Entertainment

20 Disney Channel Stars Who Are Now Proud Parents

EntertainmentPublished Nov 1, 2018
By Kayla Gleeson
Hilary Duff in Lizzie McGuireDisney

Put on those nostalgia goggles, because it's time to feel all of the feels. There's nothing quite like sitting down and dusting off an old VHS movie or DVD (yeah, those are technically an "old" thing now) and kicking back with a favorite show we used to watch when we were kids. It can be cathartic -- if not a bit melancholy. There's something about '90s TV shows that gives us those warm and fuzzy feels that makes this whole adulting thing a little easier to manage. Plus, it reminds us of those days when we barely had responsibilities -- outside of making sure our book reports were ready to go and not forgetting our gym shoes at home. Looking back, it's funny to see what captivated our attention growing up. But something that's even crazier is realizing the people we watched on the small screen also grew up and have their own families now, too.

Maybe that's why we love to see where are favorite actors are now -- for the connection to a past that felt more honest. It's no secret that the Disney Channel is afraid of its own shadow. It wouldn't dare to touch subjects like The Color of Friendship did, or show us the perilous journey through puberty that Lizzie McGuire had. Considering that Disney has been churning out nothing but remakes for the past few years, it doesn't look like the brand of shows we grew up with will ever make a return.

Disney Channel Original Movies and shows were, at their heart, campy. But they were campy with meaning. There didn't need to be thrilling CGI sequences, or celebrity-packed casts to enthuse us. The content of the stories themselves are what made us love them so much. Since the '90s, we've all grown up, but it's comforting to know that even in the rapidly changing world of storytelling, the actors we know and love are still right there with us. They got us through childhood, and now join us in the world of adulthood -- even parenthood.

Here's a look at some beloved Disney Channel stars who are now moms and dads.

1/40

Shawn Hunter ('Boy Meets World')

Everyone misses Boy Meets World. (The popular '90s TV series first aired on ABC before Disney Channel picked up the rights.) And even though Cory and Topanga had a kid together in the Girl Meets World canon, Shawn Hunter did them one better.

2/40
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Rider King Strong
rider_strong/Instagram

Rider King Strong

Rider Strong, aka Shawn Hunter, wound up marrying actress Alexandra Barreto in 2013. They have a son together -- Indigo "Indy" Barreto Strong, born December 2014.

3/40

Angela Moore ('Boy Meets World')

Remember all those saucy scenes between Angela and Shawn? We sure do -- but it was Angela's personality that made them even better.

4/40

Trina McGee

Like many of her cast mates, Trina reprised her role on the Boy Meets World sequel series, Girl Meets World. But in real life, she has three kids of her own.

5/40

Ren Stevens ('Even Stevens')

We loved watching Ren get back at her brother on Even Stevens. This star is no stranger to the Disney Channel as he also voiced the character Kim Possible on the hit Disney animated series, Kim Possible!

6/40

Christy Carlson Romano

That's right, Christy Carlson Romano now has a daughter with writer-producer Brendan Rooney. Even cuter? The pair announced their second child is on the way!

7/40

Casey McDonald ('Life With Derek')

It's not a Disney Channel show without a girl dealing with an "annoying" brother -- although, didn't the actress and actor secretly ship the pair?

8/40

Ashley Leggat

Ashley Leggat wound up marrying hockey player Jeremy Williams. Their daughter was born in February 2017.

9/40

Lizzie McGuire ('Lizzie McGuire')

Ah, who could forget Lizzie McGuire? This girl helped all of us through our adolescence!

10/40

Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff is now a mom of two! The former Disney star is the proud mama of a 6-year-old son (Luca), and now a newborn baby girl named Banks.

11/40

Zenon Kar ('Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century')

The out-of-this-world 13-year-old that made us all feel like cosmic space cadets definitely isn't the pig-tailed girl she once was.

12/40
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Kirsten Storms
kirstenstorms/instagram

Kirsten Storms

The 34-year-old actress now resides in Orlando, Florida, with her 4-year-old daughter, Harper.

13/40

'Hip Hop Girl' ('High School Musical')

Remember the girl who loved to, "pop, lock, jam, and break?" Everyone does -- the line was iconic for many fans who loved Stick to the Status Quo.

14/40
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KayCee Stroh
kaycstroh/instagram

KayCee Stroh

As of three years ago, KayCee had her first daughter -- and it wasn't too long after that she had her second!

15/40

Zachary Gray ('A Ring of Endless Light')

Mr. "Prince Thinks-He's-Charming" may have been the rich, suave, brooding boy in this Disney Channel Original Movie. But he's nothing compared to his real-life counterpart.

16/40
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Jared Padalecki
jaredpadalecki/instagram

Jared Padalecki

If someone is not acquainted with Jared Padalecki's other roles -- such as Sam Winchester on Supernatural -- then said someone can get acquainted with his adorable family!

17/40

Andy 'Brink' Brinker ('Brink!')

This radical '90s flick about skating had all eyes on the handsome Andy Brink, who later went on to perform a trick more amazing than any he's ever performed on the pavement.

18/40

Erik Von Detten

It's safe to say we probably won't catch Erik doing ollies at the skating rink nowadays. His two young children might get a bit embarrassed.

19/40

Camryn & Alex ('Twitches')

Sister, Sister much? These sitcom stars actually got their own spooky-themed Disney movie. It was so successful, there was even a sequel.

Two movies for a set of twins -- how fitting!

20/40
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Tia & Tamera Mowry
tiamowry/Instagram

Tia & Tamera Mowry

It makes us happy to know that these sisters are still doing everything together -- including motherhood!

Both Tia and Tamera have two children (a boy and a girl for each). How sweet!

21/40

Frances McCausland ('Don't Look Under The Bed')

Anyone who watched this likely just as spooked as Frances was. Good thing there are no monsters under the bed IRL!

22/40

Erin Chambers

The Disney Channel Original Movie star had her first child in May 2016!

23/40

Maddie Dolan ('Tiger Cruise')

Someone might recognize this Disney actress from her vocal work -- or maybe as Beth Cooper from I Love You, Beth Cooper.

24/40

Hayden Panettierre

This woman has done everything. She's a singer, model, actress, and activist.

And now, she's also a kick-ass mom.

25/40

Andrew Carson ('Motocrossed')

He played the twin brother to Andrea Carson, a daredevil motocross racing girl.

And now, he's a dare-devil of a dad.

26/40
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Trever O'Brien
Facebook

Trever O'Brien

Now residing in Southern California, Trever is living a wonderful life with his wife and two kids.

27/40

Gia ('Rip Girls')

In this totally tubular surfing flick, Gia was the one who taught Sydney how to surf -- really making us wish summer was year-round.

28/40
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Stacie Hess
staciehess/instagram

Stacie Hess

It looks like Stacie is now teaching her own daughter the ropes of the ocean.

So sweet!

29/40

Jason Gray ('Camp Rock')

OK, we all know who this is. Whether anyone watched Camp Rock or not, people who were alive during the '00s heard him and his brothers on the radio 24/7.

30/40
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Kevin Jonas
daniellejonas/Instagram

Kevin Jonas

Happily married to Danielle Deleasa, this Jonas brother now has two little girls, Alena Rose, and Valentina Angelina Jonas.

He loves having daughters!

31/40

Allison Rachel 'Allie' Thompson ('The Ultimate Christmas Present')

Remember when a certain little girl stole a weather machine from Santa Claus alongside her best friend (Brenda Song)?

32/40
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Hailee Hirsh
haileeonearth/instagram

Hailee Hirsh

Now, Hailee is all grown up. She has a loving son and husband (and a love for the Earth!)

33/40

Penny Proud ('The Proud Family')

Some might recognize the voice -- and maybe even the character. But did ya know the girl behind the cartoon?

34/40
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Kyla Pratt
kylapratt/instagram

Kyla Pratt

She even looks like Penny! Kyla Proud -- er, Pratt -- now has two beautiful daughters that look just like her!

35/40

Tawni Hart ('Sonny With A Chance')

For the newer gen of moms comes Tawni Hart, Sonny's main spotlight competitor on Disney's Sonny With A Chance.

36/40
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Tiffany Thornton
tiffthornton/instagram

Tiffany Thornton

The "sunny" actress now leads a bright life with her husband and two sons -- with one more on the way! Boy or girl? We'll find out soon!

37/40

Jack Morgan ('You Lucky Dog')

Had enough campy '90s movies yet? No, the answer is no -- and we're making everyone remember You Lucky Dog.

How does that feel?

38/40
Kirk Cameron-placeholder
Kirk Cameron
kirckcameronofficial/Instagram

Kirk Cameron

With six kids, it's safe to say Kirk Cameron has been fruitful and multiplied.

39/40

Michael Woods ('Jumping Ship')

The star of Horse Sense and its sequel, Jumping Ship, had a lot of adventures on the Disney Channel. After all, it's not Disney if there isn't at least one horse movie.

40/40

Joey Lawrence

Joey Lawrence is now married and a proud dad of two daughters.

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