Child Stars – Where Are They Now? Part 1

Ever wondered what happened to your favourite child stars like Edward Furlong and co?
What happens when the cute runs out and it’s time to enter the real world? In part 1 of a two part series, we track down 12 top child stars of the 80s and 90s and see how they’re faring today.

Anna Chlumsky

When she was just 11 years old Anna Chlumsky stole our hearts as Vada Sultenfuss in the 1991 movie My Girl.

Where is she now?

Chlumsky has had consistent TV and stage roles, and with several movies in production her star seems to be on the rise again. The future? Looking up.

The Two Coreys

You couldn’t switch to your Betacam in the 80s without finding the two Coreys – Haim and Feldman – on your screen. Individually and together they acted in a number of iconic 80s teen flicks, including The Lost Boys and Licence To Drive.

Where are they now?

After their 80s career high, the Coreys struggled to maintain their position in Hollywood and turned to direct-to-video and voiceover work. Both served time in rehab for drug addiction. The duo made a return back to the spotlight for the reality show The Two Coreys, although they had a falling out with Feldman now refusing to have any contact with Haim again. The future? It’s back to obscurity, I’m afraid.

Danica McKellar

She shot to fame at the age of 13 as the winsome Winnie Cooper in TVs The Wonder Years, which ran from 1988-1993.

Where is she now?

McKellar has had a patchy career in entertainment since becoming an adult. Although filming several guests roles on high profile TV shows such as The West Wing, McKellar has had more success in the field of… mathematics! Since majoring in the topic at college, she has gone on two write two books popularising maths for girls. The future? The sexy mathematician niche is one worth exploiting.

Drew Barrymore

E.T at 5. addiction at 9 and rehab at 13 – Drew Barrymore is the poster child for out-of-control child actors.

Where is she now?

An extremely successful actor and producer, Barrymore was named Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). She also models for Cover Girl cosmetic and Gucci Jewellery. The future? We hope you’re wearing sunglasses, Ms. Barrymore.

Dustin Diamond

Acting since the age of 10, Diamond was the uber-geek ‘Screech’ in 90s hit TV show Saved By The Bell.

Where is he now?

After Saved By The Bell ended, Diamond has appeared on the A-Z of dreadful celebrity reality shows, from Celebrity Boxing 2 to The Weakest Link and Celebrity Fit Club. A guy who’ll seemingly do anything to stay in the spotlight, he pretended he was going bankrupt and organised a telethon, which was cancelled after a TV executive doubted his credibility and concerns about his “obnoxious behaviour”. His latest move is to “accidentally” leak a sex tape. The future? Pass the bucket.

Edward Furlong

His breakthrough role in Terminator 2 at age 13, seemed to auger a glittering career for Edward Furlong.

Where is he now?

Furlong has fought a long battle with drug and alcohol problems, stating that “lots of money and lots of free coke will turn anyone into a cokehead”. Despite indie film success in the 1990s, the work has dried up, with Furlong last seen on screens as a guest player on CSI:NY. He is married to actress Rachael Bella and has a 2-year-old son, Ethan. The future? Grim.

Emmanuel Lewis

His 80s show Webster rivalled Different Strokes in the black-kid-in-white-family genre (why didn’t they ever try the reverse?) Emmanuel Lewis is also known for his short stature, at just 1.3 metres high (he claims there is no medical reason for it.)

Where is he now?

Now 37, Lewis has had sporadic work since his Webster days, with the exception of two series of MTV reality show The Surreal Life. The future? We see him spending a lot of time in Vegas.

Fred Savage

He played the everykid of our collective past in TVs The Wonder Years throughout his real-life adolescence, after an adorable performance in cult classic The Princess Bride.

Where is he now?

After The Wonder Years, Savage primarily did guest and supporting roles including appearing as a serial rapist on Law and Order: SVU.
His behind-the-scenes directing career earned him a nomination for “Worst Director” at the 28th Golden Raspberry Awards (for Daddy Day Care). The future? Back to to the other side of the camera.

Gary Coleman

As Arnold Jackson in after-school special Diff’rent Strokes he brought us the line, “What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” Earning up to $100,000 an episode as a mere teenager, Coleman’s future looked bright.

Where is he now?

Coleman’s popularity continued during the 80s, starring in feature films and filming TV guest appearances. But bankruptcy and legal problems have marred his career since. Coleman’s latest claim to fame is appearing with new wife Shannon Price, 18 years his junior , in US reality show Divorce Court. The future? Troubled.

Haley Joel Osmont

As the creepy kid who saw dead people in The Sixth Sense, Haley Joel Osmont was the go-to precocious child actor during the late 90s and early noughties, also appearing in Forrest Gump, A.I and Pay It Forward.

Where is he now?

Now 20, Osmont has spent much of the last six years doing voiceover work. Two years ago he crashed his car while drunk and in possession of marijuana and was forced to go to rehab. He now seems to be back on track, with two feature films in post-production. The future? Looking up.

Jodie Sweetin

Best known for playing spunky middle child Stephanie on Full House from age 5 to 13, she was famous for the catchphrase, “How rude!”

Where is she now?

While the Olsen twins, who played younger sister Michelle on the show, went on to achieve mega-stardom, Sweetin went back to high school, married young and fell into a meth addiction. The nadir of her career was hosting a TV contest for strippers called Pants-Off Dance-Off in 2006. Sweetin has since re-married, kicked her addiction and had a daughter Zoie, 6 months. The future? Quiet.

Jonathan Lipnicki

He was the uber-cute 6-year-old who stole Tom Cruise’s heart in Jerry Maguire playing the son of Renee Zellweger.

Where is he now?

Now 18, Lipnicki is in his final year of highschool. While he’s had intermittent film and TV work, it looks like he’s stayed out of trouble and concentrated on school work and being a strait-edge vegan (for serious!) The future: solid.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Child Star series next week.