Over the years, Disney Channel has launched the careers of several successful actors and musicians ranging from Justin Timberlake and Hilary Duff to the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, and even Emmy Award Winner Zendaya.
While there are certain celebrities fans continue to recognize from Disney Channel, there are also several successful celebrities out there who are Disney Channel roots are often forgotten. From starring in their own Disney Channel Original Movies to guest starring on iconic Disney Channel original shows, there are dozens of popular celebrities who appeared on Disney Channel since its inception.
10 Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer has made quite the career for herself in both movies, television, and the music industry. However, when it comes to her origin story, many people forget that Palmer appeared on Disney Channel. In fact, she was a Disney Channel kid before she became one of Nickelodeon's most successful alumni.
Palmer starred in the 2007 Disney Channel Original Movie Jump In! alongside Corbin Bleu who starred in the iconic DCOM High School Musical. She will also be returning to the Disney brand when she voices a character in the new Disney+ series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.
9 Justin Baldoni
Justin Baldoni became a household name playing Rafael Solano on the CW hit drama series Jane the Virgin. Since then Baldoni has also moved into the world of directing, directing teen dramas Five Feet Apart and Clouds.
But before Baldoni was wooing Jane's heart, he had a guest role on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody where he played Diego, London Tipton's fencing coach. Diego ends up going out with both Maddie and Londo before being forced to choose who he likes better by the girls.
8 Kaley Cuoco
Kaley Cuoco has certainly become a television icon over the years. Not only did she star in the ABC hit series 8 Simple Rules she also originated the role of Penny on the hit CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory which ran for over a decade.
But before Cuoco was becoming a sitcom darling, she starred in the 2000 Disney Channel original film Alley Cats Strike. Cuoco played Elisa Bowers, a young teenager in her high school's bowling club.
7 Austin Butler
While Austin Butler might be best known for dating Disney Channel alumni Vanessa Hudgens for nearly ten years, many fans don't know that Butler also appeared on Disney Channel back in the day. In fact, he had guest roles on several Disney shows including Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Jonas.
Since appearing on Disney Channel and several Nickelodeon shows, Butler has begun to brand himself as a series adult actor. He most recently appeared in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and he is set to portray Elvis Presley in a biopic.
6 America Ferrera
America Ferrera has had a successful career that has allowed her to play several iconic roles over the years. From becoming a household name playing Betty Suarez in ABC's Ugly Betty to playing Amy Sosa in Superstore and voicing Astrid in How to Train Your Dragon, Ferrera has had no shortage of work.
However, before Ferrera was landing these iconic roles, she got her start in the 2002 Disney Channel Original Movie Gotta Kick It Up! where she played high schooler Yoli Vargas.
5 Evan Peters
Evan Peters is best known for appearing in the FX anthology series American Horror Story where he has played several characters over the course of the show's run. Peters has also become a go-to for superhero films starting in the X-Men franchise.
Despite playing iconic dark characters now, Peters actually got his start in commercials as well as appearing on an underrated Disney Channel original show. Peters had a reoccurring role-playing Seth Wosmer in Phil of the Future during the first season of the show.
4 Hayden Panettiere
Hayden Panettiere has had quite a successful career and has even been nominated twice for a Golden Globe Best Supporting Actress Award. Panettiere is best known for the roles of Claire Bennet in the hit NBC series Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville.
While Panettiere didn't get her start on Disney Channel, that honor went to her appearing on One Life to Live, she did star appear on the children's channel. She played Maddie Dolan in the 2004 DCOM Tiger Cruise which was a movie that loosely followed the real-life events of 9/11.
3 Taran Killam
Taran Killam is a tried and true comedy actor who has appeared in several projects over the years. He's most well known for appearing on NBC's Saturday Night Live for six years. In recent years he appeared on the ABC sitcom Single Parents.
Killam has roots in both Nickelodeon and Disney Channel but he is best known for appearing in the 2004 Disney Channel Original Movie Stuck in the Suburbs alongside Danielle Panabaker and Brenda Song. Killam played Jordan Cahill, a teen, heartthrob pop star who's phone gets accidentally switched with one of his teenage fans.
2 Victoria Justice
There is no doubt that Victoria Justice is best known for being one of Nickelodeon's most successful stars having appeared in Zoey 101 and later Victorious. Since then, Justice has launched her own singing career and continues to act in both film and television projects.
However, one of Justice's first roles ever was on the second episode of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. In the episode, Justice plays Rebecca, a young pageant contestant who catches the attention of Cody.
1 Aly & AJ Michalka
Aly and AJ Michalka are best known for being a pop duo that launched their career on the Disney-owned record label: Hollywood Records. In addition to being talented singers, these two sisters also have ties to Disney Channel.
Aly Michalka most notably starred in Phil of the Future as Keely Teslow, Phil's best friend, and secret crush. While AJ didn't appear in her own Disney Channel series, she did star alongside her sister in the underrated Disney Channel original movie Cow Belles.