Lindsay Lohan went from that cute and talented kid in the Parent Trap movie, to a troubled star battling addiction. Now serving time in jail for violating the terms of her probation, Lindsay’s going to have a long road ahead of her to reclaim what’s left of her acting career.
It’s often difficult for child stars to transition into adulthood. However, there are a few stars who have managed to make it work, overcoming their own upbringings and the pressures of child stardom.
Mayim Bailik – Best known as Blossom, the actress began her career in the late 1980’s, at about 10 years old. Today Mayim is a Mom who recently announced that she will be writing a children’s book. When the series Blossom finally ended its run on NBC, Mayim attended UCLA, earning a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, Hebrew and Jewish studies.
Brooke Shields – Brooke’s Mom Teri was a notorious stage parent, known for pushing her underage daughter into under-clothed movie roles and tight Calvin Klein jeans. After earning her education from Princeton, Sheilds took control of her image, and her life.
Fred Savage – Ranked at #27 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Kid Stars, Fred Savage Kevin Arnold made his acting debut at aged 10. His role in The Wonder Years earned him two Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a comedy series, making him the youngest actor to ever receive those honors. Fred has continued acting in guest and supporting roles in film and television shows. He also began his directing career in 1999, working on dozens of youth-oriented television shows for the Disney Channel.
Neil Patrick Harris – After being discovered by playwright Mark Medoff at a Drama Camp in New Mexico, NPH starred in the 1988 film Clara’s Heart, and scored a Golden Globe nomination. The following year, he won the lead role in Doogie Howser, M.D., and again earned himself a Golden Globe nomination. Since them he’s guest starred on television series, various film roles, and even worked on Broadway. Currently Neil stars as Barney on another hit television show, How I Met Your Mother.
Emma Watson – Acting only in school plays before beating out hundreds of thousands of young girls to play Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, fans of the series have quite literally watched Emma grow up on screen. Arriving on set for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone at just 9 years old, Emma recently turned 20, and just completed filming the final installment of the franchise. Insisting she wanted a normal university experience, Watson began her first year at Brown in 2009. “As long as I won’t walk in and see Harry Potter posters everywhere, I’ll be fine,” she said.
