90s kids remember Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOM) for their charm, humor, unforgettable characters, and life lessons. While some DCOM actors have become massive Hollywood stars, others have pursued smaller projects, and some have left acting completely. Here are some DCOM actors and where they are pursuing now.
1. Kay Panabaker
Kay Panabaker starred in various Disney Channel series and movies, and is best known for her role as Jamie Bartlett in the DCOM "Read It And Weep." After her work with Disney Channel came to end, she guest-starred on shows such as "Law and Order: SVU," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Ghost Whisperer." Her final acting role was in "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3" in 2012. Since then, she has become a zoologist.
2. Danielle Panabaker
Like her aforementioned younger sister Kay, Danielle was huge in the Disney Channel scene throughout the 2000s. Danielle also starred in "Read It and Weep" as Isabella. Aside from her work on Disney Channel, Danielle has also starred in horror films such as "Piranha 3DD" and the remake of "Friday the 13th." After guest-starring on "Arrow" in 2014, she currently plays a main character on "The Flash."
3. Corbin Bleu
Corbin Bleu is best-known for his roles in the DCOMs "High School Musical" and "Jump In!," and has also guest-starred on several Disney Channel shows. Since "High School Musical 3," has starred in Broadway productions of "In the Heights," and "Godspell," and created the role of Aaron in the 2015 play "Family Shots." Like Danielle Panabaker, he has also taken the horror-movie route, starring in films such as "Scary or Die" and the Monkey's Paw." More recently, he has guest-starred on "Castle" and "The Fosters."
4. Jason Dolley
Jason Dolley is best remembered for starring in DCOMs such as "Read It and Weep" and "Minutemen" and Disney Channel series such as "Cory In the House" and "Good Luck Charlie." After guest-starring on the TNT series "Major Crimes" in 2014, he recently graduated magna cum laude from California Lutheran University with a BA in philosophy.
5. Sara Paxton
Aside from starring in non-Disney films such as "Aquamarine" and "Sydney White," Sara Paxton starred as Marnie Piper in "Return to Halloweentown." She also guest-starred on the Disney Channel series "Lizzie McGuire," "Wizards of Waverly Place," and "Jonas." In her post-career, she has starred in horror movies such as "Shark Night 3D," "Static," and "Liars All." More recently, she has been cast in the 2017 revival of "Twin Peaks."
6. Brenda Song
Brenda Song has played in many DCOMs such as "Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior" and "Get a Clue," as well as Disney Channel series like "The Suite Life of Zach and Cody." Her post-Disney has included starring roles in films such as "The Social Network" and recurring roles on "Scandal" and "New Girl." She has recently nabbed a main role on the upcoming CBS medical drama "Pure Genius."
7. Lucas Grabeel
Lucas Grabeel is best remembered for playing Ryan Evans in "High School Musical" and Ethan in "Return to Halloweentown." His post-HSM includes voice acting roles in shows such as "Dreamworks' Dragons" and "Sheriff Callie's Wild West." He currently stars as Toby Kennish in the Freeform drama "Switched at Birth," and will soon do more voice acting in the upcoming Nickelodeon series "Pinky Malinky."
8. Shin Koyamada
Shin Koyamada's only DCOM role is Shen in "Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior," although he partook in the Disney Channel Games from 2006-2008. His post-Disney projects include starring in the web series "Heart of the Dragon" and the miniseries "The Yokai King." Aside from acting, he is also passionate about philanthropy, and is an International Ambassador for several organizations.
