Child Stars Who Are Now Working Regular 9-to-5 Jobs

Achieving fame at a young age is often viewed as the ultimate dream, but for many child stars, the glitz and glamour of Hollywood eventually lose their appeal. While some young actors successfully transition into adult careers in entertainment, others choose to leave the spotlight entirely to pursue more traditional paths. From law and medicine to education and skilled trades, these former celebrities have proven that there is life beyond the silver screen. This collection highlights individuals who traded red carpets for regular paychecks and found fulfillment in the “real” world.

Peter Ostrum

Peter Ostrum is best known for his role as Charlie Bucket in the classic film ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’. He decided to leave the entertainment industry after that single iconic role to pursue a completely different path. Ostrum became a veterinarian after graduating from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He spent decades working primarily with large animals such as horses and cows in upstate New York. He eventually retired from his veterinary practice in late 2023.

Jeff Cohen

Jeff Cohen became a pop culture icon for his performance as Chunk in the adventure movie ‘The Goonies’. He eventually left acting behind to focus on his education and earned a law degree from the UCLA School of Law. Cohen is now a founding partner of the law firm Cohen & Gardner in Beverly Hills. His firm specializes in entertainment law and he represents various artists and industry professionals. He even helped negotiate contracts for his former co-star Ke Huy Quan.

Danny Lloyd

Danny Lloyd delivered a memorable performance as Danny Torrance in the horror classic ‘The Shining’. He retired from acting at a young age to live a more private and normal life. Lloyd became a biology professor and has taught at a community college in Kentucky for many years. He briefly returned to the screen for a cameo in the sequel film ‘Doctor Sleep’ but remains focused on his academic career. He is also a father and enjoys a quiet life away from Hollywood.

Charlie Korsmo

Charlie Korsmo starred in major films like ‘Hook’ and ‘Dick Tracy’ before stepping away from the spotlight. He pursued higher education at MIT and later earned his law degree from Yale Law School. Korsmo is currently a Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He teaches courses on corporate law and finance and has published numerous scholarly articles. His transition from child star to legal scholar is considered one of the most successful post-Hollywood pivots.

Kay Panabaker

Kay Panabaker was a familiar face on the Disney Channel in shows like ‘Phil of the Future’ and movies like ‘Read It and Weep’. She retired from acting to pursue her passion for animals and earned a degree in Zoology. Panabaker now works as an animal keeper at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida. She frequently educates park guests about wildlife and conservation efforts. Her work allows her to stay connected to the Disney family while fulfilling her dream of working with animals.

Taran Noah Smith

Taran Noah Smith played the youngest son Mark Taylor on the hit sitcom ‘Home Improvement’. After the show ended he stepped away from acting to explore other interests including vegan cheese making and installation art. Smith eventually found a career in the technical side of marine exploration. He has worked as a sea recovery technician for SpaceX and is involved with community submersible projects. His technical skills have led him to a unique career far removed from the soundstages of his youth.

Reed Alexander

Reed Alexander is widely recognized for his role as the antagonist Nevel Papperman on the Nickelodeon series ‘iCarly’. He transitioned into journalism and obtained a master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Alexander has worked as a financial reporter for Business Insider covering Wall Street and the entertainment industry. He also spent time as a correspondent for CNN International in Hong Kong. His career has successfully shifted from performing in front of the camera to reporting the news.

Maia Brewton

Maia Brewton is remembered for her roles in ‘Adventures in Babysitting’ and the sitcom ‘Parker Lewis Can’t Lose’. She eventually left Hollywood to pursue her education at Yale University. Brewton became an attorney and has built a career in the legal field. She has balanced her professional life with raising a family and staying out of the public eye. Occasionally she participates in fan conventions to celebrate her past work.

Barret Oliver

Barret Oliver starred in 80s favorites such as ‘The NeverEnding Story’ and ‘D.A.R.Y.L.’ before leaving the acting world. He developed a deep interest in photography and became a historian of 19th-century photographic processes. Oliver is an expert in the Woodburytype and other early printing techniques. He has authored books on the subject and his work has been exhibited in museums. He also teaches photography and shares his knowledge of historical methods with students.

Tiffany Brissette

Tiffany Brissette played the robot child V.I.C.I. on the sitcom ‘Small Wonder’. She left the entertainment business to pursue a career in healthcare. Brissette earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and later became a registered nurse. She has worked in hospitals in Colorado and remains dedicated to her medical profession. She rarely makes public appearances and prefers to keep her life private.

Skandar Keynes

Skandar Keynes starred as Edmund Pevensie in ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ film series. He decided to leave acting to focus on his academic and political interests. Keynes studied Arabic and Middle Eastern History at Cambridge University. He has since worked as a political advisor for members of the British Parliament. His work involves policy research and advising on legislative matters.

Ross Bagley

Ross Bagley charmed audiences as Nicky Banks on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ and Buckwheat in ‘The Little Rascals’. After growing up he transitioned into the business world. Bagley has worked as a real estate agent in the Los Angeles area. He also has experience as a recruiter for consulting firms. He occasionally participates in reunions but focuses primarily on his professional career in real estate.

Benjamin Salisbury

Benjamin Salisbury played Brighton Sheffield on the popular sitcom ‘The Nanny’. He retired from acting shortly after the show and its reunions concluded. Salisbury transitioned into a corporate role within the entertainment industry. He has held the position of Director of Operations for the park at Universal Studios Hollywood. His current work keeps him involved in the magic of entertainment from an operational perspective.

Omri Katz

Omri Katz starred in ‘Hocus Pocus’ and the series ‘Eerie, Indiana’ during the 90s. He stepped away from acting and pursued a career in the grooming industry. Katz has worked as a hairdresser in Los Angeles for several years. He also started a cannabis apparel and culture business called The Mary Danksters. He frequently attends fan conventions to meet supporters of his classic Halloween film.

Lisa Jakub

Lisa Jakub played the eldest daughter Lydia in ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ and also starred in ‘Independence Day’. She retired from acting in her early twenties to find a more authentic life. Jakub became a writer and has authored books about her experiences with anxiety and depression. She is also a qualified Kripalu yoga teacher and a mental wellness advocate. She leads workshops and speaks publicly to help others manage their mental health.

Kevin Jamal Woods

Kevin Jamal Woods is known for his role as Stymie in the 1994 film ‘The Little Rascals’. He eventually left Hollywood to pursue a degree in mass communications. Woods works as a marketing specialist for a company in Texas. He also has a background in music production and audio engineering. He maintains a relatively low profile while building his career in marketing and media.

Travis Tedford

Travis Tedford played Spanky in the 1994 adaptation of ‘The Little Rascals’. He left acting to finish his education and earned a degree in liberal arts. Tedford has built a successful career in the financial sector in Texas. He currently works as a VP of Digital Experience at a credit union. His journey took him from leading a club of rascals to leading digital banking initiatives.

Mike Vitar

Mike Vitar became a teen heartthrob as Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez in ‘The Sandlot’. He retired from acting in the late 90s to pursue a career in public service. Vitar has served as a firefighter for the Los Angeles Fire Department for nearly two decades. He is dedicated to his work as a first responder and lives a private life with his family. His role in the community is now far more critical than his role on the baseball diamond.

Ariana Richards

Ariana Richards is famous for her role as Lex Murphy in the blockbuster ‘Jurassic Park’. She shifted her focus from acting to fine art painting. Richards is a successful professional artist known for her landscapes and figures. She has won awards for her oil paintings and exhibits her work in galleries. She occasionally attends ‘Jurassic Park’ events but considers art her primary vocation.

Jennifer Stone

Jennifer Stone played Harper Finkle on Disney Channel’s ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’. After her diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes she decided to pursue a career in medicine. Stone completed nursing school and now works as an emergency room nurse. She worked on the front lines during the global pandemic to help patients in need. She balances her nursing career with occasional acting projects and diabetes advocacy.

Michael Schoeffling

Michael Schoeffling played the ultimate 80s crush Jake Ryan in ‘Sixteen Candles’. He left the acting business in the early 90s to raise his family away from the spotlight. Schoeffling moved to Pennsylvania and opened a woodworking shop. He builds handcrafted furniture and runs a successful carpentry business. He has successfully maintained his privacy despite the enduring popularity of his breakout character.

Ilan Mitchell-Smith

Ilan Mitchell-Smith starred as Wyatt Donnelly in the sci-fi comedy ‘Weird Science’. He left the acting world to pursue a career in academia. Mitchell-Smith earned a PhD and is now a professor of Medieval Literature. He teaches at California State University Long Beach and publishes scholarly research. He occasionally engages with fans of his film work but his primary focus is education.

Liesel Matthews

Liesel Matthews starred in ‘A Little Princess’ and played the President’s daughter in ‘Air Force One’. She is a member of the wealthy Pritzker family and shifted her focus to philanthropy and investing. She co-founded the Blue Haven Initiative which focuses on impact investing. Her work aims to generate financial returns while creating positive social and environmental change. She is a prominent figure in the world of ethical investment.

Josh Saviano

Josh Saviano played Paul Pfeiffer, the best friend of Kevin Arnold on ‘The Wonder Years’. He left acting to attend Yale University and later Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Saviano became a corporate lawyer and worked at major firms for many years. He later founded his own advisory firm to help artists and entrepreneurs. His transition from child actor to successful attorney mirrors the path of his fictional character.

Carrie Henn

Carrie Henn is known for her role as Newt in the sci-fi action film ‘Aliens’. She chose not to pursue an acting career after her debut performance. Henn became a teacher and has worked in education for many years in California. She enjoys a quiet life and is dedicated to her students. She occasionally appears at conventions to meet fans of the ‘Alien’ franchise.

Nikki Blonsky

Nikki Blonsky starred as Tracy Turnblad in the musical film ‘Hairspray’. While she continues to act occasionally she has also worked in other fields. Blonsky obtained her cosmetology license and worked as a makeup artist and hair stylist. She worked at a salon in New York between acting gigs. She has been open about the importance of having a regular job to support herself.

Andrew Shue

Andrew Shue became famous as Billy Campbell on the soap opera ‘Melrose Place’. He played professional soccer before and during his acting career but later turned to business. Shue co-founded the popular social networking website CafeMom. He is an entrepreneur who has launched successfully media and technology ventures. His focus shifted entirely to building and managing his business enterprises.

Phoebe Cates

Phoebe Cates was one of the most famous actresses of the 80s with roles in ‘Gremlins’ and ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’. She retired from acting to focus on her family with husband Kevin Kline. Cates opened a boutique shop called Blue Tree on the Upper East Side of New York City. She actively runs the store which sells clothing and gifts. She prefers the life of a small business owner to that of a movie star.

Karyn Parsons

Karyn Parsons played the fashion-obsessed Hilary Banks on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. She founded the non-profit organization Sweet Blackberry. Her organization’s mission is to bring little-known stories of African American achievement to children. She writes books and produces animated films for the foundation. Her work is dedicated to education and preserving history.

Dylan Sprouse

Dylan Sprouse starred with his twin brother Cole in Disney’s ‘The Suite Life of Zack & Cody’. He took a break from acting to attend New York University. Sprouse opened a meadery called All-Wise Meadery in Brooklyn. He is involved in the brewing process and the management of the business. While he has returned to acting recently his work as a brewer remains a significant part of his life.

Frankie Muniz

Frankie Muniz was the star of ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ and ‘Agent Cody Banks’. He took a hiatus from acting to pursue professional race car driving. Muniz also purchased and operated an olive oil and vinegar shop in Arizona called Outrageous Olive Oils. He remains an active racing driver in NASCAR series. His post-acting life has been filled with entrepreneurial ventures and high-speed competition.

Mara Wilson

Mara Wilson starred in beloved films like ‘Matilda’ and ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ as a child. She stepped away from film acting to pursue writing and theater. Wilson is now a published author and playwright. She writes essays and creative non-fiction about her life and pop culture. She has found a voice in the literary world that allows her more creative control than acting did.

Andrea Barber

Andrea Barber is famous for playing Kimmy Gibbler on ‘Full House’. After the original series ended she left the industry to work in higher education. Barber worked as an assistant to the director of international programs at Whittier College. She focused on helping students study abroad and manage their academic paths. Although she returned for ‘Fuller House’ her time in university administration was her primary focus for two decades.

Brittany Ashton Holmes

Brittany Ashton Holmes played the adorable Darla in the 1994 movie ‘The Little Rascals’. She retired from acting shortly after the film to live a normal childhood. Holmes pursued a degree in political science and has worked regular jobs including at Starbucks. She has largely stayed out of the public eye since her days as a child star. Her life is now focused on her education and personal goals.

Please share your thoughts on these career transformations in the comments.