Child Stars: Where Are They Now?
Most child stars don't continue in Hollywood after passing the threshold of puberty. In fact, we remember many young actors for their brief moment in the sun—a single role or perhaps an appearance in one nostalgic film.
Here are some familiar faces from the past. Where are they now? Are they thriving adult actors? Or did Hollywood chew them up and spit them back out.
Jodie Sweetin: Turning It Around
Full House just wouldn't have been the same without Jodie Sweetin—but few know how dark her history actually is. She had a tumultuous start in life. With both of her parents locked up behind bars, little Jodie had to find a new family. Her aunt and uncle adopted her and, when she was only five, she began working on Full House. Her time on the show was smooth-sailing, but when the show wrapped after eight seasons, that's when the trouble began.
Not long after saying goodbye to the only life she'd ever known, 14-year-old Jodie began drinking. Sadly, this opened her up to the world of addiction. Before long, the teenager had begun experimenting with illicit substances. And once she started, she just couldn't stop. Later, Jodie admitted that these addictions began because she felt "bored." It seemed like a tale as old as time: a child actor falling off the rails. But luckily, there's a twist to this story.
Before her addictions could consume her completely, Jodie Sweetin decided to work towards sobriety. By 2008, she was in the clear, and from then on, she decided to dedicate her career to helping others recover from addiction.
She found a job at an LA rehab center, working as a clinical logistics coordinator—and even went to school to become a counselor.
Macaulay Culkin: A Tragic Home Life
Macaulay Culin was the child actor of the 90s. His role in the Home Alone films, as well as his devastating performance in My Girl, made him a household name. One simply can't survive the Christmas season without seeing his face everywhere. Culkin seemed like he was going to grow up into a Hollywood star, but sadly, his life morphed into a disturbing rollercoaster.
To begin with, Culkin's home life was a mess. His father, Kit Culkin, was an angry and jealous man, and Culkin later admitted where this resentment stemmed from: "everything he tried to do in his life I excelled at before I was 10 years old."
To make matters worse, his parents also had control of his hefty trust fund. This is where his family ties truly began to fray.
Macaulay Culkin became estranged from his father after he took both parents to court and had their names removed from his trust fund. It was a deep cut for Macaulay, but even greater tragedies awaited him.
In 2000, Culkin's half-sister, Jennifer Adamson lost her life to an overdose. Eight years later, a car hit his other sister, Dakota. She, too, did not survive. But these heartbreaking losses were only compounded with Culkin's other dangerous demons.
Behind the scenes, Culkin struggled terribly with addiction and even spent some time behind bars. Physically, his appearance began to worry fans. The once adorable child looked unrecognizable. His adult years certainly weren't treating him with kindness, and the emaciated actor looked worrisomely unhealthy. Luckily, Culkin's story does have a happy ending.
Despite his bumpy road into adolescence, Macaulay Culkin has pulled through the worst of it. These days, he's looking much healthier and happier. In 2018, he met the love of his life, Brenda Song—his co-star on Changeland. The happy couple welcomed their first child in 2021, a daughter named after Culkin's late sister, Dakota Song Culkin.
Taylor Momsen: Good Girl Turned Rock Star
Taylor Momsen is another child actor that defines the holiday season—and her role as Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas still warms our hearts every year. But, unlike some of our other child stars, Momsen wasn't just a flash in the pan. Once she grew into her teen years, she graced the screen as Jenny Humphrey in Gossip Girl. These days, however, Momsen has shed her good-girl persona entirely.
After acting for most of her childhood and teen years, Momsen decided that she wanted to pursue music instead, saying "music is where I can be me."
In 2009, she stepped out as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band, The Pretty Reckless. She also embraced a brand new image—all-black outfits all the time and dramatic, coal-rimmed eyes.
Since then, her band has enjoyed great success. They released their latest album, Death by Rock and Roll in February 2021.
Angus T. Jones: He Hated His Sitcom
Angus T. Jones infamously played Jake Harper on one of America's most popular sitcoms, Two and a Half Men. By 2010, he had an unbelievable salary of $300,000 per episode. However, behind the scenes, Jones wasn't so happy with his acting career. In fact, things took a turn for the scandalous when Jones discovered his religion.
In November 2012, Jones hit his breaking point. Newly baptized, he felt that his profession conflicted with his faith. Even more shocking? He didn't want to appear on Two and a Half Men anymore. Jones spewed his judgment readily, calling the show "filth" and telling audiences that they should cease tuning in. Moreover, he did not leave on good terms.
When he made his official departure he called himself a "paid hypocrite," and just turned his back on the whole debacle. So what is this angry child actor doing now?
Well, after leaving the show, Jones made a wise choice and focussed on his education, attending the University of Colorado Boulder. In 2016, he started working for a multimedia and event production company called Tonite.
As part of the management team, Jones is taking the high road—running as from the sitcom world as possible.
