Cassie Steele
She grew up on screen as the unforgettable Manny Santos, defining teenage angst for a generation of Degrassi viewers.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Canadian actress and singer·Birthday: December 2·Millennials
Biography
Cassie Steele didn't just play a character on 'Degrassi: The Next Generation'; for a decade, she embodied the turbulent journey of Manny Santos, transforming from a shy sidekick into a confident, complex young woman whose storylines tackled everything from eating disorders to abortion. Starting on the show at age twelve, Steele delivered a performance of remarkable nuance, making Manny one of the most relatable and discussed characters in Canadian television. Parallel to her acting, she forged a music career, releasing indie-pop albums that showcased a husky, expressive voice far removed from her teen idol image. This dual path continued with voice acting roles, most notably on the cult phenomenon 'Rick and Morty,' proving her versatility. Steele's career is a testament to navigating childhood fame with artistic integrity, evolving from a beloved TV face into a multifaceted performer.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Cassie was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Cassie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Cassie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Manny Santos for over a decade on the influential teen drama 'Degrassi: The Next Generation.'
- Voices characters Tammy Gueterman and Tricia Lange on the animated series 'Rick and Morty.'
- Released multiple studio albums as a singer-songwriter, including 'How Much for Happy' in 2011.
Did You Know?
She is the older sister of actress and singer Alex Steele, who also starred on 'Degrassi' as Angela and Tori.
She provided the singing voice for the character Belynda in the animated film 'The Prophet' (2014).
She is a trained dancer and attended the Claude Watson School for the Arts.
“I learned to sing and act by doing it, by growing up on camera.”
