10 Child Stars Who Grew Up and Took Over Hollywood
When we think about Hollywood success stories, there’s something extra special about stars who began their careers as children and managed to shine even brighter in adulthood. While many child actors fade into obscurity, some evolve into powerful forces in the entertainment industry—dominating the big screen, breaking box office records, and even shaping the future of film and television.
Here’s a list of 10 child stars who not only survived the pressures of early fame but grew up to take over Hollywood in spectacular fashion.
Zendaya
From Disney Channel’s Shake It Up to Emmy-winning performances in HBO’s Euphoria, Zendaya is the definition of a child star turned Hollywood powerhouse. She’s not just acting—she’s producing, modeling, singing, and redefining what it means to be a Gen Z icon.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Who can forget Leo in Growing Pains and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? He went from a teen heartthrob to one of the most respected actors of our time, with an Oscar win for The Revenant and iconic roles in Titanic, Inception, and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Starting out as the beloved Hannah Montana, Miley transformed her image and voice to become one of the most talked-about artists of her generation. Her bold choices in both music and acting prove she’s here to stay.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
From the precocious kid in 3rd Rock from the Sun to critically acclaimed roles in Inception, Looper, and 500 Days of Summer, Joseph Gordon-Levitt matured into one of Hollywood’s most versatile and respected actors—and even runs his own production company, HitRecord.
Portman made her film debut at age 12 in Léon: The Professional, and she’s been on an unstoppable rise ever since. With an Oscar for Black Swan and roles in major franchises like Star Wars and Thor, Natalie has proven her acting chops time and again.
Drew Barrymore
Hollywood royalty from birth, Drew became a household name after E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. She went through personal struggles but came back strong, starring in romantic comedies and launching her own production company and daytime talk show.
Best known as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, Emma grew up on screen and has gracefully transitioned into serious roles in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Little Women, and more. She’s also a passionate activist and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.
Elijah Wood
Famous as Frodo in The Lord of the Rings, Elijah began acting as a child in films like North and Flipper. He’s since built a reputation as a serious actor and producer, often choosing bold, indie projects over mainstream blockbusters.
Selena Gomez
Another Disney alum, Selena starred in Wizards of Waverly Place before launching a successful music career. She returned to acting with a bang in Only Murders in the Building and is now a producer, entrepreneur (Rare Beauty), and mental health advocate.
Final Thoughts
Hollywood is a tough business, especially for children. But these stars not only thrived—they conquered. They’ve grown from lovable kids to industry leaders, proving that with talent, resilience, and a little bit of magic, child stars can grow up and own the spotlight.
Who’s your favorite child star turned Hollywood icon? Let us know in the comments!
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