10 Former TV Child Stars Who Aren't Crackheads

[Brian Damage]

Here's a list of 10 formerly famous tykes who bucked the odds and emerged from childhood TV stardom -- often after long periods in which they took time off or struggled to find work -- and became famous adults in their own right. We couldn't be more proud. If there are other TV child stars who now have Hollywood careers you admire, let us know in the comments section.

Tatyana Ali
Claim to Fame: Ashley Banks on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' (was also 'Sesame Street')
How Old Was She? 11
What She's Up to Now: The 30-year-old has a recurring role on 'The Young and the Restless' as Roxanne; she also headed voter registration drives during the last presidential election and appeared in Will.i.am.'s 'Yes We Can' video.

Jason Bateman
Claim to Fame: James Cooper Ingalls on 'Little House on the Prairie,' Derek Taylor on 'Silver Spoons'
How Old Was He? 12
What He's Up to Now: A decade after his 'Teen Wolf' years, Bateman emerged as the star of the cult hit show 'Arrested Development' and proved a scene-stealer in movies like 'Juno' and 'Hancock.' At the age of 40, he's graduated (back) to leading-man status in Mike Judge's 'Extract.'

Candace Cameron Bure
Claim to Fame: D.J. Tanner on 'Full House'
How Old Was She? 11
What She's Up to Now: After taking time off to raise a family (she's married to Russian hockey player Valeri Bure, brother of famed NHL star Pavel Bure), the 33-year-old came back to play Summer Van Horn on ABC Family's teen-gymnast show 'Make It or Break It.' Her character is dating the dad of gymnast Lauren, whose last name, interestingly enough, is Tanner.

Melissa Gilbert
Claim to Fame: Laura Ingalls on 'Little House on the Prairie'
How Old Was She? 10
What She's Up to Now: She beat Valerie Harper to become president of the Screen Actors Guild in 2001, and served two terms before stepping down in 2005. Her autobiography 'Prairie Tale: A Memoir' was published in June, and she's married to Bruce Boxleitner; their son is named Michael in honor of 'Little House' star Michael Landon. Gilbert is 45.

Sara Gilbert
Claim to Fame: Darlene Conner on 'Roseanne'
How Old Was She? 13
What She's Up to Now: Melissa's adoptive half-sister, now 34, has spent three seasons on 'The Big Bang Theory' as Leslie Winkle, a scientist who's romantically involved with Leonard -- played by Johnny Galecki, who was Darlene's boyfriend (and later husband) on 'Roseanne.'

Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Claim to Fame: Tommy Solomon on 'Third Rock from the Sun'
How Old Was He? 15 (also appeared on the 'Dark Shadows' remake at 10)
What He's Up to Now: After a string of critically acclaimed but underseen indies ('Mysterious Skin,' 'Brick,' 'The Lookout'), Gordon-Levitt finally scored an indie success this summer with the sleeper hit '(500) Days of Summer.' And he's still only 28 years old.

Neil Patrick Harris
Claim to Fame: Doogie Howser on 'Doogie Howser, M.D.'
Age (Then): 16
How Old Was He? He's the legendary Barney Stinson on 'How I Met Your Mother,' and this year will achieve the grand distinction of hosting both the Tonys and the Emmys. 'HIMYM' fans are hoping that Harris, now 36, will host the Emmys and win one, too, as he heads into the show with his second Supporting Actor nomination.

Alyssa Milano
Claim to Fame: 'Who's the Boss?'
How Old Was She? 12
What She's Up to Now: Her TV series 'Romantically Challenged' almost made it onto ABC's fall schedule; it looks to be picked up for midseason. In real life, the 36-year-old may be romantically challenged no more: She recently wed agent David Bugliari, and she extols her love of baseball in her book: 'Safe at Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic.'

Fred Savage
Claim to Fame: Kevin Arnold on 'The Wonder Years'
How Old Was He? 12
What He's Up to Now: Having mostly left acting behind, he's found renewed success at 33 as a TV director, directing episodes of kids' series 'Drake & Josh' and 'Hannah Montana' as well as the very adult series 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.'

Ricky Schroder
Claim to Fame: Ricky Stratton on 'Silver Spoons'
How Old Was He? 12
What He's Up to Now: He's kicked the child-star label at last with lead roles on 'NYPD Blue,' 'Strong Medicine' and '24.' And if you're keeping track at home, after trying on the more adult-sounding "Rick" for a while, Schroder announced in 2007 that he was going back to the name Ricky. It seems at 39 years old, he's got those insecurity issues licked.


http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/09/03/f...nt-crackheads/

[benjamoon]

That's a good list but I think Ron Howard is the epitome of a child TV star who makes good

[comedyfreak]

There are several more that should be included such as:

Bill Mumy-Lost In Space
Butch Patrick-The Munsters
Brandon Cruz-The Courtship Of Eddie's Father
Susan Olsen-Cindy Brady

And many more..................................

[Chocoholic]

I'm sure there are many more who turned out OK. The entertainment news focuses more on the train wrecks.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Chocoholic

I'm sure there are many more who turned out OK. The entertainment news focuses more on the train wrecks.

Exactly.

[MickeyMac]

Jerry Mathers
Paul Petersen
Paul O'Keefe
Erin Murphey
Stanley Livingston
Barry Livingston


Those are child actors that also turned out alright.

[catlover79]

Not only that, Paul Petersen is THE major activist of child stars. Speaking of Jerry Mathers, his on-screen tormentor Ken Osmond (Eddie) even became a police officer!!

[browneyes106]

Great list. A few others who have turned out ok.
Christine Lakin
Raven Symone
Solelil Moon-Frye

[Adamantium]

Brice Beckham (Wesley of "Mr. Belvedere") seems to have turned out okay, too. Heck for that matter all of the Owens kids seem okay. Not much with the post-Belvedere work, but they're not in jail or anything.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Adamantium

Brice Beckham (Wesley of "Mr. Belvedere") seems to have turned out okay, too. Heck for that matter all of the Owens kids seem okay. Not much with the post-Belvedere work, but they're not in jail or anything.

Yes, plus Tracy Wells is a full-time wife/mom, so that's why she pretty much dropped out of the limelight after the show ended.

[70s show watcher]

how about meloria hardin of the office and monk she has worked almost nonstop in movies and tv since 1977 she seemes to be doing great

[Schmoopie]

That is a great list, and it's funny how Ron Howard isn't on there! I agree, he's probably the most successful of all in terms of the entertainment industry. I would also add Tony Dow to this list. Everyone made some great suggestions! I love Jason Bateman and it's really cool how successful he's become!

[Gemini_89]

Keisha Knight Pulliam- The Cosby Show: I never hear anything bad about her, she seems to be doing good and staying out of trouble.

Mario Lopez- Saved By The Bell: Consistently Looks good and healthy. He stays in great shape. He's pretty successful hosting shows like Extra, Randy Jackson's Best Dancing Crew and being runner up on Dancing With The Stars.

Mark Paul Gosselaar- Saved By The Bell: Has 2 children and is happily married to the same woman going on 13 years! I never heard any negative stories surrounding him and his wife/marriage, for what i hear though, he's faithful and so is she! That says a lot in Hollowood! Has a successful show on TNT, Raising The Bar.

[spunkygirl]

I would put Ben Savage on their as well. He turned out good just like his brother Fred

[-STEFFY-]

Ron Howard should be on the list.