He was the kid who screamed "I'll get it, Mom!" at the top of his lungs every time the doorbell rang. If you grew up in the early 2010s, you knew Flynn Jones. He wasn't just some side character; he was the pint-sized, bacon-obsessed anchor of the Jones household. While CeCe and Rocky were busy trying to become professional backup dancers on Shake It Up Chicago, Flynn was busy being... well, a weirdly competent eight-year-old.
Honestly, looking back, the character was a bit of an anomaly for Disney Channel at the time. Most "little brother" characters were either total nuisances or hyper-cute accessories. Flynn from Shake It Up, played by Davis Cleveland, was actually kind of a genius. He was a deadpan snarker who frequently outsmarted the teenagers.
The Character We Actually Remember
Flynn wasn't just there to provide a laugh track. He had a specific set of quirks that made him stand out. Remember his best friend? It wasn't some kid from the playground. It was Henry Dillon, a literal child prodigy who had already graduated college. Watching these two tiny humans discuss complex life problems while sitting in a living room in Chicago was gold.
One of the most defining traits of Flynn from Shake It Up was his obsession with bacon. It sounds like a simple "random humor" trope from that era of TV, but it became his brand. He even had a "Bacon Shakes" phase. It's those specific details that stick with people long after they've forgotten the actual plot of the dance battles.
Why Flynn Was More Than a Gag
Flynn often served as the reality check for CeCe. He’d remind her when she was being ridiculous, which was often. Their love-hate relationship was actually pretty sweet if you looked past the insults. He genuinely cared about Rocky, too. There was that one episode where he admitted he had a crush on her, which was both adorable and slightly awkward for everyone involved.
💡 You might also like: When Is The Next Bachelor Show On: Why the 2026 Schedule is Totally Different
Where is Davis Cleveland Now?
This is where things get really interesting. If you search for the cast today, you’ll see Zendaya winning Emmys and Bella Thorne doing her thing in indie films. But what happened to the kid who played Flynn?
Davis Cleveland basically pulled the ultimate "pre-med" move.
After Shake It Up wrapped in 2013, he did a few more projects, like the Nickelodeon movie Rufus. But then, he just... stopped. He didn't chase the Hollywood lifestyle. Instead, he went back to school. He ended up attending Texas A&M University.
He didn't just go for a random degree, either. Davis pursued a degree in psychology with a focus on biology and neurology. And then, he took it a step further. In 2021, he started at the Texas A&M University School of Dentistry.
From Disney Star to Doctor
It’s 2026, and Davis Cleveland is officially a dentist. He graduated in 2024. Think about that for a second. The kid who used to scream about bacon is now probably the guy telling you to floss more often. It’s one of the most successful "child star transitions" out there because it’s so normal. No scandals, no "where are they now" tragedies. Just a guy who decided he liked science more than sets.
The Lasting Legacy of Flynn Jones
We often dismiss these sitcom characters as fluff. But Flynn represented a specific kind of childhood energy. He was the kid who didn't want to fit in with the "cool" older kids; he just wanted to play his video games and eat his snacks.
He was also a big part of the show's charitable footprint. In real life, Davis Cleveland used his platform to raise money for cystic fibrosis. He hosted walks and used his "Flynn" fame to actually do some good in the world.
Why the Show Still Hits
Shake It Up was a product of its time—the outfits were wild, the "dance-off" culture was peaking—but the family dynamics felt real. The fact that the Jones parents were divorced was a big deal for a Disney show back then. Flynn and CeCe’s dad, J.J. Jones, was rarely seen, and they often joked that their parents got along better when they weren't in the same room. That resonated with a lot of kids.
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to revisit the world of Flynn from Shake It Up, the best way to do it is to watch the crossover episodes. The Good Luck Charlie crossover, "Charlie Shakes It Up," is peak Disney Channel. It’s the perfect snapshot of that era where every show felt like it existed in the same universe.
Next Steps for the Nostalgic Fan:
- Check out the Shake It Up archives on Disney+ to see Davis Cleveland’s comedic timing in the early seasons.
- If you're interested in his post-acting journey, his graduation from dental school is a great example of how child stars can thrive outside of the spotlight.
- Keep an eye out for his charity work, as he has remained sporadically active in supporting health-related causes even after leaving Hollywood.