10 CHILD STARS Who FINALLY Got Their Life Together
Published -
- July 27, 2017
- 8:00 pm
CHILD STARS FROM THE PAST
10 Child stars all grown up.
How can we change the narrative around child stars to focus more on their resilience and ability to overcome challenges, rather than their struggles and failures?
There’s something fascinating about child stars – we love to watch them grow up and see what they’ll do with their lives. However, not all child stars make the best choices in adulthood, often falling into a negative cycle of drug addiction, legal troubles, and other issues that can harm both their careers and their personal lives. Fortunately, there are a few who have managed to turn things around and find success and happiness as adults. Here are 10 child stars who finally got their lives together.
1. Drew Barrymore:
Perhaps one of the most well-known child stars on this list, Drew Barrymore began acting at a young age, landing her first role in “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” when she was just seven years old. However, the pressures of fame led her down a dangerous path of drug and alcohol addiction in her teenage years. Luckily, she managed to overcome her issues and has since become a successful actress, producer, and author, as well as a devoted mother and philanthropist.
2. Ron Howard:
Before he became a respected director and producer, Ron Howard was known to many as Opie on the popular TV show “The Andy Griffith Show”. Despite being a successful child actor, Howard didn’t experience the same struggles that many of his peers did. However, he did face some criticism for his more lighthearted work in his early directing career. Nevertheless, Howard persevered and has since directed a number of award-winning films, including “A Beautiful Mind” and “Apollo 13”.
3. Milla Jovovich:
Best known for her roles in “The Fifth Element” and the “Resident Evil” films, Milla Jovovich got her start as a child model and actress. However, she struggled with addiction and dropped out of high school before making a comeback in her early 20s. Today, Jovovich is a successful and respected actress, as well as a fashion designer and musician.
4. Neil Patrick Harris:
Once known as the child star of the hit TV show “Doogie Howser, M.D.”, Neil Patrick Harris transitioned smoothly into adult roles and has become one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood. In addition to his acting career, he’s also an accomplished writer and producer.
5. Mara Wilson:
After appearing in several popular films as a child, including “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Matilda”, Mara Wilson stepped away from acting to focus on her education. She later returned to the industry as a writer and playwright, and has opened up about her struggles with anxiety and depression.
6. Joseph Gordon-Levitt:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt got his start as a child actor in commercials and TV shows before landing a breakout role in the TV series “3rd Rock from the Sun”. Despite the pressures of fame, Gordon-Levitt managed to avoid the pitfalls that many child stars face, and has since become a respected actor, director, and producer.
7. Jodie Sweetin:
Jodie Sweetin is best known for her role as Stephanie Tanner on the hit TV show “Full House”. However, her personal life was far from perfect – she struggled with addiction for many years before finally getting clean in her late 20s. Since then, she’s become an advocate for addiction recovery and has resumed her acting career.
8. Macaulay Culkin:
After achieving worldwide fame as the star of “Home Alone” and its sequels, Macaulay Culkin struggled with addiction and legal troubles. However, in recent years he’s made a comeback of sorts, starring in the TV show “Dollface” and making appearances in other films and TV shows.
9. Shia LaBeouf:
Shia LaBeouf got his start as a child actor on the Disney Channel’s “Even Stevens”. As an adult, he’s had his fair share of ups and downs, including a few run-ins with the law and a public struggle with addiction. However, in recent years he’s begun to turn things around, taking on more challenging roles and speaking openly about his struggles with mental health.
10. Emma Watson:
Though Emma Watson is best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” films, she’s also become a respected actress and activist in her own right. Despite the pressures of fame, Watson has managed to stay grounded and focused on her goals, using her platform to advocate for women’s rights and environmental causes.
In conclusion, while the narratives surrounding child stars can often be negative and cyclical, these 10 individuals have managed to break that cycle and overcome their struggles to find success and fulfillment in their adult lives. From Drew Barrymore to Emma Watson, they serve as inspiration for anyone who is facing challenges on their own path to success.
