Top 50 Hottest Up-And-Comers for 2012

1. Sara Paxton

Sara Paxton was born in Woodland Hills, California. At a young age she began acting in television commercials.

She was cast in her first film at the age of 8 as a child at school and at the party in Liar Liar (1997). Her first major television series role was on the WB's Greetings from Tucson (2002)....

2. Vanessa Marano

Actress | Saving Zoë

Vanessa Marano started acting in the theater when she was seven years old, performing in numerous plays at A.C.T. in Agoura Hills, California. She began her professional career with several national commercials.

Marano is most recognized for her roles as "April Nardini", the daughter of "Luke", in ...

3. Laura Marano

Actress | The Royal Treatment

Laura Marano started acting in the theatre when she was five years old. She has done numerous plays at the Agoura Children's Theatre, and continued her acting in many national commercials.

She is now starring in the new Disney Channel pilot, Austin & Ally (2011), where she is playing the title ...

4. Nicholas D'Agosto

Actor | Trial & Error

Nicholas D'Agosto was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He is the son of Alan and Deanna D'Agosto, and the middle of five children (two older brothers, two younger sisters). He began acting when he was eleven years old, and was a senior at Creighton Preparatory School when he was cast in Election...

5. Megan Park

Actress | The F Word

Megan Marie Park is a Canadian actress and singer. She is known for her work in the ABC Family television series The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008), and romantic comedy film What If (2013) and Charlie Bartlett (2007). Her first major roles came with a guest spot on the Lifetime series ...

6. Francia Raisa

Actress | How I Met Your Father

Francia Raisa is a bilingual first generation Mexican and Honduran actress, born and raised in Los Angeles. Francia began her acting career in 2005 at the fresh-faced age of 17 and has since made quite an impression in Hollywood. Upon making her debut, she's since become a powerhouse and catalyst ...

7. Alexandra Chando

Actress | The Lying Game

Alexandra Chando was born on July 28, 1986 in Pennsylvania, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for The Lying Game (2011), Dead People (2015) and As the World Turns (1956).

8. Bridgit Mendler

Actress | Karigurashi no Arietti

Bridgit Claire Mendler was born in Washington DC, and lived there until she was eight years old. Her family moved to the west coast, just outside of San Francisco, California. This is when she first expressed an interest in acting and began booking local jobs. In 2004, she landed her first role in ...

9. Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Actor | Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

Thomas Brodie-Sangster was born on May 16, 1990 in London, England, UK. He is an actor and producer, known for Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015), The Maze Runner (2014) and Love Actually (2003).

10. Abigail Mavity

Actress | Zeke and Luther

Abigail Mavity was born on March 4, 1993 in Mesa, Arizona, USA. She is an actress, known for Zeke and Luther (2009), Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005) and The Onion Movie (2008).

11. Krysten Ritter

Actress | Jessica Jones

Krysten Ritter stars as Jessica Jones in the Peabody, Hugo, and Emmy Award-winning Netflix original series, Marvel's Jessica Jones (2015). Her performance, which earned her a prestigious Critics Choice nomination, a Saturn nomination, a Webby Award and a Glamour Best International TV Actress Award,...

12. Noah Munck

Actor | The Goldbergs

Noah Munck was born in Orange County, California, to Kymbry (Robinson), a full-time mom, and Greg Munck, an executive pastor at a Mission Viejo church. Noah is the oldest of 5 kids, he has 4 brothers and 1 sister. After seeing how much fun his sister's were having in an improv class, Munck decided ...

13. Sterling Knight

Actor | 17 Again

Sterling Knight was born and raised in Houston, Texas, who discovered his passion for acting at an early age of 10. He appeared on various plays through out his school years and had his big film break as a supporting role on 17 Again (2009) as Alex O'Donnell. In his first leading television role, ...

14. Mary Elizabeth Ellis

Actress | Masterminds

Mary Elizabeth Ellis is an American actress. She is best known for her role as The Waitress on the FX sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Ellis also starred in the NBC sitcom Perfect Couples and the Fox sitcom The Grinder. She also appeared as Nick's ex-girlfriend Caroline in the sitcom New ...

15. Raini Rodriguez

Actress | Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2

Raini Rodriguez was born on July 1, 1993 in Bryan, Texas, USA. She is an actress and director, known for Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015), Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) and Austin & Ally (2011).

16. Eden Sher

Actress | The Middle

Eden was born December 26, 1991. She was raised in Los Angeles, California, where she resides with her family. Eden began acting at the age of 8, participating in school plays and local theater. She has done numerous commercials, including voice-over work. Eden also appeared in the short film Stuck...

17. Alice Greczyn

Actress | The Lying Game

Born in Walnut Creek, California, Alice Greczyn grew up mainly in the mid-west until finally landing in Colorado. She had no idea that she would stumble into life as an actress. Starring in television shows and films had not even crossed her mind. Instead, her childhood goal was to compete as a ...

18. P.J. Byrne

Actor | Babylon

PJ Byrne is a SAG Award nominated actor for his ensemble role in "Babylon", he has worked with some of the best directors of our time. That list includes Martin Scorsese, Damien Chazelle, Mike Nichols, Nora Ephron, Clint Eastwood, Jean-Marc Vallee, Jay Roach, Peter and Bob Farrelly among many ...

19. Debby Ryan

Actress | Insatiable

Debby Ryan was born in Huntsville, Alabama on May 13, 1993, but she and her family moved to Texas when she was a small child and lived there for five years before moving to Wiesbaden, Germany. In Germany Debby became fascinated with acting in local plays and musicals. By age 9, she knew she wanted ...

20. Allison Munn

Actress | Elizabethtown

Allison Munn was born and raised in South Carolina. After graduating from the College of Charleston, Munn knew she wanted to pursue acting full-time and moved to New York to study. She soon joined the cast of the famous off-Broadway production of "The Fantasticks" at New York's Sullivan Street ...

21. Scott Holroyd

Producer | Words on Bathroom Walls

Scott Holroyd was born on June 5, 1975 in Columbia, South Carolina, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Words on Bathroom Walls (2020), The Sleepover (2020) and Judy (2019). He has been married to Allison Munn since November 17, 2007. They have one child.

22. Amanda Schull

Actress | 12 Monkeys

Amanda Schull is an American actress and former professional ballet dancer. She is known for her lead role in the 2000 film Center Stage, and for her recurring roles on the American television series One Tree Hill and Pretty Little Liars. She starred in the Syfy television series 12 Monkeys, and ...

23. Cymphonique Miller

Actress | How to Rock

Cymphonique Raina Miller, is an actress, singer, dancer and writer. This Los Angeles native, is one of Hollywood's biggest teen phenomena and the star of the hit TV show How To Rock. Cymphonique has made a name for herself and built a diverse R&B, Pop and Hip Hop fan base through the Internet ...

24. Vincent Martella

Actor | Phineas and Ferb

Vincent Michael Martella was born in Rochester, New York, to Donna and Michael Martella, who owns a pizza chain. He was raised in Florida, and is of Italian descent.

Martella, responsible for breathing life into the animated character Phineas in the hit Disney Channel television show Phineas and ...

25. Josh Peck

Actor | Drake & Josh

Joshua Michael Peck is an American actor, comedian, and YouTuber. Peck began his career as a child actor in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and had an early role on The Amanda Show from 2000 to 2002. Peck rose to prominence for his role as Josh Nichols alongside Drake Bell's character in the ...

26. Nick Thurston

Actor | Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Nick Thurston was born in Oakland, California. He has been acting since his childhood, and has trained at several schools. These include the American Conservatory Theater, and the British American Drama Academy in London. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelors of ...

27. Zendaya

Actress | Spider-Man: Homecoming

Zendaya (which means "to give thanks" in the language of Shona) is an American actress and singer born in Oakland, California. She began her career appearing as a child model working for Macy's, Mervyns and Old Navy. She was a backup dancer before gaining prominence for her role as Rocky Blue on ...

28. Bella Thorne

Actress | The Duff

Actress and singer Annabella Avery "Bella" Thorne, known for Shake It Up (2010), The DUFF (2015), Blended (2014), and Midnight Sun (2018), was born in Pembroke Pines, Florida, to Tamara (Beckett) and Delancey Reinaldo "Rey" Thorne. She has three siblings, Remy Thorne, Dani Thorne and Kaili Thorne, ...

29. Allison Miller

Actress | A Million Little Things

Allison Miller was born in Rome, Italy, to American parents, Margo and John Winn Miller. She grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, where her father worked as a journalist.

The family eventually settled in Tallahassee, Florida, where she studied dance, piano, acting and singing while still at high school ...

30. Jason Dolley

Actor | Good Luck Charlie

Jason Dolley (Born Jason Scott Dolley) was born on July 5, 1991 in Los Angeles California. When he turned 11 he landed the lead role in the short film Chasing Daylight (2004) playing a boy who is having to cope with the loss of his best friend. That same year, he was picked up by Mel Gibson who was...

31. Stephen Colletti

Actor | One Tree Hill

Stephen Colletti was born in Newport Beach, California. During his childhood and teen years, he spent much of his time at the beach, playing sports, and seeking adventures for him and his friends to embark on. Whether it was camping or snowboarding in the Sierra Nevada Mountains or visiting his ...

32. China Anne McClain

Actress | Hubie Halloween

China Anne McClain comes from an artistic family. Her father, Michael McClain, is a music producer, vocalist, writer and sound engineer. His first production was on Beyonce's younger sister, Solange Knowles (Solo Star CD - track no.16 entitled Sky Away). China Anne's mother, Shontell, is also a ...

33. Hayes MacArthur

Actor | Angie Tribeca

Hayes MacArthur was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Hayes is an actor and producer, known for Angie Tribeca (2016), Merry Happy Whatever (2019) and Super Troopers 2 (2018). Hayes has been married to Ali Larter since August 1, 2009. They have two children.

34. Leven Rambin

Actress | The Hunger Games

Leven Alice Rambin is an American actress. She is known for playing look-alike half-sisters Lily Montgomery and Ava Benton on All My Children and her recurring roles in Grey's Anatomy and Gone, as well Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, One Tree Hill, Wizards of Waverly Place, and CSI: Miami....

35. Sharni Vinson

Actress | You're Next

Born in NSW, Australia, Sharni Vinson grew up in Sydney's southern beach suburb of Cronulla. As a teenager, she competed at a National Level in swimming, holding 4 State records throughout high school. Sharni began singing, dancing and acting at a young age, becoming the 3rd generation of ...

36. Alice Eve

Actress | Before We Go

Alice Sophia Eve was born in London, England. Her father is Trevor Eve and her mother is Sharon Maughan, both fellow actors. She is the eldest of three children. Eve has English, Irish and Welsh ancestry. Her family moved to Los Angeles, California when she was young as her father tried to crack ...

37. David Walton

Actor | Bad Moms

David Walton was born in Boston, MA. His father is John Hunter Walton Jr and his mother is Carolyn K Walton. He has four sisters (Francie Karlen, Jennifer Burke, Hilary Lehman, and Amanda Walton) and two brothers (Will Hovey and Burr Hovey). He began his acting career playing Petruchio in a 9th ...

38. Clark Duke

Actor | Hot Tub Time Machine

Clark Duke is an actor, writer, and director best known for Clark and Michael, The Office, Kickass, and Hot Tub Time Machine.

Originally from Arkansas, Clark attended film school at Loyola Marymount University. His thesis film was the pilot for Clark and Michael.

Clark was most recently seen ...

39. Ross Lynch

Actor | Austin & Ally

Ross Lynch debuted his acting career as 'Austin Moon' in the Disney Channel original comedy series "Austin & Ally." This role has earned him 4 Kids Choice Awards for 'Favorite TV Actor' (2013-2016) and 3 Teen Choice Awards for 'Choice TV Actor: Comedy' (2014-2016). In summer 2013, Lynch starred as ...

40. Raven Goodwin

Actress | The Station Agent

Raven Goodwin was born on June 24, 1992 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. She is an actress, known for The Station Agent (2003), Lovely & Amazing (2001) and Snatched (2017). She has been married to Wiley Battle since October 29, 2021. They have one child.

41. Annie Clark

Actress | Degrassi: The Next Generation

Annie Clark was born on June 4, 1992 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is an actress and producer, known for Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001), Ghosts of Christmas Past (2021) and Love Hacks (2023).

42. Aislinn Paul

Actress | Heroes Reborn

Aislinn Paul was born on March 5, 1994 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Aislinn is best-known for her role as "Clare Edwards" on Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001). She was a recurring character in seasons 6-7, becoming a regular character in season 8 up to season 14. Most recently seen in NBC's mini...

43. Madison Pettis

Actress | The Game Plan

Madison Pettis got her big break at 8 years old with her very first film, playing the daughter of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in Disney's hit family comedy, "The Game Plan". Now all grown up, Madison has an extensive list of acting credits and over 20 million followers on social media. Soon she can ...

44. Matt Bennett

Actor | Bridesmaids

Matt Bennett was born on November 13, 1991 in Massapequa, New York, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Bridesmaids (2011), The Virginity Hit (2010) and Victorious (2010).

45. Daniella Monet

Actress | Nancy Drew

Monet was born in West Hills, California. She has performed on the small screen in numerous television commercials beginning at the age of seven. In 1997, she had a guest appearance in an episode of Pacific Blue. In 2003, she landed recurring roles on the television series American Dreams, The ...

46. Ken Baumann

Actor | The Secret Life of the American Teenager

Ken Baumann was born on August 8, 1989 in Urbana, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008), Spring Break '83 and Castle (2009). He has been married to Aviva Baumann since June 16, 2012.

47. Blair Redford

Actor | The Gifted

Blair Redford was born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Gifted (2017), The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) and Burlesque (2010).

48. Michael B. Jordan

Actor | Black Panther

Michael B. Jordan, the middle of three children, was born in Santa Ana, California and raised in Newark, New Jersey. He is the son of Donna (Davis), a high school counselor, and Michael A. Jordan. His middle name, Bakari, means "noble promise" in Swahili. (He is not related to, or named after, ...

49. Elizabeth Gillies

Actress | Dynasty

Elizabeth Gillies (born July 26, 1993) is an American actress and singer. Shortly after her Broadway debut in the musical "13", she landed the role of Jade West in the hit Nickelodeon series, Victorious (2010). She soon started appearing on other Nickelodeon shows, most notably as the voice of ...

50. David Giuntoli

Actor | Grimm

David Giuntoli was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the son of Mary and David Giuntoli. David was educated at St. Louis University High School and moved on to Indiana University Bloomington, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in International ...