17 Child Stars Who Were In Oscar-Winning Films And Where They Are Now
Let's check in with child star actors to see where they are now after their appearances in award-winning films.
Some child actors leave such a big mark on a movie that you remember them long after the credits roll. When that movie also happens to win an Oscar, the spotlight gets even brighter, and for a few of these performers, that early fame turned into long careers, surprising career changes, or both.
This list looks back at 17 child stars who appeared in Oscar-winning films and checks in on where they are now. Some stayed in Hollywood, some stepped away, and some found success in completely different ways. Either way, their early roles helped make movie history, and their paths since then are just as interesting.
Here’s where they ended up.
1. Alan Kim
Alan Kim, 8 years old, delivered an amazing performance in Minari. He even won a Critics' Choice Award for Best Young Actor.
He will star in Latchkey Kids alongside Elsie Fisher.
Randy Holmes via Getty Images/Moviestore/Shutterstock2. Roman Griffin Davis
Roman Griffin Davis is a child star who appeared in Jojo Rabbit, playing a 10-year-old Hitler Youth member.
Next, Roman will star in Silent Night.
Fox Searchlight Pictures/Moviestore/Shutterstock/Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images3. Archie Yates
Archie is another child star from Jojo Rabbit. Now 12 years old, he will be the lead in Disney+'s Home Alone reboot.
Steve Granitz/WireImage/Steve Granitz/WireImage
4. Jacob Tremblay
Jacob won Best Young Performer at the 2016 Critics' Choice Movie Awards for his performance in Room. He has taken on many other projects since then, with his latest role being Flounder in The Little Mermaid.
Caitlin Cronenberg/Element/No Trace Camping/Kobal/Shutterstock/Todd Williamson/E! Entertainment/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
5. Quvenzhané Wallis
Quvenzhané received a Best Actress nomination at just 9 years old for her performance in Beasts of the Southern Wild. Now 17, she has appeared in various films, including Trolls and Annie.
ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images
6. Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee was cast at 13 to star in True Grit and was later nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Nowadays, she is releasing hits such as "Most Girls" and "Starving," as well as appearing in movies like Pitch Perfect.
Skydance Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock/Karwai Tang/WireImage
7. Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse has appeared in several films, and at just 27 years old, she has been nominated for four Oscars. She received nominations for her performances in Little Women and Lady Bird.
Moviestore/Shutterstock/P. Lehman/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
And if you thought child-star glow-ups were impressive, Best-Dressed Stars At Oscars 2026 shows who stole attention early.
8. Abigail Breslin
Abigail is best known for her role in Little Miss Sunshine, for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars. She has continued her film career by starring in Definitely, My Sister's Keeper, Zombieland, and Scream Queens.
20th Century Fox/Fox Searchlight/Kobal/Shutterstock/David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
9. Keisha Castle-Hughes
Keisha became the second-youngest Best Actress nominee after her performance in Whale Rider. Now 31, she has appeared in The Nativity Story, Game of Thrones, and FBI: Most Wanted.
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images/New Zealand Film Comm/Kobal/Shutterstock
10. Freddie Highmore
Freddie first gained recognition for his role in Finding Neverland. He has since appeared in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Bates Motel, and The Good Doctor.
Film Colony/Kobal/Shutterstock/Yolanda Perez/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images
11. Jonathan Lipnicki
Most of us know Jonathan Lipnicki from his memorable performance in Jerry Maguire. He later starred in Stuart Little, The Little Vampire, and Like Mike.
Columbia Tri Star/Kobal/Shutterstock/Rich Fury/Getty Images
12. Dakota Fanning
Most of us recognize Dakota Fanning from her numerous performances as a child actor, starting with her role in I Am Sam, followed by appearances in War of the Worlds and Cat in the Hat, among others. Now 27 years old, she has opened a production company with her sister called Lewellen Pictures and continues to take on significant roles in the film industry.
Lorey Sebastian/New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock/Amy Sussman/WireImage
13. Haley Joel Osment
Haley made his breakthrough with his roles in Forrest Gump and The Sixth Sense as a child star. Now 33, he has appeared in many other films, including Pay It Forward and Secondhand Lions.
Ron Phillips/Hollywood/Kobal/Shutterstock/Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
14. Anna Paquin
At 11 years old, Anna was nominated for and won Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Piano. She continued her film career with roles in X-Men, Jane Eyre, and True Blood.
Jan Chapman Prods/Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstock/Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/
15. Justin Henry
Justin Henry is known for his performance in Kramer vs. Kramer, and at just 8 years old, he received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor, making him the youngest nominee in any category. Now 49, he has since appeared in Fantasy Island and Sixteen Candles.
Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock/Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for HFA
16. Jodie Foster
Jodie first received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress due to her performance in Taxi Driver. Now 58, she has starred in many notable films and is a celebrated director.
Moviestore/Shutterstock/Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI
17. Tatum O'Neal
Tatum won the Best Actress Oscar at just 10 years old. Now 57, she has appeared in many films, including Little Darlings and Sex and the City.
Moviestore/Shutterstock/David Livingston/Getty Images
Some of these child stars are truly impressive, having won or been nominated for Oscars at such a young age. It's wonderful to see that most of them have continued their careers in film and have been part of some very popular movies.
Next time you think of a child star, consider checking to see where they are now and what they are doing.
Want more shocking doubles, like the twin hiding in plain sight of your favorite stars? Check out the secret twins of your favorite stars.
