In Hollywood, many actors spent most of their youth, or sometimes even longer, trying to figure out how to mark an iconic role in their career. They’ve taken years of hard work and sacrifice beyond the capacity of most people. Luckily, some actors managed to unfold their talent and become famous.
But everyone has to mature at some point. While some step out of the limelight and take their own path, many grow up to excel on the screen. However, we never expected celebrities like Sophia Grace to mature so fast. Although it is shocking, it is also very gratifying to see these children finally becoming their own people, fully grown, and even pregnant in some cases. In addition, we are also proud of them for following their passions.
So scroll down to find out what
child actors who once played in popular movies and TV shows look like today.
#1 Colin Ford
Source: Gregorio T. Binuya/Everett Collection/East News, © colinford / Instagram
Colin Ford won the Young Artist Award for his voice of Mikey on "Can You Teach My Alligator Manners?". But he is best known for his role as Josh Wheeler in the 2019 film "Daybreak". In addition, he had many notable roles such as Joe McAlister in "Under the Dome"., young Sam Winchester in "Supernatural" and Dylan Mee in the family movie "We Bought a Zoo".
#2 Sophia Grace
Source: MARCOCCHI GIULIO/SIPA/EAST NEWS, © Sophia Grace / Youtube
Sophia Grace Brownlee quickly gained popularity, by making regular appearances on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show". In 2013, she made her solo music debut with "Girls Just Gotta Have Fun." She then released "Best Friends" in late 2014, which reached the Billboard Hot 100, and "Girl in the Mirror" on iTunes in 2016. Rosie released "Handstand," her debut solo song, in May 2018. On October 22, 2022, Sophia Grace uploaded a video on her YouTube channel announcing that she is pregnant.
#3 Caleb McLaughlin
Source: © therealcalebmclaughlin / Instagram, © therealcalebmclaughlin / Instagram
Caleb Reginald McLaughlin gained recognition for playing Lucas Sinclair in the Netflix series "Stranger Things" (2016–present). McLaughlin began his career on the Broadway stage as Young Simba in the musical "The Lion King" followed by small roles in television. After "Stranger Things" gave him his big break, he acted in the films like "High Flying Bird" (2019) and "Concrete Cowboy" (2020).
#4 Millicent Simmonds
Source: Mary Evans/Allstar/Graham Whitby Boot/East News, Invision/Invision/East News
At the age of 14, Millicent Simmonds played the role of Emily Blunt’s elder daughter in the horror movie, "A Quiet Place". In 2021, the actress returned to this role having taken part in the continuation of the franchise.
#5 Joel Courtney
Source: © joel_courtney / Instagram, © joel_courtney / Instagram
Joel Courtney is known as Cole Reed from "F*&% the Prom". After that, he stars the role of Lee Flynn in Netflix's "The Kissing Booth" film series.
#6 Madeline Carroll
Source: © madscarroll2 / Instagram, © madscarroll2 / Instagram
In 2007, Madeline Carroll played White Queen in the third installment of "Resident Evil: Extinction". 3 years later, the actress landed the main role in the "Flipped" drama. After that, she appeared in "Mr. Popper’s Penguins" and in the "Machine Gun Preacher" thriller.
#7 Jaeden Martell
Source: © It / New Line Cinema and co producers, CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/East News
When he was 13 years old, Jaeden Martell played the role of Bill Denbrough in the new movie adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, "It". Two years later, the actor landed the role of a bold teenager in the comedy, "Knives Out". In 2020, he took part in the mini-series, "Defending Jacob".
#8 Mckenna Grace
Source: Mary Evans/Allstar/Izumi Hasegawa/East News, Collin Xavier/Image Press Agency ABACA/Abaca/East News
Mckenna Grace debuted her acting career at the age of 6. But the actress gained popularity after the release of the movie, "Gifted", in 2017, where she played a wunderkind girl. In 2021, Mckenna played the role of Esther Keyes in the fourth season of "The Handmaid’s Tale".
#9 Will Poulter
Source: Image supplied by Capital Pictures/EAST NEWS, Marechal Aurore/ABACA/Abaca/East News
Poulter got famous after his participation in "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader". He also had a major role in the comedy "We're the Millers" and appeared in "The Revenant" alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
#10 Mackenzie Foy
Source: © mackenziefoy / Instagram, Invision/Invision/East News
Mackenzie Foy is known as Renesmee Cullen from "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn". After Twilight, Mackenzie Foy also participated in blockbusters like "Interstellar" and "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms". In particular, her beauty in aristocratic, gorgeous clothes in "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" also makes the audience go crazy.
#11 Neel Sethi
Source: Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection/East News, © theneelsethi / Instagram
In 2016, the actor played the role of Mowgli in the Disney live-action "The Jungle Book". After that, Sethi appeared in the series, "The Last O.G.", but there haven’t been any other big roles to follow.
#12 Amandla Stenberg
Source: Giulio Marcocchi/Sipa USA/East News, Quoin Pics/Everett Collection/East News
Amandla Stenberg made her acting debut with the film "Colombiana" (2011), and had her breakthrough playing Rue in the film "The Hunger Games" (2012), for which she won the Teen Choice Award for Best Chemistry. Moreover, she has received several accolades, like a Teen Choice Award, an NAACP Image Award, and nominations for four Black Reel Awards and a Critics' Choice Award
#13 Angourie Rice
Source: © Walking With Dinosaurs 3D / Animal Logic and co-producers, Invision/Invision/East News
In the comedy "The Nice Guys", the 15-year-old actress portrayed the character's daughter, played by Ryan Gosling. In 2019, Rice appeared in of the episodes of "Black Mirror" together with the singer Miley Cyrus and two years later, she played Kate Winslet's daughter in the "Mare of Easttown" television series. She is also famous for her portrayal of Betty Brant in the
Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017), "Spider-Man: Far From Home" (2019), and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021)
#14 Bailee Madison
Source: face to face/Reporter/East News, Collin Xavier/Image Press Agency ABACA/Abaca/East News
Bailee Madison first gained acclaim for her role as May Belle Aarons in the fantasy drama film "Bridge to Terabithia" (2007). She received further recognition for her starring roles as Isabelle in "Brothers" (2009), Sally Hurst in "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" (2010), ... In 2022, the actress began her role as Imogen Adams in the horror thriller series "Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin."
#15 Joey King
Source: East News, Elizabeth Goodenough/Everett Collection/East News
In 2010,
Joey King had her first leading role in "Ramona and Beezus" (2010) alongside
Selena Gomez. Since then, she has continuously appeared in big-budget blockbusters such as "Battle: Los Angeles" (2011), "Crazy, Stupid, Love" (2011), "White House Down" (2013), "Independence Day: Resurgence" (2016),...