Disney Channelis the starting spot for many of the amusement industry ’s biggest mavin . The channel ’s original content offers its cast the chance to search both musical and acting career itinerary , and it ’s fascinating to see which way certain actor choose to take their career , including Miley Cyrus , who largely concentrate on euphony now , and Zac Efron , who continues to act . principally targeting younger audiences , Disney Channel ’s original idiot box showsand picture show have continued to be praised by critics and audiences over the old age .

The widespread popularity of Disney Channel movies and shows has give way its whizz a platform like no other and admit them to experiment in a mixed bag of musical style , such as comedy and musicals . Though some of the former Disney Channel stars have pivoted aside from acting to focalize on music or careers outside the entertainment industry , each has ascertain a great point of success outside their several sitcoms and Disney Channel Original Movies .

10Jonas 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 recognize well for their current music careers , but they first receive care after starring in an installment of a Disney Channel show . Before the trinity of brothers act a fictitious band in the television filmCamp Rock , they were exceptional client stars in an sequence ofHannah Montana , " Me and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas . " The excitement around the band ’s show is apparent in the instalment ’s issue , which saw it as the highest - ratedHannah Montanaepisode .

Since departing from Disney Channel , the Jonas Brothers split off in both their musical and acting calling , only make a paying back as a banding in late year . During their solo endeavor , Nick was the band penis who took on more acting roles than his brothers . Notable motion-picture show Nick has starred in include theJumanjisequel films and the recent romanticist comedyLove Again , which is led by his married woman Priyanka Chopra Jonas .

9Miley Cyrus

Starred as the lead role in Hannah Montana

Miley Cyrus ' picture show debut was inTim Burton’sBig Fish , with her time on Disney Channel beginning just a few years later . Premiering in 2006,Hannah Montanatold the story of a teenage girl know a treble life-time as the eponymic soda water vocalizer . Throughout her years on the show , Cyrus showed off her outspoken and acting abilities , the former of which proved to be more revelatory of the direction her calling would go .

After her Disney daytime , Cyrus was simultaneously invested in both her musical and acting career , release albums and starring in celluloid such asSo Undercoverand providing her phonation to the theatrical role of Mainframe in a post - credit scene ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2 . However , like the Jonas Brothers , Cyrus has pivoted and prioritized her career as a Isaac Merrit Singer and has clear her first two Grammy Awards in 2024 for her song " blossom . "

8Vanessa Hudgens

Starred as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical films

As a performing artist , Vanessa Hudgens engender her starting on the stage in local musical theater productions , but she eventually made her Disney Channel debut in the tv filmHigh School Musical . TheHigh School Musicalfilms are consider to be some ofthe best original movies on Disney Channelas a result of their tricky songs , well - choreograph numbers , and exhort messages to audiences . asterisk as Gabriella Montez , the reasoning and tolerant novel girl at East High , Hudgens proved to be a charming and musically gifted lead on screen .

7Bridgit 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 end relatively soon after her clock time onGood Luck Charliehad fall to an end . After take on supporting roles in other Disney series , JonasandWizards of Waverly Place , Mendler bet one of the principal children in the sitcomGood Luck Charlie . Mendler also played the main graphic symbol in the DCOMLemonade Mouth , where she catch to flaunt her vocal talent , which was further explore in her introduction album , Hello My Name Is …

However , after Mendler enrol at MIT and Harvard , she made a drastic career pivot and focus on her entrepreneurial endeavour . originally this yr , Mendler announce she was the CEO and Centennial State - founding father , alongside her husband , of a satellite datum inauguration , Northwood Space . The company ’s finish is to produce satellite ground stations to aid companies get vast total of data promptly and dependably .

6Olivia Rodrigo

Starred as Paige Olvera in Bizaardvark

Quickly rising to celebrity following the dismissal of " Drivers License " in 2021,Olivia Rodrigo may be best be intimate for her music vocation , but her entry into the amusement industry was through a Disney Channel show . In 2016 , Rodrigo made her television debut inBizaardvark , a comedy serial publication that sees two best friends find celebrity through comedic on-line videos . AfterBizaardvark , Rodrigo led the Disney+ mockumentary seriesHigh School Musical : The Musical : The Series .

Taking home whereHigh School Musicalwas film , Rodrigo act as Nini , one of East High ’s educatee participating in a stage performance inspired by the DCOM . However , after Rodrigo ’s musical calling took off , the role player parted ways with the serial and Disney Channel solely . Since her Disney Channel day , Rodrigo has only continued to get hold more musical success , realize three Grammy Awards and venture onthe successfulGUTSWorld Tour .

5Selena Gomez

Starred as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place

Although Selena Gomez take off her career with minor role inBarney & FriendsandThe Suite Life of Zack & Cody , the earliest serial Gomez is most associated with isWizards of Waverly Place . In 2007 , Gomez began portray the series ' protagonist , Alex Russo , the impish middle child in a family of wiz . The Disney Channel show terminate in 2012 and opened up chance for Gomez to take on more mature roles .

Spring BreakersandGetawaywere two of the first task for Gomez outside of Disney Channel , and she ’d keep to asterisk in a motley of moving picture , both live - action and animated movie , such as those in theHotel Transylvaniafranchise . Recently , Gomez has taken on the lead role of Mabel Mora in Hulu’sOnly Murders in the Building , where she also act as an executive manufacturer . Gomez ’s latest task isNetflix ’s offense comedyEmilia Pérez . Gomez ’s part in the movie earned her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival , alongside her co - stars .

4Jenna Ortega

Starred as Harley Diaz in Stuck in the Middle

After act the younger variant of the titular character reference in The CW’sJane the Virgin , Jenna Ortega led the Disney Channel seriesStuck in the Middle . In the show , Ortega played Harley Diaz , the mob ’s middle youngster known for her originative inventions . The serial lasted for three season , and in the following old age , Ortega ’s acting career gradually gained the attention of critics and audiences . While Ortega has n’t pivoted to a euphony calling 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 star inThe Fallout , a dramatic event about the trauma go around around a school shot . Ortega ’s performance in the picture show caught the attention of critics and earned positive feedback , with it being recognize as her breakout persona . The next year , after playing the titular character in Netflix’sWednesday , and taking on salient part in the slasher filmsScreamandX , Ortega cemented her status in the horror genre .

3Zac Efron

Starred as Troy Bolton in the High School Musical films

Before landing the character of Troy Bolton inHigh School Musical , Zac Efron appear in popular television receiver series likeFireflyandER . However , Efron rose to celebrity as the high school scholar conflict between his passion for basketball and melodic theater . ThoughEfron did n’t sing inHigh School Musical , he did in the subsequence motion picture and the actor would continue to sing periodically in films likeHairsprayandThe Greatest Showman .

Efron ’s musicalsare some of his most dear projection , but his filmography show the telling reach he has as an actor . Neighborsand17 Againhighlight Efron ’s comedic talents , whilethe be active biographic filmThe Iron Clawshows a serious side to the doer that critics and audiences were dead yarn-dye by . Efron has n’t been recognized at spectacular honour shows as his fellow Disney Channel peers have , but there ’s no denying his growth and achiever as an actor .

2Zendaya

Starred as Rocky Blue in Shake It Up

The TV series Zendaya is most likely to be recognise for isEuphoria , where she trifle Rue Bennett and play as an executive manufacturer behind the scenes . In 2020 , Zendaya won an Emmy for her carrying out , which leave her to become the young receiver of the award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series . However , Zendaya made her television launching with Disney Channel’sShake It Upin 2010 . Zendaya led another drollery series for the transmission channel , K.C. Undercover , in increase to a few television flick .

When Zendaya move away from Disney Channel , she began focusing on movie persona as opposed to those on telly , start up withSpider - Man : Homecomingin 2017 . Since then , Zendaya has work with lionise directors like Denis Villeneuve and Luca Guadagnino on theDunefilms andChallengers , respectively . In the latter film , Zendaya dally a promising lawn tennis player - plough - coach follow a career - ending harm . Zendaya ’s performance of the complex character make her a Golden Globe nomination .

1Ryan Gosling

Starred as a Mouseketeer in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club

Due to his current status as a major movie hotshot , hoi polloi sometimes blank out Ryan Gosling capture his starting line on Disney Channel . Alongside other acclaimed entertainers like Keri Russell and Britney Spears , Gosling star in a revival ofThe Mickey Mouse Club , aptly titledThe All - New Mickey Mouse Club . The main cast fellow member , known as Mouseketeers , were boast in a sort of skits , music videos , and other live performances , though Gosling did n’t get as much atmosphere prison term 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 prison term on Disney Channel , Gosling has farm , directed , and led a variety of films , showcasing his range as an actor . From his dramatic purpose in films likeThe NotebookandBlue Valentineto his humorous ones inThe Nice GuysandBarbie , there ’s something for everyone to revel in Gosling ’s filmography .

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

Geoff Bell as Richie Stevenson in MobLand

Dean in The Winchesters

A photo of Zac Efron’s The Iron Claw character and Zendaya’s Challengers character are edited onto some Disney Channel imagery.

Custom Image by Yeider Chacon

Jonas Brothers & Billy Ray Cyrus pointing forward on Hannah Montana

Miley Cyrus singing in Hannah Montana

Vanessa Hudgens smiling As Gabriella Montez in High School Musical

Good Luck Charlie Teddy and Ivy laughing

Olivia Rodrigo As Nini Salazar-Roberts In High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 1

Alex Russo (Selena Gomez) At The End Of The Competition In Wizards Of Waverly Place Season 4, Episode 27, “Who Will Be The Family Wizard?"

Harley (Jenna Ortega) looks annoyed in Stuck in the Middle

Troy & Gabriella Singing Together In High School Musical.jpg

Zendaya and Bella Thorne as Rocky and CeCe Looking Confused in Shake It Up

Ryan Gosling and Justin Timberlake on The Mickey Mouse Club