From Little Stars to Big Success: Child Celebrities Who Shine Brighter Than Ever

Macaulay Culkin

A list featuring successful child actors wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Macaulay Culkin! His stand-out role in the iconic Home Alone series set him on a path to a lifetime of recognition and fame, but Culkin had several roles before the Home Alone series. He’d already starred in several TV movies, including Uncle Buck, Jacob’s Ladder, and more. Culkin took an extended break from the acting world, returning only to star in small films like Party Monster and Saved. Despite his extended hiatus and preference to say away from major feature films, Macaulay Culkin is still a household name and a legend in the film industry.

Michelle Trachtenberg

Many child stars got their start acting in commercials, including Michelle Trachtenberg. After spending her youngest years working on her acting skills, Michelle Trachtenberg received her breakout role in Harriet the Spy. This role opened the door to many other successful projects that propelled her career into success. Trachtenberg earned major roles in tv classics like Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which gave her the recognition needed her to pursue other interests. While Trachtenberg has starred in other minor roles and even a made-for-TV movie, she’s mostly focused her career on modeling since her earlier roles.

Kieran Culkin

The adorable little brother of Macaulay Culkin, Kieran made his movie debut in 1990’s Home Alone when he was only 7 years old. He stepped out of his brother’s shadow a short while later with his role in Father of the Bride. Culkin didn’t take on any major projects during his high school years, but afterwards he became a well-known face in Hollywood. He tarred in a variety of dramas, comedies, and indie films, including She’s All That, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, Margaret, and Igby Goes Down. His more recent project playing Roman Roy, a quick-witted and defiant media-empire scion, on HBO’s Succession earned him his first Emmy nomination in 2020.

Bug Hall

Bug Hall grew up in the spotlight, and he’s had an impressive glow-up while starring in major films and tv series. As a child actor, Hall was well-known in the entertainment world for his roles in the ’90s hits Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, Get A Clue, Little Rascals, and The Stupids. His signature quirky kid looked served him well in those days, but he’s since established a more mature and serious demeanor. Since leaving his Disney and childhood roles behind, Hall has turned to smaller projects, although he’s still starred in some big-name series, like 90210 and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Dakota Fanning

Dakota Fanning made a name for herself playing Ally McBeal’s 5-year-old self in I Am Sam, though many recognize her for her later role as a feminist private detective in the period drama The Alienist. But Fanning put in a ton of work between those two well-known roles, starring in a variety of films. She gave memorable performances in War of the Worlds, Hide and Seek, Uptown Girls, Charlotte’s Web, and three Twilight movies. Fanning’s success spans 20 years of hard work and dedication in the film industry, which has paid off in spaids!

Daryl Sabara

An entire generation grew up watching Daryl Sabara on the big screen as the kid brother in the Spy Kids series. You probably instantly recognize young Daryl Sabara with his signature curly red hair and wide smile. His success continued as a young star with roles in popular tv series like Wizards of Waverly Place. After his younger years passed, Sabara went on to star in more complex and mature roles. He appeared in World’s Greatest Dad and became one of the judges on World’s Most Talented Kids. In his personal life, Sabara found success in his relationship with the iconic singer Meghan Trainor, to whom he is now married to.

Elle Fanning

Elle Fanning, the adorable kid sister of Dakota Fanning, got her start by playing her older sister’s younger version on I Am Sam. Like many sibling acting duos, Fanning may have gotten her start from her sister, but she quickly made a name for herself outside of her sister’s shadow. Elle Fanning stared in several successful films, including Daddy Day Car, Babel, Reservation Road, and Dorr in the Floor. Her acting career spanned multiple genres, including family-friendly movies, young adult films, dramas, and fantasies. More recently, she and her sister starred side by side in the World War II-era epic The Nightingale.

Jodie Sweetin

’90s kids will instantly recognize Sweetin’s bright smile and wide dimples from her role as the adorable middle sister in the hit sitcom Full House. Sweetin’s role in this beloved series set her on a path to success, although she didn’t pursue acting full-time after that role. Instead, she went on to pursue other interests, before finally returning to the entertainment world in 2016. She reprised her role as Stephanie Tanner for the spin-off Fuller House. She starred in all five seasons of the show and proved she still has the chops to be a formidable actress.

Candace Cameron

Speaking of Full House stars, Candance Cameron played Sweetin’s on-camera big sister, DJ Tanner. While she’s best known for her role in the American sitcom, Cameron went on to star in other productions, including a handful of TV movies. She starred in 1996’s No One Would Tell and was a co-host for two seasons on the The View. In 2016, Cameron reprised her iconic role as DJ Tanner in the well-loved spin-off Fuller House. She’s also had a ton of roles on the Hallmark Channel and starred in the Aurora Teagarden murder-mystery franchise.

Maureen McCormick

If you’re a fan of classic American sitcoms, then you’ll have no trouble recognizing Maureen McCormick from her role as Marcia Brady in the tv classic The Brady Bunch. She played the oldest Brady daughter and portrayed all the classic and relatable struggles of a young girl growing into a young woman. Her role in this series skyrocketed her into fame and made her a cultural icon in American television. However, McCormick struggled growing up in the spotlight and struggled with addiction after her work on The Brady Bunch. Despite her struggles, McCormick came back stronger than ever, reprising her role on a number of Brady Bunch spin-offs and working in country music and theater.

Ryan Gosling

Who knew what Ryan Gosling’s career would become when he got his big break on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club at the tender age of 12? The role propelled Gosling into an entertainment biz world with nothing but open doors! Goslin has played ever type of role imaginable, with hit performances in projects like Half Nelson, Lars and the Real Girl, The Notebook, Blue Valentine, Murder by Numbers, La La Land, and The Big Short. Gosling has two Oscar nominations under his belt and won a Golden Globe for his role in La La Land. In his personal life, Gosling married his co-star Eva Mendes and the adorable power couple has two daughters together.

Fred Savage

Do you recognize this iconic child actor of the ’80s? He got his start playing Kevin Arnold in The Wonder Years, but his career skyrocketed with his role in The Princess Bride. These two roles set him on the path to a lifetime of success, and he even earned multiple nominations and awards for his role in Wonder Years. You may not have seen Savage on the screen in a while, but he’s still working in show biz. Savage took up directing as an adult and has worked on many well-known shows like Modern Family. He’s directed one feature-length film and appears to enjoy being on the other side of the camera!

Leonardo DiCaprio

There are few faces in Hollywood as recognizable as Leonardo DiCaprio! This multitalented actor got his start on the sitcom Growing Pains in 1991, and this role opened the door for him to become the powerhouse he is today! DiCaprio starred as a teen heartthrob in several productions, including Romeo + Juliet, Marvin’s Room, and The Basketball Diaries. After the teen phase ended, DiCaprio set audiences on fire with his deeply complex and mature roles in The Wolf of Wall Street, The Revenant, and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. This actor has received critical acclaim for a multitude of his roles, and with each new project he continues to prove his depth as an actor.

Tyler James William

Audiences got to watch Tyler James William as he transformed from a young child to a confident adolescent with his role as the lead character in Everybody Loves Chris. His performance in this role was impressive, earning him a Young Artist Award. After that iconic role, William went on to expand his acting career. He dabbled in other genres while appearing in Dear White People, Criminal Minds, and Criminal Minds: Beyond Boarders. This actor has proven he’s capable of playing a variety of characters, and his on-screen transformation from young to mature talent has been an honor for fans to witness.

Neil Patrick Harris

Did Neil Patrick Harris get lucky or was he just that good? Honestly, we think it’s a combination of both! This actor earned a Golden Globe nomination at only 15 years old for his debut role in the 1988 TV movie Clara’s Heart. After appearing in Doogie Howser, M.D., Harris’s acting career went through a bit of a dry patch. But with an actor this talented, that dry spell was destined not to last! He skyrocketed back to fame with his role as the complicated misogynist Barney in the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother. He won four Emmy nominations for that role and it secured his place as a Hollywood sweetheart.