5 famous child stars in Hollywood
Macaulay Culkin, Haley Joel Osment and Frankie Muniz were once stars who dominated the world’s film capital, but now they are no longer seen much.
1. Macaulay Culkin (born in 1980)
At the peak of his career, Culkin was the most famous child actor in the world, a close friend of the King of Pop Michael Jackson and was paid a huge salary of 4.5 million USD for participating in Home Alone 2 at the age of 12. Culkin rose to fame with the film Home Alone in 1990. In this funny film, he played the role of Kevin McCallister – who was forgotten by his family on a trip – leaving him alone at home and having to use his intelligence to deal with two evil thieves. The film was a huge success when it became the best-selling comedy of all time.
Macaulay Culkin: A Classic Case of a Hollywood Child Star’s Rise and Fall
Macaulay Culkin is a prime example of the “early rise, early fall” phenomenon among Hollywood child stars.
Years later, his career spiraled downward, and his last big-screen appearance was in 2007 with the low-budget film Sex and Breakfast. Alcohol, heroin, and smoking (up to 60 cigarettes a day) left Culkin in a terrible state, leading to his breakup with Mila Kunis in 2010 after eight years together.
Today, Culkin can sometimes be seen working as a DJ in New York nightclubs or on TV screens every Christmas Eve, as audiences revisit his iconic role as Kevin McCallister.
Haley Joel Osment (Born 1988)
After playing Forrest Gump’s son in the Oscar-winning 1995 film Forrest Gump, Haley Joel Osment solidified his name in Hollywood with his unforgettable performance as Cole Sear in The Sixth Sense.
Despite acting alongside veteran Bruce Willis, Osment never appeared overshadowed or intimidated. His role—a young boy with psychic abilities who can see ghosts—became legendary.
The Sixth Sense grossed nearly $700 million and earned Osment 24 acting award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Haley Joel Osment, as he grew up, lost the innocent, charming look he had as a child actor.
Two years later, Osment moved audiences to tears again with his role as the robotic boy David in A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, directed by Steven Spielberg. Despite such an impressive start, Osment now mainly participates in smaller films, and he is perhaps best known today for his voice acting in the Kingdom Hearts video game series.
3. Drew Barrymore (Born 1975)
Drew Barrymore is an example of a child star who didn’t fall victim to the “rise and fall” pattern. She first gained fame with her role as Gertie in the family sci-fi blockbuster E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial directed by Steven Spielberg.
Despite facing personal and career struggles, Barrymore managed to rebuild her career and solidify her place in Hollywood during the 1990s with several notable films, including:
-
Batman Forever (1995)
-
Scream (1996)
-
Never Been Kissed (1999)
-
Charlie’s Angels (2000)
Barrymore’s ability to reinvent herself helped her transition from a troubled child star to a successful and enduring actress.
Drew Barrymore, once a famous child star, had to overcome many struggles during her adolescence to reach where she is today.
In recent years, she has become known for her roles in romantic films, with notable examples including 50 First Dates (2004) and Music and Lyrics (2007). After two failed marriages, she is now happily living with her children and her third husband, Will Kopelman.
4. Frankie Muniz (Born 1985)
In the early 2000s, Frankie Muniz, with his friendly smile, was a familiar face to Vietnamese audiences through the popular TV series Malcolm in the Middle and the film Big Fat Liar. His smart and charming appearance earned him opportunities to take on roles as a talented and mischievous character.
5. Dakota Fanning (Born 1994)
From a young age, Dakota Fanning demonstrated a passion for acting, often performing at home and even at her preschool, where she impressed the adults around her with her talent. Recognizing her potential, they encouraged her parents to have her audition at a talent management center, where her abilities were quickly spotted.
Dakota’s breakthrough came early with standout performances in films like I Am Sam (2001), where she starred alongside Sean Penn and gained widespread recognition for her remarkable acting skills, becoming one of Hollywood’s brightest young stars. Over the years, she continued to build on her career with roles in major films, including War of the Worlds (2005) alongside Tom Cruise and The Twilight Saga (2009-2012).
As she grew older, Fanning successfully transitioned into more mature roles, such as her performance in The Alienist (2018), further solidifying her place in the industry. Today, Dakota remains a prominent figure in Hollywood, continuing to take on diverse roles that reflect her evolving acting range.
Dakota Fanning has grown into a beautiful young woman who now smiles less than she did in her childhood.
She gained global fame for her role as Lucy Diamond Dawson, the daughter of the intellectually challenged man Sam (played by Sean Penn) in the touching film I Am Sam (2001). Since then, Fanning has starred in major films such as Man on Fire (2004) and War of the Worlds (2005), alongside superstars like Denzel Washington and Tom Cruise. Her film career continues to rise, with one of her most notable recent roles being that of the vampire Jane in the popular Twilight series.
