Tragic Child Stars

screen cap via Judith Barsi Tribute. Judith Barsi Born June 6, 1978 in Los Angeles, California Died July 25, 1988 in Canoga Park, California Notable Roles Ducky in The Land Before Time (1988) Anne-Marie in All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989) Best Known For: Judith Barsi's time in the spotlight was brief, but she touched many children growing up in the late 1980s with her charming vocal performances in All Dogs Go to Heaven and The Land Before Time , both of which were released after her death. During her four years as an actress, Barsi appeared in over 70 commercials, and appeared on ... Read Full Story

Image via Photobucket. Dana Plato Born November 7, 1964 in Maywood, California Died May 8, 1999 in Moore, Oklahoma Notable Role Kimberly Drummond on Diff'rent Strokes (1978-1984) Best Known For. After small roles in Exorcist II: The Heretic and The Bionic Woman , Dana Plato hit it big with her portrayal of Kimberly Drummond on Diff'rent Strokes . She played a warm, affectionate big sister to Willis and Arnold (played by Todd Bridges and Gary Coleman ). She also had guest roles on The Love Boat, Growing Pains, and CHiPs. Famously Linked. In 1984, Plato became pregnant by her boyfriend, musician Lanny Lambert. The ... Read Full Story

Image via Wordpress. Judy Garland Born June 10, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota Died June 22, 1969 in London, England Notable Roles Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1939) Esther Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) Best Known For. Judy Garland , neé Frances Ethel Gumm, shot to international stardom when she landed the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the age of sixteen. The song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was thereafter forever linked to her name. Famously Linked. Garland was married five times. After a failed romance with musician Artie Shaw, she married David Rose, Vincente Minelli ... Read Full Story

Getty Images. Tatum O'Neal Born November 5, 1963 in Los Angeles, California Notable Roles Addie Loggins in Paper Moon (1973) Amanda Whurlitzer in The Bad News Bears (1976) Best Known For: In 1973, Tatum O'Neal starred opposite her father, actor Ryan O'Neal , in Paper Moon . Her portrayal of a child con artist was so well-received that she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the age of 9, edging out fellow child actor Linda Blair. Famously Linked. Michael Jackson claimed that, when he was in his teens, a five-years-younger O'Neal had tried to seduce him, but he had been too ... Read Full Story

Getty Images. Brad Renfro Born July 25, 1982 in Knoxville, Tennesee Died January 15, 2008 in Los Angeles, California Notable Roles Mark Sway in The Cure (1994) Huck Finn in Tom and Huck (1995) Todd Bowden in Apt Pupil (1998) Best Known For. Renfro earned rave reviews for his debut role in Joel Schumacher's The Client . He was discovered in an extensive search for an authentic, Southern "tough kid" at the age of 10. His only acting experience previous to the film was playing a drug dealer for a school production for D.A.R.E. (Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education). Famously Linked. Renfro reportedly dated ... Read Full Story