Biography
Who is Kay Panabaker?
Early life and education
Stephanie Kay Panabaker was born on May 2, 1990, in Orange, United States. Her parents are Donna and Harold Panabaker, III. She grew up alongside her older sister, Danielle Panabaker. As children, she and her sister participated in community theatre productions in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Their family later moved to Los Angeles to support the sisters in pursuing professional acting careers.
Kay Panabaker achieved well-known academic milestones at a young age. She graduated from high school in 2003 at thirteen years old as the valedictorian. She subsequently earned an associate degree from Glendale Community College at age fifteen. At seventeen, she graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts in history.
Television and Disney career
Kay Panabaker began her acting career in the early 2000s with guest roles in television shows such as 7th Heaven, ER, and Angel. She also secured small voice and theatrical parts in films like Monsters, Inc. And Dead Heat. As a teenager, she found regular acting work with the Disney Channel.
In 2004, she played the character Debbie Berwick in the television series Phil of the Future. She later starred in the Disney Channel original films Life is Ruff in 2005 and Read It and Weep in 2006, acting alongside her sister Danielle in the latter project. Her other Disney television appearances included a role in the Disney Channel Games and a guest spot on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
Summerland and later acting roles
From 2004 to 2005, Kay Panabaker starred as Nikki Westerly in the WB drama series Summerland. Her character was a teenager who moved to California to live with her aunt after her parents died. The series ran for two seasons and featured actors like Zac Efron and Jesse McCartney.
After Summerland concluded, she continued making television appearances in popular programs including Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Ghost Whisperer. She starred in the 2009 musical drama film Fame and appeared in Little Birds in 2011. In 2010, she joined the main cast of the sci-fi drama No Ordinary Family as Daphne. Her final acting role was in the 2012 film Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta!
Awards and zookeeper career
During her acting years, Kay Panabaker received recognition for her performances, including the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series - Leading Young Actress. She also held a seat on the national board of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media until 2020.
Following her transition away from acting, she pursued a career as a zookeeper. Since 2016, she has worked as a zookeeper for Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida.
Birthday and age
Kay Panabaker was born on May 2, 1990, which makes Kay 36 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Kay shares the date with 27 other famous people.
Explore more
