The Highest Paid Child Stars Of The 1990s And What They Actually Earned
Before streaming services and social media influencers, the 1990s belonged to a special group of young actors who ruled television screens and movie theaters.
From sitcom sweethearts to blockbuster headliners, their earnings reveal just how powerful kid talent became during that golden decade of entertainment.
Disclaimer: Pay figures for 1990s child stars are rarely fully transparent, so the amounts reflect what has been reported in reputable publications or documented in publicly available records where noted. The content is provided for general informational and entertainment purposes and is not legal, financial, or professional advice.
1. Macaulay Culkin – $8 Million Per Film
When Home Alone turned a blonde kid into a global sensation overnight, nobody expected the payday that would follow.
Starting at $100,000 for the original 1990 film, his salary skyrocketed faster than Kevin McCallister could set booby traps.
By 1994, he commanded a jaw-dropping $8 million per movie for films like Richie Rich and Getting Even with Dad.
That kind of money made him one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, period – not just among kids!
2. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen – $80,000 Per Episode
Sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House seemed like a clever casting trick, but it became a financial empire.
By the time the sitcom wrapped in 1995, the twin duo was earning a combined $80,000 per episode.
However, their real genius move came in 1993 when they founded Dualstar Entertainment.
That company would go on to gross over $1 billion by 2002, proving these girls had serious business brains behind those adorable catchphrases!
3. Jaleel White – $180,000 Per Episode
Did he do that? Yes, and he got paid handsomely for it!
Playing the lovable nerd Steve Urkel on Family Matters, this actor turned a guest role into television gold.
At his peak, he was pulling in an incredible $180,000 per episode, making him one of the highest-paid sitcom stars of the entire decade.
Those suspenders and oversized glasses became a license to print money, proving that quirky characters can dominate the paycheck game just as much as cool kids.
4. Brandy Norwood – Over $90,000 Per Episode
Already a chart-topping singer, Brandy proved she could dominate television just as easily when Moesha premiered in 1996. Her dual talents made her a powerhouse negotiator.
By 1999, she was earning more than $90,000 per episode for playing the title character. That’s some serious cash for a teenager juggling recording sessions, concert tours, and a full-time TV schedule.
5. Haley Joel Osment – $150,000 For The Sixth Sense
“I see dead people” became one of cinema’s most iconic lines, delivered by a kid who earned every penny of his $150,000 paycheck.
Though that might sound modest for such a massive 1999 blockbuster, remember he was relatively unknown at the time.
His haunting performance earned him an Oscar nomination at just 11 years old.
6. Danielle Fishel – $7,500 to $15,000 Per Episode
Playing Topanga Lawrence on Boy Meets World made her a ’90s icon, but her salary journey tells an interesting story about growing up on television.
Starting at approximately $7,500 per episode in the early seasons, her paycheck reflected her supporting role status.
As the show progressed and her character became central to the storyline, her earnings roughly doubled to around $15,000 per episode.
7. Mischa Barton – $26,050 For The Sixth Sense
Before becoming an icon on The O.C., she appeared in The Sixth Sense (1999) as Kyra Collins, the poisoned girl whose ghost reveals a dark family secret.
Her documented paycheck for that supporting role was $26,050.
Though it wasn’t a starring role, appearing in such a critically acclaimed blockbuster at a young age proved invaluable for her career trajectory.
