Remember those kids you loved on TV and in movies growing up? Some of them vanished from the spotlight, but plenty kept acting and have grown into amazing adult performers. From sitcom favorites to movie icons, this list highlights 30 child stars who are still captivating audiences today.
1. Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore made her film debut in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at just seven years old. Since then, she’s starred in Charlie’s Angels, Blended, and Santa Clarita Diet, and even hosted her own talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show.
2. Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe grew up as Harry Potter, but as an adult he’s transitioned into indie and biopic films like Kill Your Darlings, Guns Akimbo, and the upcoming Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. In 2024, he won a Tony Award for Merrily We Roll Along.
3. Emma Watson
Emma Watson became a household name through Harry Potter, and hasn’t slowed down. Her adult career includes Beauty and the Beast, Little Women, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
4. Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson started acting in the early ’90s and became famous with films like Ghost World. As an adult, she’s known worldwide as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
5. Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart began acting at nine and broke out with Panic Room. She went on to star in Twilight and transitioned into indie films like Spencer, earning an Oscar nomination.
6. Christian Bale
Christian Bale had major roles as a teen in Empire of the Sun and Mio in the Land of Faraway. He won an Oscar for The Fighter and has remained a versatile actor in Hollywood.
7. Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown became a star at 11 as Eleven in Stranger Things. She has since led films like Enola Holmes 2 and Damsel.
8. Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez started on Barney & Friends at seven before becoming Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place. She’s acted in Hotel Transylvania and Only Murders in the Building.
9. Taylor Lautner
Taylor Lautner starred in The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl before becoming Jacob Black in Twilight. He’s continued acting in TV shows like Scream Queens and Cuckoo.
10. Emma Roberts
Emma Roberts began acting at nine in films like Wild Child. As an adult, she’s appeared in Scream 4, Scream Queens, The Hunt, and We’re the Millers.
11. Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer debuted at 11 in Barbershop 2. She’s since starred in Hustlers, Nope, and shows like Turnt Up with the Taylors and Scream.
12. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph Gordon-Levitt charmed audiences on 3rd Rock from the Sun. He has since starred in Inception, (500) Days of Summer, and 50/50.
13. Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialik became a teen star in Blossom and continued to shine in The Big Bang Theory and Call Me Kat.
14. Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster wowed audiences in Taxi Driver at 13. She’s an Oscar winner for The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs, with recent films including The Mauritanian.
15. Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Culkin became iconic as Kevin McCallister in Home Alone. He’s since appeared in shows like American Horror Story and The Righteous Gemstones.
16. Mila Kunis
Mila Kunis started on That ’70s Show at 14. Her adult career includes Black Swan, Bad Moms, and voice work on Family Guy.
17. Brenda Song
Brenda Song starred in Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. As an adult, she’s been in Dollface, Station 19, and Disney’s Amphibia.
18. Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint grew up as Ron Weasley in Harry Potter. He continues acting in TV projects like Sick Note, Servant, and The ABC Murders.
19. Ashley Tisdale
Ashley Tisdale became a teen star in High School Musical and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. She’s continued acting in shows like Merry Happy Whatever and lent her voice to Phineas & Ferb.
20. Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris shot to fame as Doogie Howser. He later starred in How I Met Your Mother and Netflix’s UnCoupled.
21. Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan captured hearts in The Parent Trap and Mean Girls. She’s returned to acting with films like Falling for Christmas and the upcoming Freaky Friday 2.
22. Ron Howard
Ron Howard started on The Andy Griffith Show and became a celebrated director, though he still occasionally appears on TV projects like Arrested Development.
23. Christina Ricci
Christina Ricci began in Mermaids and starred in Casper and The Addams Family. She continues acting, most notably in Yellowjackets.
24. Joey King
Joey King started at seven in Horton Hears a Who! and Ramona and Beezus. Recently, she’s starred in The Princess, The Kissing Booth, and The Act.
25. Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood began in The Good Son and later starred as Frodo in The Lord of the Rings. His adult career includes The Faculty and I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore.
26. Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges started acting as a child on Sea Hunt. He became a Hollywood legend with films like Tron, The Big Lebowski, and True Grit.
27. Candace Cameron Bure
Candace Cameron Bure starred in Full House and continues her role in Fuller House, along with projects like Aurora Teagarden Mysteries.
28. Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst gained fame in Interview with the Vampire and Jumanji. She’s continued acting in films like The Power of the Dog and shows like Fargo.
29. Dakota Fanning
Dakota Fanning became a star on Ally McBeal and I Am Sam. As an adult, she’s appeared in The Alienist, The First Lady, and Ripley.
30. Zendaya
Zendaya began as a Disney kid in Shake It Up and KC Undercover. Now she’s an Emmy winner for Euphoria and has starred in Dune and Challengers.
