Have you ever wondered where your favorite actors or actresses as a child went to? Some of these people on this list have stayed in the spotlight, but others got behind the camera.
First on our list is Mara Wilson. Now this name might not sound familiar, but she played Matilda in the movie “Matilda” which I’m sure most of you have heard of. Mara Wilson also played as Nattie in the popular movie “Mrs.Doubtfire” alongside famous actor Robin Williams. Because her mother died of breast cancer in1995, the film “Matilda” was dedicated to her memory. After playing in multiple films in the late 1990’s and in 2000, Wilson took a 12 year hiatus. She returned to the big screen in 2012 where she briefly appeared in one of the episodes of a web series called “Missed Connection”. She has voiced a character in the popular TV show “Big hero 6:The Series” in recent years. She has published a book titled “Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame” where she talks about her life after being thrown into stardom.
Jonathan Lipnicki rose to fame by starring in Stuart Little. He was most popular with preteens around the early 2000s. Throughout the years he has starred in many movies, but he took a short break from movies for six years from 2005 to 2011. During his years in school he found out he has a learning disability. When he became a hit for Stuart Little he was bullied by his peers who called him a one-hit wonder. Boy, did he prove them wrong. He has been in many films such as Altitude, Limelight, A Second Chance, and Pitching Tents. He is most known for his films as a child actor, but he is also working behind the camera as a producer. I’m sure there will be much more we see from him in the future.
These next actors were famous as the twin boys in Full House. Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit started their fame in the sixth season of Full House, and stayed with the show until it ended. The twins have not been in a lot since their debut, but are back for the shelter Fuller House. The twins wanted to lead a normal life, and did just that. Although Blake is involved in the movie and tv world by working as a Foley artist. A Foley artist is someone who creates sounds for movies and TV shows. They create sounds like punching, walking, and even eating. These men are back and we can’t wait to see what they plan on doing next.
Anna Chlymsky was popular for starring in the movie My Girl alongside another artist on our list Macaulay Culkin. A little while after playing in that movie she took a six-year hiatus from 1999 to 2005. Chlymsky returned to acting with a role in the first episode of the 17th season of Law & Order. She has since been in many TV shows and was nominated for an Emmy in 2019 for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series”. Her most recent endeavor was in the hit television show Inventing Anna in 2022 where she played Vivian Kent, a journalist.
Ron Howard was a child actor most known for his role in The Andy Griffith Show. His acting career was short as he moved his interests to directing. By the 1970s Howard started directing several movies for NBC. In 1992 he directed the western film Far and Away starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. He continued his directing career, by the 2000s he had directed 13 movies, and was also a producer for 3 of those films. In 2000 he directed and produced How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the live action movie starring Jim Carrey. The film received mixed reviews, but was a financial success and earned $345 million at the box office. The film is now a holiday staple for families, and is now a continued success. Over the years Ron Howard has worked with many famous actors, and has continued acting.
There are many more child actors/actresses that we did not bring up in this list. Childhood actors make up most of the industry today, whether that’s in front of the camera or behind. Let us know your favorite childhood actors/actresses.
