Disney Channel has been launching the careers of child stars for decades, with many of Hollywood's biggest names coming from the network. With huge stars, like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling coming out of Disney and The Mickey Mouse Club, it's no surprise that once Disney launched its own channel, even more talent found success.
With the 2000s, the Disney Channel started pumping out a lot of original movies and television series, with Lizzie McGuire and Even Stevens being among some of the first. To start as a child star and make it as an adult in the entertainment industry is no easy task, but several of the Disney Channel's actors and actresses were able to cross over and earn large net worths. There's Shia LaBeouf and Hilary Duff, then Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, but the richest Disney Channel star has surpassed many of her peers. Here's how the biggest Disney Channel stars line up from richest to poorest.
10 Selena Gomez From Disney's Wizards Of Waverly Place Has An $800 Million Net Worth
In 2007, Selena Gomez landed her big break starring in Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place as Alex Russo, which went on for five years, 106 episodes, and a couple of movies. Outside of Wizards of Waverly Place, Selena Gomez was cast with Demi Lovato for the Disney Channel original movie Princess Protection Plan. The actress also starred in several other not Disney Channel movies during this time, including Ramona and Beezus and Another Cinderella Story. In addition to acting, Selena Gomez began to make her break in the music industry with her band Selena Gomez and the Scene, releasing three albums while still appearing on the Disney Channel.
Once Selena Gomez's time on the Disney Channel came to an end, she wasted no time finding her footing away from the network. She was cast with James Franco in Spring Breakers in 2013 and as the voice of Mavis in Hotel Transylvania, which she would go on to star in for three additional movies.
After Disney, Selena Gomez started focusing more of her time on her music career, branching off and making a huge name for herself as a solo artist. In total, Gomez has sold 3.6 million albums, with hit songs like "Good For You" from 2015's Revival and "Lose You to Love Me" from her comeback album 2020's Rare. It is estimated that Selena Gomez has earned about $16 million from her music career.
After taking some time away to focus on her physical and mental health, Selena Gomez made a major acting comeback in 2021 with Only Murders in the Building, earning an estimated paycheck of at least $600,000 per episode. But Selena Gomez's net worth earnings and wealth do not stop with her acting and music careers. Gomez is also a producer and owns her own production company, July Moon Productions. For the longest time, Selena Gomez was named the Instagram Queen, having the most followers. She currently boasts an impressive 429 million followers and gets paid $1.5 million per sponsored post.
The former Disney Channel star is also an entrepreneur, launching her beauty brand, Rare Beauty, in 2020. According to reports, Rare Beauty brought in over $60 million in 2021 alone, with the number expected to be much higher in more recent years giving her net worth a significant boost. With all of this, Selena Gomez's net worth is believed to be $800 million, making her the richest Disney Channel star.
9 Miley Cyrus From Disney's Hannah Montana Has A $160 Million Net Worth
When a person thinks "Disney Channel star," Miley Cyrus' name is one that immediately comes to mind, as it should. Cyrus' major debut came with the Disney Channel's Hannah Montana in 2006. When Miley Cyrus first auditioned for Hannah Montana, it was for the role of Hannah's best friend, Lily, but the casting team sent her audition tape back and told her to audition for the main character, who would become Miley Stewart / Hannah Montana. For 4 season and 100 episodes, Miley Cyrus shone as Disney's most popular starlet, acting and singing for her role and raking in $134 million by the time she turned 18, according to Forbes.
After Miley Cyrus left the Disney Channel, she desperately needed to break free from her child star, Hannah Montana image. She starred in movies like The Last Song and L.O.L., but it wasn't until she went full throttle with her after-Disney music career that people started seeing her as Miley Cyrus and not Hannah Montana. Cyrus tested the waters with albums, Breakout in 2008 and Can't Be Tamed in 2010, but it was 2013's Bangerz that really changed things for the artist.
Bangerz, with the unforgettable hits "We Can't Stop" and "Wrecking Ball," became Miley Cyrus' best-selling album with over 3.7 million copies sold and is certified 3x platinum in the U.S. The Bangerz tour made a little more than $62 million, but Cyrus didn't earn anything because most of it went back into the production of the tour. All in all, Miley Cyrus has released seven studio albums and three live albums.
Miley Cyrus has continuously reinvented herself in the entertainment industry, while still always remaining true to herself. Her most recent hit song, "Used to be Young," has become the anthem for every millennial. Miley Cyrus' net worth comes mainly from her music career, earning more than $53 million in digital singles, with more than $12 million coming from her 2009 hit, "Party in the U.S.A." However, Cyrus also earned money as a coach on seasons 11 and 13 of The Voice (earning $13 million per season), she owns a lot of pricey real estate property, and she's done some major sponsorships, including one with Gucci. Though Miley Cyrus isn't the richest Disney Channel star, her career and net worth are not something to sleep on.
8 Raven-Symoné From Disney's That's So Raven Has A $40 Million Net Worth
Raven-Symoné's career began way before we saw her on the Disney Channel. At just three years old, Raven was cast in The Cosby Show, continuing on until she was eight years old for a total of 74 episodes. In recent times, the actress has admitted that she has not touched any of the money she earned from The Cosby Show. Following her stint on The Cosby Show, Raven was cast in another hit sitcom, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, for four years and 79 episodes, and one of her first big movie roles came in Eddie Murphy's Dr. Dolittle, as Charisse Dolittle in 1998.
Raven-Symoné's first Disney Channel appearance came with Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century in 1999. And like many Disney Channel stars, Raven-Symoné also began a music career, releasing her first studio album Undeniable in 1999 when she was 14 years old.
In 2003, Raven landed her own Disney Channel series, That's So Raven, which aired for 100 episodes, ending in 2007. Raven wasn't initially cast as the lead in the series, but after filming began, producers saw how comedic the actress was and that she had a following, so they bumped her up to the lead. In 2004, while still starring in That's So Raven, Raven was cast in the Disney Channel original movie, The Cheetah Girls, (which she also produced) where she got to showcase her musical talent even more.
After That's So Raven, Raven-Symoné found her footing in voiceover work as Iridessa in the Tinker Bell franchise. From 2015 to 2016, Raven-Symoné was on ABC's The View, leaving to start work starring and producing the That's So Raven reboot, Raven's Home on the Disney Channel. Raven-Symoné's net worth is currently at $40 million, but with her acting career far from over, we can expect that to grow.
7 Demi Lovato From Disney's Camp Rock And Sonny With A Chance Has A $40 Million Net Worth
Demi Lovato's first appearance on the Disney Channel is one that often gets overlooked, but before she rocked the role of Mitchie Torres on Camp Rock in 2008 with The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato was in As the Bell Rings, Disney Channel's short five-minute episode series. But alas, it was Camp Rock that launched Demi Lovato into super stardom.
After starring in the Disney Channel original movie, Lovato's music career also began, with her first album Don't Forget coming out just a few months after Camp Rock aired. Following Camp Rock, Demi Lovato starred with Selena Gomez in the DCOM, Princess Protection Program and then received her own Disney Channel series, Sonny with a Chance in 2009, which went on for 47 episodes.
After Disney, Demi Lovato spent most of her time focusing on her music career, releasing albums Unbroken (2011), Demi (2013) and Confident (2015). Lovato's albums and tours have grossed her a great amount of money, with 2018's Tell Me You Love Me Tour bringing in more than $21.4 million. She's been nominated for multiple Grammys and according to RIAA, Demi Lovato has sold 27 million certified units of digital singles.
She's hosted The X-Factor, reportedly earning $1 million for the first season and $2 million for the second. In 2021, she came out with her own docu-series on Peacock called Unidentified with Demi Lovato. Demi Lovato's net worth currently stands at $40 million, but she continues to release new music as we speak and will continue to earn money.
6 Zac Efron From Disney's High School Musical Has A $30 Million Net Worth
Zac Efron helped take Disney Channel original movies to the next level with the High School Musical trilogy. Before becoming a "Disney Channel star," Efron had a few small movie roles and a part in the WB series, Summerland with Jessie McCartney and Full House's Lori Loughlin. Disney Channel released the first High School Musical movie in 2006, with Efron earning only $100,000 for the role. By the time he starred in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Zac Efron was paid $3 million to $5 million, making the most out of anyone in the cast.
After his short stint with the Disney Channel, Zac Efron became a full-time Hollywood movie star, landing roles in huge movies like Neighbors, Baywatch and The Greatest Showman, which grossed $435 million in the box office. The actor produced his own Netflix series, Down to Earth with Zac Efron. Although he isn't the richest Disney Channel star, he is definitely a big name and Zac Efron's net worth comes in at $30 million.
5 Hilary Duff From Disney's Lizzie McGuire Has A $25 Million Net Worth
Hilary Duff is often considered one of the OG Disney Channel stars, paving the way for Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. From 2001-2004, Hilary Duff starred in Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire becoming a household name. During her time with Disney, Duff also starred in the DCOM Cadet Kelly, Cheaper by the Dozen, Agent Cody Banks. Duff was paid $1 million to star in The Lizzie McGuire Movie and got to showcase her musical talent. Duff's best-selling album, Metamorphisis, was also released 2003, selling more than five million copies.
After Hilary Duff's time on Disney, her career really got its boost. The actress simultaneously released back to back albums and landed lead roles in several teen movie roles, including A Cinderella Story, Raise Your Voice, and Material Girls. During the height of her teen idol status, Duff was getting paid $1 million to $2 million per movie.
From 2015-2021, Hilary Duff starred in the TV Land series, Younger, and she currently stars in How I Met Your Father. Outside of acting and music, Hilary Duff is a New York Times bestselling author and fashion designer. Hilary Duff's net worth is $25 million, and while she isn't the richest Disney Channel star, she will always be remembered for those Disney Channel days.
4 Shia LaBeouf From Disney's Even Stevens Has A $25 Million Net Worth
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Shia LaBeouf's career as a child star was slowly gaining momentum when he was cast on one of the Disney Channel's first big original series, Even Stevens. From 2000-2003, LaBeouf played the quirky, energetic Louis Stevens. At the hight of his Disney fame, Shia LaBeouf also starred in Holes and the DCOM Tru Confessions.
After Disney, Shia LaBeouf became Hollywood's go-to young talent, landing movie after movie, including Disturbia, I, Robot, and finally, Transformers. Shia LaBeouf was paid $750,000 for his first Transformers film, $5 million for the second one, and an impressive $15 million for the third. LaBeouf's personal and legal issues have posed problems with his professional career, but he's still looking to make his mark in Hollywood. He wrote abd starred in his own film, Honey Boy and plays Padre Pio in the movie Padre Pio. Shia LaBeouf's net worth is currently at $25 million.
3 Zendaya From Disney's Shake It Up Has A $22 Million Net Worth
Zendaya is one of Hollywood's biggest "It" girls right now, so to remember she got her start with the Disney Channel's Shake It Up, alongside Bella Thorne. From 2010-2013, Zendaya became Disney Channel's go-to star, with several music videos and public appearances. She also starred in the DCOMs, Frenemies (2012) Zapped (2014) and the Disney Channel series, K.C. Undercover from 2015-2018.
Zendaya was another former-Disney Channel star who desperately wanted to break free from her child star image. She began taking on roles much different from Shake It Up. In 2017, Zendaya was cast as MJ in Tom Holland's Spider-Man series, where she's made at least $10 million. That same year, she starred opposite Zac Efron in The Greatest Showman.
Wanting to dig deeper into her acting repretoire, Zendaya signed up for HBO's Euphoria, where she played a drug addict. It's believed she now makes $1 million per episode of the series. In 2021, Zendaya produced and starred in the Malcolm & Marie. The film that she created with John David Washington and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, sold to Netflix for $30 million. Zendaya's net worth of $22 million is a testament to her successful acting career that is in no way slowing down.
2 Olivia Rodrigo From Disney's Bizaardvark Has A $16 Million Net Worth
Before she was known for "Drivers License" and even before she was known for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Olivia Rodrigo starred on the Disney Channel's Bizaardvark from 2016-2019. From there, she was cast as Nini on the Disney + series, HSMTMTS. During the second season of the series, in 2021, Olivia Rodrigo released her first album, Sour, making big waves in the music industry. Her first single, "Drivers License," spent eight consecutive weeks as number one on the Hot 100 and became the most-streamed song of 2021.
"Drivers License" was just the start of her massive success with music. In just few short years, Olivia Rodrigo's net worth jumped from hundreds of thousands to $8 million to now, $16 million. Her second album, Guts, released in September 2023, became another number one hit for the 20-year-old. With her upcoming world tour and merch sales, Olivia Rodrigo's net worth will continue to increase, but will she soon become the richest Disney Channel star?
1 Dylan And Cole Sprouse From Disney's Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Have $5 Million and $8 Million Net Worths
Disney Channel's favorite twin brothers, Dylan and Cole Sprouse have made their mark in the entertainment industry. Getting their start at just eight months old, the Sprouse twins' careers began with sharing the same role. In 1999, Dylan and Cole Sprouse played Julian together in Adam Sandler's Big Daddy. As they got older, the twins broke out into their own roles, with Cole Sprouse playing Ross' son, Ben, on Friends.
In 2005, the Disney Channel snatched the Sprouse twins up, giving them their own series, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. From 2005-2008, Dylan and Cole played twins who lived in a hotel. But the Disney Channel wasn't done with them yet; the Sprouse brothers got their own Disney spin-off called, The Suite Life on Deck from 2008 to 2011. In 2010, Dylan and Cole Sprouse were the highest-paid Disney Channel child actors, earning $40,000 per episode combined.
Once the twins became 18 years old, they decided to part ways with the Disney Channel. They both went off to New York University and completed degrees. After college, Cole Sprouse jumped right back into acting landing his first major role after Disney as Jughead in Riverdale, earning $40,000 per episode. Dylan Sprouse also got back into acting, but with indepent films like, Banana Split, Daddy, and After We Collided. Cole Sprouse is a successful photographer and Dylan Sprouse owns his own business, All-Wise Meadery. The Sprouse twins' net worths reach a combined $13 million, but both brothers are still very active with their careers.
