Debby Ryan

Deborah Ann Ryan (born May 13, 1993) is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She started acting professionally onstage at the age of seven, and was later discovered during Disney Channel's nationwide search for new talent. As a Disney child star, she had major roles in the series The Suite Life on Deck (2008–2011), the film 16 Wishes (2010), the series Jessie (2011–2015), and the film Radio Rebel (2012). She expanded into other appearances, such as the drama film What If... (2010), and has continued acting as an adult, including roles in the series Insatiable (2018–2019), the comedy film The Opening Act (2020), the thriller film Night Teeth (2021), and Spin Me Round (2022).

Ryan gained prominence in music by contributing vocals to the soundtracks of her Disney projects. She formed the indie rock band The Never Ending in 2013, with whom she released the EP One (2014).

Early life

Deborah Ann Ryan was born in Huntsville, Alabama, on May 13, 1993, to Sandy (née Popp) and Chris Ryan. She has an older brother named Chase (b. 1991) who is a musician. Her mother is a teacher who was active in school plays. Her father's job as a civilian consultant to the U.S. military required the family to move to numerous places around Europe, and they lived in Germany until she was 10. She started performing in professional theaters at the age of seven on an American base in Germany.

Ryan attended a German public school and an American public school and was also homeschooled. They then returned to the U.S. and settled in Texas. She lived on Fort Hood. In a 2009 People Magazine interview, she described herself as a "nerd" in school. She was bullied in middle school for being a mascot and a member of the school's chess club.