A great kid in a film can be magic. They grab hearts and make marks that last past the end film. Through the years, the Oscars have sometimes picked young stars over old ones. These are the young and top child stars with Oscars that made film history.
12. Ivan Jandl: A Rare Win from Far
In 1948, Ivan Jandl, age 12, won for his role in The Search. He was from Czechoslovakia and couldn’t come to Hollywood. So, the Oscar was sent to him in Prague. It was a big deal for a young star from abroad then and it still stands out now.
11. Bobby Driscoll: Disney’s Way In
In 1949, Bobby Driscoll won over hearts and the Oscars with So Dear to My Heart. He later was the voice of Peter Pan. At 13, he won the juvenile Oscar. He said he was so thrilled. This was a high time for Disney kids.
10. Hayley Mills: The Last Child Oscar
At 14, Hayley Mills won the Juvenile Oscar in 1960 for Pollyanna. It was the last time they gave out that award. Her charm got her fans fast. She got a BAFTA and a Golden Globe too. Later, her Oscar was stolen, but she got a big one in its place.
9. Justin Henry: Young and Top Pick
At eight, in 1980, Justin Henry was picked for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Kramer vs. Kramer. He won hearts and the film won Best Picture. He didn’t win, but he’s still the youngest to get picked in that group.
8. Quvenzhané Wallis: A Big Shock in Race
In 2013, nine-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis stunned us in Beasts of the Southern Wild. She was the youngest in her race. Her strong act showed that even the small can shine big.
7. Anna Paquin: Shook All at 11
Anna Paquin was just 11 in 1993 when she got an Oscar for The Piano. Her act and speech left a big mark. She showed great acting for all ages.
6. Tatum O’Neal: Youngest Winner Ever
In 1974, at 10, Tatum O’Neal won for Paper Moon with her dad, Ryan O’Neal. Her sharp act made her the youngest to win. It was more than cute; it showed might.
5. Margaret O’Brien: Small Yet Big
In 1944, at seven, Margaret O’Brien won for Meet Me in St. Louis and The Canterville Ghost. Her Oscar was dubbed the “Oscarette”. Later, it was stolen and found over forty years later.
4. Mickey Rooney and Deanna Durbin: They Both Win
In 1938, both 18-year-old Mickey Rooney and 17-year-old Deanna Durbin got Oscars. They had big parts in films that young folks could love. Durbin soon was a top star, but left Hollywood by 27.
3. Judy Garland: A Voice and Win
Judy Garland as Dorothy was big. Her song, “Over the Rainbow” is still a hit. In 1939, she got the Juvenile Oscar. It was her only win in a big career. Her star never dimmed.
2. Jackie Cooper: First Kid With Big Folks
In 1931, nine-year-old Jackie Cooper got picked for Best Actor for Skippy. Though he didn’t win, it was a big deal. Young stars had a place with big stars. That led to the Juvenile Oscar.
1. Shirley Temple: The Kid Star Icon
No list is full without Shirley Temple. At six, she was a hit in America. In 1934, she got the first Juvenile Oscar for Bright Eyes and Little Miss Marker. Her curls and charm set the gold standard for kid stars. That Oscar started a tradition.
These young stars did more than get trophies. They showed how we see skill, acts, and kids on screen. Their acts are ageless, showing us that big acts can come from the young, too.