15 Celebrities Easy To Forget Were Once Child Stars
Hollywood is full of A-list stars who dominate red carpets and box offices today, but many of them got their start as kids in front of the camera.
Some appeared in beloved TV shows, while others landed major movie roles before they could even drive.
It’s wild to think that some of your favorite actors were once rocking braces and learning lines between homework assignments, yet their early work often gets overshadowed by their adult success.
1. Ryan Gosling — The Mickey Mouse Club
Long before he was the dreamy leading man in The Notebook or a jazz-obsessed musician in La La Land, Gosling was belting out tunes alongside future pop icons.
He joined The All-New Mickey Mouse Club in the early ’90s, sharing the stage with Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Christina Aguilera.
Though the show gave him early exposure, most people associate him with his adult roles rather than his Mouseketeer days.
2. Scarlett Johansson — North
Before she became Black Widow and a Hollywood powerhouse, Johansson appeared in the 1994 comedy North when she was just nine years old.
The film starred Elijah Wood as a kid searching for new parents, and while it wasn’t a box office hit, it marked an early chapter in her career.
Mostly known for Lost in Translation or the Marvel films, her childhood roles get easy to overlook.
3. Joseph Gordon-Levitt — 3rd Rock from the Sun
Playing the teenage son of an alien family trying to blend in on Earth, Gordon-Levitt became a household name in the late ’90s.
3rd Rock from the Sun ran for six seasons, and his comedic timing was sharp even as a kid, earning him multiple award nominations.
However, many people remember him more for films like Inception and 500 Days of Summer than his sitcom days.
His transition from child star to respected adult actor has been seamless, proving he’s got serious range beyond the laugh track.
4. Natalie Portman — Léon: The Professional
At just 12 years old, Portman delivered a powerhouse performance in this French action thriller, playing a young girl taken in by a hitman.
The film showcased her incredible acting chops early on, and critics took notice of her mature, emotional portrayal alongside Jean Reno.
Though she later became famous for Star Wars and won an Oscar for Black Swan, her debut role is sometimes forgotten.
5. Christian Bale — Empire of the Sun
Bale’s breakout role came at 13 when he starred in Steven Spielberg’s war drama about a British boy surviving a Japanese internment camp.
His performance was hauntingly mature, earning praise from critics and establishing him as a serious young talent in the industry.
Most people know him as Batman or the intense method actor who transforms for every role, so his childhood work often flies under the radar.
6. Regina King — 227
King got her start on the NBC sitcom 227, playing Brenda Jenkins, the daughter of Marla Gibbs’ character.
The show ran from 1985 to 1990, giving her a solid foundation in comedy and allowing her to shine alongside a talented ensemble cast.
These days, she’s known for her Oscar-winning performance in If Beale Street Could Talk and her directing work, making her sitcom roots easy to forget.
7. Seth Rogen — Freaks and Geeks
Though Freaks and Geeks only lasted one season, it became a cult classic and launched several careers, including Rogen’s.
He played Ken Miller, a sarcastic slacker with a laid-back attitude, showcasing his natural comedic style even as a teen.
Mostly associated with comedies like Pineapple Express and Superbad, his high school TV role often gets overlooked.
However, fans of the show know he’s been hilarious since day one, bringing laughs wherever he goes.
8. Jason Bateman — Silver Spoons / The Hogan Family
Bateman was a fixture on ’80s television, first appearing on Silver Spoons before landing a starring role on The Hogan Family.
He played the eldest son, delivering solid comedic performances that made him a recognizable face in households across America.
Today, he’s best known for Arrested Development and Ozark, roles that showcase his range as both a comedian and dramatic actor.
9. Mayim Bialik — Blossom
Bialik became a ’90s icon playing the title character in Blossom, a show about a quirky teenager navigating life with her single dad and two brothers.
Her signature floppy hats and catchphrase “Whoa!” became cultural touchstones, and she charmed audiences with her relatable awkwardness.
Later, she found renewed fame as Amy Farrah Fowler on The Big Bang Theory, earning Emmy nominations for her work.
10. Neil Patrick Harris — Doogie Howser, M.D.
Harris became a household name at 16 when he starred as a teenage doctor in this groundbreaking series.
Doogie Howser, M.D. ran from 1989 to 1993, and his portrayal of a genius kid balancing medicine and adolescence earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
Most people know him now as Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother or as an award show host extraordinaire.
His child star roots are easy to forget, but they prove he’s been talented and charismatic since the very start.
11. Joaquin Phoenix — Parenthood (TV)
Before he became the Joker or won an Oscar for his intense method acting, Phoenix appeared in the short-lived TV adaptation of Parenthood.
The show only lasted one season in 1990, but it gave him early experience in front of the camera alongside a talented cast.
His film career overshadows his TV work. Still, his brief stint on Parenthood is a fun piece of trivia for fans of his career journey.
12. Sarah Jessica Parker — Square Pegs
Long before she was Carrie Bradshaw strutting through New York City, Parker starred in Square Pegs, a sitcom about two awkward high school freshmen trying to fit in.
The show only lasted one season in 1982, but it has since gained a cult following for its quirky humor.
Her role as Patty Greene showcased her comedic chops early on, though most people associate her with SATC.
13. Alyssa Milano — Who’s the Boss?
Milano became America’s sweetheart playing Samantha Micelli, the daughter of Tony Danza’s character, on this beloved ’80s sitcom.
Who’s the Boss? ran for eight seasons, and her adorable performances made her a fan favorite throughout the show’s run.
Later, she starred in Charmed and became an activist, shifting her public image significantly.
14. Wil Wheaton — Stand by Me
Wheaton starred in this classic coming-of-age film at just 14, playing Gordie Lachance alongside River Phoenix and Corey Feldman.
The movie became an iconic ’80s film, capturing the bittersweet nature of childhood friendships and growing up in small-town America.
Though he also appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation, many people forget his film roots entirely.
15. Kristen Stewart — Panic Room
Stewart played Jodie Foster’s diabetic daughter in this intense thriller about a family trapped in their home’s safe room during a break-in.
At just 11, she held her own alongside Foster, delivering a tense and believable performance that showcased her natural talent.
Despite later becoming a global star as Bella Swan her earlier work often gets forgotten.
