7. Anna Chlumsky

Date of Birth: December 3, 1980

Age: 34

This is the girl who stole almost everyone’s heart in ‘My Girl’ in 1991. Born in Illinois, she’s an actress, former stewardess and singer. Afterwards she put her career on hold to go to school at the University of Chicago, and pursued work outside Hollywood. She later returned to the entertainment business, working mostly on independent films.

She has played roles in numerous films, including ‘Blood Car’, ‘Uncle Buck’ (1989) and ‘Wait’ (2005). She later on went to star in different films like ‘Gold Diggers’, ‘Secret of Bear Mountain’ and ‘Trading Mom’ (1994).

In 2007, she announced her engagement to Shaun So, an Army Reserve member, and they married in 2008 in New York. Their daughter, Penelope Joan So, was born in 2013.

Her most recent starring role is in ‘Veep’, a HBO series. She was also a nominee for 2 Emmy Awards for Outstanding-Supporting Actress.

8. Jason Zimbler

Date of Birth: July 27, 1977

Age: 38

Zimbler graduated in 1998 from University of Notre Dame, with degrees in Business Administration and Theatre Directing. He co-starred in ‘Clarissa Explains It All’ as Clarissa’s annoying younger brother and then appeared on ‘The Edge of Night’.

As a young star, he was especially recognisable for the mop of red hair, which is actually long gone now.

Jason later turned to theatre, working both as a producer and director. He also owns a theatre company in Oregon, known as The Re-Theatre Instrument. The theatre has re-imagined numerous classic works such as ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, ‘Faust’ and ‘King Lear’.

He’s currently working as a software designer for HBO.

9. Alyson Stoner

Date of Birth: August 11, 1993

Age: 22

Alyson was born in Ohio to LuAnne Hodges and Charlie Stoner. While growing up, she studied tap dance, jazz dance and ballet at O’Connell’s Dance Studio. In addition, she modelled at the Margaret O’Brien Modelling Studio. Alyson won ‘Best Model of The Year’ at a convention in New York City. She has since won numerous awards in dancing, as well as acting.

As a dancer, American actress, singer and choreographer, Stoner is remarkably famous for roles in ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ and other films. She has featured as a background dancer for artists like Eminem, Outkast, Will Smith and Kumbia Kings.

You may recall her as a child dancer in videos of Missy Elliot:’ Work It’ and ‘Gossip Folks’. In 2014, she released a mash up, featuring her daily routines and dance moves with Missy Elliot. This video impressively racked up over 12 million views on YouTube. Currently, Alyson is still working on her music and continues to be an amazing dancer.

10. Josh Peck

Date of Birth: November 10, 1986

Age: 28

Joshua Michael Peck was best known for playing as Josh Nicholsin Nickelodeon’s live-action sitcom ‘Drake & Josh’. He has acted in various films, including ‘Mean Creek’, ‘The Wackness ATM’, ‘Red Dawn’ and ‘Drillbit Taylor’. He was born in New York and attended The Professional Performing Arts’ School.

While growing up, he had asthma and would stay indoors often watching old sitcoms. This played part in inspiring him to become involved in comedy when he was aged eight. Subsequently, he appeared at the TADA! Youth Theatre, in addition to performing stand-up comedy at Caroline’s Comedy Club.

At a young age of 13, he got an offer for a role on ‘The Amanda Show’ on Nickelodeon. He accepted and consequently moved to Los Angeles, where he further pursued his acting career. He has featured and starred in many films, garnering lots of favourable reviews from ‘Metacritic’ and ‘Rotten Tomatoes’.

In addition, he has won several awards, and has been nominated for others. He won the Independent Spirit Awards (2005), nominated for Kids’ Choice Awards (2008) and won UK Kids’ Choice Awards (2008).

Being a child star isn’t easy. Having huge popularity and success at such an age is very challenging. Most child stars transform once they grow up, looking totally different from who they were sometimes back. There are very many child stars that have lost their fame and some have actually even been forgotten.

The public forgets about such stars, moving on to the next thing. The former young stars then live their lives freely in relative obscurity. However, some child stars will prefer making a comeback, or even resolve to do reality shows, while others are never heard of again. You’ll even pass some on the street; having no idea that person has starred in your favourite show or movie as a kid.