13 child stars who quit Hollywood for good

Gabbi ShawJul 2, 2020, 01:59 IST

Shirley Temple left Hollywood behind to pursue politics.Bettmann/Getty Images

The life of a child star is a difficult one, filled with pressure, temptations, and other harmful things.
The task of switching from child star to adult star is tricky, which is why some child stars ditch Hollywood altogether.
Carrie Henn, aka Newt from "Aliens," never acted again. Newt was her first and last role.

Being a child star and growing up in the public eye is hard — just ask Lindsay Lohan, Drew Barrymore, and Jason Bateman. But while some actors continue on to have a thriving careers into adulthood, others choose to leave Hollywood behind completely, citing a desire for a normal life.

From Mara Wilson ("Matilda," "Mrs. Doubtfire") to the most iconic child star ever, Shirley Temple, here are 13 child actors that gave up acting.

Mara Wilson is best remembered for playing the titular character in 1996 film "Matilda."

Wilson in "Matilda." TriStar Pictures

Wilson, now 32, retired from acting in 2000 at age 13. She's since become a successful author and journalist.

Wilson attends the 9th Annual Shorty Awards on April 23, 2017. Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Shorty Awards

Shirley Temple began acting at age 3, and became Hollywood's biggest box office draw in the '30s.

Shirley Temple. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

By 1950, at age 22, Temple had officially retired from acting. She proceeded to leave Hollywood behind for politics.

Temple displaying some of her awards, January 1989. AP

Amanda Bynes starred in her very own sketch show, "The Amanda Show," as a teenager.

Amanda Bynes in 2000. Frank Trapper/Corbis/Getty Images

After appearing in "Easy A," Bynes announced on Twitter in 2010 that she was retiring from acting. She has since publicly dealt with addiction and mental health issues.

Bynes in 2015. Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images

Alisan Porter is most famous for her role as Curly Sue in the 1991 movie of the same name.

Porter in "Curly Sue." Warner Bros. Pictures

After the '90s, Porter sparingly appeared on TV and film, and concentrated on her schoolwork. She re-entered the spotlight in 2016 as a singer on "The Voice," which she ended up winning.

Porter attends the Brady Center's Bear Awards Gala on June 7, 2017. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

After the '90s, Porter sparingly appeared on TV and film, and concentrated on her schoolwork. She re-entered the spotlight in 2016 as a singer on "The Voice," which she ended up winning.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen first stole our hearts as Michelle Tanner on "Full House," and proceeded to build a media empire.

The Olsen twins at the premiere of "Spice World" in 1998. Brenda Chase/Stringer/Getty Images

The Olsen twins are still hugely famous, but now it's for their clothing lines and personal lives — not their acting. Mary-Kate continued to act after "New York Minute," but both have now retired.

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen during the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards Winners Walk on June 4, 2018. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

The Olsen twins are still hugely famous, but now it's for their clothing lines and personal lives — not their acting. Mary-Kate continued to act after "New York Minute," but both have now retired.

Kay Panabaker made her on-screen debut at age 12. She's best remembered by her roles as Nikki in "Summerland," and Jenny in the 2009 "Fame" remake.

Panabaker in "No Ordinary Family." Disney–ABC Domestic Television

Panabaker hasn't acted since 2012 — her last role was voice-acting in "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3." She's now an animal keeper at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Panabaker in 2011. Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Ariana Richards will forever be remembered for her role as Lex Murphy in 1993 sci-fi blockbuster "Jurassic Park."

Richards in "Jurassic Park." Jurassic Park / YouTube screencap

Richards made her last on-screen appearance in 2001 in direct-to-video movie "Tremors 3: Back to Perfection." She's now more focused on painting.

Richards attends the premiere of "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" at on June 12, 2018. David Livingston/Getty Images)

Lisa Jakub played Lydia in 1993 comedy "Mrs. Doubtfire," as well as Alicia in the 1996 disaster epic "Independence Day."

Jakub in "The Beautician and the Beast." Paramount Pictures

Jakub retired from acting at age 22, and is now a successful author and yoga instructor.

Lisa Jakub in 2019. YouTube/Matt Telhelm

Danny Lloyd played the supernaturally gifted Danny Torrance in 1980 horror classic "The Shining."

Lloyd in "The Shining." Warner Bros.

Lloyd is now a biology professor at a community college in Kentucky, and he rarely speaks publicly.

Lloyd at a 2009 convention in Kentucky. YouTube/fansoffilmmusic

Peter Ostrum's first and only role was as Charlie Bucket in 1971's "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory."

Ostrum in "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory." Paramount Pictures

Now, Ostrum is a veterinarian in upstate New York.

Ostrum in 2014. Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

Carrie Henn's first and last movie role was Newt in 1986's "Aliens."

Henn in "Aliens." 20th Century Fox

Henn hasn't acted since 1986, though she has appeared as herself in a few specials about the making of "Aliens." She became a teacher instead.

Henn during Comic-Con International 2016. John Sciulli/Getty Images for WIRED

Jake Lloyd appeared in four episodes of "ER" in 1996, but his breakthrough role was Anakin Skywalker in 1999's "Star Wars Episode I — The Phantom Menace."

Lloyd in "The Phantom Menace." Lucasfilm

Lloyd stopped acting by age 12, and has had a rough go of it since his "Star Wars" days. He was arrested in 2015 for reckless driving.

Lloyd's 2015 mugshot. Colleton County Sheriff's Office/AP Images

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13 child stars who quit Hollywood for good

Mara Wilson is best remembered for playing the titular character in 1996 film "Matilda."

Wilson, now 32, retired from acting in 2000 at age 13. She's since become a successful author and journalist.

Shirley Temple began acting at age 3, and became Hollywood's biggest box office draw in the '30s.

By 1950, at age 22, Temple had officially retired from acting. She proceeded to leave Hollywood behind for politics.

Amanda Bynes starred in her very own sketch show, "The Amanda Show," as a teenager.

After appearing in "Easy A," Bynes announced on Twitter in 2010 that she was retiring from acting. She has since publicly dealt with addiction and mental health issues.

Alisan Porter is most famous for her role as Curly Sue in the 1991 movie of the same name.

After the '90s, Porter sparingly appeared on TV and film, and concentrated on her schoolwork. She re-entered the spotlight in 2016 as a singer on "The Voice," which she ended up winning.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen first stole our hearts as Michelle Tanner on "Full House," and proceeded to build a media empire.

The Olsen twins are still hugely famous, but now it's for their clothing lines and personal lives — not their acting. Mary-Kate continued to act after "New York Minute," but both have now retired.

Kay Panabaker made her on-screen debut at age 12. She's best remembered by her roles as Nikki in "Summerland," and Jenny in the 2009 "Fame" remake.

Panabaker hasn't acted since 2012 — her last role was voice-acting in "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3." She's now an animal keeper at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Ariana Richards will forever be remembered for her role as Lex Murphy in 1993 sci-fi blockbuster "Jurassic Park."

Richards made her last on-screen appearance in 2001 in direct-to-video movie "Tremors 3: Back to Perfection." She's now more focused on painting.

Lisa Jakub played Lydia in 1993 comedy "Mrs. Doubtfire," as well as Alicia in the 1996 disaster epic "Independence Day."

Jakub retired from acting at age 22, and is now a successful author and yoga instructor.

Danny Lloyd played the supernaturally gifted Danny Torrance in 1980 horror classic "The Shining."

Lloyd is now a biology professor at a community college in Kentucky, and he rarely speaks publicly.

Peter Ostrum's first and only role was as Charlie Bucket in 1971's "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory."

Now, Ostrum is a veterinarian in upstate New York.

Carrie Henn's first and last movie role was Newt in 1986's "Aliens."

Henn hasn't acted since 1986, though she has appeared as herself in a few specials about the making of "Aliens." She became a teacher instead.

Jake Lloyd appeared in four episodes of "ER" in 1996, but his breakthrough role was Anakin Skywalker in 1999's "Star Wars Episode I — The Phantom Menace."

Lloyd stopped acting by age 12, and has had a rough go of it since his "Star Wars" days. He was arrested in 2015 for reckless driving.