Kay Panabaker


Stephanie Kay Panabaker is an American zoologist and former actress. She is best known for her roles as Jenny Garison in the 2009 reboot of Fame, Debbie Berwick on Phil of the Future and Nikki Westerly on Summerland. She is the younger sister of Danielle Panabaker.

Early years

Panabaker was born in Orange, Texas, to Donna and Harold Panabaker. Following in older sister Danielle's footsteps, she started acting at various community theatres in Chicago, Illinois; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Atlanta, Georgia. In Naperville, Illinois, she attended Crone Middle School for sixth grade, and moved to Los Angeles, California, at the start of seventh grade.
Between projects, Panabaker focused on her academics. She graduated from high school as valedictorian when she was 13 years old. Kay received two academic scholarships from Glendale Community College, where she studied acting and was on the Dean's list. She graduated with an associate's degree with honors when she was 15. She was accepted by the University of California, Los Angeles, History Program as a junior and completed her Bachelor of Arts in history before she turned 18.

Career

Panabaker has guest-starred in several television dramas and soap operas. She portrayed Alice Brand in 7th Heaven, Melissa Rue in ER, Sara in Port Charles, Carrie Bauer in The Brothers García, Ellisha in Medium, and Lindsey Willows in ', to name a few. In film, she appeared in Dead Heat as Sam LaRoche; and did some voice work in the Disney/Pixar film, Monsters, Inc.. Panabaker's breakout role came when she starred in The WB's Summerland as Nikki Westerly, in the 2004–05 season. She also appeared as George in the 2007 Nancy Drew: The Mystery in Hollywood Hills alongside Emma Roberts and Amy Bruckner.
Panabaker had a recurring role in Phil of the Future as strait-laced Debbie Berwick, a friend of, and foil to, Pim Diffy. She starred in Life Is Ruff as Emily Watson alongside Kyle Massey and Mitchel Musso. In July 2006, she starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Read It and Weep, in which her sister Danielle also stars. In 2006, Panabaker was in the first Disney Channel Games, on the Red Team with Zac Efron, Anneliese van der Pol, Moises Arias, Dylan Sprouse, and Shin Koyamada as part of the Disney Channel's So Hot Summer!. Movies include Moondance Alexander and ' with Dylan and Cole Sprouse. Panabaker starred in the remake of Fame as Jenny, an actress; the film was released in theaters on September 25, 2009. She also played the teenaged Kitty Walker on Brothers and Sisters.
Panabaker starred in the ABC sci-fi drama series No Ordinary Family, which ran for a single season ending in 2011 after 20 episodes. In 2011, Panabaker played Samantha Caldone in the ABC Family movie Cyberbully.
After playing Rosa in Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta in 2012, Panabaker retired from acting. She eventually went on to study zoology at UCLA. As of 2016 she works as an animal keeper at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2001Monsters, Inc.Additional voices
2002Dead HeatSamantha "Sam" LaRoche
2007Moondance AlexanderMoondance Alexander
2007Nancy DrewGeorge Fayne
2007'Elizabeth
2009FameJenny Garrison
2010'Celia
2010The CraziesBecca
2011CyberbullySamantha Caldone
2012Little BirdsAllison
2012'RosaVoice role

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002Port CharlesSara1 episode
2002ERMelissa RueEpisode: "The Letter"
20027th HeavenAlice BrandEpisode: "Regarding Eric"
2002-2003AngelMesektet Episodes: "Forgiving", "Habeas Corpses"
2003'Susie JenkinsEpisode: "Cold Comfort"
2003'Carrie BauerEpisode: "Moving On Up"
2004-2005SummerlandNicole "Nikki" WesterlyMain role
2004-2005Phil of the FutureDeborah "Debbie" Berwick13 episodes
2005Mom at SixteenYoung Macy Television film
2005MediumElishaEpisode: "Penny for Your Thoughts"
2005Life Is RuffEmily WatsonDisney Channel original television film
2006Read It and WeepJamie BartlettDisney Channel original television film
2006'Cheerleader Lacey Episode: "Bring It On"
2006-2011'Lindsey Willows6 episodes
2007'VivicaEpisode: "Single Dates"
2007Two and a Half MenSophieEpisode: "Tucked, Taped and Gorgeous"
2007The Suite Life of Zack & CodyAmberEpisode: "First Day of High School"
2007CustodyAmanda GordonTelevision film
2007WeedsAmeliaEpisode: "He Taught Me How to Drive By"
2007Boston LegalAbigail "Abby" HoltEpisode: "The Chicken and the Leg"
2007Ghost WhispererMarlo SinclairEpisode: "Bad Blood"
2008Grey's AnatomyEmma AndersonEpisode: "All by Myself"
2009Happy CampersDylanTelevision film
2009'Madison "Maddy" GabrielTelevision film
2009Lie to MeEmily Lightman Episode: Pilot
2009MentalAysnley SkoffEpisode: "Manic at the Disco"
2010Brothers & SistersYoung Kitty WalkerTwo-part episode: "Time After Time"
2010Secrets in the WallsElizabeth "Lizzie"Television film
2010-2011No Ordinary FamilyDaphne Nicole PowellMain role
2011'Victoria "Vicki" HarrisEpisode: "Spiraling Down"

Music video

Awards and honors

Panabaker previously held a Seat on the National Board of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media. As of 2020, this was no longer the case.
YearAssociationCategoryNominated workResult
2003Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a TV Drama Series – Guest Starring Young ActressER
2004Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a CommercialYouth Anti-Smoking PSA
2005Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a Television Series – Recurring Young ActressPhil of the Future
2005Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a TV Series – Leading Young ActressSummerland
2007Temecula Valley International Film FestivalRising Star Award
2008Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young ActressMoondance Alexander
2008Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a Feature Film – Young Ensemble CastNancy Drew