13 Actors Who Maintained Lasting Friendships With Their Former Child Co-Stars
Hollywood friendships often fade when the cameras stop rolling, but some bonds grow even stronger over time.
When adult actors work alongside child co-stars, they sometimes form connections that last decades beyond the final wrap party.
These heartwarming relationships prove that age gaps and busy schedules cannot always break the ties formed on set.
Disclaimer: This entertainment feature reflects widely reported public interviews, cast statements, and reputable coverage available at the time of writing; friendship labels and “godparent” or “family-like” descriptions are often informal, may change over time, and can be described differently across credible outlets.
1. Selena Gomez And David Henrie (Wizards Of Waverly Place)
Magic does not just happen on screen when you spend years playing siblings on a beloved Disney Channel show. Selena Gomez and David Henrie built a real friendship while portraying the competitive Russo siblings, and that bond never faded after the series finale aired.
Professional reunions occurred years later, proving a connection went far beyond childhood nostalgia.
Fans love seeing them interact publicly, where they still joke like the Russo siblings viewers remember from Disney Channel.
2. Kenan Thompson And Kel Mitchell (All That, Kenan & Kel)
Orange soda jokes never get old when your friendship spans multiple decades and several iconic Nickelodeon projects.
Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell became household names as teens, creating comedy magic that defined a generation of sketch shows. Their chemistry was undeniable, and even as adults with separate careers, they continue to collaborate and celebrate each other publicly.
Watching them reunite reminds fans that some partnerships can last, even when years pass between projects.
3. Daniel Radcliffe And Tom Felton (Harry Potter Films)
Gryffindor and Slytherin rivalries stayed strictly on set while these two built a genuine friendship behind the scenes.
Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton spent a decade filming the Harry Potter series, growing from kids into young adults together.
Both actors have spoken warmly in interviews about staying close long after the final spell was cast, often sharing throwback photos and fond memories. Bonds like theirs prove that even fictional enemies can become real-life best friends when mutual respect and shared experiences bring them together.
4. Ariana Grande And Elizabeth Gillies (Victorious, 13)
Before sold-out stadium tours and chart-topping albums, Ariana Grande and Elizabeth Gillies were just two talented teens navigating the world of Hollywood musicals and Nickelodeon sitcoms. Their friendship began even earlier than Victorious, dating back to their Broadway days in the musical 13.
They have remained incredibly close over the years, supporting each other through career milestones and personal moments alike.
Fans love seeing their public interactions, which reflect a long friendship built well before Victorious.
5. Miranda Cosgrove And Nathan Kress (iCarly)
Creating a web show together might have been fictional, but the friendship formed on the iCarly set was absolutely real.
Miranda Cosgrove and Nathan Kress grew up together during the show’s original run, navigating fame and adolescence side by side. Supportive dynamics like theirs continued long after the series ended, and they even reunited for the reboot years later.
Watching them interact as adults feels like catching up with old friends, a testament to the genuine connection they built during those formative years on set.
6. Jodie Sweetin And Andrea Barber (Full House, Fuller House)
Childhood co-stars do not always stay in touch, yet Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber have stayed close for decades.
Playing best friends Stephanie Tanner and Kimmy Gibbler on Full House created a bond that extended far beyond the Tanner family living room. They remained close through the years between the original series and the Netflix reboot, supporting each other through life’s ups and downs.
Real-life friendship adds an extra layer of authenticity to on-screen chemistry, making every Fuller House reunion feel like a genuine homecoming for fans and cast alike.
7. Danielle Fishel And Rider Strong (Boy Meets World)
Topanga and Shawn may not have been a couple on screen, but Danielle Fishel and Rider Strong built a sibling-like friendship that has lasted for decades. Growing up on the set of Boy Meets World meant sharing countless formative experiences, from awkward teenage years to early adulthood milestones.
Their friendship has stayed public and consistent, including ongoing work together on their rewatch podcast.
Enduring bonds like this remind fans that some friendships are simply meant to weather every storm and stand the test of time.
8. Tatyana Ali And Alfonso Ribeiro (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)
Family sitcoms sometimes create real family bonds, and that is exactly what happened with Tatyana Ali and Alfonso Ribeiro.
Playing siblings Ashley and Carlton Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air forged a connection that never faded when the cameras stopped rolling. They have spoken in interviews about still feeling like family, checking in on each other and celebrating milestones together.
Their genuine affection shines through whenever they reunite publicly, proving that the Banks family love extended far beyond the fictional mansion in Bel-Air.
9. Alexa PenaVega And Daryl Sabara (Spy Kids Films)
Perhaps no friendship on this list evolved quite like one between Alexa PenaVega and Daryl Sabara.
Meeting as child co-stars on Spy Kids films, they stayed in touch over years and have reunited publicly as adults. That long-running connection is rooted in shared childhood stardom and lasting goodwill.
The bond also sparks lighthearted fan nostalgia, often prompting playful “Spy Kids reunion” reactions whenever they appear together at events or online.
10. Michael Cera And Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development)
Awkward humor and quirky characters brought Michael Cera and Alia Shawkat together on Arrested Development, but genuine friendship kept them close for years afterward. Both actors were teens when the cult-favorite show first aired, navigating the challenges of sudden fame together.
Their friendship has endured through the show’s revivals and separate careers.
Fans adore seeing them together because a real-life connection mirrors the comfortable chemistry that made an on-screen relationship so believable and beloved.
11. Sophie Turner And Maisie Williams (Game Of Thrones)
Fantasy epics rarely create real-world best friendships, but Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams proved to be the exception. Cast as the Stark sisters on Game of Thrones when they were just teenagers, they formed an instant connection that grew stronger with each season filmed.
They have publicly described each other as best friends, and Turner has used the word ‘soulmate’ in past coverage, even getting matching tattoos to commemorate a unique bond.
Friendships like theirs became almost as famous as the show itself, with fans celebrating every social media post and public appearance that showcased genuine affection.
12. Ariel Winter And Nolan Gould (Modern Family)
Growing up together on a hit sitcom for eleven seasons creates bonds that few people outside the industry can truly understand.
Ariel Winter and Nolan Gould spent their entire childhoods and teenage years playing siblings on Modern Family, sharing countless milestones both on and off screen.
Winter has said Gould is her best friend and that they remain extremely close after the series ended. Their friendship reminds everyone that sometimes the best relationships come from simply growing up side by side through all of life’s adventures.
13. Keshia Knight Pulliam And Malcolm-Jamal Warner (The Cosby Show)
Television history was made when young Keshia Knight Pulliam charmed audiences as Rudy Huxtable, the adorable youngest child on The Cosby Show.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner played her older brother Theo, and their on-screen sibling relationship translated into a real-life bond that lasted for decades, and Pulliam has spoken about him as family.
Keshia has spoken publicly about maintaining a close friendship with Malcolm long after their child co-star years ended, supporting each other through various life chapters. Their enduring connection proves that some childhood friendships are strong enough to last an entire lifetime, no matter how much time passes.
