15 Then And Now Photos Of Child Actors Showing How Much They’ve Changed Over The Years
No matter how many years pass, many of us still find it hard to imagine child actors a day older than they appeared in our favorite childhood movies. Just take Macaulay Culkin for example – even though he turned 40 last year, many of us will forever associate the name with 10-year-old Kevin Mccallister from Home Alone. However, the reality is that they age just like you and me – and you’ll be pretty surprised to see how much they changed over the years.
Today we have a collection of then and now photos showing how some of our favorite child actors change since appearing in their iconic roles, and they might make you feel a little old. Check them out in the gallery below!
#1 Mara Wilson As Matilda Wormwood In Matilda (1996)
Image source: Matilda / TriStar Pictures and co-producers
Many of us remember Mara Wilson as the actress that played Matilda Wormwood in the 1996 movie Matilda. And even though this role made her famous, she retired from acting in 2000. However, after graduating university, she has been slowly making a comeback.
#2 Joseph Gordon-Levitt As Tommy Solomon In 3rd Rock From The Sun (1996-2001)
Image source: 3rd Rock from the Sun / The Carsey-Werner Company and co-producers
From 1996 to 2001, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt played Tommy Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun. The actor successfully continued his acting career after the show was over, and has even released a few music singles.
#3 Georgie Henley As Lucy Pevensie In The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (2005)
Image source: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers
Georgie Henley, the actress that played Lucy Pevensie in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the two sequels, has lately re-appeared in the 2019 TV series The Spanish Princess.
#4 Haley Joel Osment As Cole Sear In The Sixth Sense (1999)
Image source: The Sixth Sense / Hollywood Pictures and co-producers
Actor Haley Joel Osment is most widely recognized for his role of Cole Sear in the 1999 movie The Sixth Sense, for which he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards. He went on to appear in other movies, such as Pay It Forward (2000) and A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), and even voiced Sora in the video game Kingdom Hearts.
#5 Christina Ricci As Wednesday Addams In The Addams Family (1991)
Image source: The Addams Family / Orion Pictures and co-producers
As a kid, actress Christina Ricci played Wednesday Addams in the 1991 movie The Addams Family, as well as its sequel. She continued her career in acting, appearing in more mature films as she got older.
#6 Neil Patrick Harris As Dr. Douglas “Doogie” Howser In Doogie Howser, M.d. (1989–1993)
Image source: Doogie Howser, M.D. / Steven Bochco Productions, 20th Century Fox Television
Even though many people recognize Neil Patrick Harris for his role of Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, his first major role was that of Dr. Douglas “Doogie” Howser in Doogie Howser, M.D., a TV show that ran from 1989 to 1993.
#7 Macaulay Culkin As Kevin Mccallister In Home Alone (1990)
Image source: Home Alone / 20th Century Fox and co-producers
There’s no doubt that Macaulay Culkin is best recognized for his role Kevin McCallister in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. He went on to star in a few more films before eventually retiring from acting in 1994, only making a few episodic appearances in various projects.
#8 Ariana Richards As Lex Murphy In Jurassic Park (1993)
Image source: Jurassic Park / Amblin Entertainment and co-producers
Even though actress Ariana Richards won several awards for her role of Lex Murphy in the 1993 movie Jurassic Park, she only got several minor roles after the film. She eventually put her acting on halt and focused on art, even winning first place in the National Professional Oil Painting Competition.
#9 Noah Hathaway As Atreyu In The Neverending Story (1984)
Image source: The NeverEnding Story / Warner Bros. and co-producers
Actor Noah Hathaway played Atreyu in the 1984 hit movie The NeverEnding Story but only appeared in a few minor roles afterwards.
#10 Daryl Sabara As Juni Cortez In Spy Kids (2001)
Image source: Spy Kids / Dimension Films and co-producers
Actor Daryl Sabara played the role of Juni Cortez in Spy Kids (2001), and appeared on multiple movies and TV shows, as well as plays, afterwards.
#11 Nicholle Tom As Ryce In Beethoven (1992)
Image source: Beethoven / Universal Pictures and co-producers
Nicholle Tom played the role of Ryce in Beethoven and Beethoven’s 2nd, as well as Maggie Sheffield in The Nanny (1993-1999). She also made several episodic appearances in various TV shows and movies.
#12 Taylor Lautner As Sharkboy In The Adventures Of Sharkboy And Lavagirl In 3-D (2005
Image source: The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D / Columbia Pictures and co-producers
Before playing Jacob Black in the Twilight series, actor Taylor Lautner played Sharkboy in the 2005 movie The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D.
#13 Jonathan Lipnicki As Ray Boyd In Jerry Maguire (1996)
Image source: Jerry Maguire / TriStar Pictures
Actor Jonathan Lipnicki played multiple roles as a child, including Ray Boyd in Jerry Maguire (1996) and George Little in Stuart Little (1999).
#14 Anna Chlumsky As Vada Sultenfus In My Girl (1991)
Image source: My Girl / Columbia Pictures and co-producers
After her role of Vada Sultenfus in My Girl (1991), actress Anna Chlumsky took some time off to attend university, before returning as Amy Brookheimer in Veep (2012-2019).
#15 Mackenzie Foy As Renesmee In The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (2011-2012)
After her role of Renesmee in the Twilight series, actress Mackenzie Foy appeared in multiple other movies, such as Interstellar and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.
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