Switched at Birth Cast: Where Are They Now? Full Actor Guide

Switched at Birth was a groundbreaking television drama that aired on ABC Family (later Freeform) from 2011 to 2017 . The show centered on two teenage girls who discovered they were accidentally switched at birth. Bay Kennish grew up in a wealthy family with two parents and a brother, while Daphne Vasquez, who lost her hearing at an early age due to meningitis, grew up with a single mother in a working-class neighborhood .

The series was notable for its authentic portrayal of Deaf culture and American Sign Language. It featured both hearing and Deaf actors, making it one of the most inclusive shows on television. The show ran for five seasons and 104 episodes, earning a dedicated fan base . This article provides a comprehensive guide to the actors from Switched at Birth, including where you might know them from and what they’ve done since.

Main Cast

Katie Leclerc as Daphne Vasquez

Katie Leclerc played Daphne Vasquez, the outgoing and determined young woman who lost her hearing at an early age . Leclerc was born in San Antonio, Texas, and grew up in Lakewood, Colorado . She learned American Sign Language at 17, before discovering she had Ménière’s disease, a condition that causes hearing loss. Her older sister also teaches ASL, and both her father and older sister have Ménière’s disease as well .

Leclerc married longtime boyfriend Brian Habecost in 2014, but they divorced in 2017 . Before Switched at Birth, she appeared in Veronica Mars, The Big Bang Theory, and Community . Since the show ended, she has continued acting in television films, including the Hallmark movie Letters to Santa (2023), A Very Vermont Christmas (2024), and appeared in the Netflix series Pulse (2025) .

Vanessa Marano as Bay Kennish

Vanessa Marano played Bay Kennish, the artistic and rebellious teenager who grew up in the wealthy Kennish household . Marano was born on October 31, 1992, in Los Angeles, California . Her younger sister, Laura Marano, is also an actress. Her mother owns the Agoura Children’s Theatre .

Marano began acting professionally at the age of seven . Before Switched at Birth, she had recurring roles on Without a Trace, Gilmore Girls, Ghost Whisperer, and The Young and the Restless . Since the show ended, she has continued acting in film and television. She starred alongside her sister Laura in Saving Zoë (2019) and has appeared in several television movies .

Lea Thompson as Kathryn Kennish

Lea Thompson played Kathryn Kennish, the nurturing matriarch of the Kennish family and a former novelist . Thompson was born on May 31, 1961, in Rochester, Minnesota . She studied ballet as a girl and was dancing professionally by age 14, winning scholarships to the San Francisco Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre .

Thompson is best known for her role as Lorraine Baines-McFly in the Back to the Future film trilogy (1985–1990) . She also starred in Howard the Duck (1986), Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), and played the title character in the sitcom Caroline in the City . She married director Howard Deutch in 1989, and they have two daughters, actresses Madelyn and Zoey Deutch . After Switched at Birth, Thompson directed episodes of Resident Alien and Star Trek: Picard and appeared in the Amazon series Undone .

D.W. Moffett as John Kennish

D.W. Moffett played John Kennish, the patriarch of the Kennish family and a former professional baseball player . Moffett was born on October 26, 1954, in Highland Park, Illinois . He attended Stanford University, where he majored in international relations, before becoming an investment banker. He later left banking to pursue acting .

Moffett has had a long career in film, television, and stage. He starred in the original New York City production of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart in 1985 . He appeared in Traffic (2000), which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award . He also had recurring roles on Friday Night Lights and Happily Divorced . He has been married to Kristal Rogers since 1997 . In 2017, he was named chair of the film and television program at the Savannah College of Art and Design .

Constance Marie as Regina Vasquez

Constance Marie played Regina Vasquez, the hardworking single mother who raised Daphne . She was born Constance Marie Lopez on September 9, 1965, and raised in East Los Angeles . She began her acting career as a teenager .

Marie is best known for her role as Angie Lopez on the ABC comedy series George Lopez (2002–2007) . She also played Marcella Quintanilla, the mother of Selena, in the 1997 film Selena . She was in a 15-year relationship with yoga instructor Kent Katich, which ended in 2015. They have a daughter born in 2009 . Since Switched at Birth, she has appeared in the Amazon series Undone and the TV series With Love .

Lucas Grabeel as Toby Kennish

Lucas Grabeel played Toby Kennish, the musically talented older brother of Bay and the biological son of the Kennish family . Grabeel was born on November 23, 1984 . He is famous for his role as Ryan Evans in the High School Musical film trilogy .

He also appeared in Halloweentown High and Return to Halloweentown as Ethan Dalloway . Since Switched at Birth, Grabeel has continued voice acting, including roles in Doc McStuffins, Sheriff Callie’s Wild West, and My Adventures with Superman .

Sean Berdy as Emmett Bledsoe

Sean Berdy played Emmett Bledsoe, Daphne’s best friend and love interest, who is also Deaf . Berdy is a Florida native and a Deaf actor . Prior to Switched at Birth, he was featured in The Sandlot 2 (2005) . He has appeared in films that were filmed using sign language, including The Legend of the Mountain Man and The Deaf Family .

Marlee Matlin as Melody Bledsoe

Marlee Matlin played Melody Bledsoe, Emmett’s mother and a fierce advocate for the Deaf community . Matlin is an Academy Award-winning actress, having won Best Actress for Children of a Lesser God (1986) . She appeared in 46 episodes of Switched at Birth .

Recurring Cast

Ryan Lane as Travis Barnes

Ryan Lane played Travis Barnes, a Deaf student and friend of Daphne and Emmett . Lane is a Deaf actor who appeared in 62 episodes of the series .

Gilles Marini as Angelo Sorrento

Gilles Marini played Angelo Sorrento, the biological father of Daphne who struggled with addiction . Marini appeared in 55 episodes .

Ivonne Coll as Adrianna Vasquez

Ivonne Coll played Adrianna Vasquez, Regina’s overprotective mother and Daphne’s grandmother . She appeared in 29 episodes .

Blair Redford as Tyler “Ty” Mendoza

Blair Redford played Ty Mendoza, Bay’s love interest in the early seasons . He appeared in 16 episodes .

Austin Butler as James “Wilke” Wilkerson III

Austin Butler played Wilke, another love interest for Bay . He appeared in 14 episodes . Butler has since gone on to star in major films and television shows.

Key Takeaways

Katie Leclerc (Daphne) has Ménière’s disease and learned ASL before she knew she had hearing loss.
Vanessa Marano (Bay) is the sister of actress Laura Marano.
Lea Thompson (Kathryn) is famous for Back to the Future and has two daughters who are also actresses.
D.W. Moffett (John) left a career in investment banking to become an actor.
Sean Berdy (Emmett) is a Deaf actor from Florida.
Marlee Matlin (Melody) is an Academy Award winner.
The show featured one of the largest casts of Deaf actors on mainstream television.

FAQ Section

Who are the main actors in Switched at Birth?

The main cast includes Katie Leclerc as Daphne Vasquez, Vanessa Marano as Bay Kennish, Lea Thompson as Kathryn Kennish, D.W. Moffett as John Kennish, Constance Marie as Regina Vasquez, Lucas Grabeel as Toby Kennish, and Sean Berdy as Emmett Bledsoe .

Is Katie Leclerc deaf in real life?

Katie Leclerc has Ménière’s disease, which causes hearing loss, and she has partial hearing loss .

Was Vanessa Marano on Gilmore Girls?

Yes, Vanessa Marano had a recurring role on Gilmore Girls as April Nardini .

What is Lea Thompson most famous for?

Lea Thompson is best known for playing Lorraine Baines-McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy .

Did Switched at Birth use real Deaf actors?

Yes, the show featured several Deaf actors, including Sean Berdy, Ryan Lane, and Marlee Matlin .

Final Thoughts

Switched at Birth remains a significant show for its groundbreaking portrayal of Deaf culture and its commitment to authentic representation. The cast brought depth and emotion to their roles, making the series a beloved part of television history. Many of the actors have continued their careers in film and television, with some achieving even greater fame after the show ended. The series’ legacy continues to resonate with fans who appreciated its honest storytelling and diverse cast.