5 Former ’80s Child Stars Who Have Changed Dramatically Since Their Early Fame

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Child actors are not expected to remain frozen in time, but the public does not always treat them that way. Young performers are frequently judged for changing as they grow older — a pattern seen in the intense commentary surrounding Millie Bobby Brown’s appearance as she moved beyond her childhood fame on “Stranger Things.”

Growing up is a natural part of life, including for actors who became famous while portraying beloved young characters. Looking back at their careers offers a reminder that these performers have lived and worked for decades since their breakthrough roles. After revisiting child stars of the 1990s who look remarkably different today, we’re going back another decade to examine five memorable stars of the 1980s, including actors associated with “Growing Pains,” “The Cosby Show,” and “The Goonies.”

Aileen Quinn became one of the defining child performers of the 1980s after landing the title role in John Huston’s 1982 movie adaptation of the Broadway musical “Annie.” Her performance opposite Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, and Tim Curry earned her two Golden Globe nominations and made her a household name.

Quinn was already familiar with “Annie” before the film, having worked on the Broadway production as a swing orphan who stepped in whenever another young performer was unavailable. She won the movie role from roughly 8,000 other hopefuls. “Annie” was only her second film, following a small appearance in Burt Reynolds’ 1981 comedy “Paternity,” but her screen career remained relatively limited afterward. Following several voice roles, she played Princess Zora in 1986’s “The Frog Prince” before taking a two-decade break from acting on screen.

Quinn eventually returned to film and television, though her adult acting résumé has consisted largely of occasional appearances. From 2007 through her most recent role in 2020, she took on a handful of smaller parts, including a guest appearance as Ramona Delaney on “Will & Grace.” Theater has been a larger focus, with performances on and off Broadway. She also teaches drama at Monmouth University, whose Great Hall at Shadow Lawn doubled as Daddy Warbucks’ mansion in “Annie.”

Sean Astin occupies a unique place among former child stars. Unlike many performers who stepped away from the spotlight, he has worked consistently for decades. His breakthrough came as Mikey Walsh in Richard Donner’s 1985 adventure film “The Goonies,” and he has gone on to appear in at least two productions in most years since.

Astin’s move into major adult fame arrived through one of cinema’s most celebrated fantasy franchises. As Sam Gamgee in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, he brought warmth, loyalty, and humor to a role that was distinct enough from Mikey to establish him with a new generation of viewers. His workload increased further after the Tolkien adaptations, spanning film, television, and voice acting. In 2015 alone, he took on at least 14 screen and voice roles. He also won over “Stranger Things” fans as the kindhearted Bob Newby, a standout character in Season 2.

Astin’s influence extends beyond acting. He is also active in SAG-AFTRA, the performers’ labor union, and has served as its president since September 2025.

C. Thomas Howell’s first steps into acting were extraordinary by any standard. His debut came in Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” where he played Tyler, a member of the film’s bicycle gang. One year later, he took on the leading role of Ponyboy Curtis in Francis Ford Coppola’s coming-of-age drama “The Outsiders.”

Those back-to-back successes made Howell a sought-after young actor. He appeared in films including “Red Dawn” and “The Hitcher,” but his career momentum was badly affected by the 1986 film “Soul Man.” The poorly received comedy cast Howell in a role involving extensive blackface, and the controversy significantly damaged his reputation and his prospects as a high-profile leading man.

Even so, Howell continued building a substantial career in movies and television, eventually accumulating more than 200 acting credits. Outside of screen work, he has also pursued country music under the name Tommy Howell.

Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman was the youngest performer on this list and one of the final child stars to emerge from the 1980s. Known professionally as Raven-Symoné or simply Raven, she joined “The Cosby Show” as Olivia Kendall, the stepdaughter of Denise Huxtable, played by Lisa Bonet. After the series ended her run in 1992, she appeared as Nicole Lee on “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” then played Charisse Dolittle in “Dr. Dolittle” and its 2001 sequel.

Her biggest success arrived in the 2000s with Disney Channel’s “That’s So Raven,” where she starred as the clairvoyant Raven Baxter. She also voiced Monique on “Kim Possible.” Raven-Symoné later reprised her signature character in “Raven’s Home,” which ran from 2017 through 2023, and took on the recurring role of Rhonda Johnson on “Black-ish.”

Raven-Symoné has also built a career in music, releasing multiple albums, and performed on Broadway in “Sister Act.” In 2012, she played the musical’s central character, Deloris Van Cartier.

Tracey Gold had already appeared in the acclaimed 1977 miniseries “Roots” and several other productions before becoming a major television presence in the 1980s. Her best-known role was Carol Seaver on the hit sitcom “Growing Pains,” a part she played from 1985 through 1992.

Gold continued working in film and television after “Growing Pains,” although she never again reached the same level of mainstream fame. Her personal life was also shaped by a painful chapter from the sitcom’s production. The show made jokes about her weight, contributing to a damaging self-image and her struggle with anorexia. Gold has spoken publicly about that experience and chronicled her recovery in the book “Room to Grow: An Appetite for Life.” Although she has not acted since 2016’s “All Hallows’ Eve,” she remains connected to the arts and teaches acting at the Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts.

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