Child stardom is a tricky beast — while a rare few manage to transition to on-camera careers as adults, most actually retire from acting before they’ve even hit their 20s (sometimes, for good reason). Here’s a look at some of the most iconic child stars who low-key disappeared once they reached adulthood…
1.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas was a huge star as a kid, with roles in Home Improvement, The Lion King, The Adventures of Pinocchio, Man of the House, I’ll Be Home for Christmas and much, much more. Although he’s had intermittent guest roles as an adult, he’s largely stopped acting, focusing on his education and working behind the scenes in film.
2.
Ariana Richards was iconic in the role of Lex in Jurassic Park. She had some other acting roles as a kid and teen, but nothing quite so memorable, and as an adult she’s focused on her art career.
4.
Raushan Hammond had the memorable role of Thud Butt in Hook. He doesn’t seem to have acted professionally onscreen as an adult, but he describes himself on Instagram as an “international actor, producer, director, screenplay writer, and illusionist”.
5.
Liesel Matthews, aka Liesel Pritzker Simmons, is best known as Sara Crewe in 1995’s A Little Princess, but she’s actually an heiress in real life. She appeared in two more movies, including Air Force One, but as an adult has focused on impact investing and whatever else heiresses do.
6.
Miko Hughes was a central part of any movie and TV-watching ’90s kid’s childhood, starring in Pet Sematary, Kindergarten Cop, and Full House, amongst other roles. He still seems to work in entertainment, now in the camera department.
7.
Sarah Rose Karr was another staple of ’90s kids entertainment, with roles in Kindergarten Cop, Father of the Bride, and the Beethoven series. She retired from acting at age 10 and is now extremely private, although according to Reddit sleuths, she allegedly works as a psychologist.
8.
Justin Cooper and his iconic ’90s bowl cut/mullet are probably best remembered for his role as Jim Carrey’s son in Liar Liar, but he also had a bunch of other roles, mostly in TV shows like Boy Meets World and Brother’s Keeper. He stopped acting before adulthood and is now a radio producer.
9.
Lisa Jakub had a pretty prolific acting career as a kid and teen, starring in movies like Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, and The Beautician and the Beast. She retired from acting in her early 20s and now works as a writer and yoga teacher.
10.
Chauncey Leopardi starred as Squints in The Sandlot and had a bunch of other more minor roles, most notably in Freaks and Geeks and Gilmore Girls. He now runs a cannabis business.
11.
Ross Bagley famously played Buckwheat in 1994’s The Little Rascals and Nicky in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and although he did go on to do several more roles, he said in 2020 he left Hollywood because he wanted a more “normal” life.
12.
Kevin Jamal Woods starred as Stymie in The Little Rascals and also had a role in Blossom. As an adult he appears to work mostly in non-entertainment jobs, but he does pursue music under the name The Brazz Kru.
13.
Blake McIver Ewing played villain Waldo in The Little Rascals as well as Michelle’s friend Derek on Full House, and now describes himself as a “recovering child actor” who works as a vocal coach and personal trainer.
14.
Mason Gamble is most known for his first role as the titular Dennis in 1993’s Dennis the Menace, although he had several more, including one in Rushmore. He now appears to be a PhD student at the UCLA Institute of Environment and Sustainability.
15.
Kiami Davael most famously played Lavender in Matilda, and now works as an acting teacher and writer.
16.
Jason James Richter played the main (human) character Jesse across three movies in the blockbuster ’90s kids franchise Free Willy. He took a long hiatus from acting before returning to it in more recent years.
17.
Hallie Eisenberg was famous as the “Pepsi Girl” in a series of Pepsi ads, and she also starred in movies like Paulie and Bicentennial Man. She stopped acting to focus on college in her late teens, and now she’s perhaps most known as the sister of Jesse Eisenberg (yes, that one).
18.
Austin O’Brien had a number of roles that were a key part of ’90s childhood, including in Last Action Hero, My Girl 2, and The Baby-Sitters Club. He now works as a photographer and seems pretty private.
19.
Zelda Harris is best known for starring in Crooklyn and The Baby-Sitters Club. She now works as a singer and teacher.
Did we miss any ’90s child stars? Let us know in the comments!
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