Disney Channel Alums Who've Been Nominated for (Or Won!) an Oscar
Austin Butler’s Disney Channel past was revealed during his press run for 2022’s Elvis when various reporters reflected on how far the actor has come throughout his career. For those unfamiliar, Butler played Derek Hanson on a 2007 episode of Hannah Montana — yes, as a possible romantic suitor for Miley Cyrus — before appearing in one episode of Wizards of Waverly Place in 2010. (While it wasn’t exactly on Disney Channel it’s also important to note his role as Peyton Leverett in the 2011 classic Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure.) “The first time I was ever paid as an actor was Hannah Montana,” Butler told Elle in February 2024, reflecting on his humble beginnings. “There’s an episode where [Miley Cyrus’ character] gets set up on a blind date, I’m there and at first she’s excited and then we’re watching a horror film and I’m terrified during the film and screaming and losing my mind, so it turns out to be a bad blind date.” Butler is proof that anything is possible in Hollywood as he went f
Austin Butler’s Disney Channel past was revealed during his press run for 2022’s Elvis when various reporters reflected on how far the actor has come throughout his career.
For those unfamiliar, Butler played Derek Hanson on a 2007 episode of Hannah Montana — yes, as a possible romantic suitor for Miley Cyrus — before appearing in one episode of Wizards of Waverly Place in 2010. (While it wasn’t exactly on Disney Channel it’s also important to note his role as Peyton Leverett in the 2011 classic Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure.)
“The first time I was ever paid as an actor was Hannah Montana,” Butler told Elle in February 2024, reflecting on his humble beginnings. “There’s an episode where [Miley Cyrus’ character] gets set up on a blind date, I’m there and at first she’s excited and then we’re watching a horror film and I’m terrified during the film and screaming and losing my mind, so it turns out to be a bad blind date.”
Butler is proof that anything is possible in Hollywood as he went from the House of Mouse to nabbing a Best Actor Oscar nomination for playing the title role in Elvis.
While Butler isn’t the only star who has history with Disney Channel, Us Weekly would be remiss if we did not offer a special shoutout to Zac Efron for his role as Kevin Von Erich in 2023’s The Iron Claw. The Academy did not recognize his efforts, but we do.
Scroll to see which former Disney Channel stars have been recognized at the Oscars over the years:
What's Your Reaction?
