Ever wonder what happened to those kid stars you used to watch as a kid? For every star who remained in Hollywood, there are many more who figured the spotlight wasn’t for them. Some landed in brand-new fields, pursuing interests that had nothing to do with red carpets or cameras. From space technology to zookeeping, these former child stars went down some pretty surprising career roads. Let’s count down ten of the most surprising jobs they’re doing today.
10. Andrea Barber – From Sitcom Celebrity to Teacher
Playing Full House’s quirky neighbor Kimmy Gibbler, Andrea Barber was always the one making things go haywire. But when the show ended, Barber didn’t go on a hunt for more work. She returned to school, completed several degrees, notably a master’s at a UK university, and established a career in teaching. In retrospect, she has said she never second-guessed leaving, because for her, Full House had already been the high point.
9. Clayton Snyder – From Teen Heartthrob to Real Estate Agent
Disney Channel stars will recall him as Ethan Craft, the endearingly dim but teenaged heartthrob of Lizzie McGuire. Nowadays, Clayton Snyder sells houses rather than hearts; he’s a licensed real estate professional in California. Yes, clients still recognize him from time to time, but Snyder would rather be recognized for his real-world experience than for his past television exploits.
8. Bridgit Mendler – From Disney Darling to Space Startup CEO
Most of us recall Bridgit Mendler from Good Luck Charlie or her short stint at pop music stardom. Rather than pursuing another album, though, she made a drastic career pivot into academics and tech. With an MIT master’s and a law degree underway, Mendler co-founded Northwood Space, which is developing infrastructure to link Earth to satellites. That’s correct—she transitioned from sitcom fame to space entrepreneurship.
7. Charlie Korsmo – From Kid Actor to Law Scholar
He was Peter’s son in Hook and appeared in a couple of early ’90s movies, but Charlie Korsmo traded in Hollywood for books. After obtaining a degree in physics from MIT and a law degree from Yale, he is now an accomplished professor at Case Western Reserve University. Not a bad second career for an ex-Lost Boy.
6. Jennifer Stone – From Wizards’ Sidekick to Frontline Nurse
Playing Harper on Wizards of Waverly Place, she was Selena Gomez’s offbeat best friend. In real life, Jennifer Stone took a decidedly different path. She is a registered nurse who was working in the ER at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stone still taps into her Disney background with a Wizards rewatch podcast, but her primary job is saving lives.
5. Kay Panabaker – Disney Darling Turned Zookeeper
Kay Panabaker used to appear in Disney Channel shows such as Phil of the Future and made an appearance in Summerland. But after experiencing Hollywood’s cruel standards of beauty, she retired from acting and pursued her passion for animals. She is now a zookeeper at Walt Disney World, working with everything from elephants to parrots.
4. Jeff Cohen – From Chunk to Legal Eagle
Everybody recalls “Chunk” in The Goonies. What they might not realize is that Jeff Cohen used his childhood stardom as a totally different career as an entertainment attorney. He’s now a partner with a Beverly Hills law firm and even assisted in brokering contracts for his former friend and co-star Ke Huy Quan during his Oscar-winning streak.
3. Peter Ostrum – Chocolate Factory to Vet Medicine
Peter Ostrum’s only role was as Charlie in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Instead of pursuing more films, he decided animals were his true calling. Ostrum spent nearly four decades as a veterinarian in upstate New York before retiring. Talk about a golden ticket to a fulfilling career.
2. Mara Wilson – From Matilda to Writer and Advocate
Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire’s face grew up and found she did not want to deal with the stresses of child stardom anymore. Mara Wilson transformed into a writer, playwright, and mental illness advocate. She’s spoken publicly about her difficulties with fame, loss, and anxiety, using her platform to assist others instead of acting.
1. Ross Bagley – From Sitcom Kid to Realtor/DJ
Ross Bagley stole scenes as little Nicky Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Buckwheat in The Little Rascals. But instead of sticking with Hollywood, he built a new life as both a real estate agent and a DJ. These days, you’re more likely to find him showing homes or spinning tracks than running from fans in the mall.
Who would have expected the path from child fame to lead into classrooms, courtrooms, and even space? These stars might have left show business behind, but they’ve shown that sometimes the best script is the one you write for yourself.