Paris Berelc built her acting career by transitioning from competitive gymnastics to starring in major Disney Channel and Netflix projects. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1998, she began her professional journey as a child model with Ford Models before moving to Los Angeles at age fourteen to pursue acting full-time. Her athletic background heavily influenced her early physical roles, allowing her to handle demanding stunt work and energetic performances across multiple television networks and streaming platforms.
The trajectory of her career spans from children's superhero comedies to teen sitcoms and dark comedy feature films. Understanding her filmography requires looking at how she carved out a distinct niche by combining physical comedy, grounded teen drama, and sharp comedic timing.
Early Breakthroughs on Disney XD
Berelc landed her first major professional acting role in 2013 as Skylar Storm on the Disney XD series Mighty Med. Her background as a competitive gymnast gave her an immediate advantage for the superhero sitcom, which required intense physical acting, wirework, and fast-paced comedic action sequences. She reprised the character in the 2016 spinoff series Lab Rats: Elite Force, solidifying her status as a recognized face in kids and family television.
During this era, she also appeared in the Disney Channel Original Movie Invisible Sister in 2015 alongside Rowan Blanchard. These early projects established her capability to carry ensemble casts and anchor multi-camera television formats.
Transition to Streaming and Teen Drama
Moving away from children's programming, Berelc secured her co-lead breakthrough on Netflix with the multi-camera sitcom Alexa & Katie, which premiered in 2018. She played Alexa Mendoza, a high school student dealing with a cancer diagnosis while trying to maintain a normal teenage life. The series ran for four seasons, showcasing her ability to balance emotional dramatic beats with traditional sitcom humor.
Following the success of Alexa & Katie, she expanded into streaming feature films, taking on diverse roles that shifted her image toward mature teen and adult comedies:
- Tall Girl (2019): Played Liz in the Netflix original teen romantic comedy.
- Hubie Halloween (2020): Appeared as Megan McNally in the Adam Sandler-led Netflix comedy.
- 1UP (2022): Starred as Vivian, an e-sports gamer navigating collegiate competitive gaming culture.
- Do Revenge (2022): Played Meghan Perez in the dark teen satire directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, streaming on Netflix.
Expanding Into Adult and Independent Cinema
In recent years, Berelc has taken on projects outside the major streaming ecosystem, moving into independent features and darker character work. Projects like For Worse and Kissing Is the Easy Part highlight her continued evolution as an actor willing to explore nuanced indie cinema and contemporary drama. This shift demonstrates a deliberate strategy to break away from typecasting and build a versatile resume across film and television.
Common Misconceptions About Her Career
Many fans assume Berelc started her entertainment career as a traditional child actress in commercials, but she actually entered the industry via competitive gymnastics and print modeling. Another common mix-up involves her television timeline; viewers often confuse her tenure on Mighty Med with her later Disney Channel movie appearances, though her career spans distinct network eras across Disney and Netflix.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Paris Berelc's first major acting role?
Her first major television role was playing Skylar Storm in the Disney XD series Mighty Med, which premiered in 2013.
Did Paris Berelc do her own stunts?
Because of her nine-year background in competitive gymnastics, she performed many of her own physical stunts and movement-heavy sequences during her time on Mighty Med and Lab Rats: Elite Force.
What are her most popular streaming projects?
Her most widely recognized streaming titles include the Netflix sitcom Alexa & Katie and the dark comedy film Do Revenge.
Where was Paris Berelc born?
She was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time. You can read more about her early life on Famous Birthdays.
