CARROLLTON, Texas — Barney the dinosaur, a beloved toddler's icon to some and a cultural punching bag to others, has taken on a new role: steppingstone.

"Barney & Friends," filmed in a nondescript office building in suburban Dallas, has lately become a launching pad for child stars shooting along the career path blazed by Miley Cyrus and a generation of Mouseketeers before her.

Alums of the show are starring in movies with Will Smith and The Rock, appearing in Disney Channel programs with the Jonas Brothers and signing solo music deals that could put them in the same rarified air as Cyrus' alter ego, Hannah Montana.

The 1990s version of "The Mickey Mouse Club" launched the careers of singers Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, and actors Keri Russell and Ryan Gosling. In similar fashion, "Barney & Friends" for the last few years has been a training ground for several aspiring child actresses.

"Barney" alum Demi Lovato, a 16-year-old from Dallas, starred with the Jonas Brothers in a popular children's musical, "Camp Rock," and is expected to be the lead in a series that debuts next month. Selena Gomez, a 16-year-old from Grand Prairie, went on to the Disney program "Wizards of Waverly Place." Both girls have signed music contracts.

A third "Barney" alum, Madison Pettis, a 10-year-old from Arlington, has appeared in "Seven Pounds" with Will Smith and "The Game Plan" with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Their post-"Barney" successes have inspired current "Barney" cast member Victoria Lennox, an 11-year-old from Flower Mound, Texas, already in her fourth season on the show.

"I look at them as my role model," Victoria said. "This is going to be a great little steppingstone for me. I want to follow in their footsteps."

Diane Swart, whose son and daughter have both appeared on "Barney & Friends," called the show "a training ground ... where kids are going to learn how to behave and take direction from adults."

Barney wasn't always a pit stop to pop stardom. The show started in 1987 and has aired on PBS since 1992. During its early years, most cast members did not go on to fame and fortune in show business. Now in their 20s and early 30s, those original cast members became an attorney, a hair stylist, a cook, a dance instructor and — in one unusual case — a Dallas rapper who was shot and temporarily paralyzed.

Some things haven't changed from those days. Barney is still a purple, potbellied dino about the size of an NBA center. He aims to teach lessons about sharing, respect and love. And, of course, he still sings the "I love you ..." song. But Barney's critics say the show lacks production values and offers kids watered-down entertainment.

Still, Barney's audience has multiplied, increasing the exposure for child actors who land a regular spot on the show.