From Disney to TCU: Mallory James Mahoney and her acting journey

By Elle Wood and Crystal Polglase

Published Oct 23, 2024

The Disney Channel meets TCU with first-year sports broadcasting major, Mallory James Mahoney.

Mahoney, a North Texas native, has just begun the first semester at TCU after acting on the Disney Channel show “Bunk’d,” a spin-off of another show “Jessie.” She worked on the show from 12 years old to 19 years old.

“When I came to TCU for my campus tour, I immediately knew I wanted to come here,” Mahoney said. “When I stepped on campus, it felt like home.”

From Hollywood to Fort Worth

Acting has been Mahoney’s passion since she was four years old. She began her journey here in Fort Worth, acting in productions at Casa Mañana Theatre, located in the Fort Worth cultural district.

Mahoney began acting in films when she was seven years old. While on Disney Channel, Mahoney sometimes worked five days a week with many 12-hour work days.

Mahoney on the set of “Bunk’d” with co-star Shiloh Verrico (Source: Tina Thorpe, It’s A Laugh Productions).

Despite already having professional experience, Mahoney wanted to pursue a higher education, and coming to college was always her plan; it was just a matter of when.

Since she was busy filming “Bunk’d” in what would have been her senior year of high school, she deferred her admission to TCU for a year to allow time to finish filming the final season.

“It definitely is an adjustment coming from a full-time work environment to coming to TCU,” Mahoney said. “I do get recognized on campus, which is kind of to be expected since so many people here grew up watching my show. Everyone has been very nice, and I am just glad to know that people are as happy to see my work as I am to make it!”

Mahoney filming for Frogs Today (Source: ROXO Media).

Mahoney is involved in Frogs Today, a ROXO Media House Production that covers TCU’s sports. She is also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, where she has participated in the sorority’s CASA 5K philanthropy event.

As an avid hockey fan and Dallas Stars season ticket holder, Mahoney plans to work with the TCU hockey team. She has been doing this for two years, occasionally doing the puck-drop at the start of their games.

Mahoney plans on continuing acting after college and has continued auditioning throughout her first few months here at TCU.