9 Famous Young Actors from Favorite Movies & Series Who Don’t Look the Same Now – Photos

Remember those adorable faces that stole our hearts in our favorite movies and series? Those cherubic smiles, those innocent eyes, those unforgettable performances that made us laugh, cry, and everything in between. Time, as it does, has moved on, and so have those young stars.

Our focus falls on nine child actors who starred in various movies and series. These actors include Justine Bateman, Edward Furlong, Noah Hathaway, Alisan Porter, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jonathan Lipnicki, Leif Garrett, Mara Wilson, and Georgie Henley. They’ve grown up, transformed, and become almost unrecognizable.

Justine Bateman

Born on February 19, 1966, in Rye, New York, Justine Bateman is a woman of many talents. She is an accomplished writer, director, producer, and author. Bateman’s acting career took off when she was just 16. She landed the role of Mallory Keaton in the hit show “Family Ties.”

The beloved show ran from 1982 to 1989. Bateman’s portrayal of the fashion-loving, gossipy teenager earned her a Golden Globe nomination and two Emmy nominations. After “Family Ties,” Bateman continued to build her acting resume. She starred in the 1988 film “Satisfaction” and the 2003 hit comedy show “Arrested Development.”

Despite her success, Bateman, now 58, has faced significant scrutiny over her physical appearance as she aged. In the face of harsh social media comments, Bateman embraced her natural appearance. She spoke out against Hollywood’s anti-aging culture in her 2021 book “Faces: One Square Foot of Skin.”

In it, she discusses the societal pressure women face regarding their physical appearance and argues that the stigma around aging is more harmful than aging itself. Bateman’s experiences with aging and the public’s reaction to her changing appearance have shaped her perspective as an older actress.

Following the release of her book, she discovered a barrage of comments about her looks. After a simple Google search of her name, she stumbled upon derogatory remarks and insults. She was likened to a “sea hag” by one commenter, while another accused her of being a “meth addict.”

Yet another internet user stated, “Justine Bateman looks horrible now.” Bateman admitted that the comments were shocking, but what surprised her more was the intensity with which people expressed their opinions about her. She observed that commenters invested a remarkable amount of energy and bitterness in their remarks.

It intrigued her that people were so agitated about her aging appearance. “I find it fascinating that my face, or anyone’s aging face, could trigger such strong reactions in others. Perhaps because they are overly critical of their own faces,” Bateman stated.

She has gracefully endured the negative comments and refuses to let public opinion dictate her life. She views the changes in her skin as a testament to her life’s joys and pains, seeing her face as an “incredible collection of experience.”

The actress expressed sadness for young women distracted from their life’s purpose by the need to “fix their face.” But Bateman continues to face criticism for choosing to avoid artificial anti-aging methods.

One Facebook user criticized her, “She’s not doing herself any favors with the unstyled hair, ungroomed eyebrows, and harsh eyeliner.” An X user commented, “What happened to Justine Bateman? Growing up I wanted to be her, or a Solid Gold dancer. The future has failed me.” Another stated, “Justine Bateman was so hot at that age, What happened to her?”

Despite backlash for her natural approach to aging, many fans have praised Bateman for her authenticity and courage. A Twitter user posted, “Justine Bateman is absolutely right! Her face represents the wisdom and experience of a time-traveling 87-year-old who has seen the rise and fall of civilizations.”

One fan posted on X, then known as Twitter, “Justine Bateman looks good for 55.” This sentiment was echoed by others, with one Facebook user exclaiming, “I’ve always loved her. Now I love her even more. Keep it real!” Another person shared, “We’re the same age and she looks way better than me. I applaud her and wish more of Hollywood was as graceful and courageous as her!”

The commenter further bolstered Bateman’s spirits, “Accept your age gracefully and wear your scars and wrinkles like beautiful badges of honor.”

Bateman encourages women to embrace their wrinkles as signs of a life well-lived. She is a family woman, sharing two grown children with her husband, Mark Fluent. She put her acting career on hold to focus on her family and admitted to experiencing burnout in the entertainment industry. She chose to care for her family and explore new opportunities.

Edward Furlong

Edward Furlong stumbled into acting unexpectedly when he was 13. The casting director of the 1991 film, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” Mali Finn, discovered him at a Pasadena Boy’s Club. Due to his inexperience, they found him an acting coach.

Furlong delivered a performance that won hearts worldwide and earned him an MTV Movie Award and a Saturn Sci-Fi Award. However, fame came with challenges. He had a chaotic home life marked by custody battles and financial disputes. He struggled with substance abuse and legal issues, which overshadowed his acting career.

In recent years, Furlong has turned a new leaf. In 2022, he announced that he had been sober for over four years and was making a comeback in his film career. He also underwent dental surgery to repair damage caused by past substance abuse. Furlong now views this period as a second chance at life and embraces a healthier lifestyle.

Recently, the 46-year-old opened up about his experiences and the happiness he has found in sobriety. Viewers of the interview expressed their delight in seeing his improved condition. One fan noted, “He’s gradually looking a lot better. You can tell he’s much more ‘with it’ mentally and that’s really great to see.”

Another fan remarked, “Glad to see Edward in a better place with his health,” while another added, “Eddie is looking great. I’m so pleased for him.”

Noah Hathaway

Noah Hathaway has undergone an incredible transformation since first entering the entertainment scene. He started acting at age three in commercials. His film career began in 1978 when he played Boxey on “Battlestar Galactica.” But he is best known for his role as Atreju in the 1984 film “The NeverEnding Story.”

His performance gained many fans who would have expected Hathaway to continue acting. However, two years after “The NeverEnding Story,” he decided to step away from acting. By 2020, he had not only transformed in appearance but also shifted his career focus away from the screen.

Presently, he is a dancer and tattoo artist, frequently showcasing his chiseled physique and tattooed biceps. The teen star wanted to be a regular person, away from the limelight. The 52-year-old also found a new passion as a martial arts instructor. He is a husband and father and keeps his family life private.

Alisan Porter

Alisan Porter is best known for her role as the adorable, curly-haired orphan in the 1991 film “Curly Sue.” Porter portrayed Curly Sue when she was 10. However, her passion wasn’t acting, but singing.

In 2020, at the age of 38, Porter decided to pursue her passion. She became a contestant on season 10 of “The Voice.” After winning the competition, she declared, “I have retired Curly Sue, she is dead! I am now the girl who won ‘The Voice.'”

Porter appreciated her acting career but had always dreamed of being a singer. As the final moments of the highly competitive season approached, Porter became emotional, reflecting on how much she had envisioned that moment.

Now at 42, Porter is not just a successful singer but also a mother of three. Her journey from a child actor to a singing sensation and a loving mother mirrors how much she has changed even in appearance.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Jonathan Taylor Thomas made a name for himself in the 1990s. He was the voice of young Simba in the animated movie, “The Lion King” in 1994. He also portrayed Randy Taylor in the series, “Home Improvement,” from 1991 to 1998. With his blue eyes and brown locks, he became a teen heartthrob with a massive following.

When “Home Improvement” wrapped up, Thomas decided to step away from the limelight. Since then, the teen star has maintained a low profile. Now 42, Thomas was seen in December, out for the first time in two years.

Dressed casually and sporting a scruffy beard, he looked quite different from the young teen idol from the ’90s. The photos sparked strong reactions from internet users. One user commented, “Oh wow… he really let himself go!!”

Another expressed disbelief, saying, “This can’t be true. Wow. Looks like the last decade has been rough on him. Wishing him all the best. Loved his work as a child.”

Some users defended him, noting that features change as a person grows, and that’s what happened to Thomas. They appreciated his decision to step away from the limelight and lead a normal life.

Thomas is notoriously private, and this marked the first time in two years that he has been seen out in public. The last time he was seen before this appearance was two years prior while he was walking his dogs. Before that, it had been eight years since anyone had seen the former actor.

Thomas confirmed that walking away from fame was the right thing to do. He said, “I’d been going nonstop since I was [eight] years old. I wanted to go to school, to travel, and have a bit of a break.” His academic journey took him to prestigious institutions like Harvard, Columbia, and St. Andrew’s University in Scotland. He has not looked back since making that decision.

Jonathan Lipnicki

Jonathan Lipnicki is best remembered for his childhood roles in films like “Jerry Maguire” and “Stuart Little.” He started acting at five and quickly became a household name. His performances earned him awards from the Broadcast Film Critics Association, The Young Artist Awards, and The Young Star Awards.

After basking in the glow of early fame, Lipnicki decided to step away from acting. He wanted to experience life as an ordinary teenager. He attended a public school in his hometown. There, he engaged in typical teenage pursuits and made guest appearances on several popular television shows.

Away from the camera, Lipnicki is a passionate practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. He trains at the blue belt level. Lipnicki frequently shares his pictures on social media platforms. He regularly garners admiration and compliments from his followers, such as “You look incredible,” and “Looking hot! Very cool, Jonathan.”

Last December, the 33-year-old Lipnicki featured on the “Brotherly Love Podcast” for an interview. He has let his hair grow long and has moved away from Los Angeles.

One of the interviewers, Andrew Lawrence, later shared a post discussing their conversation. He elaborated that the former child star talked about people being unable to recognize him anymore. The post ignited a wave of reactions from people on social media.

Some expressed surprise, while others commended his good looks. Speaking about both Lawrence and Lipnicki, one individual enthusiastically expressed, “Both of you are handsome now, that’s the fact.” Another admirer remarked, “You both were adorable little kids and grew into handsome men!”

Lipnicki reflected on his life and career in Hollywood. He affirmed that he wouldn’t change a thing. He also revealed that he planned on cutting his long hair.

Leif Garret

Leif Garrett first stepped into the acting scene at five. The actor debuted with the 1966 film “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice” in 1966. Over the years, he featured in over 60 hit television shows. Garrett also made his mark in the music industry, becoming a multi-gold and platinum recording artist.

His best-known song, “I Was Made For Dancing,” is still remembered by many. In 1977, he rose to fame as one of the most adored teen idols of all time. His posters graced the bedroom walls of teenage girls who idolized him in the 1970s and 1980s.

Recently, Garrett reshared a photo taken in 2015, and fans were amazed by how well he has aged. Reactions varied from “absolutely gorgeous” to “Still got it!!!.” His appearance was lauded, with comments such as “awesome,” and “still handsome as ever.” One fan even exclaimed, “You’re amazing. Don’t forget it. Baby…you still look great!”

Now in his sixties, Garrett sports a head of gray hair and a beard. His blue eyes remain as striking as ever.

Mara Wilson

Mara Wilson charmed audiences worldwide as a child actress in films like “Miracle on 34th Street” and “Matilda.” She made her acting debut at a young age, with her role in 1993’s “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Her natural talent and maturity quickly made her a beloved figure in the film industry.

Her major breakthrough was in the 1994 remake of “Miracle on 34th Street,” where she portrayed a smart, cynical girl who discovered the magic of Santa Claus. However, her role in the 1996 film “Matilda” catapulted her to stardom at nine.

Despite losing her mother to breast cancer during filming, she courageously continued with the film, earning the respect of her adult co-stars. Wilson continued to act in films for the next three years, with her last film being 2000’s “Thomas and the Magic Railroad.”

She ended her film career to focus on school and enjoy her teenage years. Now at 36, Wilson has blossomed into a beautiful young woman. A year ago, she posted a photo of herself on Instagram while attending ComicCon. Fans thought she looked “incredible” in the picture.

While she attends events like ComicCon, she has distanced herself from acting. There was no defining moment when she realized her acting career was over. Instead, she shifted her focus to writing. She began crafting dialogues and performing pieces, evolving into a one-woman show.

Today, she feels content with her life because she has more control than when she was a child actor. Wilson can now tell stories in her own voice. In August 2023, she revealed that she is a cat mom.

Georgie Henley

Georgie Henley made her mark in the film industry at a young age. She was chosen among thousands of girls to play “Lucy Pevensie” in the first film of “The Chronicles of Narnia” franchise. The 2005 film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” marked her movie debut.

She reprised her role in the subsequent films, “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” (2008) and “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” (2010). After her early success in film, Henley decided to focus on her education

She attended Bradford Grammar School in 2012 before enrolling at Cambridge University in 2013 to study English. Amid her academic pursuits, Henley has maintained a presence in the film industry. In addition to acting, Henley has also explored her writing talent.

She often shares her poems on social media. In 2021, Hazel Press Publisher included her poem, “Hero Lover,” in their anthology. Now, more than 18 years since her film debut, Henley has grown and evolved significantly.

She frequently shares photos of herself on Instagram, where she has over 380,000 followers. Her transformation from the 10-year-old who first graced the screen in 2005 to the woman she is today has garnered compliments and praise from her followers.

Comments on a photo she posted on October 13, 2023, ranged from “Lucy has grown up” to “The most beautiful,” and “Any excuse to see your face is fine with me.” Georgie Henley’s journey from a child actress to a 28-year-old woman focusing on her education, writing, and advocacy showcases her transformation over the years.

The lives of these actors, once young stars in our favorite films and series, reflect the natural progression we all experience. They’ve matured and taken different paths, some stepping away from the spotlight to pursue other interests. Their stories highlight life’s unpredictability and the opportunities it presents for learning and growth.

Embracing their individuality, these actors have faced challenges and used their experiences for various causes. Their diverse journeys from acting to other pursuits illustrate that life offers many paths. Their ability to adapt and grow is a testament to human resilience.

As we remember their performances, we appreciate the impact they’ve made. They have evolved from the children we knew into individuals who continue to inspire. We look forward to seeing how they will continue to shape their stories and inspire others in the future.