Child stars are not always tragic. It just seems that the likelihood of self-destruction is infinitely higher for those whose childhoods were lived in the spotlight. While many child performers go on to forge successful careers in and...
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Child stars are not always tragic. It just seems that the likelihood of self-destruction is infinitely higher for those whose childhoods were lived in the spotlight. While many child performers go on to forge successful careers in and out of the entertainment industry, some never make it that far. But there's no greater comeback than that of a tragic child star.
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... 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... 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... 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... Read Full Story
Getty Images. Jodie Sweetin Born January 19, 1982 in Los Angeles, California Notable Roles Stephanie Tanner on Full House (1987-1995) Best Known For: Jodie Sweetin played Stephanie Tanner, the middle daughter, on ABC's Full House from 1987 to 1995. Her feisty, talkative character coined several catchphrases, from "How rude!" to "Hot dog!" Famously Linked. In 2002, at the age of 20, Sweetin married Shaun Holguin, a Los Angeles police officer. Jodie's Full House co-star Candace Cameron (who... 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... Read Full Story
Getty Images. Gary Coleman Born February 8, 1968 in Zion, Illinois Notable Roles Arnold Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes (1978-1995) Gary James on Good Times (1978) Best Known For: Gary Coleman made the quintessential child star: his tiny stature and ultra-cute babyface landed him roles on The Jeffersons, Good Times , and of course, Diff’rent Strokes . It there he honed his eternal catchphrase, “What’choo talkin’ 'bout Willis?” Famously Linked. In February 2008, Coleman announced that he had... Read Full Story
Getty Images. Edward Furlong Born August 2, 1977 in Glendale, California Notable Roles John Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) Best Known For: Edward Furlong blew audiences away with his debut performance in as John Connor in Terminator 2:Judgment Day . Then only 13, he'd been discovered on the steps of the Pasadena Boys Club, a kid whose mother had sent him to live with his aunt. He had other notable roles in Pecker and American History X. He was also a pop star in Japan, although... Read Full Story
Getty Images. FACT BOX TITLE Born December 23, 1971 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Notable Roles Lucas in Lucas (1986) Sam Emerson in The Lost Boys (1987) Les Anderson in License to Drive (1988) Best Known For: In 1986, Corey Haim starred opposite Charlie Sheen and Winona Ryder as a bespectacled loner who joins the football team in Lucas. Film critic Roger Ebert wrote of Haim's performance, "he does not give one of those cute little boy performances that get on your nerves. He creates one of... Read Full Story
Image via Geocities. Jonathan Brandis Born April 13, 1976 in Danbury, Connecticut Died November 12, 2003 in Los Angeles, California Notable Roles Matthew/Martha in Ladybugs (1992) Barry Gabrewski in Sidekicks (1992) Lucas Wolenczak on SeaQuest DSV (1993-1996) Best Known For. Jonathan Brandis landed his first role on the soap One Life to Live at the age of six. He shot to stardom in 1990, with starring roles in The Neverending Story II and It. Among his biggest hits were Sidekicks (with Chuck... Read Full Story
