Natalie Wood charmed the world at nine years old as the practical little Susan in the beloved classic Miracle on 34th Street. She proved that early talent was no fluke, earning her first Oscar nomination as a teenager for her raw performance in Rebel Without a Cause. Wood successfully leaped acclaimed adult roles, but her life and career were tragically cut short in a drowning accident at 43. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Emma Watson grew up before our eyes as the brilliantly bright Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series. She carried that intelligence and poise off-screen too, becoming a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and a vocal advocate for education. Watson has gracefully transitioned to adult roles, charming a new generation as Belle in Beauty and the Beast and holding her own in Little Women. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Chloë Grace Moretz has been a working actress since she was a kid, landing memorable parts in films like Kick-Ass and the tender adventure Hugo. She's never been afraid to take on bold roles, from a modern-day Carrie to voicing Wednesday Addams in an animated reboot. Now in her twenties, she continues to be a prolific and versatile presence across film and television. | © MGM
Anna Paquin didn't plan on acting, but her raw, natural debut in The Piano made her an Oscar winner at just 11 years old. That stunning start led to a steady career, but she found a new generation of fans as the fierce Rogue in the X-Men films. She's proven her talent spans decades, later winning a Golden Globe for her starring role in the hit series True Blood. | © Miramax Film
Elle Fanning was practically born on set, making her debut at age two as the younger version of her sister Dakota in I Am Sam. She grew up effortlessly on screen, transitioning from adorable child roles to substantial parts in films like Super 8 and Maleficent. Now, she commands the screen as a producer and star, earning Golden Globe nominations for her brilliant, cunning performance in The Great. | © Paramount Pictures
Christina Ricci stole her very first scene in Mermaids at just ten, instantly marking herself as a uniquely compelling presence. She became a '90s icon with her perfectly deadpan Wednesday Addams, a role that showcased her genius for playing quirky, intelligent characters. Ricci never let that define her however, maturing seamlessly into darker, more complex dramatic work that continues to earn her acclaim. | © Universal Studios
Freddie Highmore's sensitive performance in Finding Neverland was so impressive that it caught co-star Johnny Depp's eye, landing him the lead in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He carried that early grace into other family films, proving he was more than just a charming child actor. Highmore has expertly shed his kid-star image, delivering chilling and celebrated adult performances in series like Bates Motel and The Good Doctor. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Macaulay Culkin was already a veteran when he became a global sensation as the clever kid left Home Alone. That role made him Hollywood's top box-office draw for a few incredible years, leading hits like My Girl and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. He famously stepped away from acting as a teen, but has since returned to the craft, embracing a varied career on screen and stage. | © 20th Century Studios
Drew Barrymore captured the world's heart at just seven years old as Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Her early fame was famously turbulent, with rehab and emancipation making headlines before she was even 16. She authored her own incredible comeback story, transforming into a beloved actress, savvy producer, and successful talk show host. | © Universal Studios
Lindsay Lohan was a modeling veteran by three, but she became a true star at 12 playing twins in Disney's The Parent Trap. That adorable, freckled charm fueled a string of massive early-2000s hits like Freaky Friday and the iconic Mean Girls. While her career path became rocky due to personal struggles, she has continually reinvented herself as an actress and entrepreneur. | © Walt Disney Pictures
Elijah Wood spent the 1990s as one of Hollywood's most reliable young faces, holding his own opposite major stars in films like The Good Son and The Ice Storm. Of course, he achieved cinematic immortality as the humble hobbit Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He's parlayed that iconic role into a long and eclectic adult career, seamlessly moving between film, television, and distinctive voice work. | © TriStar Pictures
Dakota Fanning started her career on ER at just six years old and immediately stood out, becoming the youngest-ever SAG Award nominee at seven for I Am Sam. Directors like Steven Spielberg quickly took notice, casting her in major projects where she delivered performances wise beyond her years. That early maturity has defined her entire career, seamlessly transitioning her from a celebrated child star into an adult actress. | © New Line Cinema
Kirsten Dunst earned a Golden Globe nomination at just 13 for her haunting turn as a child vampire in Interview with the Vampire. She spent the rest of the '90s as one of Hollywood's most familiar young faces, charming audiences in everything from Jumanji to Bring It On. Her talent proved lasting, with acclaimed adult roles leading to major award nominations decades later. | © Columbia Pictures
Brooke Shields was a sensation before she was even a teenager, stirring major controversy with her role in Pretty Baby at just 12 years old. That fame skyrocketed with her provocative Calvin Klein ads and iconic teen roles in films like The Blue Lagoon. She navigated that intense early fame into a lasting career, transitioning successfully to television and Broadway as an adult. | © Columbia Pictures
Judy Garland was practically born on stage, starting in vaudeville before becoming a movie star alongside Mickey Rooney in their beloved backyard musicals. She gained immortality at just 17 as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, where her heartfelt rendition of Over the Rainbow earned her a special Juvenile Oscar. Garland successfully transitioned to adult roles, but her lifelong struggles with addiction sadly cut short a career full of iconic performances. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Some child actors just have that special spark. They don't just play a part, they completely own it. These are the very best, the young talents whose early performances truly defined an era.
