Deborah Ann Ryan, professionally known as Debby Ryan, was born on May 13, 1993, in Huntsville, Alabama, USA. Due to her father’s military career, she spent a significant portion of her childhood in Germany, where she learned to speak German fluently. She began acting in theater productions and talent competitions during her time in Germany. She returned to the United States in her early teens and settled in Texas.
Ryan began her television career with roles in Barney & Friends and various commercials. Her breakthrough came with her role as Bailey Pickett in the Disney Channel series The Suite Life on Deck (2008-2011), a spin-off of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. This role significantly raised her profile among young audiences.
Following The Suite Life on Deck, Ryan starred as the titular character in the Disney Channel series Jessie (2011-2015), where she played a small-town Texas girl who becomes a nanny for a wealthy family in New York City. She also directed multiple episodes of Jessie. Beyond Disney Channel, she has appeared in various television shows, including Sing It! (2016), Daytime Divas (2017), and Insatiable (2018-2019) on Netflix, where she played the lead role of Patty Bladell.
Ryan’s film credits include roles in movies such as What If (2010), Radio Rebel (2012), a Disney Channel Original Movie where she played the lead role, and Cover Versions (2018). She has also appeared in independent films and short films throughout her career.
Ryan is also involved in music. She was the lead singer of the band The Never Ending, which released the album One in 2013. She has also contributed to soundtracks for various Disney projects and has released solo music.
Ryan has received several