Ever wondered what your favourite former child stars are up to today?
From Macaulay Culkin to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, we've rounded up 20 of the most iconic child stars of all time and investigated where they are today. From the paths their careers have taken to the fortunes they're sitting on, some of what we've uncovered might just surprise you...
Read on to discover what these beloved stars are up to today and how much they're worth.
All dollar amounts in US dollars
Haley Joel Osment is synonymous with his role in The Sixth Sense, with his "I see dead people" line one of the most quoted phrases in cinematic history. At 11 years old, he became one of the youngest Academy Award nominees when his chilling performance in the 1999 film earned him an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor.
However, Osment was a seasoned child star long before that role brought him acclaim. He made his acting debut at the tender age of four, appearing in a Pizza Hut commercial. Other early roles included a stint in the 90s sitcom Thunder Alley and portraying Tom Hanks's on-screen son in Forrest Gump.
Although The Sixth Sense remains Osment's most famous work, he's successfully transitioned into adult roles. Recent gigs include a guest appearance in the comedy series What We Do in the Shadows and the 2024 movies Drugstore June and Blink Twice.
Additionally, Osment is a talented voice actor who's worked on various animated projects over the years, including Family Guy, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, and Megamind Rules!.
Osment, now in his mid-30s, has an estimated net worth of $6 million (£4.6m). However, some sources claim his fortune might actually be closer to double that amount.
Sean Astin shot to fame aged 14 for his role as Mikey in cult classic 80s movie The Goonies.
While The Goonies signalled a big break for Astin, he was already an established child star. He made his screen debut four years prior, appearing alongside his real-life mother, Patty Duke, in the 1981 film Please Don't Hit Me, Mom.
Sean Astin worked steadily throughout the 80s and 90s. However, his career reached new heights when he landed the role of Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings series. Arguably Astin's most famous role ever, he starred in the fantasy franchise between 2001 and 2003.
In more recent years, Astin has booked a diverse range of gigs. This includes playing the beloved Bob Newby in the Netflix series Stranger Things between 2017 and 2019, and, most recently, a recurring appearance in the sitcom The Conners.
His estimated net worth stands at $10 million (£7.6m), though some sources claim his decade-spanning career has banked him closer to $20 million (£15.2m).
While attending drama camp as a teenager, Neil Patrick Harris caught the eye of playwright Mark Medoff, who cast him in the 1988 movie Clara's Heart. His debut role attracted much critical acclaim and Harris received his first Golden Globe nomination aged just 15.
The following year, Harris was cast as the titular character in the medical drama Doogie Howser, M.D., which marked a serious big break for the rising young star. The show ran for four successful seasons, and Harris's portrayal of the genius teen physician earned him another Golden Globe nod.
Harris's critical acclaim has followed him into adulthood and he's now a five-time Emmy winner, scooping the prestigious gong four times for his work presenting the Tony Awards between 2010 and 2014. Additionally, he received an Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy for his appearance on Glee in 2010.
Harris is undeniably best known for playing Barney Stinson in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother between 2005 and 2014. The role earned him four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series between 2007 and 2010. The gig was seriously lucrative, with Harris taking home $225,000 (£174k) per episode at the show's peak.
His role as both actor and exec-producer on Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events series resulted in two more Emmy nominations in 2018 and 2019.
Online estimates of the 51-year-old's net worth vary wildly. Some sources claim he's worth $16 million (£12m), while others place his fortune at $50 million (£37.9m).
Macaulay Culkin was undoubtedly the biggest child star of the 90s. Making his major movie debut in the comedy flick Uncle Buck in 1989, it was his unforgettable performance as Kevin McCallister in the Christmas classic Home Alone the following year that made then-10-year-old Culkin a household name.
After Home Alone, Culkin commanded seven-figure salaries for films such as My Girl and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. For comedies Getting Even with Dad and Richie Rich, released in 1994 and 1995, Culkin earned $8 million ($17m/£13m in 2024 money) apiece, making him one of the highest-paid actors in the world at the time.
By the time he was 15, Culkin had amassed a sizable fortune. The teen sparked controversy by removing his parents as his legal guardians, reportedly to safeguard his hard-earned cash from them.
As Culkin got older, he stepped away from the spotlight. However, he returned to the headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2004 when, aged 24, he was arrested for possession of illegal drugs.
In recent years, the 44-year-old actor has made a Hollywood comeback with appearances in TV shows American Horror Story and The Righteous Gemstones in 2021 and 2022 respectively. In an unexpected move, he also modelled for luxury fashion brand Gucci in 2021.
His estimated net worth stands at $18 million (£13.6m).
Fred Savage rose to fame playing Kevin Arnold in the sitcom The Wonder Years between 1988 and 1993. He was 12 years old when cast in the breakthrough role.
Savage was already a seasoned child star before ABC's comedy series put him on the map. He made his screen debut aged nine on the TV show Morningstar/Eveningstar, while other early roles included films The Boy Who Could Fly and The Princess Bride.
When The Wonder Years wrapped, Savage continued to act. His diverse resume includes everything from the TV series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit to the wacky comedy flick Austin Powers in Goldmember.
For the most part, Savage prefers to stay behind the camera. He's directed episodes of many popular TV shows, including 2 Broke Girls, Modern Family, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In more recent years, he was hired to helm the reboot of The Wonder Years, although was later fired from the project due to misconduct allegations.
Savage, now 48, has a net worth that sits somewhere between $18 million (£13.6m) and $30 million (£22.7m). It's believed most of his fortune is derived from his directing pursuits.
Frankie Muniz is best known for starring in Malcolm in the Middle between 2000 and 2006. He was just 13 years old when he was cast in the breakthrough role.
His performance in the sitcom garnered much acclaim, including Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Unsurprisingly, the young actor was in hot demand and booked a number of other gigs while starring in the show, including starring parts in the films Big Fat Liar and Agent Cody Banks.
When Malcolm in the Middle ended, Muniz put acting on hold to pursue an unexpected career path: race car driving. Muniz signed on with Jensen Motorsport in 2005 and competed in the Formula BMW USA series in 2006 and the Champ Car Atlantic series in 2007. He competed in 32 races for the Atlantic Championship between 2007 and 2009.
In recent years, the 38-year-old star has returned to acting, most recently appearing in the 2024 comedy movie Half Baked 2. According to his profile on IMDb, he has three upcoming acting projects in the works, including a starring role in sci-fi movie Renner.
His estimated net worth is a substantial $30 million (£22.7m). Most of his fortune comes from his time on Malcolm in the Middle. It's thought he earned around $10.5 million (£8m) as a base salary from the show and is still earning money from syndication deals.
Demi Lovato made her acting debut at the age of 10, appearing on the children's TV series Barney & Friends in 2010.
She scored her big break at the age of 15 when she was cast in two Disney Channel projects: musical movie Camp Rock and sitcom Sonny with a Chance.
A multi-talented star, Lovato also launched a music career at the age of 16, releasing her debut album Don't Forget in 2008.
Today, the star largely focuses on musical pursuits. She's a two-time Grammy-nominated artist who has released nine studio albums, with her latest being 2023's Revamped.
Like many other former child stars, Lovato has battled drug addiction and mental illness, topics she candidly covers in songs like Sober and Skyscraper. In 2018, she took a two-year hiatus from music. She used her career break to focus on her recovery and is now celebrating six years of sobriety.
Her estimated total fortune is $40 million (£30.3m).
Britney Spears first rose to fame on the children's TV series The Mickey Mouse Club in 1992, starring alongside future music icons like Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera.
In 1999, at the age of 16, she released her debut single, ...Baby One More Time. The catchy pop track skyrocketed to the top of the charts and the teen starlet became an overnight sensation.
At the peak of her career, Spears was one of the highest-paid musicians in the world. She grossed $40 million in 2002 alone from record sales and touring, equivalent to $71 million (£53.8m) in 2024 money.
Sadly, while Spears's professional life flourished, her personal life spiralled out of control. After a series of public scandals, Spears was placed under a conservatorship established by her father in 2008. Spears later accused her parents of mismanaging her finances. Following a legal battle with her family, the conservatorship was lifted in 2021.
Today, the star has an estimated net worth of $40 million (£30.3m). Her fortune is a fraction of its former size due to the legal fees surrounding her conservatorship battle, and a trio of failed marriages. She chronicled some of this drama in her 2023 biography, The Woman in Me.
British actress Emma Watson shot to stardom as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film franchise.
Watson was just 10 years old when she landed the life-changing role. She starred in the magical movie series between 2001 and 2011, reportedly banking at least $70 million (£53m) along the way.
Watson has found no shortage of projects to star in since Harry Potter wrapped. Her most famous role post-Potter was undoubtedly playing Disney's Princess Belle in the live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast in 2017, while other notable credits include the 2014 biblical epic Noah and the 2019 adaptation of Little Woman.
Despite her on-screen success, Watson is currently taking a hiatus from acting, revealing in a 2023 interview with Variety that the profession made her feel "caged". Fans need not fret though. She said in the same interview that she would "absolutely" act again, although she currently has no upcoming projects in the pipeline.
Watson can certainly afford to take a break. Her estimated net worth is a plump $85 million (£64.4m).
As a member of a famous acting dynasty, showbiz is certainly in Drew Barrymore's blood. Making her movie debut in the 1980s in Altered States, it was her role as Gertie in 1982's E.T. that made a seven-year-old Barrymore a household name.
Further successful roles followed in films like Firestarter and Irreconcilable Differences, cementing Barrymore's status as the biggest child star of the 80s.
However, fame took an alarming toll on the young actor and she began abusing substances at just nine years old. By the time she was 13, Barrymore had checked herself into rehab. At 15, she became emancipated from her mother, who had encouraged her party-girl lifestyle.
For a time, Barrymore struggled to secure acting roles. Taking matters into her own hands, she co-founded the production company Flower Films in 1995. The company has produced some of Barrymore's biggest hits, including 50 First Dates, Charlie's Angels, and Never Been Kissed.
Today, Barrymore has taken an indefinite hiatus from acting. However, she continues to host the popular celebrity talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, and also has a side hustle in the form of cosmetics brand Flower Beauty.
Her estimated net worth is somewhere between $85 million (£64.4m) and $125 million (£94.7m), making her one of the richest actresses in the world.
Jodie Foster was just three years old when she started appearing in TV ads. She began scoring TV roles at the age of six before making her film debut in 1972's Napoleon and Samantha at the age of nine.
When she was 13, Foster was cast in Martin Scorsese's crime drama Taxi Driver. The gritty role earned Foster the first of several Oscar nominations.
By the time Foster was 30, she had achieved the remarkable feat of winning two Best Actress Academy Awards, receiving the first for her performance in the 1988 crime thriller The Accused and the second for the 1991 horror The Silence of the Lambs. She was later nominated by the Academy for her work in the 1994 thriller Nell, as well as the 2023 sports drama Nyad.
In addition to acting, Foster is an acclaimed filmmaker and her directing credits include movies such as Little Man Tate and Money Monster. She's also helmed episodes of a number of popular TV shows, including Orange is the New Black and House of Cards.
The 61-year-old star has an estimated total fortune of $100 million (£75.8m).
At the age of 11, Daniel Radcliffe scored the life-changing role of Harry Potter, defeating hundreds of hopefuls to claim the coveted part. He starred in the Harry Potter film franchise from 2001 to 2011, earning a grand total of $82 million (£62.2m).
Radcliffe knew he wanted to be an actor by the time he was five. He scored his first role at 10, playing a young David Copperfield in a TV adaptation of Charles Dickens's novel of the same name.
Radcliffe has successfully transitioned into adult roles. His impressively diverse filmography includes everything from wacky comedies like The Lost City and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story to grittier films, such as Imperium and Jungle.
Radcliffe frequently acts on stage as well. This year, he landed his first ever Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along.
His total estimated net worth is a substantial $110 million (£83.4m).
Miley Cyrus became a teen sensation thanks to her role in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, in which she starred alongside her father, country musician Billy Ray Cyrus. She was 13 years old when the show first aired in 2006.
The show not only helped Cyrus launch an acting career but also established her as a musician. She released several albums under her Hannah Montana alter ego, including Hannah Montana (2006), Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus (2007), and Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack (2009).
Cyrus was 18 when Hannah Montana ended. Eager to shed her teen star image, she focused on establishing herself as a more mature actress, with roles in films like The Last Song and LOL.
Meanwhile, her albums, including 2013's Bangerz and 2015's Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz, showcased a more provocative, edgy sound compared to her earlier releases.
Today, Cyrus continues to act and make music, though she's now better known for her music career. She's released eight studio albums to date, her latest being 2023’s Endless Summer Vacation. The lead track from the album, Flowers, skyrocketed to the top of the charts and earned Cyrus her first-ever Grammy Award last year.
Cyrus’s net worth is estimated to be $160 million (£121m).
Ron Howard began acting at five years old and his first credited role was in the 1959 movie The Journey.
However, his profile skyrocketed the following year, when he was cast in the beloved US sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. He appeared in 243 episodes of the show between 1960 and 1968.
Howard landed his second iconic TV role in 1974 when he was cast as Richie Cunningham in Happy Days. He starred in the hit sitcom for a decade.
Today, Howard continues to act occasionally, although he's more renowned for his work behind the camera, making his directorial debut with the 1977 comedy Grand Theft Auto. Since then, he's helmed some of Hollywood’s hottest films, including Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind (which earned him an Oscar for Best Director), The Da Vinci Code, and Solo: A Star Wars Story.
His substantial net worth of $200 million (£152m) is largely attributed to his successful directing career.
Ariana Grande began her career in theatre while in elementary school. A talented singer and actress, she scored her first Broadway role in 2008 at the age of 15, appearing in the musical 13.
The following year, she was cast as Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon series Victorious. The role turned Grande into an overnight teen icon, with her character instantly becoming a fan favourite. She also appeared on other Nickelodeon shows, including iCarly and Sam & Cat.
When Grande’s time at Nickelodeon came to an end, she shifted her focus to launching a music career. Her debut album, Yours Truly, was released in 2013 and reached the top of the charts.
Today, Grande is one of the biggest modern-day music stars in the world. She's released seven studio albums to date and won two Grammy Awards, with a further 13 nominations to her name. Recently, she's turned her attention back to acting and will star as Glinda in the film adaptation of Broadway hit Wicked, set to be released later this year.
Her estimated net worth is an incredible $240 million (£182m).
At the age of 11, Justin Timberlake appeared on the TV show Star Search, hoping to land his big break as a singer.
This led to him being cast in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, where he performed from 1993 to 1994 alongside the likes of Britney Spears and Ryan Gosling, who also began their careers on the show.
Timberlake's major breakthrough came in 1995 when he was recruited to join the band that would eventually become known as NSYNC.
NSYNC became one of the biggest boy bands of the 90s and Timberlake emerged as the breakout star when they disbanded in 2002. Renowned for his R&B sound, he's sold over 100 million records worldwide, won 10 Grammy Awards, and received 39 nominations.
Timberlake has also found success as an actor, with a diverse filmography that includes biopic The Social Network, sci-fi thriller In Time, and rom-com Friends with Benefits.
Today, the star boasts an estimated net worth of $250 million (£189m).
Leonardo DiCaprio began his acting career as a child, appearing in commercials for brands like Apple Jacks and Kraft Foods.
As a teenager, he landed several TV roles in sitcoms such as Roseanne, Parenthood, and Growing Pains. He made his film debut at the age of 17 in the 1991 horror movie Critters 3, marking the beginning of a highly successful silver screen career.
Leonardo DiCaprio's big break came with his role in the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, which catapulted him to global stardom. Since then, his most famous roles include The Wolf of Wall Street, The Departed, and Inception.
Regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time, DiCaprio has received seven Academy Award nominations. Controversially, he's only won once, taking home the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in The Revenant in 2016.
The star is one of the richest actors in the world, with an estimated net worth of $300 million (£227m).
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen found fame when they starred in the sitcom Full House, where they shared the role of Michelle Tanner from 1987 to 1995. The Olsen twins began their careers at just six months old, taking turns to play Michelle to comply with child labour laws.
The duo made their feature film debut in 1995 at the age of nine with It Takes Two. They starred in numerous made-for-TV movies, including Passport to Paris (1999) and New York Minute (2004), which was their last film together.
The teen icons also boosted their fortune with successful merchandise lines for young girls, including books, posters, school supplies, clothing, and accessories.
Now 38, the twins have retired from acting. Ashley hasn't appeared in a film for two decades, with her last role in 2004's New York Minute. Mary-Kate's last role was in the 2011 fantasy flick Beastly.
When John Stamos announced a Full House spin-off for Netflix in 2015, both sisters declined to participate. Ashley admitted she felt uncomfortable in front of the camera after 12 years away from it, while Mary-Kate said the timing wasn't right.
Today, the twins focus on their high-end bohemian fashion brand, The Row, which launched in 2006 and is now valued at $1 billion (£758m). This year, they sold a minority stake in the brand to Alan and Gerard Wertheimer, heirs to the Chanel empire, and Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, heiress to the L'Oreal empire.
Thanks to the juggernaut sale, Mary-Kate and Ashley now have a combined net worth of $1 billion (£758m), or $500 million (£379m) each.
Selena Gomez began her acting career at the age of seven, appearing on the children's TV series Barney & Friends. Her breakout role came in 2007 when she was cast in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place at the age of 15.
While starring on the Disney Channel, she also became the lead singer of Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing three studio albums with the band.
Gomez launched her solo music career in 2013 and has since released three albums, with her latest, Rare, landing in 2020. She continues to act and currently stars in the Hulu comedy series Only Murders in the Building.
However, the bulk of her wealth comes from her business ventures. In 2020, she founded the makeup company Rare Beauty, which is valued at $2 billion (£1.5bn).
The success of the beauty brand recently elevated Gomez to billionaire status, with her current net worth sitting at a staggering $1.3 billion (£1bn).
Former child star Brock Pierce is best known for his role in The Mighty Ducks film franchise, appearing in the first film at the age of 12.
Other childhood roles include appearances in First Kid and Earth Minus Zero before he officially retired from acting at the age of 17.
Pierce has reinvented himself as a successful businessman. He was an early Bitcoin investor, a savvy decision that's helped him achieve billionaire status.
Other business ventures include co-founding the venture capital firm Blockchain Capital in 2013 and serving as a director of the Bitcoin Foundation in 2014. Additionally, he co-founded the stablecoin Tether in 2014.
In a surprising move, Pierce also ran an unsuccessful independent campaign for US President in 2020.
His estimated fortune is an eye-watering $2 billion (£1.5bn).
They were the breakout movie stars of the 80s – find out how rich the Brat Pack are today