If you’ve spent any time at all on Disney Plus lately, you’ve seen his face. He’s the kid with the curly hair who seems to be in every other original movie or sitcom. But who is Malachi Barton, really?
Honestly, most people just know him as the "little brother" from that one show with Jenna Ortega. That’s a huge understatement. By 2026, he’s basically become the face of the "new" Disney Channel, stepping into roles that would’ve gone to the Jonas Brothers or Zac Efron fifteen years ago.
He isn't just a child actor who got lucky. He’s a second-generation entertainer who basically grew up in the wings of a stage.
The Early Days in Virginia Beach
Malachi Daniel Barton was born on March 10, 2007. He’s a Pisces, if you’re into that sort of thing. He’s currently 18, which is a massive milestone in Hollywood. It’s that weird age where you either transition into serious adult roles or fade into the "where are they now" articles.
He’s from Virginia Beach, Virginia.
His parents aren't "stage parents" in the scary way people usually mean. They’re professionals. His mom, Felicia Barton, is a powerhouse singer-songwriter who was actually on season 8 of American Idol. His dad, Loren Barton, is a guitarist and tour manager.
Basically, the kid was doomed—or destined—to be a performer.
The family moved to Los Angeles around 2013. That's when the "career" actually started. We’re talking commercials for major brands before he could even drive a car. He made his debut in Workaholics as a "Tiny Kid." It was a two-second role, but it was the start.
That Breakthrough with Jenna Ortega
If you ask a casual fan about Malachi Barton, they’re going to mention Stuck in the Middle.
He played Beast Diaz. He was the high-energy, mess-making brother in a family of seven kids. Working alongside Jenna Ortega—who is now, you know, a global icon—and Ariana Greenblatt was a masterclass for him. He appeared in every single episode from 2016 to 2018.
That show was a massive hit for a reason. It captured that chaotic, messy reality of big families. Malachi wasn’t just a background prop; he had to hold his own against some very talented costars.
Beyond the "Beast" Persona
After Stuck in the Middle ended, a lot of child actors disappear. Malachi didn't. He did some voice work, which is honestly where the real money is in Hollywood. He was Lionel in Fancy Nancy and Leo in Elena of Avalor.
But 2021 changed everything.
Disney decided to remake their very first original movie, Under Wraps. Malachi landed the lead role of Marshall. It was a risky move—remaking a cult classic—but it worked. He played a horror-obsessed kid who finds a mummy. It showed he could lead a film, not just support a larger ensemble.
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Then came The Villains of Valley View.
He played Colby Madden, a kid in a family of supervillains trying to hide in the suburbs. His character, Flashform, had shape-shifting powers. It ran for two seasons and solidified him as the "go-to" guy for Disney's comedy-action hybrid shows.
Why 2025 and 2026 are Massive for Him
If you think he’s peaked, you’re wrong.
In 2025, he joined the Zombies franchise. He played Victor in Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires. This was huge. The Zombies movies are the modern equivalent of High School Musical. By joining that cast, he tapped into a massive, global fandom.
And now, looking into 2026, he’s got Coven Academy and the highly anticipated Camp Rock 3 on the horizon. Playing Fletch in Camp Rock 3 is basically the ultimate "passing of the torch" moment.
The "Momager" Factor and Real Life
What’s interesting about Malachi is how he handles the fame. He and his parents actually have a podcast called Momager.
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They talk about the industry. They talk about the stress. They talk about how to stay sane when you’re 18 and millions of people know your name. It’s rare to see that kind of transparency.
Outside of acting, he’s just a normal 18-year-old. He’s a huge Los Angeles Dodgers fan. You can usually find him at a skate park or on a baseball field when he’s not on a soundstage. He’s also a musician, which isn't surprising given his parents' background. He recently did a duet called "Snow Angels" with Freya Skye for the Zombies 4 soundtrack.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Disney stars have it easy. They don't.
They work 12-hour days and then have to do three hours of school on set. Malachi has been doing this for over a decade. He’s a veteran. He’s not a "TikTok star" who got a guest spot; he’s a trained actor who understands the grind.
There's also this misconception that he's "just" a comedy actor. If you watch his performance in the Under Wraps movies, he handles the emotional beats of a kid dealing with a divorce really well. He’s got range.
How to Follow His Career Moving Forward
If you want to keep up with what he’s doing, you need to look beyond just the TV screen.
- Watch the transition: Pay attention to Camp Rock 3. This is where we’ll see if he makes the jump to "teen heartthrob" or stays in the younger demographic.
- Listen to the podcast: Momager gives you the best insight into his actual personality.
- Check the soundtracks: He’s leaning more into music lately. Don't be surprised if an EP drops sometime in 2026.
Malachi Barton is one of the few young stars who seems to have a long-term plan. He’s navigated the "Disney machine" without any major scandals, and he’s consistently picked projects that expand his range.
Keep an eye on his move into more "Gen Z" focused content on platforms like Disney+ and Hulu. He's clearly being positioned as a legacy player for the brand.
To get the best sense of his current work, start by watching Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires to see his musical evolution, then check out his older episodes of Stuck in the Middle to appreciate how much he's actually grown as a performer over the last ten years.