What is Ryan McCartan doing now? Former Disney star reveals shocking residual check from network

Ryan McCartan, 31, shocked fans by sharing a glimpse of his residual earnings from Disney via his Instagram Story.

On May 26, 2025, the Liv and Maddie-famed actor shared a screenshot of his residual check from the network. The image read:

"You have 1 payment totaling $0.41 on the way... be on the lookout."

Highlighting the minimal compensation for his role on the popular Disney show, he took a jab in the caption, writing:

"When they ask me if Disney Channel well"

Currently, Ryan McCartan is working on the Broadway musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby, playing the lead role of Jay Gatsby. He began performances for the show on January 21 this year.

In July 2023, Ryan similarly made headlines by exposing a Disney residual check totaling $0.00, as reported by Fortune. He captioned that Instagram story:

"Why we’re striking."

Liv and Maddie aired on Disney Channel from 2013 to 2017. McCartan portrayed the recurring role of Diggie Smalls throughout the series. It became a breakthrough role in his career, helping him land additional opportunities in television and theater.

A look at Ryan McCartan's present projects

After Jeremy Jordan, Ryan McCartan stepped into the acclaimed role of Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby musical adaptation, directed by Marc Bruni. His performance has earned praise, particularly for his vocal strength and emotional range.

In a recent interview with PIX 11 News, as cited by Us Magazine, McCartan reflected on playing Gatsby:

"Gatsby is so adult. And I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m not a grownup. I’m a kid from Minnesota. So they’re gonna go for someone sophisticated and complicated — not me. Then I get the call and I’m like, 'This is a mistake. This is a mistake. Me?'"

Modern Family star Sarah Hyland, playing Daisy Buchanan, shares the stage with McCartan. According to TheaterMania, the musical’s music and lyrics were composed by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen.

According to the official website of Broadway Plus, McCartan’s bio reads:

"Ryan McCartan is Broadway’s leading man! He most recently starred as Hans in Disney’s Frozen on Broadway after making his Broadway debut as Fiyero in Wicked. He also originated role of JD in the smash-hit Heathers: The Musical at New World Stages and starred as Mac in Scotland, PA at the Roundabout Theater Company."

On September 11, 2018, McCartan made his Broadway debut with Wicked, joining the cast as Fiyero at the Gershwin Theatre, as noted by New York Theatre Guide. This marked his transition from television and Off-Broadway productions to major Broadway roles.

Before his Broadway rise, he gained recognition for playing JD in Heathers: The Musical. His stage résumé now includes roles in Frozen, Heathers, Wicked, and The Great Gatsby.

Ryan McCartan’s personal life

Off stage, McCartan has frequently made headlines for his personal life. While working on Liv and Maddie, he met co-star Dove Cameron, and they began dating shortly. From an on-screen duo to their romance, they entered a relationship in 2013. Three years later, they got engaged in April 2016.

However, they split up, announcing their breakup in October 2016. Following their separation, as Teen Vogue reported, Ryan posted on X (formerly Twitter),

"Dove has decided this relationship isn't what she wants. We still love each other very much. Please be sensitive, as this is painful."

Things turned messy a few years later when McCartan accused his ex-fiancée of allegedly cheating him. In January 2020, he revealed in an Instagram Q&A session that Dove cheated and left him.

According to E! News, Ryan later released a statement on Instagram, writing,

"I have elected to remain silent about my past because I thought it would be the most effective way to leave it where it belongs. I am no longer comfortable watching the events of my life become so darkly misconstrued. I would like to fairly and diplomatically write about this once and finally."

He further continued about the "darkly misconstrued" breakup, explaining,

"I think Dove and I fundamentally agree about our relationship with one another. We were young, and immature. Our relationship was dysfunctional. We were a bad match."

Feeling "grateful" for his relationship with Dove Cameron, Ryan McCartan wished "nothing but the best" for his ex.

Reflecting on what the past relationship taught him, he further continued,

"I learned what love is by learning what it isn't. People are allowed to be young and make mistakes. People are allowed to grow up and grow apart. We are not at war with one another. This vortex of repetitive conflict is the result of freely and peacefully sharing our individual perspectives on our past, which is almost always followed by a myriad of social media posts creating a fight where there isn't one."

The actor concluded his thoughts, stating that

"Any claims of lasting or current conflict" between him and his "previous partner have been methodically manufactured, and are baseless."

While Cameron did not address McCartan directly, she made a cryptic post on X. It read:

"When a toxic person can no longer control you, they will try to control how others see you. The misinformation will feel unfair, but stay above it, trusting that other people will eventually see the truth just like you did."

Despite the publicized breakup, they have moved on.