take the nozzles I won’t have to forever
hold my peace these are those rare child
star success stories ah to go up welcome
to watchmojo.com and today we’re
counting down our picks for the top 10
child actors who turned into successful
adult actors yeah I ride a mystery ride
this horse oh please let me ride him for
this list we’re looking at actors who
impressed us as youngsters and then
impressed us again as successful adults
and that kick in your ass
however we’re excluding young actors who
have yet to have long and fruitful
careers as adults like Dakota Fanning or
the Harry Potter trio as well as actors
who began in their teens like Neil
Patrick Harris and Leonardo DiCaprio
dang boy number 10
Elijah Wood oh man if any Hollywood
actor knows the importance of initiative
it’s this guy Connie didn’t just slip
you don’t know what he is
you may recognize him as Frodo Baggins
from the massively popular Lord of the
Rings trilogy but he might never have
been cast had it not been for the
audition tape he took it upon himself to
send in his turn as Frodo made him an
international star and helped the world
to see him as a man instead of the boy
from films like North the good son and
that one scene from Back to the Future 2
he’s your hands that’s like a baby’s toy
Wood has since shown the world his
abilities in breakthrough roles in Sin
City and Eternal Sunshine of the
spotless mind proving he’ll be around
for a while so weird
my girlfriend situation I’m sure it is
number 9 Kurt Russell hey kid how would
you like to kick me in the shin
Howard I keep you in a shit mister are
you Mona a legendary Hollywood star who
had his first film role beside Elvis
Presley at age 11 Kurt Russell’s career
has spanned five decades and his success
has remained relatively constant it was
one of those things out there trying to
imitate him Gary an actor who according
to some sources was Disney’s top star of
the 1970s Russell transitioned easily
from more family-friendly fare to more
mature or straight-up badass roles we
want to see him sprayed all over that
map baby where’s the president an a-list
actor who’s also become a cult film
darling
Russell’s collaborations with John
Carpenter ensured he’d remained relevant
to a whole new generation of action
flick fans number eight drew Barrymore
hey it’d be good and family when she
first came to prominence as a child star
in et to say that she was adorable seems
like we’re woefully understating things
Oh what yeah yeah I got him head cocked
out he can cut hair in one of the most
successful movies of all time drew
managed to shine even though her role
easily could have been forgettable in
the hands of most young actors but the
pressure of stardom and being part of
one of America’s most famous acting
dynasties finally got to her and it
seemed as though she might end up like
so many child stars whose lives hit the
skids fortunately she began rebuilding
in the late 90s and has continued her
reign as a very bankable star
King Kong palm number seven Elizabeth
Taylor I hope you won’t worry too much
about Nessie I’ll take care of that
really I will in citing a bidding war in
the era of movie studio contracts
Elizabeth Taylor had both Universal and
MGM banging down her door due to their
belief that she was a star in the making
I know I ought to be grateful my but I
can’t help it I want it all quickly to
say they were right is an understatement
I am worshipped by millions who believed
it appearing more serious and somehow
older than many of her similarly aged
counterparts Elizabeth’s focus
eventually became one of her most
priceless strengths are you enough him
yes I think so now will you do me a
favor and when long to bed a woman whose
star power was so strong she remained a
highly sought-after celebrity years
after her acting career went mostly
dormant Taylor’s beauty and acting chops
played as a child and as an adult some
men would get their right arm for the
chance last month in reality it works
out that the sacrifices of a somewhat
more private portion of the Anatomy
number six Joseph gordon-levitt if
there’s God after starting his green
career as a tyke gordon-levitt became
one of the stars of the long-running but
underrated sitcom third Rock from the
Sun in a role that allowed him to show
off his stellar comedic timing and
know-how as an old man trapped in a
youthful body I’m in command yeah well
I’m in puberty pal
once that show came to an end he tried
his hand at more dramatic roles and
indie flix you did I didn’t no that’s
great
before shedding his boyish persona
almost entirely and ultimately becoming
a star in big-budget films Cobb can’t
build anymore Kenny I don’t know if he
can’t but he won’t number five Anna
Paquin
one of the youngest performers ever to
win an Academy Award Paquin’s early
years in the film industry were marked
by a playful spirit and an ability to
tackle weighty subjects mother says she
can’t stand to teach piano with a toilet
of tune so I’m to do scales when it came
time to transition to on-screen
adulthood she never missed a beat first
boy I ever kissed ended up in a coma
three weeks with excellent appearances
in respected films like the x-men series
25th hour and almost famous finally
completely coming-of-age for most
audiences thanks to her starring role in
True Blood Anna seems poised to have a
lengthy and celebrated career in years
to come but can I get readin that number
for Mickey Rooney beginning acting at
the ripe old age of six Mickey Rooney
spent the rest of his 93 years on this
planet making appearances in front of
the cameras and though this star may
have passed away his legacy lives on do
you feel all right oh one of the last
living silent film era stars and a
Hollywood heavyweight with one of the
longest careers going
micki proved his skills with acclaimed
roles including a Midsummer Night’s
Dream
at age 15 and an Academy Award nominated
performance at almost 60 in the Black
Stallion
you don’t want him down break you you
know what that means that horse starts
to settle eights they open that gate I
am like that someone just sketched what
Mickey Rooney won awards receipts and
hearts over the course of a multi-decade
career with his humor charm and genuine
talent who’s flying the plane over what
do you mean who’s flying the plane
nobody’s flying the plane number three
Natalie Portman Oh Johnny
Matilda viewers were introduced to miss
Portman when she was barely in her
tweens
but even then her skills made her an
acting heavyweight who was wise beyond
her years and as mature as her co-stars
Gary Oldman and Jean Renault in Leone
the professional I work for you in
exchange you teach me how to clean hmm
what do you think ironically when she
was finally awarded an Oscar for her
work it was for her role as a woman who
in many ways was childlike and repressed
living under the thumb of her mother
sure you don’t want me to come with you
you sweet girl
whatever her age or whichever emotion
she’s evoking natalie portman is a
talented actress of the highest regard
who’s transitioned from child star to
adult star with grace Annie my goodness
you’ve got so view wrong more beautiful
I mean well for a senator I’m number two
Christian Bale
when viewing the intense often angry
performances of Christian Bale’s recent
years it’s difficult to believe he was
once a cute child actor or a singing and
dancing teen but we have the movies to
prove it where did you say you gotta
live at die here
well as he say a guy can’t catch a break
if you can get past his baby face and
instead focus on the gravitas he brought
to his characters at such an early age
his current trajectory makes perfect
sense
let him mean it it was a joke you can
see the kind of passion even then that
could lead an actor to lose and gain
weight for roles even to the detriment
of his health and can catch glimpses of
a thespian who could later lose himself
entirely in his work I mean I guess I’m
a pretty sick guy before we reveal our
top pick here are some honorable
mentions I’m standing here on the
international border between Canada and
the US just over this bridge is my
hometown in Cornwall Ontario good
evening miss Sommers good evening now
I’m gonna say – you look exceptionally
beautiful this evening Thank You Derek
you’re the epitome of grace style and
low-cut sophistication one-eyed Willy
yeah he was the most favorite pirate is
time my dad to know about one’s need to
keep lurk lizards rattlesnakes rattle
six number one Jodie Foster I understand
and it means something Lily a massively
talented and respected actress who first
earned an Academy Award nomination at 15
after a long list of performances and
who took home the trophy twice over the
following 15 years Foster earned her
place in Hollywood most serial killers
keep some sort of trophies from their
victims I didn’t know oh you ate yours
after making her screen debut at the age
of three she’s finally transitioned to
the director’s chair and her peers hold
her in such a steam that she seems to
make whatever project she spearheads a
reality including a film about a man and
his beaver puppet who are you
I’m the beaver water and on here to save
your goddamn life
there are few actors who’ve created as
many well remember characters as MS
foster you spook easily Starling pet sir
do you agree with our list which child
actor do you think became a successful
adult actor for more acting top 10s
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com
hold my peace these are those rare child
star success stories ah to go up welcome
to watchmojo.com and today we’re
counting down our picks for the top 10
child actors who turned into successful
adult actors yeah I ride a mystery ride
this horse oh please let me ride him for
this list we’re looking at actors who
impressed us as youngsters and then
impressed us again as successful adults
and that kick in your ass
however we’re excluding young actors who
have yet to have long and fruitful
careers as adults like Dakota Fanning or
the Harry Potter trio as well as actors
who began in their teens like Neil
Patrick Harris and Leonardo DiCaprio
dang boy number 10
Elijah Wood oh man if any Hollywood
actor knows the importance of initiative
it’s this guy Connie didn’t just slip
you don’t know what he is
you may recognize him as Frodo Baggins
from the massively popular Lord of the
Rings trilogy but he might never have
been cast had it not been for the
audition tape he took it upon himself to
send in his turn as Frodo made him an
international star and helped the world
to see him as a man instead of the boy
from films like North the good son and
that one scene from Back to the Future 2
he’s your hands that’s like a baby’s toy
Wood has since shown the world his
abilities in breakthrough roles in Sin
City and Eternal Sunshine of the
spotless mind proving he’ll be around
for a while so weird
my girlfriend situation I’m sure it is
number 9 Kurt Russell hey kid how would
you like to kick me in the shin
Howard I keep you in a shit mister are
you Mona a legendary Hollywood star who
had his first film role beside Elvis
Presley at age 11 Kurt Russell’s career
has spanned five decades and his success
has remained relatively constant it was
one of those things out there trying to
imitate him Gary an actor who according
to some sources was Disney’s top star of
the 1970s Russell transitioned easily
from more family-friendly fare to more
mature or straight-up badass roles we
want to see him sprayed all over that
map baby where’s the president an a-list
actor who’s also become a cult film
darling
Russell’s collaborations with John
Carpenter ensured he’d remained relevant
to a whole new generation of action
flick fans number eight drew Barrymore
hey it’d be good and family when she
first came to prominence as a child star
in et to say that she was adorable seems
like we’re woefully understating things
Oh what yeah yeah I got him head cocked
out he can cut hair in one of the most
successful movies of all time drew
managed to shine even though her role
easily could have been forgettable in
the hands of most young actors but the
pressure of stardom and being part of
one of America’s most famous acting
dynasties finally got to her and it
seemed as though she might end up like
so many child stars whose lives hit the
skids fortunately she began rebuilding
in the late 90s and has continued her
reign as a very bankable star
King Kong palm number seven Elizabeth
Taylor I hope you won’t worry too much
about Nessie I’ll take care of that
really I will in citing a bidding war in
the era of movie studio contracts
Elizabeth Taylor had both Universal and
MGM banging down her door due to their
belief that she was a star in the making
I know I ought to be grateful my but I
can’t help it I want it all quickly to
say they were right is an understatement
I am worshipped by millions who believed
it appearing more serious and somehow
older than many of her similarly aged
counterparts Elizabeth’s focus
eventually became one of her most
priceless strengths are you enough him
yes I think so now will you do me a
favor and when long to bed a woman whose
star power was so strong she remained a
highly sought-after celebrity years
after her acting career went mostly
dormant Taylor’s beauty and acting chops
played as a child and as an adult some
men would get their right arm for the
chance last month in reality it works
out that the sacrifices of a somewhat
more private portion of the Anatomy
number six Joseph gordon-levitt if
there’s God after starting his green
career as a tyke gordon-levitt became
one of the stars of the long-running but
underrated sitcom third Rock from the
Sun in a role that allowed him to show
off his stellar comedic timing and
know-how as an old man trapped in a
youthful body I’m in command yeah well
I’m in puberty pal
once that show came to an end he tried
his hand at more dramatic roles and
indie flix you did I didn’t no that’s
great
before shedding his boyish persona
almost entirely and ultimately becoming
a star in big-budget films Cobb can’t
build anymore Kenny I don’t know if he
can’t but he won’t number five Anna
Paquin
one of the youngest performers ever to
win an Academy Award Paquin’s early
years in the film industry were marked
by a playful spirit and an ability to
tackle weighty subjects mother says she
can’t stand to teach piano with a toilet
of tune so I’m to do scales when it came
time to transition to on-screen
adulthood she never missed a beat first
boy I ever kissed ended up in a coma
three weeks with excellent appearances
in respected films like the x-men series
25th hour and almost famous finally
completely coming-of-age for most
audiences thanks to her starring role in
True Blood Anna seems poised to have a
lengthy and celebrated career in years
to come but can I get readin that number
for Mickey Rooney beginning acting at
the ripe old age of six Mickey Rooney
spent the rest of his 93 years on this
planet making appearances in front of
the cameras and though this star may
have passed away his legacy lives on do
you feel all right oh one of the last
living silent film era stars and a
Hollywood heavyweight with one of the
longest careers going
micki proved his skills with acclaimed
roles including a Midsummer Night’s
Dream
at age 15 and an Academy Award nominated
performance at almost 60 in the Black
Stallion
you don’t want him down break you you
know what that means that horse starts
to settle eights they open that gate I
am like that someone just sketched what
Mickey Rooney won awards receipts and
hearts over the course of a multi-decade
career with his humor charm and genuine
talent who’s flying the plane over what
do you mean who’s flying the plane
nobody’s flying the plane number three
Natalie Portman Oh Johnny
Matilda viewers were introduced to miss
Portman when she was barely in her
tweens
but even then her skills made her an
acting heavyweight who was wise beyond
her years and as mature as her co-stars
Gary Oldman and Jean Renault in Leone
the professional I work for you in
exchange you teach me how to clean hmm
what do you think ironically when she
was finally awarded an Oscar for her
work it was for her role as a woman who
in many ways was childlike and repressed
living under the thumb of her mother
sure you don’t want me to come with you
you sweet girl
whatever her age or whichever emotion
she’s evoking natalie portman is a
talented actress of the highest regard
who’s transitioned from child star to
adult star with grace Annie my goodness
you’ve got so view wrong more beautiful
I mean well for a senator I’m number two
Christian Bale
when viewing the intense often angry
performances of Christian Bale’s recent
years it’s difficult to believe he was
once a cute child actor or a singing and
dancing teen but we have the movies to
prove it where did you say you gotta
live at die here
well as he say a guy can’t catch a break
if you can get past his baby face and
instead focus on the gravitas he brought
to his characters at such an early age
his current trajectory makes perfect
sense
let him mean it it was a joke you can
see the kind of passion even then that
could lead an actor to lose and gain
weight for roles even to the detriment
of his health and can catch glimpses of
a thespian who could later lose himself
entirely in his work I mean I guess I’m
a pretty sick guy before we reveal our
top pick here are some honorable
mentions I’m standing here on the
international border between Canada and
the US just over this bridge is my
hometown in Cornwall Ontario good
evening miss Sommers good evening now
I’m gonna say – you look exceptionally
beautiful this evening Thank You Derek
you’re the epitome of grace style and
low-cut sophistication one-eyed Willy
yeah he was the most favorite pirate is
time my dad to know about one’s need to
keep lurk lizards rattlesnakes rattle
six number one Jodie Foster I understand
and it means something Lily a massively
talented and respected actress who first
earned an Academy Award nomination at 15
after a long list of performances and
who took home the trophy twice over the
following 15 years Foster earned her
place in Hollywood most serial killers
keep some sort of trophies from their
victims I didn’t know oh you ate yours
after making her screen debut at the age
of three she’s finally transitioned to
the director’s chair and her peers hold
her in such a steam that she seems to
make whatever project she spearheads a
reality including a film about a man and
his beaver puppet who are you
I’m the beaver water and on here to save
your goddamn life
there are few actors who’ve created as
many well remember characters as MS
foster you spook easily Starling pet sir
do you agree with our list which child
actor do you think became a successful
adult actor for more acting top 10s
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com
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