Tommaso Boddi // Getty Images Being a child star sounds like a kind of purgatory: Sure, you get fame, fortune, and don’t have to go to school, but you also grow up fast, are at risk of being taken advantage of financially, and lose out on many aspects of a “normal” childhood. Nevertheless, child stars are a part of our collective consciousness. We watch them grow up as we grow up. A kind of transference exists; we want to see them grow up and thrive, whatever that looks like. For some child stars, it means blossoming their careers into full-fledged adult roles. But for many a child star, that means quitting the entertainment industry entirely. Stacker compiled this list of 25 child actors who quit show business, pulling from historical news coverage. The list includes diverse actors from various genres and eras and excludes actors who continue to take gigs, even if acting is not their primary job. You may also like: Bette Davis: The life story you may not know Jonathan Taylor Thomas David Livingston // Getty Images – Major role: Jake Harper in “Two and a Half Men” – Second act: Businessman Famously representing the “half” on “Two and a Half Men,” Angus T. Jones could hold his own among Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer–and, in 2010, became the highest-paid child actor of his time. After playing Jake Harper for a decade, he had a religious awakening that inspired him to leave the show. Rivkah Reyes Jeffrey Mayer // Getty Images – Major role: Katie in “School of Rock” – Second act: Comedy performer and podcaster One of the most badass of the “School of Rock” kids, Rivkah Reyes played the stone-faced bass player Katie. Now, they’re a filmmaker, theater, and comedy performer in Los Angeles, as well as the host of the podcast “Where Are We Now?” which explores the world of childhood stardom. Kay Panabaker Alexandra Wyman // Getty Images – Major role: Jamie Bartlett in “Read It and Weep” – Second act: Zookeeper Kay Panabaker was everywhere for a minute in the mid-aughts, most famously playing Jamie Bartlett in “Read It and Weep.” When a fan on Twitter asked why she left acting, she responded: “I just lost the love for acting. Life is short, we spend so much time at work, gotta do what you love 🙂 and I love my job!!” The job she speaks of? A zookeeper! Jamie Waylett Ian West – PA Images// Getty Images – Major role: Vincent Crabbe in the “Harry Potter” films – Second act: Sells personalized messages The kids of the “Harry Potter” films, for better or for worse, will never be able to escape their childhood roles entirely; the movies mean too much to people. Unfortunately, Jamie Waylett, who played Crabbe in “Harry Potter,” was replaced by another actor after being arrested on drug-related charges. He’s had more run-ins with the law since then. Now, he makes a living recording personalized videos on Cameo for “Harry Potter” fans. Tricia Joe Columbia Pictures – Major role: Claudia Kishi in “The Baby-Sitters Club” – Second act: Unknown Unlike many former child stars, Tricia Joe, who played the fashionable Claudia on “The Baby-Sitters Club,” has stayed pretty private since her short-lived child acting days, studying dance at Fullerton College and criminal justice at California State University, Long Beach–and never returning to show business. You may also like: 100 actors who served in the military Steven Anthony Lawrence Rebecca Sapp // Getty Images – Major role: Beans in “Even Stevens” – Second act: Teacher and YouTuber There was no funnier or more memorable character on “Even Stevens” than the prankster Beans, played by Steven Anthony Lawrence. Though Lawrence went on to act in some minor roles in films like “Cheaper by the Dozen,” significant hair loss in his teens made it difficult to get cast. Eventually, he left acting and was once spotted working for a mall Santa Claus as an elf; today, he teaches virtual acting lessons. Jolean Wejbe Jeff Kravitz // Getty Images – Major role: Teenie in “Big Love” – Second act: Student Jolean Wejbe had a short-lived but successful child acting career, most notably for her role as Teenie on HBO’s “Big Love,” from 2006 to 2009. Afterward, she quit acting and studied computer science at California State University, Northridge. Jeremy Suarez Stephen Shugerman // Getty Images – Major role: Jordan Thomkins in “The Bernie Mac Show” – Second act: Worker in construction, retail, and other industries “The Bernie Mac Show” was a cult classic, and Jeremy Suarez was unforgettable as Mac’s nephew Jordan Thomkins. Though Suarez went on to do some voice acting following the show’s end in “Brother Bear” and “King of the Hill,” Thomkins said it was difficult for him to get work because he was in an awkward age bracket where he looked older but studios didn’t want to hire underage actors. Carrie Henn Daniel Knighton // Getty Images – Major role: Newt in “Aliens” – Second act: Teacher Carrie Henn rose to fame playing opposite Sigourney Weaver in “Aliens” at age 10. She quit acting immediately following the film so she could have a normal childhood and pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. She eventually became a fourth-grade teacher but still attends various conventions to talk about “Aliens.” Ross Malinger CBS Photo Archive // Getty Images – Major role: Jonah Baldwin in “Sleepless in Seattle” – Second act: Car salesman By the time Ross Malinger played Tom Hanks’ son Jonah Baldwin in “Sleepless in Seattle,” he was only 8 years old but had been in four films, including a TV movie. After “Sleepless in Seattle,” he transitioned into television, most notably voicing T.J. in “Recess,” but hasn’t acted since 2006. He is now a sales manager for a car dealership in Los Angeles. You may also like: The most famous actress born the same year as you Lisa Jakub Bobby Bank // Getty Images – Major role: Lydia Hillard in “Mrs. Doubtfire” – Second act: Writer, yoga teacher, and public speaker Lydia Hillard was just 14 when she played the eldest daughter in “Mrs. Doubtfire,” after which she acted until she was 22, appearing in films such as “Independence Day” before retiring from acting. She has gone on to work for nonprofits, attend college, publish books, and become a yoga teacher and public speaker. Danny Lloyd Sunset Boulevard // Getty Images – Major role: Danny Torrance in “The Shining” – Second act: Professor Danny Lloyd accidentally became an actor. Hailing from a small town in the Midwest, he went to a casting call and was unexpectedly cast as the son of Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall in the film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel–eventually becoming an icon of horror cinema. Lloyd went on to make one other film before growing bored with acting. He went on to become a father and a biology professor, where he says most of his students don’t recognize him. He did make a cameo appearance in the sequel to “The Shining,” called “Doctor Sleep,” in 2019. Caitlin Sanchez Nick Jr. Productions – Major role: Dora (voice) in “Dora the Explorer” – Second act: Unknown As the voice of Dora in “Dora the Explorer,” Caitlin Sanchez has one of the most recognizable voices for a certain generation. Unfortunately, she is not on good terms with Nickelodeon; she entered into a legal battle with the network, alleging she was “duped” into a deal that left her with basically nothing. Barret Oliver picture alliance // Getty Images – Major role: Bastian in “The NeverEnding Story” – Second act: Printer and photographer Barret Oliver went on to do a couple more roles after playing Bastian, the kid in “The NeverEnding Story,” but eventually lost interest in acting. His last role was in “Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills” in 1989. Instead, he picked up painting and photography. He has exhibited in several galleries, museums, and publications. Liesel Matthews Vaughn Ridley // Getty Images – Major role: Sara Crewe in “A Little Princess” – Second act: Philanthropist Harrison Ford described Liesel Matthews, whose real name is Liesel Pritzker, as “a young Jodie Foster” for her portrayal of Sara Crewe in “A Little Princess” and her role in “Air Force One.” Following the film, the child actor entered the spotlight for another reason. Matthews was heiress to a hotel fortune, and when she and her brother’s inheritance started getting tinkered with, she sued her family, which eventually led to a settlement that awarded her $500 million. She left New York to travel to India, eventually becoming a yoga teacher and philanthropist. You may also like: Celebrity stage names vs. their real names
25 child stars who quit acting
