WHERE ARE THEY NOW: The biggest child stars of the '80s

Talia LakritzJul 7, 2020, 01:57 IST

Jaleel White, then and now.Fotos International/Archive Photos via Getty Images, Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Some child stars quit acting altogether, like "The Goonies" star Jeff Cohen, who became an entertainment lawyer.
Others, like Danica McKellar from "The Wonder Years," continue to act while also pursuing other passions.
Alyssa Milano rose to household name status in "Charmed" after getting her start on "Who's The Boss?" at 10 years old.

Some child actors who make it big stay in the business and continue acting into their adult years. Others leave Hollywood behind and pursue other passions. And then there are those who occasionally venture back into television and movie appearances, but live relatively normal lives.

Here's what 13 child stars from the 1980s are doing now.

Alyssa Milano began starring on "Who's the Boss?" in 1984 when she was 10 years old.

Alyssa Milano on "Who's the Boss?" ABC

She went on to become a household name playing Phoebe Halliwell in "Charmed," and a prominent activist in the #MeToo movement.

Alyssa Milano. Rich Fury/Getty Images

Sean Astin starred as Mikey Walsh in "The Goonies" when he was 14.

Sean Astin in "The Goonies." Warner Bros.

Astin landed another iconic role in adulthood as Samwise Gamgee in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

Sean Astin. Getty Images / Neilson Barnard

Jeff Cohen also got his big break in "The Goonies."

Jeff Cohen shouting through a hole in the door in a scene from "The Goonies." Warner Brothers/Getty Images

Cohen stopped acting, but stayed in the industry as an entertainment lawyer.

Jeff Cohen in 2013. Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly

Lisa Bonet played Denise Huxtable Kendall on "The Cosby Show" from 1984 to 1991.

Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable Kendall in 1987. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

After her time in television, Bonet starred in high-profile movies such as "Enemy of the State" and "High Fidelity."

Lisa Bonet. Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images

Peter Billingsley played Ralphie Parker in the holiday classic "A Christmas Story" in 1983.

Peter Billingsley sits on Santa's lap in "A Christmas Story." Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images

Billingsley now works behind the scenes as a producer.

Peter Billingsley in 2018. VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images

Soleil Moon Frye held the titular role in "Punky Brewster."

Soleil Moon Frye as Punky Brewster. Gene Arias/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Frye has continued acting, mostly through voiceover work.

Soleil Moon Frye. Earl Gibson III/Getty Images

Jaleel White started playing Steve Urkel on "Family Matters" in 1988 when he was 12 years old.

Jaleel White as Steve Urkel. Fotos International/Archive Photos via Getty Images

He's continued acting, appearing in numerous television shows and movies such as "Dreamgirls."

Jaleel White in 2019. Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Corey Feldman played Regi Tower in "The Bad News Bears" from 1979 to 1980.

Corey Feldman in1987. Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Feldman wrote a book about his time in Hollywood called "Coreyography: A Memoir," released in 2013.

Corey Feldman. Ben Horton/Getty Images for Rainbow Films

Danica McKellar played Winnie Cooper on "The Wonder Years" from 1988 to 1993.

Danica McKellar and Fred Savage, stars of "The Wonder Years." Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

McKellar has continued acting, but she also received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from UCLA and wrote four bestselling math books.

Danica McKellar. AP Images

Her former costar, Fred Savage, began acting at age 9.

Fred Savage in 1988. Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Savage is still acting, but he also works behind the camera as a director.

Fred Savage in 2019. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Emmanuel Lewis starred as the titular character on "Webster."

Emmanuel Lewis in 1983. Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Lewis has made a few appearances in movies and television shows since then, and he's also ventured into music with his own record label.

Emmanuel Lewis in 2015. David Livingston/Getty Images

Tracey Gold played Carol Seaver on "Growing Pains" from 1985 to 1992.

Tracey Gold in 1985. Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

She has continued appearing in movies and television shows, and she wrote a memoir called "Room to Grow: An Appetite for Life."

Tracey Gold in 2018. Bobby Bank/Getty Images

Jenny Lewis appeared in movies and television shows throughout the '80s and '90s.

Jenny Lewis on "Life with Lucy." Walt Disney Television via Getty Images/Chic Donchin

Lewis switched gears and became a successful musician.

Jenny Lewis performs in 2016. Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

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