Everyone remembers whenZac Efronshot to superstardom thanks to the phenomenon that wasHigh School Musical, or whenDisney Channelput Grammy-nominated singing sensationslikeSelena GomezandDemi Lovatoon the map, or whenMiley Cyrustook over the world as Hannah Montana. But with over 100Disney Channel Original Moviesunder the magical network’s belt, they sometimes star some unexpected notable names.
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Whether it was one of their very first works or just another addition to the resume, plenty of major celebrities have appeared and starred in DCOMs over the years, from someSaturday Night Livestars to a someday superhero in theMCU.
Debbie Reynolds – ‘Halloweentown’ (1998)
The legend that wasDebby Reynolds, who starred in everything fromSingin' in the Rainin 1952 to guest appearances on shows likeWill and Grace,RugratsandKim Possible,also had a very memorable stint in a DCOM film franchise.
Reynolds played Aggie Cromwell inHalloweentown, the grandmother to the Piper children whodoubled as a beloved witchin her magical, spooky town. The actor went on to reprise her loveable role in the three sequels that followed,Halloweentown II:Kalabar’s Revenge,Halloweentown HighandReturn to Halloweentown.
Taran Killam – ‘Stuck In The Suburbs’ (2004)
ActorTaran Killamis best known for his six seasons onSaturday Night Liveand being the other half toHow I Met Your MotherandThe AvengersstarCobie Smulders. But long before the actor was any of these things, he starred in a popular DCOM alongside some other notable names.
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Killam played a cocky popstar named Jordan Cahill inStuck in the Suburbs, who accidentally winds up befriending two of his biggest fans - played byBrenda SongandDanielle Panabaker- after he and Panabaker’s fangirl character end up swapping phones.
Brie Larson – ‘Right On Track’ (2003)
Despite starting her career at 9 years old, it wasn’t until 2019 that actorBrie Larsonmade headlines asMarvel’s newest superhero Captain Marvel, starring in four films and counting for the film franchise. But long before joining the MCU, Carol Danvers' portrayer appeared on Disney Channel.
Larson starred alongside7th HeavenalumBeverly MitchellinRight on Track,a 2003 DCOM based on a true story about two sisters who succeeded at what was referred to as a “man’s sport,” and won a national drag racing title as teenagers.
Tim Meadows – ‘The Even Stevens Movie’ (2003)
Tim Meadows’long and impressive career ranges fromMean GirlstoThe Goldbergsto being one of the longest-running cast members onSaturday Night Live.And in between it all, the actor had an important role in an unforgettable DCOM.
Meadows' played Miles McDermott inThe Even Stevens Movie, the accompanying DCOM to the Disney Channel sitcomEven Stevens, which followed the Stevens family on a vacation to paradise where everything that could go wrong, does go wrong, but Miles is one of few people in on a secret surprise.
Kristen Stewart – ‘The Thirteenth Year’ (1999)
Kristen Stewartshot to fame in 2008 when she was cast as the beloved book character Bella Swan in theTwilightsaga, but her time as a vampire was far from her first acting gig, starting with her very first role in a Disney Channel Original Movie.
Stewart began her acting career when she scored a small, nonspeaking role in 1999’sThe Thirteenth Year, a film about a boy who starts growing scales and fins on his 13th birthday and learns of his mermaid heritage. Stewart’s character is known as Girl in Fountain Line, although she was uncredited in the film.
Katey Sagal – ‘Smart House’ (1999)
Katey Sagalis known to each generation as a different character; Peggy Bundy onMarried… with Children,Leela onFuturama,Louise onThe Connors, and so many more. But for millennials, Sagal is most likely known simply as The Smart House.
The actor played Pat, the face of a computerized house, in the 1999 DCOMSmart Houseopposite DCOM alumRyan Merrimanin a film about a family who wins a computerized household that suffers a glitch that turns her into an overbearing mother who takes over their lives long before Alexa ever existed.
America Ferrera – ‘Gotta Kick It Up!’ (2002)
America Ferreragot her biggest break when she starred on ABC’sUgly Bettyfor four seasons, and later earned new fans with her starring role onNBC’sSuperstore.But one of the actor’s first-ever roles was on Disney Channel in the 2002 movieGotta Kick It Up!.
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Ferrera played Yoli in this film about a group of young, Latina girls who learn to overcome the obstacles of society and learn the rhythm of their roots thanks to their dance team after convincing their new teacher to coach them.
Bryan Cranston – ‘Twas The Night’ (2001)
Despite his notable career,Bryan Cranstongot a resurgence in 2008 after starring onAMC’sBreaking Bad.But one of the actor’s lesser-known works comes in the form of a 2001 Christmastime DCOM.
Cranston had a starring role as Uncle Nick inTwas the Night, which follows an irresponsible uncle and his young, mischievous niece and nephews who take Santa’s sleigh for a joyride and wind up inadvertently jeopardizing Christmas when they decide to deliver all the presents while Uncle Nick has an ulterior motive for trying out Santa’s job.
Mickey Rooney – ‘Phantom Of The Megaplex’ (2000)
Mickey Rooney’s long and vibrant career spanned television, movies, silent films,stop-motion holiday specials,Broadway and so much more. But one of his hundreds of credits you may not remember the actor had was a role in a DCOM.
Phantom of the Megaplexpremiered on Disney Channel in 2000 and followed a young movie theater employee who discovers a phantom may be haunting his place of work during a special movie premiere when strange happenings arise and his fellow employees start disappearing, including Rooney’s senile character Movie Mason.
Justin Timberlake – ‘Model Behavior’ (2000)
Whether you know him as the “SexyBack” popstar or one-fifth of the 90s boy bandNSYNC, odds are you’ve heardJustin Timberlake’s voice at one time or another. But many might not know that the singer doubles as an actor, with one of his earliest roles being inModel Behavior.
While not technically a DCOM,Model Behavioraired as part ofABC’sWonderful World of Disney- and later ran on Disney Channel - and followed a geeky girl and a popular model, whose similar looks allow them to trade places, causing some unexpected mishaps for Timberlake’s male model character Jason.
