Where Are These Child Stars Now?

Child stars thrust into the limelight as they are groomed for the rich celebrity lifestyle. They have to learn how to handle the roller coaster of chaos of the life they are now living. As most of these child stars learn, fame comes at a cost. Either you run with it and excel, accepting this new life. Or, you either sink or bid adieu to the industry as a whole. Let’s take a look at the child stars who excelled and those that didn’t.

Dana Plato

A television life didn’t seem to be that glamorous for Dana Plato, who died when she was 34 from an Opioid overdose in 1999. Plato came from a modest family in San Fernando Valley in L.A. Her journey to small screen began after years of auditioning in the late 1970s. By 1978, Plato landed her first notable role on the U.S. TV sitcom Diff’rent Strokes, but time was not on her side as it was also during her stint on the show when she developed an alcohol and narcotic addiction. At 14, Plato was already overdosing in substances. Needless to say, when she finished her stint at Diff’rent Strokes, her life was beset with substance addiction and chronic financial woes aggravated by an alleged financial mishap committed by her financial manager.

Jenna Von Oy

Surely you remember Blossom Russo’s best friend Six Lemeure from the NBC sitcom, Blossom? Jenna Von Oy wasn’t just a sidekick, she experienced a few life changing moments, which included alcoholism and even a pregnancy scare. After playing Six, Oy starred in The Parkers and recently her second book was released, Situation Momedy: A Very Special Episode in Toddlerdom. She married Brad Bratcher in 2010 and they have two daughters together.

Charlie Korsmo

Men Don’t Leave, Dick Tracy, and Heat Wave are a few films Charlie Korsmo appeared in back in the 90’s. After a year and he stars alongside the late Robin Williams in Hook. His last film was Can’t Wait as he gave up acting and pursued a college degree. In 2007, he passed the bar and is now a professor in Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Larisa Oleynik

The Secret World of Alex Mack is the series Larisa Oleynik credits with launching her career as a child actress. From 1994 to 1998, she played the epic role, beating out 400 actresses who auditioned to play Alex. Oleynik took a break from acting and went to college. However she now stars in shows like Pretty Little Liars and Mad Men.

Sean O’Neal

After Clarissa Explains It All, Sean O’Neal was able to lead a boy band in Florida but they still haven’t released records. In 2001, he began voice acting for the anime series Noir and RahXephon. He had a small role in Development Hell but O’Neal seems to have disappeared from the limelight.

Senta Moses

At just six months old, Senta Moses appeared in a diaper commercial and went on to appear in 100 different commercials as well. While in high school, she appeared in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. The 40-something actress has since appeared in General Hospital, Bones, and The Mentalist.

Eden Sher

Next up is Eden Sher, who fell in love with acting after appearing in The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Unfortunately her early roles were short-lived or were simply canceled. In 2006, she appeared in Weeds and Sons & Daughters. Her big breakthrough was in the ABC series The Middle. Sher is focused on her career and charity works, and hasn’t had any scandalous Hollywood problems such as drug addiction or affairs.

Mackenzie Foy

Most of us will remember Mackenzie Foy as Renesmee Cullen from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. Although before this acting gig, Foy was modeling for Gap and Disney. At just nine though, she had guest roles on ‘Til Death and FlashForward. She also earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her work in the film, Interstellar. In 2018, Foy will appear in The Nutcracker and The Four Realms.

Thylane Blondeau

Meet the French model Thylane Blondeau who began modeling at a very young age. She was walking runways at just four years old! At 10, she featured in Vogue magazine in a rather controversy shoot, as she was dubbed “the most beautiful girl in the world”. Now at 17, she is an incredibly successful model, who campaigns for L’Oréal and Dolce & Gabbana.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

The Olsen twins really need no introduction! At just 15 months, the twins began their Hollywood career and they wormed their way into our hearts as Michelle in Full House. From there, their acting careers only took off. Everyone has seen one of their movies at least twice, if not more. Currently the 31 year olds are focused on their fashion line and haven’t acted in years. With a combined net worth of $300 million, they’re doing something right.

Madison De La Garza

Speaking of Desperate Housewives! Madison De La Garza played the daughter of Eva Longoria, Juanita. Oh, she’s also the half-sister of Demi Lovato. Garza has experienced a lot of bullying due to her large frame but she is focused on living a healthy life as she has lost weight. Moreover Garza ignores the body shamers as she is still an actress in film and television.

Heather O’Rourke

“They’re here!” If this line sounds familiar to you, you’re probably aren’t over Heather O’Rourke’s chilling role in the 1982 film Poltergeist. Heather could be every mother’s dream. Her beatific smile and wide shiny eyes had earned her leading roles in the 1986 and 1988 sequels. Her striking performance at the famed horror movie resulted in sporadic TV appearances including a role in the TV series CHiPs. Regrettably, Heather didn’t have a lasting career. In 1988, at the age of 12, she suffered from a cardiac arrest caused by an intestinal stenosis. Heather’s death led to her parents filing a wrongful death lawsuit as she was said to be misdiagnosed by a Los Angeles hospital.

Susan Olsen

Acting runs through child star Susan Olsen’s blood. Her brother Christopher Olsen is best remembered for his prominent Hank McKenna role in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1956 film, The Man Who Knew Too Much. Hence, it’s not surprising that little Susan independently carved a name for herself. In 1969, she landed the role of the lisping youngest Brady child and appeared on the set for 117 episodes. Since then, Susan’s career has been pretty stable. She was a radio DJ, who hosted several talk shows on the Los Angeles airwaves, and an artist. In 2012, Susan painted a graphic depiction of Kelly Thomas’ death as a way to honor the schizophrenic homeless man.

Josh Saviano

If you’re a Wonder Years fan, you’d know that Josh Saviano has some interesting story to tell when it comes to his Hollywood career. Despite his sporadic roles on TV and films, his irregular stints on TV has managed to keep him debt-free. Josh has been quite impressive considering the evasiveness of fame. He left the limelight and enrolled at Yale, but persistent gossips followed him. Was Marilyn Manson actually in The Wonder Years?! Rumor has it that before launching his musical career, Marilyn Manson played a role on the show and that he was Josh Saviano. How crazy is that?! People can savor their wild imaginations but in reality, this rumor was dismissed as Josh is a law firm associate and not a shock rocker.

Tatyana Ali

Her phenomenal years as Ashley Banks on the award-winning 90s TV sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air may be over, but Tatyana Ali’s name doesn’t seem to wane as she will forever be that little Ashley who looked up to her cousin Will. Tatyana is probably one of the most successful child star stories in Hollywood. She appeared in over 50 TV and film appearances since her debut until she left the production to take on bigger roles as a mother and a wife to husband Vaughn Rasberry, an assistant English Professor at Stanford University. Currently, Tatyana keeps herself busy in family’s wealth management. That sounds like a comfortable life, isn’t it?

Erik Per Sullican

Unfaithful, Finding Nemo, and Joe Dirt, Erik Per Sullivan seems to be an impeccable juggler as he managed to conquer his busy childhood schedule without a melt-down. Erik, who starred as Dewey in The Malcolm in the Middle, attended the University of Southern California and is known to excel in different areas of interest like playing musical instruments and taekwondo. With a busy TV schedule growing up, you’d guess student loans were not part of his system.

Jeremy Miller

Jeremy Miller is most notable for his role as Ben Seaver in Growing Pains. In fact, he was so notable that he did attract quite a number of stalkers even at an early age of 14 years old. Jeremy is one of the few child stars who had sustained on-screen appearances and we’re pretty it had also sustained the money in his bank account. Presently, Jeremy enjoys a life away from the limelight as he spends his time raising his three stepsons from wife and actor Joanie Miller.

Emil Minty

The Australian former child actor Emil Minty is best known as The Feral Kid in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. Afterwards, he had small roles in Fluteman, The Winds of Jarrah and A Country Practice. 1992 is when he retired from acting and became a jeweler.

Maureen McCormick

61 year old actress, singer and author Maureen McCormick is best known for her role as Marcia on The Brady Bunch. She appeared on many spinoffs of the Brady name, such as The Brady Kids, The Brady Bunch Hour, The Brady Brides and A Very Brady Christmas. McCormick had many supporting roles and wrote a memoir, Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice. Her addiction to cocaine and quaaludes really hampered her acting career.

Mara Wilson

PUH-lease. As if we need to remind you what role launched Mara Wilson’s career! Wilson’s dream was to act so she dragged her parents to auditions with her. It was all she wanted and her parents completely supported her. After starring in Matilda, Wilson was raking in quite the dough. However after her mom passed away, Wilson left the acting world as she was deeply affected. As such, she obtained her master’s from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Currently she helps children with mental health issues despite her own anxiety problems.

Jared Rushton

As far as the 80’s are concerned, Jared Rushton was quite the star in this decade. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Overboard are some of his most memorable roles. Although he started out in commercials, his acting career certainly flourished, as did his wallet. Eventually though, he quit acting and became a musician. His band is called Deal by Dusk.

Abraham Benrubi

After playing the bully-gentle-giant in Parker Can’t Lose, Abraham Benrubi’c career continued at a steady pace. Most of his roles have been “secondary” although he did snag the lead in Men In Trees. Benrubi has done a lot of voice acting – he’s Darth Vader from Robot Chicken: Star Wars.

Keisha Knight-Pulliam

Rudy Huxtable from The Cosby Show needs no introduction. Her role is as iconic as the show! Keisha Knight-Pulliam has not succumbed to the scandalous Hollywood lifestyle. Her role in Madea Goes to Jail as am adult “entertainment” worker turned some heads.

Gary Coleman

Diff’rent Strokes star Gary Coleman was widely successful troughout the 80’s and 90’s. However, the unfortunate mismanagement of his $3.8 million trust fund had him filing for bankruptcy in 1991. Sadly Coleman passed away in 2010 due to a serious fall that lead to brain hemorrhaging.

Maia Brewton

Adventures in Babysitting and Parker Lewis Can’t Lose are some of Maia Brewton’s biggest hits. And she could have continued to experience even more success after the 80’s and 90’s, however she retired from acting. Brewton earned a law degree from Yale and started a family.

Lindsay Lohan

Child star Lindsay Lohan has kept her name relevant since the 90’s after starring in The Parent Trap. Well into her 20’s, her acting and musical career were widely successful. However after legal troubles following alcohol and substance abuse, Lohan’s popularity sharply declined. The 31 year old has put her life back together and has some new business ventures.

Jeremy Gelbwaks

After moving to Virginia in 1971 with his family, Jeremy Gelbwaks left The Partridge Family and acting behind. Gelbwaks studied hard and enter the world of business technology. Quite successfully as well.

Danny Cooksey

Another child star of Diff’rent Strokes makes th elist. Danny Cooksey acted in the films Terminator 2 and Salute Your Shorts before getting into voice-work for cartoons and video games in the 90’s. Cooksey also dabbled in the music scene.

Robbie Rist

Cousin Oliver of The Brady Bunch did tons of acting as a kid but as an adult, he is focused on voice-work. Rist is known for his voice work in Doc McStuffins, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Final Fantasy X.

RJ Mitte

After appearing as an extra on Hannah Montana, RJ Mitte enrolled in acting lessons. Shortly after, he appeared as Walter “Flynn” White Jr on Breaking Bad. Mitte is also trying to break into producing and directing.

Sara Gilbert

Yup, we all remember Sara Gilbert for her role in Roseanne. After which her career exploded and Gilbert appeared in 24, The Big Bang Theory, Riding in Cars With Boys, Bad Teacher, and ER. Gilbert is also a co-host on The Talk.

Fred Savage

At just age nine, Fred Savage’s career kicked off thanks to his role in Morningstar/Eveningstar. From there he appeared in The Princess Bride, Little Monsters, The Twilight Zone, and Goldmember. While he’s been sitting in the director’s chair for quite some time now, Savage just appeared alongside Rob Lowe in Grinder.

Danny Bonaduce

As a pre-teen, Danny Bonaduce struck gold after starring in The Partridge Family. Most of us know him best as a radio host. Personally, Bonaduce has struggled with drug abuse and alcoholism.

Brian Forster

From one Partridge Family star to another. After the wrapped up in 1974, Brian Forster decided he was done with Hollywood. He’s more focused on the racing tracks.

Susan Dey

You didn’t really think we were done with The Partridge Family, did you? Susan Dey was only 17 when she played Laurie on the popular sitcom. After the show finished, Dey didn’t join in any of the reunions that followed. She starred in L.A. Law and earned a Golden Globe. Although Dey does tend to lead a pretty low profile.

Mason Vale Cotton

Who doesn’t remember Vale Cotton as MJ Delfino in Desperate Housewives? Well thanks to that show, Cotton appeared in Mad Men. His acting career is still on the up! Wonder what he will he do next?

Bill Mumy

The Twilight Zone and Lost in Space are some of the 60’s works that made Bill Mumy so famous. Apart from acting, Mumy is enjoying a successful musical career. He contributed to the Adventures in Wonderland and earned an Emmy nomination along the way. Currently his band Action Skulls plays with John Cowsill and Vicki Peterson.

Khleo Thomas

Oh man, now here’s a film I haven’t thought about in ages! Holes is must-watch Disney flick people. Khleo Thomas is more focused on his music career then on acting. He is a part of Bow Wow’s label, LBW and has related two EP’s so far.

Olivia Hussey

As a young theatre actress, Olivia Hussey wonderfully portrayed Juliet in the 1968 classic film, Romeo and Juliet. She earned a Golden Globe and the David di Donatello award for her performance. Hussey has done some voice-work for Star Wars video games. Currently memoir, The Girl on the Balcony: Olivia Hussey Finds Life After Romeo and Juliet, is to be released in 2018.

Jacob Reynolds

Playing Solomon in the movie, Gummo, was one of Jacob Reynolds best roles. The Aggression Scale and The Road to Wellville are other works he has done. Reynolds hasn’t enjoyed great success in Hollywood though. He leads a quiet life, playing trumpet and flying planes.

Johnny Whitaker

Thanks to Family Affair, Johnny Whitaker enjoyed a lot of success in the 60’s and 70’s. His later roles in Tom Sawyer, General Hospital, and The Littlest Angel were quite successful. Unfortunately Whitaker developed a drug addiction that lasted years, however he has since become clean. He works as a drug counselor and even has his own charitable foundation that helps people shake addictions.

Robert MacNaughton

Let’s be real, Robert MacNaughton is best known as Michael from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. In fact, that role earned him the Young Artist Award for Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. MacNaughton retired from acting early in 2002 and became a mail carrier. In 2013,he made a comeback and appeared in Laugh Killer Laugh and Frankenstein vs. The Mummy.

Kami Colter

At just six, Kami Colter began her Hollywood career as an actress. She played Elizabeth Walton in The Waltons and then her role in Me and the Chimp really made her career fly off. Although in the 80’s, the attention died down. She is not a successful entrepreneur with a travel company and a café.

David Krumholtz

Who remembers David Krumholtz from the Santa Clause film series? Yeah, we thought thought so. He has starred in Numb3rs, Superbad, and This Is The End as well.

Shane Sweet

After briefly appeared in Married… with Children, Shane Sweet starred in Nickelodeon’s The Journey of Allen Strange. After his breakout role on Allen Strange, he did a lot of voice-work, such as Toy Story and Big Hero 6. Sweet also is involved in music, he toured with his bands Atalanta and The Celestial Matinee throughout the 2000’s.

Brooke Shields

There isn’t much we could tell you about the actress and model that you don’t already know. Brooke Shields appeared in The Blue Lagoon, Pretty Baby, and Suddenly Susan and has been a spokesperson for various brands. Shields is married Chris Henchy, the screenwriter, and they have two children together.

Alison Arngrim

As Alison Arngrim’s father was a talent agent and her mother was a voice actress, Alison already had her foot in the door. Her role as the bully Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie was loved and hated by audiences alike. Since then, she has appeared in films and even did some stand-up comedy.

Lori Beth Denberg

Take a trip down memory lane with Lori Beth Denberg from Nickelodeon’s famous All That! That’s right, your favorite childhood star popular for her roles on All That, The Steve Harvey Show, and the Vital Information for Your Everyday Life Skit has popped back on your television. Denberg had resurfaced on one of the episodes of Comedy Central’s Workaholics, Hollywood Darlings, and Raymond & Lane. If you’re a 90s kid who needs a break from all the pains of mortgage chaos, the bittersweet married life, and handful kids, sit back and prepare to feel nostalgic as Denberg has definitely made a comeback!

Malcolm David Kelley

You may have known him as Young Walt in Lost way back in 2004, but Malcolm David Kelley is now a full-grown adult who have scored acting posts one after another. In 2010, Kelly starred in Gigantic and shortly after the show packed up, he teamed up with Gigantic co-star Tony Oller. Together, the two formed a musical duo called MKTO. Kelly’s recent appearance was in the 2017 film Detroit, which rolled money in his bank account based on the film’s positive viewers’ reception.