Sometimes, while watching a movie or even otherwise, you might wonder how your favorite actors looked during their early days in acting, right? If yes, then today you’ll get a glimpse of how some of the biggest Hollywood child stars looked in their early days compared to how they look now.
Hollywood Child Stars Then and Now
1. Macaulay Culkin
Whenever we talk about the best films we watched during our childhood, Home Alone will definitely be mentioned. This film is tied to our childhood memories, and this child actor is connected to our emotions.
- First Film – Rocket Gibraltar, 1988
- Age – 8
2. Leonardo DiCaprio
One of the most talented child stars and an Academy Award-winning actor, Leonardo DiCaprio deserves all the praise he receives. He has delivered stellar performances in movies like Titanic, Inception, and The Revenant, which are nothing short of a gift to the world of cinema.
- First Film – Critters 3, 1991
- Age – 17
3. Ben Affleck
Everyone in the film industry acknowledges the talent of the actor who played one of our childhood’s favorite superheroes, Batman. He has been showcasing his acting magic on screen since he was just 9 years old.
- First Film – The Dark End of the Street, 1981
- Age – 9
4. Johnny Depp
A three-time Academy Award nominee for Best Actor, our Captain Jack Sparrow is a seasoned performer who has been delivering remarkable and unforgettable acting since 1984.
- First Film – A Nightmare on Elm Street, 1984
- Age – 19
5. Matt Damon
Whether it’s The Martian, Ford vs. Ferrari, or Elysium, this actor has made these films unforgettable with his acting magic. You will be amazed to see the transformation from his first film Mystic Pizza to now.
- First Film – Mystic Pizza, 1988
- Age – 18
6. Dafne Keen
This child actress started her acting career with the film Logan, where she portrayed the character of Laura/X-23, earning significant praise for her performance.
- First Film – Logan, 2017
- Age – 12
7. Josh Hartnett
His latest film Trap has recently been released and is performing well at the box office. His acting journey, from 20 years old to now being 46, has been nothing short of remarkable.
- First Film – Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, 1988
- Age – 10
8. Kirsten Dunst
The adorable girlfriend of our beloved superhero Spider-Man, who many of us had a childhood crush on. This amazing actress, now 42, began her acting career at the young age of just 7.
- First Film – New York Stories, 1989
- Age – 7
9. Tobey Maguire
This incredible superhero actor doesn’t need any introduction, one word is enough to describe him: Spider-Man.
- First Film – The Wizard, 1989
- Age – 14
10. Tom Cruise
Starting his acting career at the age of just 19 and still landing lead roles and making a splash at the box office at 62, these things highlight this legendary actor’s credibility and relevance. He is among the most talented and charming Hollywood child stars.
- First Film – Endless Love, 1981
- Age – 19
11. Kate Winslet
You’ve all seen her spectacular acting in the film Titanic. This legendary and remarkable actress began her journey in the industry with Heavenly Creatures.
- First Film – Heavenly Creatures, 1975
- Age – 19
12. Michael B. Jordan
Having showcased his incredible acting skills in films like Black Panther and Creed, this actor has been in the industry since the age of just 12.
- First Film – Black and White, 1999
- Age – 12
13. Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint
The Harry Potter film series played a significant role in making our childhood enjoyable. We all must have tried to fly on a broomstick at least once in our childhood, and the characters from this film still remind us of those fun old days.
They are among the most famous and talented child stars ever.
- Emma Watson
- First Film – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, 2001
- Age – 11
- Daniel Radcliffe
- First Film – The Tailor of Panama, 2001
- Age – 12
- Rupert Grint
- First Film – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, 2001
- Age – 13
14. Joaquin Phoenix
This Hollywood star, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Joker, is known for his powerful acting.
- First Film – Kids Don’t Tell, 1985
- Age – 11
15. Jason Bateman
Last on the list of Hollywood’s Best Child Stars is an actor known for his fantastic comedic roles, Jason Bateman has been acting since 1986 and still amazes us all with his jaw-dropping skills.
- First Film – How Can I Tell If I’m Really In Love?, 1986
- Age – 17
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Hollywood Child Stars : Last Words
Time flies by so quickly that we don’t even realize it. It feels like just a little while ago we saw these child stars in amazing roles, and now they have grown so much that they have transitioned from child stars to being counted among Hollywood’s great actors.