggest celebrities right now had their start with Disney, some of whom you may not know about. Here they are!
Selena Gomez – Wizards Of Waverly Place
Selena Gomez just launched her new album “Rare” and it is making headlines and breaking records all over the world. What many people don’t know, especially those born late in the previous decade, is that Selena actually started out with Disney first, by playing Alex Russo and singing the soundtrack on the fan-favorite show, Wizards of Waverly Place.
Wizards of Waverly Place was later adapted to film, a huge detail left ignored and unnoticed, especially by her younger audience and fanbase. The series is a must-watch, however.
Erik Von Detten – Brink!
Most of you remember Erik Von Detten as the man who kissed Anne Hathaway in one of her most famous roles in one of her most famous movies to-date, but many fans didn’t notice that Erik actually starred as Andy Brinker in the Disney Original, Brink! before getting that all-important role in The Princess Diaries.
Look for the film on digital, or maybe even a rerun on the channel itself, in order to get another look at the famous Erik Von Detten.
Gregg Sulkin – The Wizards Return: Alex Vs. Alex
Many fans know Gregg Sulkin from the Marvel show, Runaways, and the Disney channel original, Avalon High, but what many fans seemed to miss is that Gregg also starred in The Wizards Return: Alex Vs. Alex. The 27-year old heartthrob has now starred in many big-name, big-budget films and is especially popular with 15 to 20-year-old girls, which his fanbase mainly comprises of.
He made his name through the Mickey Mouse Club and even starred in another show with one of the people on this list, Selena Gomez, in Wizards of Waverly Place.
Ryan Gosling – Flash Forward
Ryan Gosling is best known for his more popular roles in movies, such as Blade Runner 2049 and La La Land.
While his career started with his breakthrough role in Breaker High, his early recognition came from his role as Scott, a bully, in the Disney show, Fast Forward, which sadly only aired for one season and only starred Gosling in two episodes.
Beyonce – The Famous Jett Jackson
Beyonce has starred in many movies, not to mention, has a Grammy-Award-winning singing career, but what even her hardcore fans might not know is that Queen Bey starred in Disney show, as well, with her role in The Famous Jett Jackson!
Although her major recognition came from being in Destiny’s child, starring in a Disney show is an accolade nevertheless. What lies for her in the future? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Zachary Quinto – Lizzie McGuire
While it was the 2006 show, Heroes that gave Zachary his breakthrough, he actually starred in the popular Disney show, Lizzie McGuire before even signing the contract for Heroes, which is currently headed for a reboot on Disney Plus.
Starring Hilliary Duff as a teenage high-schooler, Zachary made an appearance on the show as a director for a commercial that Lizzie was supposed to shoot. But, with such an impressive resume, with both Heroes and Star Trek under his belt, the role is now long lost and overlooked.
Rachel McAdams – The Famous Jett Jackson
Before Rachel McAdams was Dr. Strange’s girlfriend, she was a very mean girl. But, even before that, she was on the Disney show, The Famous Jett Jackson. She starred as a sibling of a co-star who worked with Jett and was only on the show for one episode.
Nevertheless, in the midst of her impressive CV, this role is long lost and overlooked. After all, she is better remembered as a mean girl, rather than as a secondary character.
The Rock – Hannah Montana
Yes. As unbelievable as it may seem, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was indeed on one of the most epic and iconic Disney shows – Hannah Montana. Even though he was only in one episode, he managed to make us laugh.
Now that he’s starring in stand-alone films and mega-blockbusters, this role is gathering dust in the bottom corners of history. It’s one that’s hard to forget, but even harder to remember.
Emma Stone – The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody
Yes, you heard it right. Emma Stone was in The Suite Life of Zack And Cody. The show giving the Sprouse Twins, (Dylan and Cole) their recognition also starred one of the biggest celebrities and most talented actresses of modern-day cinema.
She voiced a pretty minor character (Ivana Tipton, London’s dog) for only a single episode and she didn’t actually make an appearance as herself on the big screen. Shocking, right?
Octavia Spencer – Wizards Of Waverly Place
Finishing off the list is Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, who is considered one of the most versatile actresses in the modern era. What many people forget about the Fences actress is that she once portrayed Dr. Evillini on Wizards Of Waverly Place.
As the name suggests, she played a two-episode villain and was a professor at Justin’s school for witchcraft and wizardry, which seems a bit familiar. Her satirical portrayal and humourous evil laugh won the hearts of viewers and gave her a chance to establish herself, even if it was just for two episodes.
