8 Famous Celebrities Who Started From Disney

DCOMs, or Disney Channel Original Movies, are more than just a nostalgic collection of made-for-TV films. They've also aided in the launch of some of your favorite actors' careers. Continue reading for a list of actors who didn't have many roles before starring in one of these films — and one might argue that their DCOM debut was also their big break.

Posted On April 14th, 2021

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande starred in the Nickelodeon shows Victorious, iCarly, and Sam & Cat, both of which featured her original Victorious persona, Cat. She sang at the time, but, as Victoria Justice points out, didn't everyone? It's easy to forget she was ever on Nickelodeon, thanks to her pop mega-stardom. Despite her roots as Victoria Justice's co-star, Grande has continued to tweet and sing her way through musicians' prestigious class.

Miley Cyrus

As Hannah Montana, she became the archetype for Disney 2.0 stars, which had the double effect of making her a music success just by being Miley. In 2014, she founded the Happy Hippie Foundation to assist struggling LGBTQ+ teens. Cyrus, fearless to the point of deafening deafening deafening deafening deafening deafening deafening deafening deafening deafening deafening deafening deafening deafening Higher-profile new launches by some of her peers have knocked Cyrus out of first place in Vulture's previous list.

Selena Gomez

Gomez first appeared in Hannah Montana before taking on Alex Russo's role on Wizards of Waverly Place, which resulted in a spinoff film. She also appeared in the eponymously titled Disney original film Princess Protection Program, which launched her long-running singing career. She is a founding member of Taylor Swift's inner circle.

Hilary Duff

For Disney, Hilary Duff was the one and only Lizzie McGuire. The eponymous program inspired a very profitable TV empire and a feature film. Cadet Kelly, a Disney original, became a big success as a result of Duff's stardom. Aside from her contractual obligations to the Mouse, she appeared in the day's vital films, such as A Cinderella Story and Agent Cody Banks.

Zendaya

Zendaya debuted in the Disney shows Shake It Up! and K.C. Undercover, which she also made. She has had a fleeting recording career that reached the Billboard charts. Zendaya was chosen as the face of CoverGirl in 2016 and has collaborated with Chi Hair Care. She has one Hot 100 single and one Billboard 200 album. Zendaya has achieved success in music, is gaining traction in film and prestige television, and is a fashion industry favorite.

Peyton List

Peyton Roi List is a model and teen actress better known for her performances as Young Jane in 27 Dresses and Holly Hills in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series. She is most known for her role as Emma Ross on the Disney Channel comedy series Jessie and its spin-off, BUNK'D. She also played Young Becky in The Sorcerer's Apprentice, a 2010 Disney fantasy adventure film, Shoestore Girl #2 in Confessions of a Shopaholic, and Sherri in I Didn't Do It. She also appears as Ellie in The Swap.

Dylan and Cole Sprouse

Dylan and Cole Sprouse are twins who have been prolific actors since they were children. They are best known for their roles in two Disney Channel TV comedy series: The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and its sequel, The Suite Life on Deck. At a much younger age, they featured in the famous SitCom, Friends.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake, or JT as he is more widely called today, has evolved from a Disney show cast member to a larger-than-life boy band member. JT was a musical phenomenon from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s as a member of the influential NSYNC collective. Following the band's dissolution, he saw it as a chance to launch a solo career. JT has since gone on to become one of the best-selling solo artists of all time. He embraced the R&B scene and gave us hits like Cry Me A River, Suit And Tie, and Mirrors, among others.