Jonathan Stevens Jackson (born May 11, 1982) is an American actor, musician (see Enation) and author. His first well known character was Lucky Spencer on the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital, a role that has won him five Emmy Awards. In 2002, he played Jesse Tuck in the film Tuck Everlasting. In 2004 he started the band Enation with his brother, actor and drummer Richard Lee Jackson and friend Daniel Sweatt. From 2012–2018, he portrayed Avery Barkley in the ABC/CMT musical drama series, Nashville.
Contents
1 Early life
2 Career
2.1 Acting
2.2 Music
2.3 Books
3 Personal life
3.1 Family
3.2 Religion
4 Filmography
4.1 Film
4.2 Television
5 Soundtrack appearances
6 Awards and nominations
7 References
8 External links
Early life
Jackson was born in Orlando, Florida, the son of Jeanine (née Sharp), an amateur ventriloquist and businesswoman,[2][3] and Dr. Rick "Ricky Lee" Jackson, a family physician,[4] country musician and Congressional candidate in the state of Washington.[5][6] Jackson was raised in Battle Ground, Washington with his brother Richard Lee Jackson, now an actor and musician, and his sister Candice Jackson, now a lawyer, author, and official in the Trump administration.[5] Jonathan attended Meadow Glade Elementary school.[2]
In 1991, Jackson's family took a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood, where both Richard and Jonathan decided to pursue acting.[2] The brothers took acting lessons in nearby Portland, Oregon,[4] before moving part-time to Burbank, California with their mother in 1993.[2] After doing various commercials, within six months[4] Jackson won a role on the ABC Daytime soap opera, General Hospital. Jackson continued his studies while working, graduating high school at age sixteen.[7]
Career
Acting
Jackson's first notable role was Lucky Spencer on General Hospital, a role he first played from 1993 to 1999. Jackson won numerous awards for his work as Lucky. He was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series six times, winning first in 1995,[8] and again in 1998 and 1999,[9] making him the record holder for both nominations and wins for the Younger Actor category. He also won Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1995[10] and 1999.[11] He was nominated for Young Artist Awards in 1996,[12] 1997[13] and 1999.[14] He won The Hollywood Reporter's YoungStar Award in 1995,[15] 1997,[16] 1998 and 1999[17] and was nominated in 2000. Jackson also became a popular "teen heartthrob" among fans,[18][19] featured on fan magazines[20] such as Tiger Beat and garnering many fan clubs[21] and internet fansites.[7] In 1999, he was named one of People magazine's 50 most beautiful people.[18]
While working at General Hospital, Jackson starred in his first feature film Camp Nowhere, as Morris "Mud" Himmel in 1994.[22] Also during this time he starred in made-for-television films Prisoner of Zenda, Inc.[23] and The Legend of the Ruby Silver,[24] and made a guest appearance during Season 5 of the ABC sitcom Boy Meets World. In 1999, Jackson filmed The Deep End of the Ocean shortly before leaving General Hospital, starring opposite Michelle Pfeiffer.[7] Deep End director Ulu Grosbard spoke of Jackson as "an enormously gifted actor. He brought a weight and a presence and chemistry with Michelle from the beginning. He's only 15 years old and he is a very serious actor who has both concentration and humor."[25] Pfeiffer added, "When Jonathan and I read together, it was like he was my own son. And we just went at each other in only this way that a mother and son could do. His reading was exhilarating."[25] Jackson was nominated for YoungStar Awards in 1997 for Prisoner of Zenda, Inc. and 1999 for The Deep End of the Ocean.[26]
In December 1999, Newsweek magazine reported Jackson was likely to be taking on the role of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. However, he was soon dropped from the running, and publications speculated the prior publicity had hurt his chances due to creator George Lucas' preference for privacy.[27] Jackson continued his film career in 2000 with the independent film True Rights[28] and the ABC television movie Trapped in a Purple Haze.[23] Jackson also wrote and directed a short film with his brother Richard entitled Crystal Clear, which won Best Dramatic Short Film and the Coen Brothers Award for Duo-Filmmaking at the Brooklyn Film Festival.[29] In 2002, Jackson played one of his most well-known film roles as Jesse Tuck in Tuck Everlasting, which he filmed simultaneously to Insomnia. In 2004, Jackson filmed Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, and Riding the Bullet. From 2008 through 2009, he had a recurring role as Kyle Reese in the hit Fox TV show Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, playing the father of John Connor before the show was cancelled.
On September 29, 2009, it was announced that Jackson would return to General Hospital on October 27 to reprise the role of Lucky Spencer.[30] In 2011, Jackson won his fourth Daytime Emmy and first Outstanding Supporting Actor Award.[31] On November 7, 2011, it was announced that Jackson had decided to leave General Hospital[32] and his final airdate was on December 23, 2011. His character is not planned to be recast or killed off, leaving the door open for Jackson to return with the show in the future.[33] In 2012, Jackson won his fifth Daytime Emmy and second consecutive win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.[31][34]
In 2012, he got the role of singer-songwriter Avery Barkley in the ABC drama Nashville.[35] Along with the rest of the cast, Jonathan sang and performed guitar himself on the series.[5]
Music
Jackson performing with Enation in 2013
As a child, Jackson took guitar lessons and taught himself to play the piano.[4] Growing up he had an evolving band with various family members. In 2000, the band included his brother, uncle and father and was named "Scarlet Road".[23] By 2002, Jonathan and his brother Richard had named their group "Jono and the Rock".[36]
The ensemble morphed into Enation, where Jackson is the frontman, playing guitar, vocals and writing most the songs.[4] Other band members include Jonathan's brother Richard (drums), and their friend Jonathan Thatcher (bass, previously of Delirious?)[2]
The band has released several albums and their song "Feel This" became a Top 10 hit on the iTunes national Rock Charts after it was featured on the CW television drama series One Tree Hill.[2] Enation's songs have also been featured on Riding the Bullet,[4] and General Hospital.[37]
As well as performing as singer, guitarist & piano Jackson also wrote the song "The Morning of the Rain" featured on episode 7 and 19 of the first season of Nashville. Enation have also landed on the Billboard Top 10 (Live From Nashville DVD, #9) and have garnered numerous radio and TV appearances including live performances on The View and VH1's Big Morning Buzz Live.
Books
In the spring of 2012, Jackson released a book of poetry under the pen name J. S. Jackson,[38] titled Book of Solace and Madness.[5] In June 2012, he discussed his yet-to-be-released book entitled Acting in the Spirit, which would discuss the connection between his Eastern Orthodox faith and his acting career.[39] In November 2014, Jackson released The Mystery of Art: Becoming an Artist in the Image of God.[40]
Personal life
Family
At age 20, Jackson married former General Hospital actress Lisa Vultaggio on June 21, 2002. Jackson told the Chicago Sun-Times, "Some people thought we were a little young to get married. But we didn't see the need to wait. When it's right, it's right."[36] The couple moved to Jackson's hometown of Battle Ground, Washington to raise their family.[2] They have three children: Caleb (born June 21, 2003), Adora (born in the summer of 2005), and Titus Gabriel (born October 7, 2010).[41]
Religion
I've never presented Jesus in a car salesman sort of way. I don't believe in that for me. I don't want to turn anyone away because they're feeling pressured. The most positive influence I've had is people seeing the kind of life I'm living and the way I treat people. If people ask where that comes from, I'll say it comes from Jesus. And I'm definitely not ashamed of that.
— Jackson on his faith, in 1998.[42]
The son of Seventh-day Adventist parents,[39] Jackson was raised as a non-denominational Christian,[43] and has always been vocal about his faith.[44] As part of his belief system, as a teen Jackson chose not to drink or do drugs.[23] Jackson was also a proponent of abstinence from premarital sex.[36][42] Jackson also often thanked God during his award acceptance speeches.[42] While Jackson was working on General Hospital, he and his family held a home church in Burbank which various cast members attended, including Jackson's future wife Lisa Vultaggio.[39] Jackson explained how his beliefs affected his choice of acting roles in an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 1999, "I won't get involved with a movie that's a direct slap in the face of God. [...] I'm an actor, so I have to play people who believe differently than me. I would be willing to play a character that was completely unbelieving and anti-God, just as long as that wasn't the message of the whole movie."[18] In 2002, Jackson participated in the DKNY-sponsored "What's Your Anti-Drug?" campaign, posing for the 2003 calendar featured in Cosmogirl magazine,[45] stating his anti-drug was faith.[46]
In 2012, Jackson and his family were baptized into the Orthodox Church.[47] Jackson cited a trip to Romania and Rome that first brought his attention to learning about the history of Christianity.[39][43][48] In his acceptance speech for his 2012 Daytime Emmy Award, he thanked the Holy Trinity as well as the monks on Orthodox monastic enclave Mount Athos. Jackson later explained in an interview, "These people (are) dedicating their lives to prayer, and not just praying for themselves, but truly praying for all of us. And then the thought kind of crossed my mind: with all the destruction, chaos and insanity that goes on in this world, if their prayers weren't happening, what would this world be like? I felt, personally, like I just wanted to thank them because I really believe that their prayers mean a lot."[43]
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1994 Camp Nowhere Morris "Mud" Himmel Feature film debut
1996 Prisoner of Zenda, Inc. Rudy Gatewick/Oliver Gillis Showtime television movie
The Legend of the Ruby Silver Matt Rainie ABC television movie
1999 The Deep End of the Ocean Vincent Cappadora - Age 16
2000 True Rights Charlie Vick Independent film
Crystal Clear Eddie Short film also written and directed by Jackson
Trapped in a Purple Haze Max Hanson ABC television movie
2001 Skeletons in the Closet Seth Reed
On the Edge Toby
2002 Insomnia Randy Stetz
Tuck Everlasting Jesse Tuck
2004 Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights James Phelps
Riding the Bullet Alan Parker
2005 Venom Eric
2006 A Little Thing Called Murder Kenny Kimes TV movie
2010 Kalamity Stanley Keller
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1993-99
2009-11
2015 General Hospital Lucky Spencer
1998 Boy Meets World Ricky Ferris Episode: Starry Night
Episode: Honesty Night
2001 Night Visions Devin Episode: If a Tree Falls
2003 The Twilight Zone Martin Sunrise
2008 One Tree Hill Himself Cameo with Enation
2008–09 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Kyle Reese 4 episodes
2012–18 Nashville Avery Barkley Main cast; 121 episodes
2017 NashChat Himself Guest host; week 4
Soundtrack appearances
The Music of Nashville: Season 1, Volume 1 (2012)
Contributed 1 track: "Twist Of Barbwire"
The Music of Nashville: Season 1, Volume 2 (2013)
Contributed 2 tracks: "Let There Be Lonely" and "Keep Asking Why"
The Music of Nashville: Season 2, Volume 1 (2013)
Contributed 2 tracks: "You Learn How To Live Alone" and "Be My Girl" with Sam Palladio
The Music of Nashville: Season 2, Volume 2 (2014)
Contributed 3 tracks: "Hennessee" with Sam Palladio and Chaley Rose, "Everything I'll Ever Need" with Hayden Panettiere and "I Ain't Leavin' Without Your Love" with Sam Palladio and Chaley Rose
Christmas with Nashville (2014)
Contributed 2 tracks: "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and Celebrate Me Home with the Nashville cast
The Music of Nashville: Season 3, Volume 1 (2014)
Contributed 1 track: "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" with Sam Palladio and Chaley Rose
The Music of Nashville: Season 3, Volume 2 (2015)
Contributed 6 tracks: "Borrow My Heart" with Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen, "This Is What I Need To Say", "Hold You In My Arms" with Hayden Panettiere, "My Song" with Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen, "Novocaine" with Laura Benanti and "One By One" with Hayden Panettiere
The Music of Nashville: Season 4, Volume 1 (2015)
Contributed 2 tracks: "History of My Heart" and "Sleep Tonight (A Lullaby)" with Chris Carmack
The Music of Nashville: Season 4, Volume 2 (2016)
Contributed 2 tracks: "History of My Heart" and "Sleep Tonight (A Lullaby)" with Chris Carmack
The Music of Nashville: Season 5, Volume 1 (2017)
Contributed 2 tracks: "Won't Back Down" and "On My Way" background vocals with Hayden Panettiere
The Music of Nashville: Season 5, Volume 2 (2017)
Contributed 2 tracks: "Eye of the Storm" and "You're Mine" with Hayden Panettiere, Connie Britton, Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella
The Music of Nashville: Season 5, Volume 3 (2017)
Contributed 2 tracks: "Rose and Thorn" and "Nobody Cares About Your Dreams"
The Music of Nashville: Season 6, Volume 1 (2018)
Contributed 2 tracks: "Hold On (Not Leaving You Behind)" with Sam Palladio, Rainee Blake, and Chris Carmack and "Love is Loud" with Sam Palladio, Rainee Blake, and Chris Carmack
The Music of Nashville: Season 6, Volume 2 (2018)
Contributed 3 tracks: "The Giver", "Go" with Sam Palladio, Rainee Blake, and Chris Carmack, and "A Life That's Good" with Hayden Panettiere, Connie Britton, Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella, and Ronny Cox
Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result
1995 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series General Hospital Won
Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Child Actor Won
YoungStar Award Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Daytime TV Program Won
1996 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series General Hospital Nominated
Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Daytime Drama – Young Actor Nominated
1997 YoungStar Award Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Made For TV Movie Prisoner of Zenda, Inc. Nominated
Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Daytime TV Program General Hospital Won
Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Daytime Drama – Young Actor Nominated
1998 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series General Hospital Won
YoungStar Award Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Daytime TV Program Won
1999 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series General Hospital Won
Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Younger Lead Actor Won
Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Daytime Serial Nominated
YoungStar Awards Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Daytime TV Program Won
Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Drama Film The Deep End of the Ocean Nominated
2000 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series General Hospital Nominated
YoungStar Award Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Daytime TV Program Nominated
Young Hollywood Award Breakthrough Performance – Male The Deep End of the Ocean Won
Brooklyn Film Festival Festival Award: Best Narrative Short – Drama (with Richard Lee Jackson) Crystal Clear Won
Festival Award: Coen Brothers Award For Duo Filmmakers (with Richard Lee Jackson) Won
2005 Saturn Award Best Performance by a Younger Actor Riding the Bullet Nominated
2010 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series General Hospital Nominated
2011 Won
2012 Won
2016 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Nashville Nominated
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in motion pictures or television, but also to an adult who began their acting career as a child. To avoid confusion, the latter is also called a former child actor. Closely associated is teenage actor or teen actor, an actor who reached popularity as a teenager.
Many child actors find themselves struggling to adapt as they become adults, mainly due to typecasting. Lindsay Lohan and Macaulay Culkin are two particular famous child actors who eventually experienced much difficulty with the fame they acquired at a young age. Many child actors also become successful adult actors as well, a prime example of this being Jodie Foster, who was 12 years old in the film Taxi Driver in 1976 and went on to become an adult star with variety of films including The Silence of the Lambs (1991).
Contents
1 Regulation
1.1 California
1.2 United Kingdom
2 Issues
2.1 Ownership of earnings
2.2 Competitive pressure
3 Post-success troubles
4 Post-childhood success
4.1 Other careers
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
Regulation
In the United States, the activities of child actors are regulated by the governing labor union, if any, and state laws. Some projects film in remote locations specifically to evade regulations intended to protect the child. Longer work hours or risky stunts prohibited by California, for example, might be permitted to a project filming in British Columbia. US federal law "specifically exempted minors working in the Entertainment Business from all provisions of the Child Labor Laws." Any regulation of child actors is governed by disparate state laws.
California
Due to the large presence of the entertainment industry in California, it has some of the most explicit laws protecting child actors. Being a minor, a child actor must secure an entertainment work permit before accepting any paid performing work. Compulsory education laws mandate that the education of the child actor not be disrupted while the child is working, whether the child actor is enrolled in public school, private school or even home school. The child does his/her schoolwork under the supervision of a studio teacher while on the set.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, a child actor is defined as someone under school leaving age.[1] Before a child can work, they require a performance license from their Local Education Authority as well as a licensed chaperone; a parent can only chaperone their own child, unless they are a licensed chaperone, and a chaperone's duties include acting in loco parentis and record arrival and departure time from the work place, the time a child is working, their breaks and the amount of tutoring.[1][2] A child requires three hours minimum of tutoring daily and a lesson must be a minimum of 30 minutes to count towards the total and with regards to 16 and 17-year-olds in further education, considerations are made in regards to their studies.[3]
There are regulations and guidance to safeguard all actors under the age of 18; OFCOM guidance states a child's health and safety, wellbeing and welfare is paramount in television production and factors such as their age, maturity and life experiences can affect their performance.[4] OFCOM also advises that broadcasters undertake risk assesmsents, consider seeking expert advice and follow best practise.[4]
Issues
Ownership of earnings
Before the 1930s, many child actors never got to see the money they earned because they were not in charge of this money. Jackie Coogan earned millions of dollars from working as a child actor only to see most of it squandered by his parents. In 1939, California weighed in on this controversy and enacted the Coogan Bill which requires a portion of the earnings of a child to be preserved in a special savings account called a blocked trust.[5] A trust that is not actively monitored can also be problematic however as in the case of Gary Coleman who after working from 1974, later sued his adoptive parents and former business advisor for $3.8 million over misappropriation of his trust fund.[6][7]
Competitive pressure
Some people[who?] also criticize the parents of child actors for allowing their children to work, believing that more "normal" activities should be the staple during the childhood years. Others[who?] observe that competition is present in all areas of a child's life—from sports to student newspaper to orchestra and band—and believe that the work ethic instilled or the talent developed accrues to the child's benefit.[citation needed]
The child actor may experience unique and negative pressures when working under tight production schedules. Large projects which depend for their success on the ability of the child to deliver an effective performance add to the pressure.[citation needed]
Ethel Merman, who several times worked in long-running stage productions with child actors, disliked what she eventually saw as their overprofessionalization - "acting more like midgets than children" - and disapproved of parents pushing adulthood on them.[8]
Post-success troubles
The failure to retain stardom and success and the exposure at a young age to fame has caused many child actors to lead adult lives plagued by legal troubles, bankruptcy and drug abuse.
One such case was Bridgette Andersen, the star of film Savannah Smiles, who had a long history of drug abuse, before dying of a overdose .
Examples include child cast members of the American sitcom Diff'rent Strokes Gary Coleman, Dana Plato and Todd Bridges. Coleman famously sued his parents for misuse of his trust fund and, although awarded over $1,000,000, filed for bankruptcy in 1999. After many charges of assault throughout the next years, Coleman died in May 2010. Plato had went on to pose for Playboy magazine and was featured in several softcore pornography films. She was arrested twice for armed robbery and forging prescriptions, and died in May 1999 from an overdose of prescription medication, deemed as a suicide. Bridges was plagued with many legal troubles as well as an addiction to cocaine. After breaking this habit, he became an anti-drug activist and traveled across the U.S., touring schools and warning about the dangers of drug abuse. He has since made several cameo appearances on multiple television programs.
The popular television sitcom Full House made child stars out of Jodie Sweetin and the Olsen twins. After the show, Sweetin went on to develop an addiction to methamphetamine, as well as alcoholism. She later overcame this and wrote a memoir describing her experiences. Mary-Kate Olsen, as well as Tracey Gold from the serial Growing Pains, both developed eating disorders, for which they were treated with intensive rehab. Anissa Jones, best known for appearing in the sitcom Family Affair, overdosed on August 28, 1976 at age 18.
Jonathan Brandis, who appeared in a number of films as a child and teenager, committed suicide by hanging in November 2003 at the age of 27 due to reasons possibly related to his lack of continued success into adulthood. Likewise, Sawyer Sweeten, a child actor who portrayed Geoffrey Barone on the American sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, took his life in April 2015 at the age of 19, after a period of depression.
Drew Barrymore was notorious for her illegal and public antics beginning shortly after her first role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Barrymore admits to smoking cigarettes at age nine, drinking alcohol by the time she was 11, smoking marijuana at the age of 12, and snorting cocaine at the age of 13. At the age of 14, she attempted suicide.
Another popular example today of child actors with post-success troubles would be Lindsay Lohan. Famous for her starring roles in The Parent Trap (1998), Freaky Friday (2003), Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004), Mean Girls (2004), Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005), Just My Luck (2006) and Georgia Rule (2007), Lohan has since run into much trouble with the law. In May 2007, Lohan was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI.) Lohan entered the Promises Treatment Center rehabilitation facility where she stayed for 45 days. In July of that year, less than two weeks out of rehab, Lohan was arrested a second time on charges of possession of cocaine, driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license. In August, Lohan pleaded guilty to misdemeanor cocaine use and driving under the influence and was sentenced to an alcohol education program, community service, one day in jail, and was given three years probation. The same month Lohan entered the Cirque Lodge Treatment Center in Sundance, Utah for a third stint at rehabilitation, staying for three months until her discharge in October. In November, Lohan served 84 minutes in jail. A sheriff spokesman cited overcrowding and the nonviolent nature of the crime as reasons for the reduced sentence.
In 1990, actor and writer Paul Petersen founded a support group for child actors, "A Minor Consideration", following the suicide of another former child star, Rusty Hamer. The group seeks to improve working conditions for child actors and to assist in the transition to adult life, whether in acting or other professions.[9]
Post-childhood success
Ambox question.svg
This section possibly contains synthesis of material which does not verifiably mention or relate to the main topic. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. (May 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Jodie Foster in 1974
There are many instances of troubled adult lives due to the stressful environment to which child actors are subjected. It is common to see a child actor grow up in front of the camera, whether in films, television shows or both. However, it is not uncommon to see child actors continue their careers throughout as actors or in a different professional field.
Jodie Foster started acting at age three, becoming the quintessential child actor during the 1970s with roles in films such as Tom Sawyer (1973) Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974), Taxi Driver (1976), Bugsy Malone (1976), The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976), and Freaky Friday (1976). A child prodigy, Foster received her first Academy Award nomination at age 13, and later took a sabbatical from films to attend Yale University. She made a successful transition to adult roles, winning two Academy Awards for Best Actress before the age of 30, and starring in several successful and acclaimed films such as The Accused (1988), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Nell (1994), Maverick (1994), Contact (1997), and The Brave One (2007), thus establishing herself as one of the most accomplished and sought-after actresses of her generation. She has also ventured into directing, and her directing credits include films such as Little Man Tate (1991) and Money Monster (2016) and television shows such as House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black and Black Mirror.
Now adults, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, the three leads of the acclaimed Harry Potter film series (2001–11), starred in all the installments in the series, and have since continued to act in film, television, and theater in their early thirties.
Dakota Fanning rose to prominence after her breakthrough performance at age seven in the film I Am Sam (2001). Her performance earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination at age eight in 2002, making her the youngest nominee in SAG history. She later appeared in major Hollywood productions, in such acclaimed blockbuster films as Man on Fire (2004), War of the Worlds (2005), Charlotte's Web (2006), Hounddog (2007), The Secret Life of Bees (2008), Coraline (2009), The Twilight Saga film series (2009–12), The Runaways (2010), and The Motel Life (2012). Fanning's younger sister, Elle Fanning also rose to prominence as a child actress, having appeared in many films since before she turned three.
Miranda Cosgrove, known mainly for her role on Drake & Josh as a child, gained more attention for her role as a teenager in the show iCarly. Since the end of the show she has been featured in other roles, including as the voice of Margo in the Despicable Me franchise. Once she was of age, she decided to pursue a college degree in film at the University of Southern California.[10]
Shirley Temple became a public figure and diplomat, beginning in the 1960s. Some of her duties included representing the United Nations, and becoming a U.S. ambassador in countries such as Ghana and Czechoslovakia.[11]
Mary-Kate Olsen was treated for an eating disorder, deemed anorexia, but her twin sister remained less troubled. In an article with the magazine Marie Claire, Mary-Kate expressed the bittersweet nature of the twins' childhood. "I look at old photos of me, and I don't feel connected to them at all," she said. "I would never wish my upbringing on anyone... but I wouldn't take it back for the world." The twins now have continued success in the fashion industry with an estimated net worth of approximately $100 million.
Drew Barrymore started acting at age three. During her childhood she battled with drugs, but today she continues to act in films. Natalie Portman took a small break in acting to get a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Harvard University before continuing her career as an actress. Rider Strong, known as "Shawn Hunter" in Boy Meets World, was educated at Columbia University and now runs a successful blog and published a graphic novel.[12] Neil Patrick Harris got his acting start in Doogie Howser, M.D. He continues to act in television, films and theater.
Jonathan Lipnicki, known mostly for the Stuart Little films, now successfully competes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[12] Sara Gilbert is known for her role on Roseanne and is now successful as a talk show host on The Talk. Also from Rosanne, Michael Fishman continued to work in film, but behind the scenes and has since been nominated for an Emmy for the work he did in Sports Science. [12] Kirsten Dunst and Lacey Chabert both made the transition from a child actress to an adult actress with a rough patch including depression. After a stay in a rehabilitation center, Dunst was able to recover and continue her career. She proves that the pressures of growing up under the spotlight may not come without repercussions.[13]
Roddy McDowall, who had a long and distinguished career including as the regular star of the Planet of the Apes series; Micky Dolenz, who started his career as a child star in the 1950s, grew up to be a musician of the successful 1960s pop group The Monkees, which had its own successful television show; Ron Howard, who, in addition to being the star of both of the long running The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days television series, became an Academy Award-winning director in adulthood; Elijah Wood, who continued his career successfully into adulthood starring as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings film series and starring as Ryan Newman in the television series Wilfred. Other child actors who have continued their careers into adulthood include Rose Marie, Hayley Mills, Ann Jillian, Johnny Whitaker, Kathy Garver, Tim Matheson, Bonnie Franklin, Melissa Gilbert, Danielle Brisebois, Erika Eleniak, Max Pomeranc, Christina Ricci, Shelley Fabares, Candace Cameron Bure, Karron Graves, Gaby Hoffmann, Hilary Duff, Molly Ringwald, Stacy Ferguson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Lisa Whelchel, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Soleil Moon Frye, Melissa Joan Hart, Dean Stockwell, Fred Savage, Neil Patrick Harris, Michelle Chia, Shawn Lee, Joshua Ang, Aloysius Pang, Raven-Symoné and other Academy Award winners and nominees include; Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Scarlett Johansson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Joaquin Phoenix, Helen Hunt, Irene Cara, Reese Witherspoon, Hilary Swank, Christian Bale, Saoirse Ronan, Brie Larson, Regina King, Jennifer Lawrence, Lacey Chabert, Elizabeth Taylor, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Other careers
Many actors' careers are short-lived and this is also true of child actors. Many actors out of personal choice that start their careers as child actors decide not to pursue the same careers as adults, Shirley Temple became a public figure and diplomat. Peter Ostrum, appearing in his only role, the title character of Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory became a large-scale veterinarian surgeon. Whilst Jenny Lewis, formerly of film Troop Beverly Hills in 1989, is a well-known singer-songwriter indie rock musician.
In Poland, child actor identical twin brothers Lech and Jarosław Kaczyński became very successful politicians, at one time Lech being President and Jarosław the Prime Minister.