What Happened to These 5 Once Popular Child Stars from the 90s
The 1990s was a golden era for family television and feel-good movies, and at the heart of many of these classics were talented child actors. Let's see where they are now!
The 90s shows and movies are still in demand for the vibes they project and the calm and friendly (and a little naive) atmosphere they create. And there's no denying that the era spawned many popular future stars who first appeared as child characters.
Names like Macaulay Culkin, Lindsay Lohan, or the Olsen sisters are well known today and you hear about them all the time. But there are so many more talented child actors who flew under the radar or are just a little less popular than their peers.
Let's remember 5 forgotten names and see where these actors, who once made you fall in love with them decades ago, are now.
1. Jaleel White from Family Matters (1989-1998)
Jaleel White became a household name thanks to his role as the lovable nerd Steve Urkel on Family Matters. What began as a guest appearance quickly turned into the show’s main attraction.
Urkel’s eccentric charm and catchphrases made White an icon of ’90s television. Since then, he’s stayed active in the industry with various TV appearances and supporting film roles, including Dreamgirls (2006) and Hustle (2022). White currently hosts the game show Flip Side, which was recently renewed for its second season.
2. Raven-Symoné from The Cosby Show (1984-1992) and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper (1992-1997)
Before leading That's So Raven sitcom in 2003, Raven-Symoné got her start as Olivia Kendall on The Cosby Show and continued to shine in Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.
Her psychic-teen sitcom became a Disney Channel staple, and she’s since returned to the role in the reboot Raven’s Home. Beyond acting, she’s stepped into directing, working on multiple Disney series, including Sydney to the Max and the upcoming Wizards Beyond Waverly Place season 2.
3. Anna Chlumsky from My Girl (1991)
Anna Chlumsky stole hearts as Vada Sultenfuss in My Girl, acting opposite Macaulay Culkin. After a break from acting to focus on school, she returned in the mid-2000s and found major success on HBO’s Veep, earning multiple Emmy nominations for her role as Amy Brookheimer.
Coming up, she’s starring alongside Rebel Wilson and Anna Camp in the action comedy Bride Hard, due out this summer. She also starred in Netflix’s Inventing Anna as Vivian Kent in 2022.
4. Mara Wilson from Matilda (1996) and Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Mara Wilson charmed audiences in the ’90s with roles in Matilda, Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), and A Simple Wish (1997). Despite her early success, she stepped away from the spotlight due to personal struggles and the pressures of child stardom.
She returned to entertainment in more selective roles, focusing primarily on voice acting and writing. Wilson has lent her voice to shows like BoJack Horseman, Big Hero 6: The Series, and indie web series like Helluva Boss.
5. Jonathan Lipnicki from Jerry Maguire (1996) and Stuart Little (1999)
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Jonathan Lipnicki became an instant favorite as the precocious Ray in Jerry Maguire, famously delivering the line about the human head weighing eight pounds. He went on to roles in Stuart Little and other family films.
As an adult, Lipnicki has taken a quieter approach to acting, appearing in indie and B-movies and competing in reality TV. His most recent work includes a role in the 2024 horror film Camp Pleasant Lake.
