1. Mayim Bialik
Watching sitcom kids grow up on screen can feel like watching distant cousins you only see on TV. Mayim Bialik first became famous in the early 1990s as the quirky title character on the NBC sitcom Blossom, after early roles in projects like Beaches and Pumpkinhead. After the show ended, she stepped away from full time acting to earn a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA, focusing on the hypothalamus and obsessive compulsive disorder. She later returned to television as Amy Farrah Fowler on The Big Bang Theory, a role that brought multiple Emmy nominations and made her a household name again. In the 2020s she starred in the sitcom Call Me Kat and served as a co host of Jeopardy from 2021 to 2023. Alongside acting, she writes books, produces digital content, and is active in advocacy and public speaking about science and mental health.
2. Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris broke out as a teenager playing boy genius doctor Doogie Howser on the ABC series Doogie Howser, M.D., which ran from 1989 to 1993. Rather than being typecast forever as a child prodigy, he steadily worked in film, television, and theater, building a reputation as a versatile performer. As an adult, he found huge success as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother, earning multiple Emmy nominations, and he took on darker material as Count Olaf in Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. On stage, he won a Tony Award for his lead role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Harris has also hosted the Tony Awards and the Oscars, written a memoir and a children’s book series, and continues to work across TV, film, and theater.
3. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were among the most famous child stars of the 1990s, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House from infancy and later headlining a long string of movies and videos through their company Dualstar. As they grew older, they stepped away from acting and gradually reinvented themselves in the fashion world. The twins co founded the luxury label The Row in 2006 and later launched the more accessible brand Elizabeth and James. The Row earned critical acclaim for its minimalist, high quality designs and has won multiple honors from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, including Womenswear Designer of the Year. Today, the Olsens rarely give interviews or appear on screen, preferring a low profile as influential designers who built a serious fashion empire after their child acting years.
4. Kenan Thompson
Kenan Thompson started his career as a teenager on Nickelodeon’s sketch series All That, then starred with Kel Mitchell in the sitcom Kenan and Kel, becoming a key face of 1990s kids’ TV. As an adult, he moved into late night comedy and joined Saturday Night Live in 2003. Over time he became the show’s longest tenured cast member, remaining on SNL for more than 20 seasons and earning Emmy nominations for his work. Thompson has appeared in films like Good Burger and Fat Albert and starred in the NBC family sitcom Kenan, where he played a widowed father juggling parenting and a morning show job. He also executive produced an All That revival and has hosted major events such as the Primetime Emmy Awards, cementing his status as a steady, familiar figure in American comedy.
5. Danielle Fishel
Danielle Fishel became widely known in the 1990s as Topanga Lawrence on Boy Meets World, evolving from the offbeat classmate to a central love interest and eventually the character’s wife. After the original series wrapped, she reprised the role in the Disney Channel sequel Girl Meets World, now playing a mother guiding a new generation. Fishel has also worked as a television host and later moved behind the camera, directing episodes of Disney Channel and other family series. In 2022 she reunited with co stars Rider Strong and Will Friedle to launch Pod Meets World, a Boy Meets World rewatch podcast that revisits episodes and shares behind the scenes stories. Her adult career blends acting, directing, and podcasting, keeping her closely connected to the show that first made her famous.
6. Jaleel White
Jaleel White became one of the most recognizable sitcom kids of the 1990s thanks to his role as Steve Urkel on Family Matters, a character originally meant for a single episode who quickly became the show’s breakout star. After the series ended in 1998, White worked steadily in television with guest roles on series like House, Psych, and Castle, and he expanded into voice acting with projects such as Sonic the Hedgehog. As an adult, he also competed on Dancing with the Stars, created the web series Fake It Till You Make It, and later stepped into producing. In recent years he launched a cannabis line called ItsPurpl in partnership with a California company and has continued to appear in film and TV, including a role in the 2023 movie Hustle. His career reflects a mix of acting longevity and entrepreneurial ventures.
7. Raven-Symoné
Raven-Symoné first gained national attention as Olivia Kendall on The Cosby Show before becoming the lead of Disney Channel’s hit sitcom That’s So Raven in the early 2000s. In adulthood she remained a major presence in entertainment, starring in films like College Road Trip and returning to her signature role in the spinoff Raven’s Home, where she also works as an executive producer. Raven spent several years as a cohost on The View, bringing a younger perspective to the daytime panel. Off screen, she has pursued music projects, directed television episodes, and become an advocate for creative freedom and youth representation in Hollywood. Today she balances acting, producing, and her work on digital platforms, maintaining one of the most enduring careers of any former child sitcom star.
8. Ben Savage
Ben Savage became a household name as Cory Matthews on Boy Meets World, playing the earnest, often awkward teen at the center of the show’s coming-of-age story. After the series ended in 2000, he attended Stanford University, interned in Washington, D.C., and later returned to acting with guest roles on series like Bones and Without a Trace. Savage stepped back into the Cory role in the 2010s for Girl Meets World, this time portraying a father and middle school teacher. More recently he appeared in holiday films and independent projects, and in 2023 he made headlines for launching a run for U.S. Congress in California. While acting remains part of his life, Savage has also shown interest in public service and community engagement as an adult.
9. Tia and Tamera Mowry
Tia and Tamera Mowry became beloved sitcom twins in the 1990s through their series Sister, Sister, which followed their characters after a chance reunion. As adults, both continued successful acting careers with Tia starring in The Game and Family Reunion, and Tamera working on projects like Strong Medicine and becoming a long-running cohost of the daytime show The Real, which won a Daytime Emmy during her tenure. They also starred in their own reality series, Tia & Tamera, which documented their adult lives, motherhood, and careers. Beyond acting, the twins each launched business ventures, including cookbooks, wellness brands, and YouTube channels, reflecting how they turned early fame into long-term personal and professional growth.
10. Frankie Muniz
Frankie Muniz rose to fame as the gifted but overwhelmed middle child in Malcolm in the Middle, a role that earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and made him one of the most recognizable young actors of the early 2000s. After the show, Muniz shifted focus, competing as a professional race car driver and participating in open-wheel and stock car circuits, including the ARCA Menards Series. He later returned to entertainment with guest TV roles and reality show appearances, and in 2023 he launched a full-season NASCAR-run in the ARCA series while continuing to cultivate his life outside Hollywood. Muniz has also managed bands and taken on behind-the-scenes roles, becoming an example of a former sitcom kid who confidently pursued multiple passions.
11. Keshia Knight Pulliam
Keshia Knight Pulliam became one of television’s youngest Emmy nominees for her role as Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show, where she charmed audiences throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. As an adult, she continued acting in projects like Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, where she played Miranda for multiple seasons and earned NAACP Image Award nominations. Pulliam has also taken part in reality shows, hosted philanthropic events, and launched a foundation focused on supporting families and youth. She later earned a degree from Spelman College and has been active in entertainment production and lifestyle projects, including her own podcast. Today she balances family life with steady acting roles and community work, showing a grounded transition from early stardom to adult stability.
12. Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Jonathan Taylor Thomas became a teen icon in the 1990s as Randy Taylor on Home Improvement and for voicing young Simba in The Lion King. At the height of his fame, he stepped back to focus on education, studying at Harvard University and later attending Columbia University. In adulthood he acted only occasionally, making guest appearances on shows like Smallville, The Wild Thornberrys, and later a few episodes of Last Man Standing, reuniting with former co star Tim Allen. He also explored directing and writing, keeping his professional life more private than many of his peers. Thomas has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years, choosing a low-profile lifestyle that contrasts sharply with his early fame.
13. Hillary Duff
Hilary Duff rose to prominence as the relatable lead of Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire, quickly becoming one of the most popular teen stars of the early 2000s. As she transitioned into adulthood, Duff successfully built a multifaceted career, starring in films like Cheaper by the Dozen and A Cinderella Story before taking on more mature TV roles. She also launched a pop music career, releasing multiple albums that charted internationally. In recent years she starred in the long-running sitcom Younger and later headlined Hulu’s How I Met Your Father. Duff has also authored novels, built a successful business in the lifestyle space, and established herself as a steady television lead, making her one of the strongest long-term success stories among former sitcom kids.
14. Joey Lawrence
Joey Lawrence gained early recognition as Joey Russo on Blossom and later as a teen heartthrob in shows like Brotherly Love, which he starred in alongside his brothers Matthew and Andrew. As he grew older, Lawrence continued working consistently in television and film, eventually returning to sitcoms as the lead in Melissa & Joey, which aired for four seasons. Beyond acting, he has pursued music with several album releases, appeared on competition shows, and participated in touring stage productions. In adulthood he has remained active across entertainment, taking on roles in holiday movies, thrillers, and family comedies. His longevity reflects a career shaped by reinvention and a willingness to work across genres and formats.
15. Kel Mitchell
Kel Mitchell became a Nickelodeon favorite in the 1990s through All That and Kenan and Kel, where his physical comedy and the character Ed from Good Burger became cultural touchstones for young viewers. After the duo’s sitcom ended, Mitchell continued acting in voice roles such as on PBS’s Clifford the Big Red Dog and made appearances on Disney Channel and other networks. He later became a producer and youth pastor, balancing entertainment with community-focused work. In 2019 he joined Dancing with the Stars, where he finished as runner-up, and in 2023 he returned to one of his most iconic characters in Good Burger 2. Mitchell remains active in family entertainment while also branching into writing and motivational speaking.
16. Miranda Cosgrove
Miranda Cosgrove became a major sitcom star in the 2000s through Nickelodeon hits like Drake and Josh and later iCarly, where she played Carly Shay, the upbeat teen running a homemade web show. As an adult, she studied at the University of Southern California while continuing to work in entertainment, lending her voice to the Despicable Me film series and appearing in guest roles across television. In 2021 she returned to lead the iCarly revival for Paramount+, where she also served as an executive producer, helping shape storylines with a more grown-up sensibility. Cosgrove has expanded into hosting and documentary work as well, including the wildlife-themed Mission Unstoppable. She remains a steady presence in family entertainment with a career that has matured alongside her longtime audience.
17. Angus T. Jones
Angus T. Jones became known worldwide as Jake Harper on Two and a Half Men, earning high salary milestones and becoming one of the most celebrated child actors on television. As a teenager, he began stepping away from the show and eventually exited the series amid personal and religious changes in his life. In adulthood, Jones chose to leave acting, enroll in college, and pursue interests away from the spotlight. He later worked with a management group called Tonite and has kept a largely private lifestyle, occasionally appearing at public events but remaining focused on personal growth rather than returning to Hollywood. His path stands out for its deliberate retreat from fame, reflecting his decision to redefine his life beyond acting.
18. Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus became a global sensation as the lead of Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, balancing her on-screen life as Miley Stewart with a fictional pop-star alter ego. As she transitioned into adulthood, Cyrus pursued a wide-ranging music career, releasing hit albums across pop, rock, and country influences, with songs like Wrecking Ball and Flowers topping charts worldwide. She continued acting in select projects, hosted Saturday Night Live, and launched philanthropic efforts including the Happy Hippie Foundation, which supports vulnerable youth. While her music often overshadowed her sitcom beginnings, the skills and visibility she gained on Hannah Montana helped fuel one of the most successful transformations from child star to adult entertainer in recent decades.
19. Fred Savage
Fred Savage first won hearts as Kevin Arnold on The Wonder Years, a role that made him one of television’s most recognizable child stars. After the show he moved steadily behind the camera: directing and producing dozens of TV episodes across comedies and dramas while occasionally acting. His directing credits include work on shows such as Modern Family and The Goldbergs, and he’s been a steady presence in TV production rooms for years. Savage’s move from in-front-of-camera kid star to reliable director and producer shows one clear path former sitcom kids take, using early industry experience to transition into creative leadership roles rather than only seeking more acting parts.
20. Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate became famous as Kelly Bundy on Married… with Children and later built a varied career in TV and film. As an adult she’s balanced acting with advocacy after public health struggles: in 2008 she underwent a preventive double mastectomy and in 2021 she revealed a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, which she has spoken about publicly while continuing to work when possible. Applegate has earned praise for her range, from comedy to darker parts, and she remains active as a creator and speaker, using her platform to raise awareness about health and disability issues while still being remembered for the sitcom role that launched her career.
21. Zachery Ty Bryan
Zachery Ty Bryan rose to fame as Brad Taylor on Home Improvement, the handsome older son in that blockbuster 1990s sitcom. As an adult he acted sporadically in films and television but, notably, his personal life has attracted news attention: since the late 2010s he has had legal troubles including domestic-violence convictions and multiple DUI-related arrests in 2023–2024. Those events led to court sentences and a much quieter public career, illustrating a sobering counterpoint to the “child star grows up fine” narrative. Today Bryan’s public profile is a mix of past acting credits and ongoing legal and personal rehabilitation challenges.
22. Tatyana Ali
Tatyana Ali became a beloved fixture of 1990s TV as Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, growing from a cute supporting kid into a memorable teen talent. After the show she pursued music, releasing a top-40 R&B album, and prioritized education, she graduated from Harvard (note: a widely cited source lists Harvard and other educational achievements) while later returning to acting in soap and cable roles. In recent years Ali has continued to act, do occasional hosting and produce work, and participate in nostalgia projects tied to Fresh Prince, bridging the gap between the show’s original fans and newer audiences who discovered her work later. (Education and continuing credits verified in major bios.)
23. Shia LaBeouf
Shia LaBeouf broke out as the mischievous Louis on Disney’s Even Stevens, then parlayed that visibility into a successful film career with big roles in Transformers, Holes and more. In adulthood he’s been a polarizing figure: critically praised for his acting in films like Fury and Honey Boy, while also publicly involved in performance art and embroiled in high-profile personal controversies and legal disputes. In recent years LaBeouf has taken breaks from mainstream filmmaking to focus on art pieces, stage work and personal rehabilitation; his career arc shows how a former sitcom kid can both reinvent himself creatively and face the long-term consequences of public behavior.
24. Jodie Sweetin
Jodie Sweetin charmed audiences as Stephanie Tanner on Full House and later returned as part of the Fuller House revival. Adulthood brought public struggles with addiction followed by sobriety and recovery; she’s been open about that journey and now works as an actress, host, and advocate for recovery awareness. Sweetin has appeared on reality and talk shows, written about her experiences, and used her platform to mentor others facing similar challenges. Her story is a straightforward example of a child star who experienced ups and downs but who has leaned into honesty, advocacy, and steady work to rebuild a fulfilling career and family life outside the intense glare of early fame.
25. Candace Cameron Bure
Candace Cameron Bure grew from being D.J. Tanner on Full House into a prominent Hallmark and family-programming star, known for her warm, wholesome screen presence. She expanded from acting into producing and executive roles, serving as a creative leader on family movies and series and taking an executive position at Great American Media. Bure also writes books and speaks frequently about faith and family; professionally she shows how child-star recognition can be parlayed into long-term brand-building in a closely related genre, family entertainment, while keeping a public image consistent with her on-screen roots. Her steady career also highlights how some former sitcom kids avoid tabloid churn by specializing.
26. Cole Sprouse
Cole Sprouse began acting with his twin brother on shows and family films, then gained teen-star fame on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. As an adult he moved to New York University to study archaeology and photography, later returning to prominence as Jughead Jones on Riverdale. He balances acting with photography and social media work, positioning himself as both a creative and a thoughtful industry figure rather than only a nostalgia hire. Sprouse’s path shows a frequent route for former sitcom kids: stepping away to study or explore other interests, then returning to acting with a broader perspective and different creative goals.
27. Dylan Sprouse
Dylan Sprouse shared early acting work with his brother Cole before pausing to study in Europe and at NYU. As an adult he launched ventures outside Hollywood, including pouring energy into entrepreneurship like his home-brewing business and hospitality projects, and he’s selectively returned to acting in films and shows. Dylan’s post-child-star life emphasizes diversifying beyond acting: study, business, and creative projects have all become part of his identity, with acting available when the right roles or personal timing align.
28. Josh Peck
Josh Peck grew from child standup and The Amanda Show into Nickelodeon fame as Josh Nichols on Drake & Josh. As an adult he’s shifted between acting, voice work, and building a sizable online presence as a YouTuber and social media personality. Peck also moved into mainstream TV with roles in Grandfathered and has authored books and hosted podcasts. He often speaks openly about his recovery from substance misuse and about body-image struggles; his public candor, combined with steady creative output, shows how many former sitcom kids keep working by adding new platforms, YouTube, podcasts, books, to their careers.
29. Melissa Joan Hart
Melissa Joan Hart first became famous as Clarissa on Clarissa Explains It All, then as the title character in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She’s continued acting in TV movies and family projects and has moved into producing and directing smaller projects, while also hosting reality and lifestyle programs. Hart has built a life that blends steady entertainment work, family priorities, and occasional entrepreneurial efforts. Her trajectory is a familiar one: from early starring roles to careful selection of TV movie and family-friendly work that keeps her recognizable without the pressure of mainstream celebrity cycles.
30. Drake Bell
Drake Bell rose to teen-idol status through Drake & Josh on Nickelodeon and parlayed that into music and occasional film work. In adulthood he continued performing music and acting but also faced legal problems that affected his public career and touring. After serving sentences or probation tied to his convictions, Bell’s public appearances and recorded output decreased; his case is an example of how off-screen behavior can sharply curtail the opportunities many former sitcom kids expect to parlay from youthful popularity, and how the industry and fans often respond to legal and moral controversies involving former child stars.
31. Mila Kunis
Mila Kunis started on That ’70s Show at a young age and used that platform to build a modern film career across comedies, dramas, and voice work (notably Family Guy). She successfully transitioned into adult roles with high-profile movies and a steady presence in Hollywood, balancing film work with family life and occasional producing credits. Kunis’s path highlights how a strong early TV role can serve as a springboard into varied film projects, and how focusing on a mix of commercial and indie work can create a sustainable adult career after childhood or teen stardom.
32. Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher became a recognizable young comedian on That ’70s Show and later parlayed that into film roles, producing, tech investing, and hosting projects. As an adult he invested in successful startups, produced TV shows, and hosted reality formats, showing that former sitcom stars sometimes move into business and behind-the-scenes roles. Kutcher’s career underlines that early TV exposure can create a public persona useful not only for continuing onscreen work but for launching entrepreneurial endeavors and producing credits in other parts of the entertainment business.
33. Kaley Cuoco
Kaley Cuoco started as a child actress in the 1990s before landing big adult success as Penny on The Big Bang Theory. Since that series she’s produced and starred in new TV projects, notably the murder-mystery comedy The Flight Attendant, and taken on behind-the-camera duties. Cuoco’s evolution from child actor to major TV star and producer demonstrates how longevity and savvy role choices can convert adolescent recognition into a mature, respected television career with creative control.
34. Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Gosselaar rose to fame as Zack Morris on Saved by the Bell, then continued acting in a mix of TV dramas and procedural roles as an adult (including NYPD Blue and Franklin & Bash). He’s moved into recurring and lead roles on network television and occasionally produces projects, keeping a steady presence on screens without retreating into nostalgia alone. Gosselaar’s career shows the often practical adult outcome for sitcom kids: consistent television work, sometimes in different genres, rather than a single iconic role defining the whole life.
35. Mario Lopez
Mario Lopez became widely known as A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell and later rebuilt himself as a daytime and morning show host, choreographer and entertainment personality. He continues to appear on TV, perform in live shows, and work as a host for entertainment and reality series. Lopez’s shift into presenting, reality, and lifestyle work is a common route for former sitcom kids who convert early charm and fan recognition into long-running media careers outside straight dramatic acting.
36. Elizabeth Berkley
Elizabeth Berkley played Jessie Spano on Saved by the Bell before moving into film and theater. As an adult she’s pursued stage work, TV roles, and produced projects while also speaking out about typecasting and the challenges of being a former teen star. Berkley’s career reflects a determined move into adult roles and behind-the-scenes work, often in smaller or more personal projects that contrast with the mass-audience sitcom that made her famous.
37. Jennette McCurdy
Jennette McCurdy found stardom on iCarly and Sam & Cat, but in her twenties she left acting and refocused on writing and directing. Her 2022 memoir, a candid, bestselling book about her experience as a child actor and her fraught relationship with her mother, drew wide attention and critical discussion about the pressures of youth stardom. McCurdy now works as a writer and director and speaks openly about recovery and reclaiming agency, representing a growing number of former child actors who step away from celebrity to rebuild creative lives on different terms.
38. Jerry Mathers
Jerry Mathers shot to fame as Beaver Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver in the late 1950s, then moved through various adult roles, military service, and business endeavors. Over the decades he’s appeared at nostalgia events, written a memoir, and remained involved with fan communities. Mathers’s life illustrates the long life-cycle of very early sitcom kids: early big fame, a long period outside of mainstream Hollywood, and later engagement with fans and memoir work that preserves the show’s cultural place while allowing a quieter adult life.
39. Ron Howard
Ron Howard began as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show, then moved on to star in Happy Days as a teen before becoming an Oscar-winning director and producer. His transition is one of the most famous examples of a child/teen actor reshaping himself into an influential filmmaker, directing films such as A Beautiful Mind and Apollo 13 and running a major production company. Howard’s journey is a template for how early sitcom experience can translate into deep creative influence behind the camera, and he remains one of the most notable success stories among former sitcom kids.
40. Loni Anderson
Loni Anderson started young in supporting television roles before becoming a household name as Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati; though not always remembered as a child star, her career shows a pattern similar to many sitcom actors: recurring television work, selective movie roles, and later public life focused on family, interviews, and occasional stage work. Many former sitcom kids follow matched patterns, education, selective acting, production, entrepreneurship, or complete career changes, confirming that childhood fame doesn’t map to a single adult outcome but to many possible, often stable, careers.
Their stories show that childhood fame can lead to many destinations, sometimes surprising, sometimes inspiring, and often far more grounded than people expect.
This story Where Are They Now? 40 Former Sitcom Kids Who Transitioned Into Adult Life was first published on Daily FETCH
