It's Officially Been 14 Years Since "Wizards Of Waverly Place" Aired, So Here's What The Cast Looked Like Then Vs. Now
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On Oct. 12, 2007, exactly 14 years ago today, Disney Channel blessed us with the very first episode of Wizards of Waverly Place.
Disney Channel / Via giphy.com
The show lasted for four seasons, won three Emmys, and has the most-watched finale in Disney Channel history.
And to celebrate, let's take a look at what our favorite magical family has been up to and what they look like now:
1.Here's Selena Gomez when she started playing Alex Russo in 2007:
When Wizards of Waverly Place started, Gomez was around 15 years old. Before the show, she got her big start on Barney & Friends in 2002–2004, Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over in 2003, and she guest-starred on Suite Life of Zack and Cody in 2006.
And here's Selena Gomez now:
Since WOWP ended in 2012, Gomez has done just about anything and everything. She's continued acting and has appeared in Spring Breakers, Hotel Transylvania, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, and The Fundamentals of Caring, just to name a few. These days, she has her own cooking show on HBO Max called Selena + Chef and is starring in Only Murders in the Building on Hulu. Gomez has also been executive producer on several projects, including The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex, 13 Reasons Why, This Is the Year, Living Undocumented, and others. On top of all of that, Gomez has also kept a steady music career and released her latest EP, Revelación, in November 2020.
2.Here's David Henrie when he started playing Justin Russo in 2007:
When the show premiered, Henrie was 18 years old. Before starting the Disney Channel classic, Henrie had roles in That's So Raven, NCIS, and Method & Red. He also is well-known for playing Ted Mosby's son, Luke, on How I Met Your Mother.
And here's David Henrie now:
Since the show's ending, Henrie has also been super busy. He's continued acting and has been in Grown Ups 2, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, and Cardboard Boxer, to name a few. He also worked on This Is the Year with Selena Gomez as director and cowriter. Henrie also got married in 2017 and has two children.
3.Here's Jake T. Austin when he started playing Max Russo in 2007:
Before playing everyone's fave little brother, Jake T. Austin voiced Diego, Dora's cousin in Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! He was also in The Ant Bully, and Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board, the Johnny Tsunami sequel film in 2007.
And here's Jake T. Austin now:
Since finishing his role as Max Russo, Austin has also continued acting here and there. Some of the roles he's been in include Rio 2, Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn, The Emoji Movie, and he played Jesus Foster on The Fosters in 2013–2015.
4.Here's Jennifer Stone when she started playing Harper Finkle in 2007:
Before playing Harper, Stone had acting credits in several projects, including Secondhand Lions, Line of Fire, House, and Without a Trace.
And here's Jennifer Stone now:
5.Here's Maria Canals-Barrera when she started playing Theresa Russo in 2007:
Before playing everyone's favorite Disney Channel mom, Maria has starred in several sitcoms and movies. She's most known for starring in Beggars and Choosers, Justice League, American Family, Danny Phantom, and The Proud Family, just to name a few.
And here's Maria Canals-Barrera now:
Since 2012, Canals-Barrera has continued acting and has been in Baby Daddy, Cristela, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, Young & Hungry, Fuller House, and Sweet Inspirations.
6.Here's David DeLuise when he started playing Jerry Russo in 2007:
Before being on Wizards of Waverly Place, DeLuise already had a pretty established acting career. He's best known for being in 3rd Rock from the Sun, Jesse, and Megas XLR. He's also known for playing T.J.'s brother on Gilmore Girls in 2004.
And here's David DeLuise now:
To no one's surprise, DeLuise has since had a steady acting career since the end of the show. He's had plenty of roles, including Grey's Anatomy, Last Call, Hawaii Five-0, Unbroken: Path to Redemption, and Shameless.
7.Here's Gregg Sulkin when he started playing Mason Greyback in 2010:
Gregg Sulkin appeared in several TV and movie roles before his start on Season 2 of WOWP, including Doctor Zhivago, Sixty Six, and As the Bell Rings.
And here's Gregg Sulkin now:
He's continued to have a successful acting career afterward as well. He's starred in Melissa & Joey, Pretty Little Liars, Faking It, Runaways, and This is the Year. He currently stars on Netflix's new comedy, Pretty Smart.
8.Here's Bailee Madison when she started playing Max "Maxine" Russo in 2011:
Despite being so young, Madison had already starred in several projects before her time on Wizards of Waverly Place started in 2011. She's been in several TV shows, including CSI: NY, Cory in the House, and the television film Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh in 2008. She's also been in several movies, such as Lonely Hearts, Bridge to Terabithia, and Conviction.
And here's Bailee Madison now:
Like most of the cast, Madison has continued acting and has since starred in several projects, including Once Upon a Time, The Fosters, Good Witch, and A Cinderella Story: Starstruck. She was also recently cast in the HBO Max Pretty Little Liars spinoff Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.
9.Here's Dan Benson when he started playing Zeke Beakerman in 2007:
Before starring on the show, Benson was in several commercials and short films. Some of his earlier roles were on projects like Little Black Book, Phil of the Future, Drake and Josh, and Zoey 101.
And here's Dan Benson now:
10.Here's Bill Chott when he started playing Mr. Hershel Laritate in 2007:
Chott made his television debut in 1995 on The Dana Carvey Show, a comedy sketch show. He's also been in Tomorrow Night, Curious George, and The Ringer. His TV appearances before WOWP also include Freaks and Geeks, Popular, ER, CSI, and more.
And here's Bill Chott now:
Chott continued acting after playing Mr. Laritate and has been in several projects, including Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups, The Snow Queens 2, and Klaus. He's also very active on his TikTok, @billchott.
11.Here's Bridgit Mendler when she started playing Juliet van Heusen in 2009:
Mendler's first role was in a film called The Legend of Buddha in 2004. She's also been in General Hospital, The Clique, and Jonas.
And here's Bridgit Mendler now:
12.Here's Hayley Kiyoko when she started playing Stevie Nichols in 2010:
Before being on WOWP, Kiyoko was in a girl group called The Stunners in 2007. In 2010, the group opened for the first 20 shows of Justin Bieber's My World tour. They eventually split in 2011. Kiyoko also had several acting roles, including Unfabulous and Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins.
And here's Hayley Kiyoko now:
After her time on the show ended, Kiyoko starred in plenty of TV shows and movies, including Lemonade Mouth, Zeke and Luther, The Vampire Diaries, The Fosters, CSI: Cyber, Five Points, and RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race in 2020. She's also continuing her music career and has released four EPs and a studio album.
13.Here's Skyler Samuels when she started playing Gigi Hollingsworth in 2007:
Before playing mean girl Gigi on the show, Samuels starred in several other shows like Drake and Josh, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and That's So Raven.
And here's Skyler Samuels now:
After the show, Samuels continued acting and is most known for her main role in Scream Queens. She's also starred in American Horror Story: Freak Show, The Gates, The Gifted, The DUFF, and Masquerade. She also graduated from college in 2016 with a marketing degree.
14.And finally, here's Jeff Garlin when he started playing Kelbo Russo in 2008:
Garlin has starred in plenty of roles, including RoboCop 3, Daddy Day Care, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Fat Albert, and Fun with Dick and Jane, to name a few. He's also starred on Curb Your Enthusiasm since 2001.
And here's Jeff Garlin now:
After his time on Wizards of Waverly Place, he continued acting and is most known for his roles in Toy Story 4, Cars 2, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and The Goldbergs. He's also written and directed several projects, such as Dealin' with Idiots and Handsome. Garlin has also written a book and hosted a podcast called By the Way, In Conversation with Jeff Garlin.
