From Disney Channel icons to Nickelodeon stars and even Mouseketeers who became global superstars, some child actors have turned their early fame into lifelong fortunes. While a few faded from the spotlight, others built massive empires from their careers. Here’s a look at the 30 richest child actors and what they’re worth today.
1. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen – $400 Million
The Olsen twins started as infants on Full House and quickly turned their fame into a billion-dollar brand. Through their company, Dualstar, and later their fashion empire, they built a combined fortune that still towers over almost every other child star.
2. Justin Bieber – $285 Million
From YouTube discovery to global pop sensation, Bieber went from singing Baby to selling over 100 million records. Despite personal struggles, his net worth makes him one of the wealthiest former teen idols ever.
3. Leonardo DiCaprio – $260 Million
Before Titanic, DiCaprio was a TV teen heartthrob. His early work on Growing Pains set him up for a legendary acting career that now includes an Oscar, and a staggering $260 million net worth.
4. Justin Timberlake – $230 Million
Once a Mouseketeer, Timberlake became a superstar with *NSYNC before branching into a hugely successful solo career. With acting roles, music, and business ventures, he’s one of the richest former child stars in the world.
5. Christina Aguilera – $160 Million
Aguilera got her start on The Mickey Mouse Club before conquering the pop charts. With record-breaking album sales, acting gigs, and coaching on The Voice, she’s built an impressive $160 million fortune.
6. Ron Howard – $160 Million
Howard began as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show and later Richie Cunningham on Happy Days. He left acting for directing, and with hits like Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind, his net worth skyrocketed.
7. Miley Cyrus – $160 Million
Best known as Hannah Montana, Miley transitioned from Disney Channel sweetheart to global pop star. Reinventing her image repeatedly has helped her keep her $160 million fortune intact.
8. Drew Barrymore – $125 Million
Barrymore stole hearts in E.T. before reinventing herself as a rom-com queen. With acting, producing, and her beauty and lifestyle brands, she’s built a $125 million empire.
9. Daniel Radcliffe – $110 Million
Radcliffe became a household name as Harry Potter, and the role gave him enough money to choose passion projects ever since. With $110 million, he never has to work again, but still does.
10. Emma Watson – $80 Million
Watson grew up as Hermione Granger and used her fame to become an activist and feminist icon. With blockbuster paychecks and endorsements, she’s worth about $80 million.
11. Selena Gomez – $75 Million
From Barney to Wizards of Waverly Place, Gomez transitioned smoothly into music stardom. Her business ventures, including producing and cosmetics, have pushed her net worth to $75 million.
12. Kristen Stewart – $70 Million
Before Twilight, Stewart was already acting in Panic Room and Speak. But Bella Swan made her one of the highest-paid young stars, cementing her $70 million fortune.
13. Natalie Portman – $60 Million
Portman began acting at 11 and became a household name in Star Wars. With an Oscar win and steady work, she’s amassed a $60 million net worth.
14. Britney Spears – $59 Million
Britney got her start on The Mickey Mouse Club before becoming the Princess of Pop. Despite legal troubles and conservatorship battles, her career has earned her nearly $60 million.
15. Raven-Symoné – $55 Million
Starting on The Cosby Show, Raven became a Disney Channel legend with That’s So Raven. She remains one of Disney’s most successful alumni with $55 million.
16. Frankie Muniz – $40 Million
As the star of Malcolm in the Middle, Muniz was one of the highest-paid child actors of the early 2000s. Though he later shifted to racing and music, his $40 million net worth proves he saved wisely.
17. Demi Lovato – $33 Million
Lovato’s early work on Barney and Disney’s Camp Rock set up her transition to music stardom. With chart-topping hits and tours, she’s worth about $33 million.
18. Elijah Wood – $30 Million
Before Lord of the Rings, Wood was already a child star in films like The Good Son and Flipper. Frodo Baggins cemented his fame and fortune, now at $30 million.
19. Hilary Duff – $25 Million
Duff’s role as Lizzie McGuire made her a Disney icon. With acting, music, and business ventures, she’s still thriving with $25 million.
20. Shia LaBeouf – $25 Million
LaBeouf got his start on Even Stevens before landing roles in Transformers and Indiana Jones. Despite personal controversies, his career has left him with $25 million.
21. Mayim Bialik – $25 Million
Before The Big Bang Theory, Bialik was the teen star of Blossom. Returning to TV as Amy Farrah Fowler brought her both Emmys and $25 million.
22. Brooke Shields – $25 Million
A child model turned actress, Shields broke barriers with Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon. Decades later, she’s still sitting on a $25 million fortune.
23. Sean Astin – $20 Million
Astin first starred in The Goonies as a kid before becoming Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings. Careful financial planning leaves him with $20 million today.
24. Christina Ricci – $18 Million
Ricci became famous as Wednesday Addams and kept working steadily through adulthood. Her unique roles have earned her about $18 million.
25. Fred Savage – $18 Million
Savage starred in The Wonder Years and later became a director and producer. His behind-the-camera career boosted his net worth to $18 million.
26. Macaulay Culkin – $16 Million
The Home Alone star was once Hollywood’s highest-paid child actor. Today, Culkin keeps busy with creative projects and a $16 million net worth.
27. Dakota Fanning – $16 Million
Fanning wowed audiences in I Am Sam and dozens of other childhood roles. She’s transitioned well into adult acting, holding on to a $16 million fortune.
28. Abigail Breslin – $16 Million
Breslin earned an Oscar nomination for Little Miss Sunshine and went on to star in Zombieland and Scream Queens. She’s worth about $16 million today.
29. Angus T. Jones – $15 Million
As Jake on Two and a Half Men, Jones became the highest-paid child actor on TV. Though he left Hollywood, he still has $15 million saved.
30. Chloë Grace Moretz – $12 Million
Moretz rose to fame in Kick-Ass and continued with roles in Carrie and If I Stay. At just 22, her $12 million fortune is still growing.
