The Careers of Former Disney Channel Stars

Former Disney Channel stars such as Shia LaBeouf, Hilary Duff, and Alyson "Aly" Michalka, have very successful careers after departing from Disney Channel and their hit television shows. They find much success in acting, music, books, fashion and other ventures. Here you can find out what former Even Stevens stars Shia LaBouf and Christy Carlson Romano, former Lizzie McGuire stars Hilary Duff, Adam Lamberg, and Lalaine, and former Phil of the Future stars Ricky Ullman, Alyson "Aly" Michalka, and Amy Bruckner have been up to since their departure from Disney Channel and their hit television series.

Shia LaBeouf and Christy Carlson Romano starred as brother (Louis) and sister (Ren) in Even Stevens – an American Comedy Television Series that aired for three seasons on Disney Channel from 2000 to 2003. Since the end of the hit television show both Shia and Christy had successful careers though Shia’s career proved to be more successful.

Shia LaBeouf continued his acting career and starred in hit blockbusters such as Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Transformers alongside Megan Fox, Wall Street alongside Michael Douglas, and I Robot (which also starred Will Smith), to name a few.

Christy Carlson Romano continued her acting career starring in movies such as Cadet Kelly alongside Hilary Duff, Campus Confidential, Suicide Dolls, Looking for an Echo, Moving In, and Mirrors 2. She was also the voice of Kim Possible on the Kim Possible animated series on Disney Channel. Besides being part of movies and television Christy dived into Broadway, starring as Mary Phagan in Parade (from 1998-1999), as Belle in Beauty and the Beast (in 2004), and as Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q (in 2008). She also starred as Michelle in the Off-Broadway’s White Lies. In 2004 she released an album with Walt Disney Records - Greatest Disney TV & Film Hits.

Hilary Duff, Adam Lamberg, and Lalaine starred in Lizzie McGuire – an American Teen Sitcom that aired from 2001 to 2004 on Disney Channel. They played best friends Lizzie McGuire, David “Gordo” Gordon, and Miranda Sanchez.

Since graduating from the hit show, Hilary Duff had much success in movies, fashion, music, and books. She has starred in such hit movies as Cheaper by the Dozen, Raise Your Voice, Beauty & the Briefcase, A Cinderella Story, Agent Cody Banks alongside Frankie Nunez, Cadet Kelly alongside Christy Carlson Romano, and Material Girls alongside her sister Haley Duff,

Hilary signed with Hollywood Records and released a number of hit albums. Her first album Metamorphosis was released in 2003. It peaked at #1, and was certified 3x platinum in the US. Her second album Hilary Duff was released in 2004. It peaked at #2 and was certified platinum in the US. Her third album Most Wanted was released in 2005. It peaked at #1 and was certified platinum in the US. Her fourth album Dignity was released in 2007. It peaked at #3 and was certified Gold in the US. She also released an album called Best of Hilary Duff. It did not receive any certifications and didn’t peak very high on the charts.

Besides movies and music, Hilary entered the world of fashion releasing two fragrances with Elizabeth Arden – “With Love…Hilary Duff” and “Wrapped with Love”. In 2004 she launched her clothing line Stuff by Hillary Duff which was sold exclusively at Target in the US. In 2009 she co-designed a collection for DKNY Jeans called Femme.

Hilary also found herself to be a successful author. Her YA novel Elixir became a New York Times Bestseller.

After Lizzie McGuire went off the air, Adam Lamberg continued his acting career starring in such films as Max Keeble’s Big Move, When Do We Eat?, Beautiful Loser, Lonesome, Dead Man’s Walk (TV mini-series), and Radiant City, to name a few.

Lalaine continued her acting career as well starring in movies such as You Wish!, Promise Land, Her Best Move, Annie and Borderline, to name a few. She also made a cameo in Easy A.

Besides movies, Lalaine turned to music. In 2003 she released an independent album Inside Story and in 2004 recorded an album titled Haunted. She later signed a record deal with Warner Bros. She was also a member of the band Vanity Theft from 2010 to 2011.

Ricky Ullman, Alyson "Aly" Michalka, and Amy Bruckner starred in Phil of the Future – an American Situation Comedy that aired on Disney Channel from 2004 to 2006 for two seasons. Ricky Ullman played Philip “Phil” Diffy, a High School student from the year 2121 who was hiding that he is actually from the future. Alyson Michalka played Keely Teslow, Phil’s best friend who later became his girlfriend. Amy Bruckner played Pim Diffy, Phil’s younger sister, who was mischievous and up to no good.

While starring in Phil of the Future Ricky Ullman, whose real name is Raviv Ullman, also starred as Roscoe in Pixel Perfect (2004), a Disney movie made for television, and as Sam in Searching for David’s Heart (2005), an ABC Family television film. He starred in other films such as The Big Bad Swim and Driftwood in 2006, Normal Adolescent Behavior and The Violin in 2007, Prom Wars in 2008, and Spring Break ’83 and How to Make Love to a Woman in 2010. Ricky also appeared in episodes of hit television shows such as Law & Order: SVU, House, The Middleman, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Guiding Light, That’s So Raven, Big Love, Cold Case, Rita Rocks, and Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.

Aside from being on television Ricky took to the stage starring as Louis in The King and I, as Stanley in A Rosen by Any Other Name, and as Tommy in Dead End. He also starred in Peter Pan and The Music Man.

Music also became part of Ricky’s life. He formed a band Goodbye Ian with actor Douglas Smith. The name was later changed to His Orchestra. The band released its debut album Field Guide to the Wilds in 2009.

After the end of Phil of the Future Amy Bruckner starred as Bess in the feature film Nancy Drew and as Haley Long in the animated television series American Dragon: Jake Long. Prior to that she starred in films such as Rebound (2005), and They Are Among Us (2004). She also appeared in episodes of other hit televisions shows such as ER, Ally McBeal, The West Wing, Judging Amy, and American Dreams.

After Phil of the Future ended its run on Disney Channel Alyson Michalka, aka Aly, starred in Hellcats (airing on the CW) where she played a college cheerleader Marti Perkins from 2010 to 2011. She also had film roles in movies such as Bandslam (starring alongside Vanessa Hudgens), Easy A (starring alongside Emma Stone), The Roommate (starring alongside Leighton Meester), Cow Belles (a Disney Channel movie where she starred alongside her sister Amanda Joy “AJ” Michalka), Now You See It… (a Disney Channel movie), and Super Sweet 16: The Movie.

Besides movies Aly turned to music forming a band with her sister Amanda Joy “AJ” Michalka and signing with Hollywood Records. The band was originally called Aly & AJ but later changed its name to 78violet after they split from Hollywood Records. The band released their debut album Into the Rush in 2005, which was certified platinum and sold over a million records worldwide. In 2007 the band released their second studio album Insomniatic. Potential Breakup Song, a single off the band’s second album became a mega hit and was certified platinum, selling over a million copies. These two albums were released under Hollywood Records.