The 1980s brought us many unforgettable child stars. They made us laugh, cry, and cheer from our living rooms. But what happened after the lights dimmed and the credits rolled? Some struggled with fame, while others smoothly transitioned to adult careers. Here’s a look back at the young faces we adored in the ’80s—and where they are today.
Corey Feldman
Corey Feldman began acting at age three in a McDonald’s commercial. He soon appeared in over 100 commercials and became one of the biggest child stars of the 1980s. His breakout roles came in The Fox and the Hound, The Goonies, Stand by Me, The Lost Boys, Gremlins, and The ’Burbs.
However, his stardom came with a heavy price. Feldman struggled with substance abuse, which stalled his career in the 1990s. Despite this, he continued acting and has appeared in more than 80 films. He also leads a ska band called Truth Movement and released a memoir in 2013 titled Coreyography.
He is a vocal advocate against child abuse in Hollywood, having claimed he was a victim himself. His activism drew both support and controversy. Recently, he has faced lawsuits from former band members, showing how complicated post-child stardom can be.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore first appeared in a commercial at just 11 months old. At age six, she charmed audiences as Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The role launched her into instant stardom. By seven, she became the youngest person to host Saturday Night Live.
Behind the scenes, her life unraveled. She battled addiction at a young age and entered rehab at 14 after a suicide attempt. But Barrymore bounced back. In the 1990s, she starred in hits like Scream, The Wedding Singer, and Ever After.
She founded Flower Films, producing successful movies including Charlie’s Angels and 50 First Dates. Barrymore also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Grey Gardens. In recent years, she became a talk show host, adding yet another layer to her career.
She has two children with her ex-husband Will Kopelman and has found a sense of stability and success that eluded her early on.
Fred Savage
Fred Savage shot to fame as Kevin Arnold on The Wonder Years, which aired from 1988 to 1993. At just 13, he became the youngest actor nominated for a lead Emmy.
While his adult acting roles were limited, Savage thrived behind the camera. He directed and produced many popular TV shows like Boy Meets World, That’s So Raven, Modern Family, and 2 Broke Girls. He also directed the film Daddy Day Camp.
A graduate of Stanford University, Savage is married with three children. His second act in Hollywood has been impressive, though recent allegations of misconduct led to his dismissal from some projects.
Keshia Knight Pulliam
Keshia Knight Pulliam became a household name as Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show. She earned an Emmy nomination at six, making her one of the youngest nominees ever.
She continued acting in adulthood. Pulliam appeared on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and won three NAACP Image Awards. She also tried her hand at reality TV, joining Celebrity Apprentice, Splash, and Celebrity Big Brother.
Today, she is still active in the entertainment industry. In 2022, she married actor Brad James, and they welcomed a baby girl in early 2023.
Kirk Cameron
Kirk Cameron became a teen idol for his role as Mike Seaver on Growing Pains. He started acting in commercials but rose to fame quickly in the 1980s.
During his time on the show, Cameron became a born-again Christian. This shift led him to focus on faith-based projects after the show ended. He starred in Left Behind films and Saving Christmas, though the latter was panned by critics.
Cameron is now known more for his evangelical work than acting. He often tours as a speaker and hosts Christian-themed shows. Married to actress Chelsea Noble, he has six children, four of whom are adopted.
Lukas Haas
Lukas Haas began acting in the early 1980s. His role in Witness (1985), where he played a young Amish boy, made him famous. He followed it up with roles in Lady in White, Solarbabies, Music Box, and The Ryan White Story.
Unlike some child stars, Haas transitioned smoothly into adult roles. He appeared in Mars Attacks!, Brick, Inception, and First Man. He’s also a working musician, performing with The Rogues and composing music for films.
Haas maintains a relatively low profile but continues to act and create music. He’s also collaborated with big names like Leonardo DiCaprio, with whom he’s been friends for decades.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen became icons as babies, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House. Their success exploded with Dualstar, their production company that churned out movies, shows, and merchandise.
They starred in several hit films, including It Takes Two and Holiday in the Sun. By their teens, they had built an empire—complete with dolls, books, and fan clubs.
In adulthood, they left acting to focus on fashion. Their brands, The Row and Elizabeth and James, are critically acclaimed and financially successful. They rarely appear in public and have remained private about their personal lives. In 2022, Ashley welcomed her first child.
Neil Patrick Harris
Though Doogie Howser, M.D. is widely remembered as a ‘90s show, it debuted in 1989, making Harris an ’80s star. He started with Clara’s Heart before landing the role of Doogie, which earned him a Golden Globe nod.
After the show ended, Harris shifted to theater and smaller roles before a huge comeback. He played Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother, earning multiple Emmy nominations.
Harris is openly gay and married actor David Burtka in 2014. They have twins via surrogacy. Harris also hosted the Oscars, Emmys, and Tonys, showcasing his wide talent.
River Phoenix
River Phoenix began acting in commercials before gaining fame with Stand by Me in 1986. He received an Oscar nomination for Running on Empty and praise for My Own Private Idaho.
Phoenix was more than an actor. He was a gifted musician and a passionate activist for animal rights and environmental causes. He was a devoted vegan and supported numerous charities.
Tragically, he died in 1993 from a drug overdose outside The Viper Room in Los Angeles. He was only 23. His legacy lives on, especially through his brother Joaquin Phoenix, who has since become an Oscar-winning actor.
Sara Gilbert
Sara Gilbert rose to fame as Darlene Conner on Roseanne. Her sharp wit and sarcasm made her a fan favorite. She even wrote one episode and managed to juggle her work with studies at Yale.
After Roseanne, Gilbert had roles in shows like ER, The Big Bang Theory, and Will & Grace. She also co-created and co-hosted The Talk, earning several Daytime Emmy nominations.
Gilbert married musician Linda Perry in 2014. They later separated but continue to co-parent. She also has children with TV producer Ali Adler.
Sean Astin
Sean Astin made his film debut in The Goonies at age 13. As the son of Patty Duke and John Astin, he had showbiz in his blood.
He gained more acclaim with Rudy in 1993, and then his role as Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy catapulted him to global fame.
Astin has since voiced characters in animated series like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and appeared in shows like Stranger Things. He’s politically active and often speaks about civic responsibility. He’s also a devoted husband and father.
Warwick Davis
Warwick Davis got his big break as Wicket the Ewok in Return of the Jedi at age 11. He then starred in Willow, Leprechaun, and later joined the Harry Potter series as Professor Flitwick and Griphook.
Davis also returned to the Star Wars universe, playing multiple characters. Outside film, he starred in the British mockumentary Life’s Too Short and hosted the travel show Weekend Escapes with Warwick Davis.
He co-founded Little People UK, a charity supporting individuals with dwarfism. Davis is married with two children and continues to work in entertainment.
These former child stars each carved their own path—some rising higher, others facing setbacks. But whether they stayed in the spotlight or moved behind the scenes, their early fame left a mark that’s hard to forget.