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THEN AND NOW: 10 of the biggest child star transformations
THEN AND NOW: 10 of the biggest child star transformations
Gabbi ShawNov 27, 2020, 22:05 IST
Miley Cyrus in 2006 and 2020.Getty Images
Child stars don't always have it easy.
Many of them feel pigeonholed by their status as "child stars" and break away from their old personas.
Miley Cyrus is almost a completely different person from her Disney Channel days.
If you could time travel back to the '80s and tell everyone that the nerdy kid from all the John Hughes movies would grow up to become a muscly actor who frequently plays cops, no one would believe you. But that's exactly what Anthony Michael Hall did.
Many child stars feel the need to break away from their previous, more innocent roles. We've picked 10 of the most drastic child star transformations, whether they're due to conscious choices or not.
Keep scrolling to see who has "Longbottomed" over the years.
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In 2006, Miley Cyrus was just getting her start as a Disney Channel star in "Hannah Montana."
Miley Cyrus on January 10, 2006.
Jesse Grant/WireImage/Getty Images
The Miley Cyrus of 2020 has been through multiple aesthetic changes.
Miley Cyrus attends the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards.
Vijat Mohindra//MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images
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Bella Thorne also got her start on the Disney Channel in the late aughts.
Bella Thorne on October 4, 2008.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Thorne became the first person to earn $1 million in the first 24 hours of joining OnlyFans in 2020.
Bella Thorne on September 12, 2018.
Jerod Harris/Getty Images
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Matthew Lewis became famous for playing Neville Longbottom in the "Harry Potter" films from 2001 to 2011.
Matthew Lewis on May 23, 2004.
Jim Spellman/WireImage/Getty Images
Lewis' glow-up was so real that it spawned the term "Longbottoming."
Matthew Lewis on March 24, 2015.
Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
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Anthony Michael Hall was the nerdy kid of our dreams in the '80s, thanks to roles in "Weird Science," "The Breakfast Club," and "Sixteen Candles."
Anthony Michael Hall in 1984.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
No one will mistake the 52-year-old for a nerd now.
Anthony Michael Hall in "The Blacklist."
Virginia Sherwood/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
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We were introduced to Jerry O'Connell in 1986's "Stand By Me" as Vern.
Jerry O'Connell in 1986's "Stand By Me."
Columbia Pictures
Over 30 years later, O'Connell is still providing us with comic relief.
Jerry O'Connell on January 21, 2020.
Bruce Glikas/WireImage/Getty Images
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Ariel Winter appeared in multiple TV shows and films before scoring the role of Alex Dunphy on "Modern Family" in 2009.
Ariel Winter on August 8, 2009.
Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images
Winter is all grown up now, and she is almost unrecognizable with her red hair.
Ariel Winter on May 13, 2019.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly & PEOPLE
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Jaleel White stole the show as Steve Urkel on "Family Matters."
Jaleel White, circa 1990.
Fotos International/Archive Photos/Getty Images
In real life, White is definitely not the nerdy, nasally guy we all came to love on "Family Matters."
Jaleel White on July 20, 2018.
Maury Phillips/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
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Josh Saviano played the lovably dorky Paul Saviano on "The Wonder Years."
Josh Saviano on January 31, 1988.
Walt Disney Television/Getty Images
Paul's career choice was a nod to Saviano, who retired from acting in real life to pursue a law career.
Josh Saviano on February 15, 2018.
Lars Niki/Getty Images for Saks Fifth Avenue
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Brian Austin Green hit it big with his role in "Beverly Hills, 90210" as David Silver.
Brian Austin Green in 1990.
The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Green appeared on "The Masked Singer" this year.
Brian Austin Green on May 13, 2019.
Dominik Bindl/Getty Images
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Raven-Symoné began starring on "The Cosby Show" when she was just 4 years old.
Raven-Symoné in 1990.
Time Life Pictures/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Raven returned to the Disney Channel with a new look for "Raven's Home," a spin-off of "That's So Raven."
Raven on July 9, 2019.
Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images