The 1990s and early 2000s were a golden era for child actors in Hollywood, with young talents lighting up the silver screen and television sets across America. These prodigies captured the hearts of audiences with their charm, talent, and innocence, becoming household names overnight. However, fame at a young age often comes with challenges, and many of these once-iconic child stars have since chosen to step away from the spotlight, opting for quieter lives. Let’s revisit 10 American child stars who once dominated Hollywood and explore where their journeys have taken them as of 2025.

1. Macaulay Culkin – The Home Alone Sensation
Macaulay Culkin, born in 1980, became a global superstar at the age of 10 with his role as Kevin McCallister in Home Alone (1990). The film’s massive success made Culkin one of the most recognizable child actors of all time, and he went on to star in hits like My Girl (1991) and The Good Son (1993). However, Culkin’s career slowed as he entered his teens, and he faced personal struggles, including a highly publicized family dispute over his earnings. In the 2000s, Culkin stepped away from acting, making only sporadic appearances in films like Party Monster (2003). Today, Culkin, now 45, leads a quieter life. He runs a satirical pop culture website called Bunny Ears and has focused on his family, welcoming two children with his partner, Brenda Song. While he occasionally engages in nostalgic projects, such as a 2018 Google ad revisiting Home Alone, Culkin has largely left his acting days behind.

2. Mara Wilson – The Star of Matilda
Mara Wilson, born in 1987, won over audiences with her roles in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and Matilda (1996), where her intelligence and charm shone through. Despite her early success, Wilson stepped away from acting as a teenager, citing the pressures of the industry and a desire for a normal life. She pursued education, graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and turned her focus to writing. Wilson published a memoir, Where Am I Now? (2016), which reflects on her childhood fame and struggles with anxiety. Now 38, she occasionally acts in small projects and podcasts but primarily works as a writer and advocate for mental health, using her platform to support others.

3. Jonathan Lipnicki – The Kid from Jerry Maguire
Jonathan Lipnicki, born in 1990, melted hearts as the adorable Ray Boyd in Jerry Maguire (1996), with his iconic line, “The human head weighs 8 pounds.” He went on to star in family films like Stuart Little (1999) and The Little Vampire (2000). As he grew older, Lipnicki found it challenging to transition into adult roles and took a step back from acting. He pursued martial arts, earning a black belt, and focused on personal growth. Now 35, Lipnicki occasionally returns to acting, appearing in indie films and TV shows, but he has largely shifted his focus to advocacy, raising awareness about mental health and bullying through his social media presence.

4. Amanda Bynes – The Nickelodeon Darling
Amanda Bynes, born in 1986, was a Nickelodeon star in the late 1990s, headlining shows like All That and The Amanda Show. She transitioned to films with roles in She’s the Man (2006) and Hairspray (2007), but her career took a downturn as she faced personal struggles, including mental health issues and legal troubles. In 2010, Bynes announced an indefinite hiatus from acting. After a tumultuous decade, including a public breakdown and conservatorship, Bynes, now 39, has been working on her recovery. As of 2025, she is studying at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and has expressed interest in launching a fashion line, focusing on rebuilding her life away from the spotlight.

5. Jake Lloyd – The Young Anakin Skywalker
Jake Lloyd, born in 1989, became a household name when he played young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) at age 10. Despite the film’s success, Lloyd faced intense criticism from fans, which led him to retire from acting by 2001. He struggled with mental health issues in the years that followed, including a schizophrenia diagnosis, and had legal troubles in 2015. Now 36, Lloyd has been focusing on his health with the support of his family. In a 2024 update, his mother shared that he is doing better, enjoying Star Wars content as a fan, but he has no plans to return to acting.

6. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen – The Twin Moguls
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, born in 1986, were the most famous child stars of their time, starting as infants on Full House (1987–1995). The twins built an empire with direct-to-video movies, merchandise, and TV shows, becoming millionaires by their teens. However, they retired from acting in the early 2000s to focus on fashion. Now 39, the Olsen twins are successful fashion designers, running their luxury brand, The Row, which has earned critical acclaim. They maintain a private life, rarely giving interviews, and have fully embraced their roles as businesswomen, leaving their acting days behind.

7. Haley Joel Osment – The Sixth Sense Prodigy
Haley Joel Osment, born in 1988, stunned audiences with his performance in The Sixth Sense (1999), earning an Oscar nomination at age 11 for his role as Cole Sear. He continued acting in films like A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), but as he aged, Osment took a break to attend NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Now 37, Osment has returned to acting, appearing in shows like The Boys and Goliath, but his career is less high-profile than his childhood stardom. He has also ventured into voice acting, contributing to video games and animated series, balancing his love for performance with a more low-key life.

8. Dakota Fanning – The Precocious Talent
Dakota Fanning, born in 1994, was a child prodigy, starring in films like I Am Sam (2001) and War of the Worlds (2005). Her emotional depth at a young age made her a standout, but as she grew older, Fanning chose to diversify her career. Now 31, she still acts, recently starring in The Equalizer 3 (2023), but she has also taken on producing roles and graduated from NYU. Fanning has shifted her focus to more independent projects, prioritizing creative control over mainstream fame, and splits her time between acting and her personal life.

9. Freddie Highmore – From Finding Neverland to Medicine
Freddie Highmore, born in 1992, charmed audiences in Finding Neverland (2004) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). He successfully transitioned to adult roles, starring in Bates Motel and The Good Doctor, but in 2023, Highmore announced he was stepping away from acting to pursue a medical career. Now 33, Highmore is reportedly studying medicine in the UK, inspired by his role as a doctor on The Good Doctor. He has expressed a desire to contribute to society in a new way, marking a significant shift from his childhood fame.

10. Jodie Foster – From Taxi Driver to The Silence of the Lamb

Jodie Foster has been a familiar face on television since she was three years old, appearing in commercials. She was nominated for an Oscar at the age of 14 for her role in Taxi Driver. Later hits such as The Accused (1988) and The Silence of the Lambs (1991)… brought Jodie Foster to the ranks of A-list stars in Hollywood.

Currently, the actress has a warm family life with her wife Alexandra Hedison and continues to devote herself to her film career, including the lead role in the series True Detective season 4 and taking on the position of director and producer of many other popular films.