Stepping into the movie industry at a very young age is a big decision to make. It requires great balance between their acting and normal childhood which becomes tough over the years. So many brilliant child actors drop out of the movie business early on and choose a life of anonymity. But some others continue to give stellar performances, earn prestigious awards and dominate the box office. Retiring from Hollywood after their first few gigs as a child actor was not an option for them. Here are some child actors who have no intention of slowing down after all these years.
Natalie Portman
A name that needs no introduction, Natalie Portman got her first opportunity for modeling when she was 10. She did not take it but knew that acting was her true calling. So, she gave many auditions and eventually got the lead role in the film Léon: The Professional after 2 years. We all know about her latest contributions to Hollywood that include No Strings Attached, Thor (2011), and Thor: The Dark World. Okay, you can add more to this! We can’t stop being a fan of her work.
Emma Watson
Nobody could have played the role of Hermione Granger better than Emma Watson and the biggest proof of that is the loved she received for it! Imagine receiving that amount of appreciation at the age of eleven. It is undoubtedly phenomenal. After portraying Hermione in the Harry Potter movie series, Watson landed some amazing roles in great films. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Beauty and the Beast, My Week with Marilyn are just a few of her many films in recent years.
Justin Timberlake
It is beautiful how this name reminds of us so many songs that we love to listen on repeat! His music gives us chills. But Justin Timberlake’s career didn’t start with music but rather as a child actor. The All-New Mickey Mouse Club was one of his first shows. Soon after Timberlake focused on his music and has turned into one of the best pop stars. He started by being a part of a band and moved on to singing solo and reaching great heights. Being multi-talented, he even starred in a few movies that became a hit!
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds has a huge fan following and we all know why. His work is incredible and never ceases to amaze with his portrayal of various characters on screen. It all started when 15-year-old Reynolds got to be a part of TV soap opera “Hillside”. That’s where this “Deadpool” star started his career. As he got older, he was offered significant roles that stayed with the audience for a long time. The Proposal, Definitely Maybe, The Amityville Horror, Blade: Trinity are just a few of his hits!
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez is a star shining really bright in the world of music. But not many know that she had humble beginnings and this fame came with a lot of hard work! From her appearance in Barney and Friends to being Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place that aired on Disney Channel, Selena kept getting closer to her dreams. The child actor was attracted to music and knew what her true calling was. So, she pursued singing and her songs top the charts every time!
Johnny Galecki
Leonard Hofstadter, one of the most loved physicists from “The Big Bang Theory”. While this role maybe the highlight of Johnny Galecki’s career but he started acting with the movie “Time Out for Dad” when he was only 12. This child actor never imagined to grow so much in this industry but his efforts paid off! His appearance on the sitcom “Roseanne” was a breakthrough for him! His character received appreciation and he did many films that made him a great actor.
Leonardo DiCaprio
This superbly talented star of Hollywood needs no introduction. Leonardo DiCaprio has contributed to the film industry through his acting as well as social work. But the story of his career begins way before he was Jack. Leo got his first role at the age of 5 but he was kicked out for creating trouble. He didn’t give up on his dreams and landed many roles in movies and sitcoms as a teenager. His career graph has been rising with more hits to his credit than one can count!
Jodie Sweetin
Stephanie Tanner, the middle sister in “Full House” was portrayed by Jodie Sweeten when she was five. Time has flown by so quickly! Sweetin appeared on the show from 1987 to when the show came to an end in 1995. She decided to get back to high school to complete her education. She moved away from the industry after she got caught in the cycle of illegal substances. But she managed to get out of that phase and then came back with Netflix spin-off series Fuller House reprising her role as Stephanie Tanner.
Neil Patrick Harris
Yes, we know how much he is loved for his role on “How I Met Your Mother”. That is known to the world! But not many know where it all began. 15-year-old Harris in “Clara’s Heart” received great praise and was nominated for a Golden Globe. That’s a big deal for a child actor! When we say Barney Stinson, it takes us to the “fun” involved with the character. Now he has been a part of the big screen for a long time with some amazing movies on his list of achievements.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
That guy from (500) Days of Summer is not a new face of the industry. Joseph Gordon-Levitt entered this industry as a child actor when he was only six years old! “A River Runs Through It” and the Disney movie “Angels in the Outfield” are some of his first works. After taking a break from acting to continue his studies, Joseph returned to the place where his heart belongs! We are highly impressed by his roles in Inception, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Dark Knight Rises and more.
Jaleel White
From a guest appearance on “The Jeffersons” at the age of eight, Jaleel White hit the screen with the TV show “Family Matters”! Steve Urkel became a household name when the show aired. White completed his degree in film and television in 2001 from UCLA. After that, he appeared on various television shows Boston Legal, House and Psych. He was even a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. You can go down the memory lane of White’s famous role on “Family Matters” with the 2019 series “Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?” Some characters never lose their charm!
Sara Gilbert
The character Darlene Conner from the popular comedy show, “Roseanne” is well loved. It was played by Sara Gilbert at the age of 13. Thank god, she didn’t go missing from the silver screen after her big break! Gilbert has a shining career when it comes to television as she has been a part of many hit TV shows like Will and Grace, The Simpsons, 24, The Big Bang Theory. She was awarded the Daytime Emmy for being a huge part of the talk show “The Talk”.
Danielle Fishel
Danielle Fishel had her start with the theater where she was a part of The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan when she 10. Her performances were noticed that led her to get some commercials. She looked forward to being a part of the industry. 12-year-old Fishel played Topanga Lawrence-Matthews in the famous show “Boy Meets World”. After the series came to an end with a successful running for seven years, Fishel landed roles in various movies. She appeared on a few TV shows too. Way to go, Danielle!
Lindsay Lohan
The first step of Lindsay Lohan in the world of television and movies was with the TV series “Another World” when she was 10 years old. The movie that brought her in the limelight was “The Parent Trap” that came out in 1998. She gained recognition for her part in “Mean Girls”. She has experienced struggles on a personal level but she soon came back with a few films. She entered the musical world and has releases many studio albums that have made her popular in the music industry.
Lacey Chabert
This amazing actress who we know as Gretchen Weiners from Mean Girls dedicates her stupendous career in Hollywood to her role in the television series “Party Of Five”. We are sure the name Claudia Salinger would ring a bell! Yes, it was 10-year-old Chabert playing that role. Chabert’s unique voice landed her the role of Eliza Thornberry in the animated kid's television series, The Wild Thornberrys. She has worked in other amazing movies including Lost in Space, Dirty Deeds, Daddy Day Care, and Not Another Teen Movie.
Alexandra Kyle
As an 8-year old, Alexandra Kyle gained an appreciation for her portrayal of Megan McCann in the movie “Eye for an Eye” that released in 1996. The movie also starred Sally Field and Kiefer Sutherland. That’s not all as she got the chance to share the screen with Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Spacey and Ashley Judd in “A Time To Kill”. Kyle kept signing good roles and one of them was young Tom-Tom in “13 Going On 30” that came out in 2004. People loved her!
Marques Houston
When we talk about a man with multiple talents, Marques Houston’s name is sure to come up in the conversation. He is an actor, a singer-songwriter and a record producer. He entered the acting industry in 1992 when he was 11 years old with the animated movie Bébé's Kids. He landed more roles after that including the one of Roger Evans in the television comedy series "Sister, Sister". But Houston’s heart lies in music and now he has six studio albums to his credit and continues to follow his passion for singing.
Ron Howard
From acting to directing some of the best films of Hollywood, Ron Howard has done remarkable work in the industry. As a child actor, he did some shows including one episode of “The Twilight Zone”. The Andy Griffith Show gave him the break he needed and certainly, he was unstoppable after that! Howard continued with acting until he realized his potential as a director too. A Beautiful Mind, Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Da Vinci Code, Apollo 13 are some of his directorial hits.
Kyla Pratt
Kyla Pratt’s career started with a Nike commercial at the age of eight. But as a child actor, she was most noted for her appearances in popular shows like “Friends”, “Lizzie McGuire”, “Family Matters”, “Moesha” and “Sister, Sister”. She gave her voice to Penny Proud in “The Proud Family” recently and it got recognition! Her role in movie trilogy - Dr. Dolittle, Dr. Dolittle 2, and Dr. Dolittle 3 deserves a mention too. Her journey from a child star to becoming a great actress is inspiring!
Michelle Trachtenberg
For Michelle Trachtenberg, it all started with commercials when she was only three years old. She went on to be a part of many commercials and later, she acted in the Nickelodeon series, The Adventures of Pete & Pete. Trachtenberg stepped into the world of films with the movie “Harriet the Spy” in 1996. Her career graph saw a rise after she portrayed Jenny in “EuroTrip” that received great acclaim. Now, we all know her as Georgina Sparks from the TV series, “Gossip Girl”!
