If you spent any part of the mid-2010s glued to the Disney Channel, you probably remember the Rooney family. It was a weird, high-energy show. One girl played twins, which honestly still feels like a technical miracle for a kids' sitcom. But what happened after the "Cali Style" finale aired in 2017? Most Disney kids end up in a predictable cycle of indie movies or pop albums, but the liv and maddie cast actually took some pretty bizarre and impressive turns.
Seriously, one is a queer pop icon, another is a stand-up comedian, and one is literally the grandson of the first man to climb Mount Everest. You can't make this stuff up.
The Dove Cameron Transformation (Beyond the Blonde)
Let’s be real: Dove Cameron carried that show on her back. Playing two distinct characters in every single scene is a logistical nightmare. She had to talk to tennis balls on sticks and then go change her wig. Since the show ended, she hasn’t just "stayed busy"—she completely reinvented herself.
She’s basically shed the "Disney Princess" skin. After a massive run in the Descendants franchise as Mal, she pivoted hard into music. If you haven't heard "Boyfriend," you've probably been living under a rock. It was a massive queer anthem that signaled she was done with the "perfect twin" image.
She’s been very open about her struggles with mental health and her identity. In 2026, she’s seen more as a fashion-forward alt-pop artist than a former sitcom star. She also did some heavy lifting in theater (The Light in the Piazza) and shows like Schmigadoon! where she got to flex those Broadway-caliber pipes.
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Joey Bragg: From "The Falcon" to Stand-Up Stages
Joey Rooney was the relatable, dorky brother we all knew. Joey Bragg, the guy who played him, is actually a legit comedian. A lot of child stars try to do comedy and fail because they're too "polished." Joey is the opposite. He’s gritty, fast-talking, and actually funny.
- Call Your Mother: He starred in this ABC sitcom alongside Kyra Sedgwick.
- Stand-up: He tours constantly. If you catch him at a club, don’t expect Disney jokes.
- Sid is Dead: He took the lead in this 2023 comedy-drama, proving he can actually carry a movie without needing a laugh track.
He’s also been in a long-term relationship with Audrey Whitby (who was on The Thundermans), which is kind of the ultimate crossover for 2010s Disney/Nick fans. They've been together forever in Hollywood years.
Tenzing Norgay Trainor is Secretly Hollywood Royalty
This is the fact that always blows people's minds. Tenzing (Parker Rooney) is the grandson of Tenzing Norgay. Yes, that Tenzing Norgay—the Sherpa who reached the summit of Mt. Everest with Edmund Hillary in 1953.
Tenzing didn't stop acting after he finished building tunnels under the Rooney house. He’s become a go-to voice actor, specifically for the Abominable franchise. He also showed up in the Netflix series Freeridge and Boo, Bitch. He’s grown up to be a incredibly versatile actor who seems to pick projects that are a bit more "grounded" (ironic, considering the Everest thing).
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What Happened to the Rest of the Rooneys?
We can't forget the parents and the "extra" sister.
Kali Rocha (Karen Rooney) was already a veteran before the show. Remember her as the "happy" doctor in Grey's Anatomy? She’s stayed active in TV, appearing in Man with a Plan and most recently in the heavy-hitting series Waco: The Aftermath. She actually wrote episodes for Liv and Maddie too, which most people don't realize.
Benjamin King (Pete Rooney) has been a bit quieter but still pops up in projects like A Little White Lie with Michael Shannon. He’s the quintessential "TV Dad" who actually has a massive range when he’s not coaching basketball on screen.
Lauren Lindsey Donzis (Ruby) joined the show late, but she’s been everywhere since. She was a lead in the Punky Brewster revival and the Netflix show No Good Nick. She’s only 21 now and honestly has one of the highest "potential" ceilings of the younger cast.
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The Supporting Characters Who Stole the Show
You can't talk about the liv and maddie cast without mentioning the people who made the school scenes tolerable.
- Jordan Fisher (Holden): This guy is a powerhouse. Broadway star (Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen), Dancing with the Stars winner, and a massive gamer. He’s arguably one of the most successful people to ever come out of the Disney machine.
- Jessica Marie Garcia (Willow): She went on to star in On My Block on Netflix. Her performance as Jasmine was legendary and showed a completely different side of her talent than "basketball-obsessed best friend."
- Ryan McCartan (Diggie): He and Dove were a real-life couple (and a band called The Girl and the Dreamcatcher) for a long time. They broke up, which was a dark day for Disney Twitter, but he’s since crushed it on Broadway and in the Winchesters series.
Why People Are Still Obsessed With This Cast
Honestly? It's the chemistry. A lot of Disney shows feel forced, like the kids were just thrown together by a casting director who liked their hair. This group actually liked each other. They still post about each other, and they’ve all supported each other’s pivots into "adult" Hollywood.
It’s rare to see a cast where almost every single person—from the leads to the guest stars—is still working at a high level. Usually, you get one breakout star and five people who end up doing "where are they now" reality shows. This group is different.
To keep up with the liv and maddie cast today, your best bet is following their career moves on Deadline or Variety rather than just Disney+ nostalgia hubs. Dove is likely headed for a major film role or a world tour soon, while Joey Bragg is the one to watch if you’re into the LA alt-comedy scene. If you're looking for the next project from this crew, check out Tenzing's voice work or Lauren Donzis's upcoming streaming pilots. They aren't kids anymore, and their resumes prove it.
Next Steps for Fans:
Check out Dove Cameron’s latest album Alchemical to see the musical evolution firsthand, or look up Joey Bragg’s latest stand-up dates if you want to see how much "Joey Rooney" has actually grown up.