Cody Linley

Cody Linley – Life, Career, and Notable Quotes

Learn about Cody Linley — his journey from child actor to Disney favorite, his work in Hannah Montana, his ventures beyond acting, and some memorable quotes that reflect his personality and values.

Introduction

Cody Martin Linley (born November 20, 1989) is an American actor, singer, dancer, and filmmaker. He first gained widespread recognition as Jake Ryan on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana and later appeared in films, television projects, and reality shows. Over time, he's evolved into a multi-faceted creative — acting, directing, and coaching new talent.

In what follows, we delve into his background, career highlights, personal perspectives, and some of his quotes that give insight into his character.

Early Life and Family

Cody Linley was born on November 20, 1989, in Lewisville, Texas, U.S. Cathryn Sullivan, is a well-known acting coach, and his father is Lee Linley.

He had a brother named Chad Linley, who tragically passed away in 2011 at age 29.

Because of his mother’s involvement in acting training, Cody was exposed early to performance, and he began acting at a young age.

Young Career Beginnings

Cody’s first acting credit came in 1998 with the television film Still Holding On: The Legend of Cadillac Jack.

Some of his early film roles include:

• My Dog Skip (2000) — as “Spit McGee”

• Where the Heart Is (2000)

• Miss Congeniality (2000)

• Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)

• When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (2003)

He also made guest appearances in series like That’s So Raven and in television movies.

Breakthrough: Hannah Montana and Reality TV

Cody’s most recognized role came when he was cast as Jake Ryan, a recurring love interest of Miley Stewart (played by Miley Cyrus) in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. He appeared in multiple episodes between 2006 and 2010.

In 2008, he competed on the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars (U.S.), partnered with Julianne Hough, and made it to the “Final Four,” eventually finishing in fourth place.

During that season, for a brief period, his usual partner Julianne Hough was hospitalized, and he danced with Edyta Śliwińska for two weeks.

Later Work, Filmmaking & Coaching

After Hannah Montana, Cody continued to take on acting roles in film and television. Some of these later credits include:

• Melissa & Joey (2 episodes)

• The Playroom

• My Dog the Champion

• Hoovey (as title character)

• Sharknado: The 4th Awakens and Sharknado 5: Global Swarming

Beyond acting, Cody Linley has expanded into directing, filmmaking, and acting coaching. He runs Acting With Cody, and shares his knowledge to help new actors hone their craft.

His official site describes him as a “quadruple threat” (actor, singer, dancer, filmmaker) and highlights his efforts to mentor future performers and create original content.

Personality & Public Perspectives

Cody Linley tends to project a warm, playful, down-to-earth image. From interviews, he expresses gratitude toward his family, humility at his roles, and passion for creative work. In a Teen Vogue Q&A, he described his typical day as involving beatboxing, music, handling business, and spending time with family and art.

He also emphasized how participating in Dancing with the Stars was life-changing for him in unexpected ways.

Because of his background with an acting coach mother, Cody often refers to performance not just as entertainment, but as craft — something to learn, teach, and refine.

Notable Quotes by Cody Linley

Below are a few quotes attributed to Cody Linley that offer glimpses into his personality and values:

“I think all kids think their parents are strict. My parents aren’t superstrict, but they seem to be stricter than most. But even though it’s like, ‘Oh, gosh, I’ve gotta be in at this time,’ they know what they’re doing. I have great parents.”

“My favorite room in the house is the living room. We have two big couches, six recliners and over 20 pillows. It’s a really comfortable place to hang out with my family.”

“I like a girl who laughs a lot. That’s my main thing.”

“It’s important to stand up for what you believe in.”

“I’m pretty goofy, I’ll do anything for a laugh.”

“When I was filming ‘The Haunting Hour’, my co-stars Emily Osment, Brittany Curran and I paid a visit to a haunted house — all dressed up as vampires! We really confused the workers.”

These quotes show a mix of humor, warmth toward family, and personal values.

Lessons & Insights from His Journey

1. Start young but keep evolving.
   Cody began as a child actor and moved into more mature roles, showing that longevity often requires adaptation.

2. Diversify your skills.
   He didn’t limit himself to acting — he has branched into directing, coaching, and filmmaking, which gives him multiple creative outlets.

3. Gratitude and humility matter.
   Despite early exposure in a high-profile show like Hannah Montana, he often expresses appreciation for his support system, especially his family.

4. Use setbacks and losses to grow.
   The loss of his brother is a tragic chapter in his life; while deeply personal, such experiences often shape empathy, perspective, and the kinds of projects someone chooses.

5. Teach as you grow.
   By coaching and mentoring others, Cody gives back to the very community that supported him, reinforcing a sense of continuity and responsibility.

Conclusion

Cody Linley’s path is one of early promise, sustained effort, and gradual transformation. From child actor roles and Disney fame to the responsibilities of creating, directing, and guiding others, he has navigated both visibility and reinvention.

He may not always be in the Hollywood spotlight, but his multifaceted work, authenticity, and commitment to craft suggest a career that values depth over fleeting fame. If you like, I can offer an article version focused on Cody Linley’s transformation into a filmmaker and coach, or collect more quotes from recent years. Would you like me to do that?