Get ready to take a magical trip down memory lane as we delve into the world of Wizards of Waverly Place.
It’s been over a decade and a half since the show first enchanted audiences on October 12, 2007, becoming an instant fan favorite.
The show revolved around the Russo family living in New York’s Greenwich Village. Siblings Alex, Justin, and Max inherited magical powers from their father.
Season 4 promo shot of Wizards of Waverly Place featuring Maria Canals-Barrera, David DeLuise, Jake T. Austin, Selena Gomez, David Henrie, and Jennifer Stone (Credit: Disney Channel)
Its four epic seasons followed their journey to become the Family Wizard, all while dealing with the struggles of school, romance, and the challenges of adolescence as they secretly hid their powers from the mortal world.
Though the series ended on January 6, 2012, its legendary status remains untouched. But what have the talented cast members been up to since then, and who is the richest cast member?
David DeLuise, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Stone, Jake T. Austin, and David Henrie gathered at The Times Center in New York on September 6, 2008, for the New York Times Talks event, captivating the audience during the press conference for Wizards of Waverly Place (Credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock)
Let’s explore the exciting paths the Wizards of Waverly Place cast has taken, from acting and singing to pursuing higher education and starting families.
1. Selena Gomez as Alex Russo – $800 Million Net Worth
Selena Gomez enchanted us as the feisty and sarcastic Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place. Alex’s mischievous use of magic often landed her in amusing yet messy situations.
But her journey led to a remarkable achievement – earning the Family Wizard title.
Selena Gomez portrays Alex Russo in this enchanting promo shot from the fantasy teen sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place, highlighting her mischievous character (Credit: Disney Channel)
Selena’s estimated earnings for her role on Wizards of Waverly Place ranged from $25,000 to $30,000 per episode, contributing to her jaw-dropping net worth of $800 million.
Before her stint as Alex, she had already dipped her toes into the entertainment industry, starting as a child actor on Barney & Friends alongside Demi Lovato.
The 31-year-old star seamlessly transitioned into the music world while on the show, showcasing her incredible vocals in six successful albums with her group Selena Gomez & The Scene and as a solo artist.
After bidding farewell to WOWP, Selena continued to shine as an actress. She starred in films like Spring Breakers in 2012 and Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising in 2016 and voiced Mavis Dracula in the Hotel Transylvania animated film series.
Returning to the spotlight after several years of hiatus, Selena graced the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019 with her role in the zombie comedy The Dead Don’t Die.
Selena Gomez making a stunning entrance in a Valentino gown with Santoni shoes at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on January 10, 2023 (Credit: DDP / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Not only has she graced the silver screen, but Selena also made a remarkable return to television in the critically acclaimed Hulu series Only Murders in the Building.
Her exceptional work as an actress and producer earned her an Emmy Award nod and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy.
Behind the scenes, Selena Gomez proved herself a remarkable executive producer. She was involved in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why and hosted and produced the HBO Max cooking show Selena + Chef.
Beyond her artistic accomplishments, Selena became a social media sensation and engaged in high-profile relationships with Nick Jonas, Justin Bieber, and The Weeknd. She has been open about her struggles with depression and anxiety and her journey through a kidney transplant due to her lupus.
2. David DeLuise as Jerry Russo – $10 Million Net Worth
David DeLuise starred as Jerry, the devoted father to the three Russo kids and their wizard instructor. Before marrying Theresa, Jerry was a wizard but willingly gave up his powers to be with his mortal love.
David DeLuise as Jerry Russo, the wizard father teaching his children the ropes of magic in Wizards of Waverly Place, in this captivating promo shot (Credit: Disney Channel)
Aside from his iconic role in Wizards of Waverly Place and 3rd Rock from the Sun, the 52-year-old actor has impressed us with numerous guest appearances on popular shows like The Mentalist, Grey’s Anatomy, Hawaii Five-0, Baby Daddy, and This Is Us.
He continued to shine in the entertainment world, accumulating an astounding wealth of over $10 million, starring in the drama film Unbroken: Path to Redemption and making memorable guest performances on Shameless and NCIS.
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Regarding his personal life, David DeLuise has two children, Riley and Dylan, from his previous marriage with Brigitte.
In 2023, he delighted fans by launching the podcast Wizards of Waverly Pod alongside former co-star Jennifer Stone, keeping the show’s magic alive in the hearts of fans.
3. Jake T. Austin as Max Russo – $5 Million Net Worth
Jake T. Austin, known for his role as the youngest Russo sibling, Max, won our hearts as the wizard-in-training.
In the series finale, he had to give up his magical abilities but was delighted to be awarded ownership of his family’s sandwich shop, the Sub Station.
Jake T. Austin as Max Russo and Selena Gomez as Alex Russo in the fantasy teen sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place (Credit: Disney Channel)
After season two, the 29-year-old actor left the show and was replaced by Noah Centineo. He explained his departure on Twitter in January 2017, expressing his desire to pursue roles with more substance and depth.
Following his time on Wizards of Waverly Place, Jake T. Austin took on significant roles in various projects, starring in the drama series The Fosters from 2013 to 2015.
He showcased his versatility through voiceover roles in animated films like Rio and its sequel, Rio 2, The Emoji Movie, and the TV series Justice League Action, significantly increasing his net worth.
In 2016, he even took on a new challenge, competing on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars, though he was eliminated in the first round.
4. Bill Chott as Mr. Laritate – $5 Million Net Worth
Bill Chott portrayed the principal of Tribeca Prep High School in New York, Mr. Laritate. His relationship with the Russo family was a mix of admiration for Justin’s hard work and frustration with Alex’s playful ways.
Since his time as Mr. Laritate, the 54-year-old comedian has kept busy with various projects, accumulating a net worth of $5 million. Bill has assumed minor roles in TV shows such as The Middle, The Millers, and Snowfall for the past fifteen years.
Bill Chott strolling in Los Angeles, known for his role as Mr. Laritate in Wizards of Waverly Place, continues his acting journey (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)
He earned guest-star roles in popular TV shows like Young Sheldon, Legion, and This Is Us. In 2022, Bill also appeared as Dr. Volker in the horror thriller Mid-Century.
Besides his acting endeavors, he is actively involved as an improv coach associated with a company called The Improv Trick.
5. David Henrie as Justin Russo – $3 Million Net Worth
David Henrie charmed audiences as the intelligent and responsible eldest child, Justin Russo, on the beloved Disney Channel show.
David Henrie as Justin Russo in a formal promo shot, bringing his character’s intelligent and responsible demeanor to life in Wizards of Waverly Place (Credit: Disney Channel)
In addition to his memorable role as Justin, the 34-year-old actor gained recognition as one of Ted Mosby’s children on the hit series How I Met Your Mother.
While Wizards of Waverly Place remains his most iconic work, his talent extended to the big screen, where he starred in films like Walt Before Mickey in 2015 and Reagan in 2023.
Best known for his roles as Justin Russo in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place and Luke Mosby in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, David Henrie attends the 43rd Annual Saturn Awards at The Castaway on June 28, 2017, in Burbank, California (Credit: Joe Seer / Shutterstock)
In 2020, David made his directorial debut with the coming-of-age film This Is the Year, which featured his brother Lorenzo Henrie and his WOWP co-star Gregg Sulkin. The movie was executive-produced by none other than Selena Gomez.
With a remarkable net worth of $3 million, David Henrie’s personal life also blossomed. In April 2017, he married his longtime girlfriend and former Miss Delaware, Maria Cahill.
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Their love story continued to bloom with the arrival of their first child, a daughter named Pia Henrie, in March 2019.
A year later, on Christmas Day, they welcomed their second child, a son named James Thomas Augustine Henrie. In July 2022, they had another addition to their family, a baby girl named Gemma Clare Henrie.
However, amidst the successes, in September 2018, David Henrie faced legal trouble when he was arrested for possessing a loaded handgun at Los Angeles International Airport. He later expressed his apologies online for the incident.
6. Gregg Sulkin as Mason Greyback – $3 Million Net Worth
Gregg Sulkin won our hearts for his portrayal of Mason Greyback, Alex’s charming werewolf crush, who had an on-again, off-again relationship with her when he appeared in Seasons 3 and 4 of Wizards of Waverly Place.
Gregg Sulkin as Mason Greyback, the charismatic werewolf in Wizards of Waverly Place, captures hearts in this thrilling scene from the show (Credit: YouTube)
In addition to his magical endeavors, the 31-year-old British actor had a recurring role as Ezra Fitzgerald’s brother, Wesley Fitzgerald, on Pretty Little Liars and made waves on MTV’s Faking It.
Before that, he showcased his talent in the British version of the Disney Channel show As the Bell Rings and appeared on The Sarah Jane Adventures, a Doctor Who spin-off.
In recent times, Gregg impressed us with his role as Kale in the David Henrie-directed movie This Is the Year and even starred in Bebe Rexha’s music video for I’m a Mess.
Gregg Sulkin at the premiere of The Tender Bar in Los Angeles, California, on December 13, 2021 (Credit: Abby Grant / Cover Images)
His acting career extended to other projects, bringing him a net worth of $3 million. In 2019, he played Chase Stein in the 2017 television series Marvel’s Runaways and David in the historical drama World on Fire.
He also portrayed Grant in the Netflix multi-cam comedy Pretty Smart in 2021 and will star alongside Oprah Winfrey in the upcoming World War Two movie Six Triple Eight.
7. Jennifer Stone as Harper Finkle – $2 Million Net Worth
Jennifer Stone captivated us with her quirky charm as Alex’s loyal best friend, Harper Finkle. Harper and Alex became inseparable friends since kindergarten, bonding over their iconic “crazy funky hat” song.
Jennifer Stone embodies Harper Finkle, Alex Russo’s loyal best friend, in this vibrant promo shot from Wizards of Waverly Place, showcasing her quirky style (Credit: Disney Channel)
After the series, the 31-year-old starlet took a break from acting to explore other options and focus on her education. However, she couldn’t resist the call of the entertainment world for too long, boosting his impressive wealth of $2 million.
Jennifer found her way to Nickelodeon, where she landed a role in the thrilling series Deadtime Stories. In 2019, she also showcased her talents as a star and co-writer in the independent film The In-Between and starred in the heartwarming holiday movie Santa Girl.
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In April 2020, she surprised everyone by revealing that she had become a registered nurse and was preparing to join healthcare workers on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jennifer Stone’s passion for her nursing career took her away from acting for a while. Still, in 2023, she delighted fans by revisiting her beloved role alongside former co-star David DeLuise with the Wizards of Waverly Pod podcast.
8. Maria Canals-Barrera as Theresa Russo – $2 Million Net Worth
Maria Canals-Barrera portrayed Theresa, who held the heart of the Russo family, as the loving mother to Alex, Justin, and Max.
She was the only mortal in the magical household without any powers. As a caring mother, Theresa wasn’t fond of her children using magic around the house, often keeping them in check.
Maria Canals-Barrera at an event, celebrated for her role as Theresa Russo, the caring mother in Wizards of Waverly Place, attending a play in Pasadena, California (Credit: Disney Channel)
Following the conclusion of Wizards of Waverly Place, the 57-year-old continued to thrive in the entertainment industry, resulting in an outstanding net worth of $2 million.
Maria’s talent extended to voice-over work, including the Disney+ series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.
She also took on a leading role as Daniela in the short-lived show Cristela and made memorable guest appearances in popular series like Last Man Standing, The Big Bang Theory, and Fuller House.
Maria Canals-Barrera attending the opening night performance of A Little Night Music presented by Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California, on April 30, 2023 (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
In her personal life, Maria is a proud mother to two kids, Bridget and Madeleine, whom she shares with her husband, actor David Barrera.
When she’s not acting, she enjoys attending concerts with her daughters and supporting her WOWP co-stars on social media.
9. Bridgit Mendler as Juliet Van Heusen – $2 Million Net Worth
Bridgit Mendler starred as Juliet Van Heusen, Justin’s vampire girlfriend. Their love for culture, academics, and adorable nicknames captivated their on-screen romance.
Bridgit Mendler as Juliet Van Heusen, portraying the intelligent vampire girlfriend of Justin Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place, in this memorable scene (Credit: YouTube)
Besides her role in Wizards of Waverly Place, the 31-year-old singer-actress gained fame as Teddy Duncan in the beloved Disney Channel show Good Luck Charlie and in the musical drama film Lemonade Mouth as Olivia.
As she bid farewell to the Disney Channel, Bridgit ventured into projects like Undateable and the short-lived Netflix holiday series Merry Happy Whatever.
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With a net worth of $2 million, Bridgit Mendler recently seemed to have taken a break from acting and focused on her singing career. However, her Twitter bio revealed that she is pursuing a Ph.D. at Harvard Law with little spare time remaining.
10. Daniel Benson as Zeke Beakerman – $1.5 Million Net Worth
Daniel Benson brought life to the goofy, over-dramatic character Zeke Beakerman, Justin’s best friend. Zeke’s relationship with Harper became romantic as the series progressed.
Daniel Benson brings to life Zeke Beakerman, Justin Russo’s dramatic and goofy best friend, in this still from Wizards of Waverly Place (Credit: YouTube)
Since his time on Wizards of Waverly Place, the 36-year-old star’s acting endeavors have been relatively limited, although he acquired a net worth of $1.5 million. He was featured in the 2018 film Killing Diaz, a thrilling story of friends plotting to murder an upstairs neighbor.
One of his most notable roles involved voicing Ethan, Summer’s ex-boyfriend, on the acclaimed Adult Swim hit Rick and Morty. He also played a minor role in the 2015 comedy film Bad Fan.
Daniel Benson remains active on Instagram, sharing pictures that reflect his passion for bodybuilding.
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