Kay Panabaker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kay Panabaker
Kay Panabaker in 2007
Born	Stephanie Kay Panabaker (1990-05-02) May 2, 1990 (age 35) Orange, Texas, U.S.
Alma mater	Glendale Community College University of California, Los Angeles
Occupation	Zoologist, Actress
Years active	2000–2012 (acting) 2016–present (zoology)
Spouse(s)	Yoni Yates ​ (m. 2022)​
Relatives	Danielle Panabaker (sister)

Stephanie Kay Panabaker (born May 2, 1990) is an American zoologist and former actress. She is well-known for her roles as Jenny Garison in the 2009 movie Fame. She also played Debbie Berwick on the TV show Phil of the Future and Nikki Westerly on Summerland. Kay is the younger sister of actress Danielle Panabaker.

Early Life and Education

Kay Panabaker was born in Orange, Texas. Her parents are Donna and Harold Panabaker. Following her older sister Danielle, Kay started acting in local plays. She performed in community theatres in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.

When she was in sixth grade, Kay attended Crone Middle School in Naperville, Illinois. She then moved to Los Angeles for seventh grade.

Kay was very focused on her studies. She finished high school and was the top student in her class (called the valedictorian) when she was only 13 years old. She earned two academic scholarships to Glendale Community College. There, she studied acting and was on the Dean's list for her excellent grades.

She earned her associate degree with high honors when she was 15. After that, she was accepted into the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) History Program as a third-year student. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in history before she turned 18.

Acting Career Highlights

Kay Panabaker appeared in many television shows and movies. She played different characters in popular TV dramas. These included Alice Brand in 7th Heaven, Melissa Rue in ER, and Lindsey Willows in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

She also did some voice acting for the Disney/Pixar movie, Monsters, Inc.. Kay's big break came when she starred as Nikki Westerly in Summerland during the 2004–05 season. She also played George in the 2007 movie Nancy Drew, alongside Emma Roberts.

Kay had a regular role in Phil of the Future as Debbie Berwick. Debbie was a very proper friend of Pim Diffy, played by Amy Bruckner. Kay also starred as Emily Watson in Life Is Ruff with Kyle Massey. In 2006, she appeared in the Disney Channel Original Movie Read It and Weep. Her sister Danielle also starred in this movie.

In 2006, Kay was part of the first Disney Channel Games. She was on the Red Team with other stars like Zac Efron and Dylan Sprouse. Her other movies include Moondance Alexander and The Prince and the Pauper. In 2009, Kay starred as Jenny, an actress, in the remake of Fame. She also played a younger version of Kitty Walker on Brothers & Sisters.

From 2010 to 2011, Panabaker starred in the ABC sci-fi drama series No Ordinary Family. In 2011, she played Samantha Caldone in the ABC Family movie Cyberbully.

From Acting to Zoology

After playing Rosa in Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta in 2012, Kay Panabaker decided to stop acting. She then went back to UCLA to study zoology. Since 2016, she has been working as a zookeeper at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

Personal Life

Kay Panabaker married Yoni Yates on February 6, 2022.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Music Video Appearances

Awards and Recognitions

Kay Panabaker was once a member of the National Board of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media. This group works to promote good media for kids.

See also

A robot drawing, representing information for kids.

In Spanish: Kay Panabaker para niños