Brenda Song, an accomplished American actress and producer, holds a net worth of $8 million. Her rise to fame began at a young age, with early work in modeling. Song is most recognized for her portrayal of London Tipton on the popular Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005–2008) and its spinoff The Suite Life on Deck (2008–2011). Additionally, she starred in Dollface (2019–2022) on Hulu as Madison Maxwell.
Her career spans across television and film, with over 80 acting credits. Notable films include Leave It to Beaver (1997), The Social Network (2010), Changeland (2019), and Love Accidentally (2022). Her television credits also include roles in 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd (2000–2002), Phil of the Future (2004–2005), Scandal (2012–2013), New Girl (2013), and Station 19 (2018–2020). Beyond acting, Brenda co-produced two episodes of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, as well as Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (2006) and Arwin! (2007). Additionally, she produced Love Accidentally in 2022.
Song has lent her voice to animated films such as The Little Engine That Could (2011), Cinnamon (2011), and Bobbleheads: The Movie (2020), along with several TV shows like Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2002) and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022). Her work in the voice-over industry spans across multiple platforms, showcasing her diverse talents.
Early Life and Background
Brenda Julietta Song was born on March 27, 1988, in Carmichael, California. She comes from a mixed heritage, with Hmong and Thai roots. She has two younger brothers, Nathan and Timmy. Brenda’s mother, a Thai-American homemaker, and her father, a Hmong schoolteacher, were supportive of her early career pursuits. Brenda’s interest in modeling began when an agent discovered her while she was at a mall, leading her to appear in advertisements like Little Caesars and Barbie at the age of five.
At the age of six, Brenda and her mother moved to Los Angeles to expand her acting opportunities, with her father and brothers joining them two years later. Although she initially wanted to take ballet lessons, she and her brother ended up taking taekwondo classes after their mother opted to avoid commuting to two different places. Despite struggling during her first class, Brenda persevered and eventually earned a black belt. During high school, she was an All-American Scholar and finished school early at just 16 years old after being homeschooled to accommodate her acting career. Later, she attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she majored in psychology and minored in business, graduating in 2009.
Brenda Song’s Acting Career
Brenda Song’s acting career began in the mid-1990s, with guest appearances on TV shows such as Thunder Alley (1994–1995), Fudge (1995), and Once and Again (1999). She also appeared in the feature films Santa with Muscles (1996) and Leave It to Beaver (1997). From 2000 to 2002, Brenda played Sariffa Chung in 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd on Nickelodeon and made numerous guest appearances in TV series, including 7th Heaven (2000), The Brothers García (2000), Bette (2001), ER (2001), Judging Amy (2001), The Bernie Mac Show (2002), and George Lopez (2002).
Her early 2000s career also saw appearances in Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs) like The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000), Get a Clue (2002), and Stuck in the Suburbs (2004). Additionally, from 2004 to 2005, she had a recurring role as Tia in Phil of the Future. In 2005, her career soared when she took on the role of London Tipton in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, which was a massive success. The show aired 87 episodes over three seasons, and she reprised her role in the spinoff series The Suite Life on Deck (2008–2011) and in The Suite Life Movie (2011), as well as in guest appearances on Wizards of Waverly Place (2009) and Hannah Montana (2009).
Brenda starred in the lead role in Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (2006), a DCOM, followed by roles in the films College Road Trip (2008) and Boogie Town (2009), in addition to TV movies like Macy’s Presents Little Spirit: Christmas in New York (2008). She also appeared in The Social Network (2010) as Christy Lee, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. In 2010 and 2012, she worked on Little Sister and First Kiss and guest-starred in shows like Key & Peele (2012) and The League (2014).
Brenda continued to expand her TV presence with recurring roles on Scandal (2012–2013), New Girl (2013), Station 19 (2018–2020), and Dads (2013–2014). She also appeared in Pure Genius (2016–2017) and starred in Angry Angel (2017) on Freeform. In 2019, she appeared in Changeland and Secret Obsession, as well as taking on the role of Madison Maxwell in Dollface. Brenda also starred in and produced the 2022 movie Love Accidentally on Amazon Freevee and voiced Kaitlyn Ka in the interactive horror video game The Quarry.
Brenda Song’s personal life has garnered media attention over the years. She dated musician Trace Cyrus, son of Billy Ray Cyrus, from 2010 to 2017, with the couple getting engaged in 2011. After their split, Brenda began a relationship with her Changeland co-star Macaulay Culkin in 2017. They welcomed a son, Dakota, on April 5, 2021, naming him after Macaulay’s late sister, Dakota, who tragically passed away in 2008.
In 2008, Brenda found herself embroiled in a legal battle when an escort agency used her photo in an ad. Brenda sued the company for libel, claiming that the ad exploited her image. The lawsuit resulted in an award of $16,000 to Brenda after the defendant was found guilty of emotional distress and commercial misappropriation.
Awards and Recognitions
Brenda Song’s work has earned her recognition in various award circuits. In 2006, she won two Young Hollywood Awards for The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, including Superstar of Tomorrow and Best Role Model. She also received a Kids’ Choice Award (Australia) nomination for Favorite Television Star (2008) and a Kids’ Choice Award (U.S.) nomination for Favorite TV Sidekick (2011). Her role in The Social Network earned her and her co-stars multiple Best Ensemble awards from the Hollywood Film Awards, Palm Springs International Film Festival, and Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards. She also received several nominations, including those from the Central Ohio Film Critics Association and Gold Derby Awards.
Real Estate Ventures
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin’s real estate investments reflect their growing wealth. In August 2022, they purchased a luxurious home in the Toluca Lake area of Los Angeles, paying $8 million for the property. The home, originally built in 1935, spans 4,879 square feet and boasts five bedrooms and six bathrooms. The estate includes premium amenities such as a swimming pool, putting green, and a terrace with a fireplace and pergola, providing a tranquil retreat for the couple and their young family.
Brenda Song’s career and personal life continue to flourish, cementing her place as a versatile and respected figure in the entertainment industry.
