The life of a child actor is hard, especially when they grow up and struggle to find the same success as when they were younger.
For everybody who achieves even greater success when they are older, there are the countless child thespians who struggle with growing up. Let’s see what some of the best child actors are doing now.
Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Culkin is the quintessential child actor, with Home Alone being the film that defines him. He had an incredible run of successes, but he took a break in the mid-90s.
In 2003 he came back with a more mature role in Party Monster, and he still acts in a variety of projects, including Robot Chicken where he got to show off his voice acting range.
Jonathan Lipnicki
Jonathan Lipnicki was that cute little kid from Jerry Maguire and Stuart Little. He took a break as a teenager, and we haven’t seen much from him since his glory years.
He still acts, and can be seen in many small parts on TV shows as well as many independent films.
Haley Joel Osment
Haley Joel Osment’s performance in The Sixth Sense was spectacular, earning him an Oscar nomination when he was only 11. His other big films made him the biggest child actor since Macaulay Culkin for a few years, until he pretty much disappeared.
However, Osment has come back after taking the time to grow up, and does a lot of film and television roles, though nothing as big as his breakthrough as a kid.
Jerry O’Connell
Stand By Me was a great chance for a group of child actors to show off their stuff, and Jerry O’Connell made a splash in his debut as Vern, the chubby kid, when he was 12. When you see him now, it’s hard to believe it’s the same guy.
Not many people may realize it is the same actor, but Jerry O’Connell has had a pretty solid career after growing up, with regular roles on television, in films, and even directing.
Danny Bonaduce
Having played Danny Partridge on The Partridge Family, Bonaduce had a lot to live up to as he got older.
He may not have returned to the spotlight, but he stays busy in the entertainment industry and has hosted a successful radio show.