Sterling Knight Biography: Ex-Girlfriends, Age, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Height, Parents, Siblings

Sterling Sandmann Knight, known professionally as Sterling Knight, is an American actor, singer, and dancer best recognized for playing Chad Dylan Cooper in Disney Channel’s Sonny with a Chance and So Random!.

He also starred as Christopher Wilde in Starstruck and appeared in 17 Again, later extending his career with roles in Melissa & Joey and indie projects, showcasing both his comedic and musical talents.

Profile

• Full Name: Sterling Sandmann Knight
• Stage Name: Sterling Knight
• Born: 5, March 1989
• Age: 36 years old
• Birthplace: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, Singer, Dancer
• Height: 1.77m
• Parents: Mr. Knight and Mrs. Knight
• Siblings: Spencer Knight, Samantha Scarlett Knight
• Spouse: None
• Girlfriend: Maddie Cyrus (ex), Jessica Bridgeman (ex), Ayla Kell (ex)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Sterling Sandmann Knight was born on March 5, 1989, in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, a coastal spot that shaped his early love for the outdoors before the family relocated to Houston, Texas, for his formative years.

His parents, referred to in profiles as Mr. Knight and Mrs. Knight, supported his creative leanings in a close-knit home alongside his younger brother Spencer and sister Samantha Scarlett.

Details on formal education remain sparse, with no specific schools or degrees publicly noted, as his focus shifted early to performance pursuits.

Of Caucasian ethnicity, Knight follows Christianity, though he shares little about his faith in interviews.

Career

Sterling Knight began his professional journey on stage in Houston-area productions, honing his skills through school theater and local gigs that sparked his move to Los Angeles as a teen.

His on-screen debut arrived with minor roles in short films like Calm and Career Day around 2006, followed by guest spots on shows such as Hannah Montana in 2007, where he played a brief boyfriend part that caught Disney’s eye.

Initial recognition built steadily with appearances on The Closer and In Plain Sight, but his film breakthrough came in 2009 as Alex O’Donnell in 17 Again, holding his own opposite Matthew Perry and Zac Efron in a time-travel comedy that introduced him to wider audiences and paved the way for his Disney era.

Knight’s star rose sharply in 2009 with the lead role of Chad Dylan Cooper on Sonny with a Chance, a sitcom that ran for three seasons and spawned the sketch show So Random! in 2012, where his over-the-top teen idol persona earned Teen Choice nods and a massive young fanbase.

He expanded into music with the Starstruck soundtrack, singing the lead single “Something About the Sunshine” that charted on Billboard, while his role as aspiring musician Zander Carlson on ABC Family’s Melissa & Joey from 2010 to 2015 showcased comedic chemistry with Melissa Joan Hart.

Transitions to edgier fare included the 2015 indie thriller Landmine Goes Click, a psychological drama filmed in Georgia that highlighted his dramatic range beyond family-friendly fare.

Sterling Knight sustains his craft through selective indie projects like the 2017 road-trip comedy Different Flowers, where he played a quirky roadie, and voice work in animated series that tap his musical side.

His guitar performances in live sessions and fan events underscore a lasting tie to music, while roles in shorts like Danny Boy reflect a pivot to character-driven stories.

Knight’s influence lingers in Disney nostalgia circles, mentoring emerging talents through Cameo videos and social shares that blend humor with heartfelt advice, carving a niche for versatile performers who evolve from teen heartthrob to grounded storyteller.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @realsks
• Facebook Handle: Sterling Knight
• Twitter Handle: @SterlingKnight

Personal Life

Sterling Sandmann Knight keeps his romantic history light on details, dating singer Maddie Cyrus from 2007 to 2008 and publicist Jessica Bridgeman from 2009 to 2010 before a four-year run with actress Ayla Kell starting in 2014—they met on Melissa & Joey, got engaged in 2018, and split amicably in 2019.

Child-free and based in Los Angeles, his routine mixes guitar jams, sports like basketball, and quiet hikes, a low-key vibe that lets him recharge away from the set while engaging fans through Cameo surprises and occasional travel snaps.

Filmography

• 17 Again (2009)
• Starstruck (2010)
• Landmine Goes Click (2015)
• Different Flowers (2017)
• Danny Boy (2019)

Discography

• Starstruck (Soundtrack) (2010)

Net Worth

Sterling Sandmann Knight has an estimated net worth of $2 million, built from Disney Channel earnings during Sonny with a Chance and ongoing residuals from reruns.

Additional income comes from film roles like 17 Again, music work on Starstruck, TV arcs on Melissa & Joey, plus Cameo bookings and social media endorsements.