Top 10 Child Stars Who Got Normal Jobs as Adults
#10: Ross Malinger
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Ross Malinger was a prolific actor from age six. His big break came when he played Tom Hanks's son in the rom-com classic "Sleepless in Seattle". There were many more projects from there, including the lead role of T. J. in the Disney animated series "Recess". But Malinger ultimately left the pressures of Hollywood in his early 20s, following his father's footsteps into sales. He has become a seasoned automotive dealership salesman and manager in the Greater Los Angeles area. It's a much less public job than the one he had as a kid. But Malinger has found his perfect leading role on the show floor.
#9: Josh Saviano
The classic sitcom "The Wonder Years" didn't just follow Fred Savage's coming-of-age. Josh Saviano captivated audiences for six seasons with the trials and triumphs of Kevin Arnold's nerdy best friend, Paul Pfeiffer. Unlike his castmates, Saviano didn't follow the entertainment industry into adulthood, at least not directly. As a partner at the law firm Morrison Cohen, he specialized in artists' intellectual property disputes and other financial transactions. He eventually used his expertise in creative entrepreneurship to found the startup companies Act 3 Advisors and Spotlight Advisory Group. Saviano may no longer be in the spotlight himself, but he is dedicated to handing it to a new generation of artists.
#8: Charlie Korsmo
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Charlie Korsmo stole the show in several cult classics of the '90s. He is particularly known for his award-nominated roles as the title character’s protege in "Dick Tracy" and Peter Pan's son in "Hook". But just when it seemed he was going to blow up in the new millennium, Korsmo decided to change direction in college. He graduated with a physics degree from MIT and worked in the public sector, before completing his law studies at Yale. Korsmo has become an esteemed legal scholar, even being nominated to the Barry Goldwater Scholarship's board of trustees by Barack Obama. Settling in Cleveland as a corporate law professor, Korsmo has followed his interests into a successful career.
#7: Taran Noah Smith
Throughout the '90s, audiences watched Taran Noah Smith grow up as Mark Taylor, the youngest son on the hit sitcom "Home Improvement". By the time the show ended, he knew that acting wasn’t for him, and was excited to decide for himself what to do with his life. Smith built a career on his own terms as an entrepreneur, forming the vegan cheese brand Playfood, among other enterprises. In mid-2022, he became an integration technician for SpaceX. Smith may have left “Home Improvement” behind him, but he’s still built a lot with his own hands.
#6: David Dorfman
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David Dorfman had an intense childhood, both on the screen and academically. The child actor broke out as Naomi Watts's son in the American remake of "The Ring" and its sequel. He also appeared in a number of other movies and TV shows. But his tenure on CBS’s "Family Law" foreshadowed his ultimate ambition. A UCLA student at just 13 years old, Dorfman was a valedictorian graduate and Harvard Law student by 18. He was still acting regularly when he began an illustrious law career. But with multiple offices in the U.S. House of Representatives, Dorfman now definitely has his hands full. Talk about scary success.
#5: Peter Ostrum
A one-time actor achieving stardom is a rare treat. Peter Ostrum had that luck when he was recruited from a children's theater in Cleveland for the starring role of Charlie Bucket in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". Ostrum's infectious wonder enchanted audiences, alongside Gene Wilder's iconic antics. The 13-year-old was an overnight star, but had other priorities. His family had bought a horse, sparking Ostrum’s interest in veterinary work. Since getting his doctorate from Cornell, he has become a highly successful vet and dairy consultant in New York. Between this fulfilling work and the occasional return to the spotlight to discuss his brief but memorable acting career, it looks like Ostrum got everything he ever wanted.
#4: Jeff Cohen
Jeff Cohen spent his formative years during the '80s in the public eye. His breakout acting role as the clumsy but ultimately heroic Chunk in "The Goonies" made him an icon of the decade. But rather than use this credit to build his acting resumé, he cultivated a network on the business and legal side of the industry. By 1991, Cohen retired from acting to study law at Berkeley and UCLA. As the head of his own Beverly Hills law firm, he has become a renowned Hollywood dealmaker. Though Chunk will live on as a slapstick icon, Cohen's much sharper business shuffle is just as legendary.
#3: Julianna Rose Mauriello
The popular children's show "LazyTown" was not so lazy when Stephanie showed up. Her cheerful energy and dancing talents inspired young audiences to stay active, and made actress Julianna Rose Mauriello a household name. She ended her run with the show in 2008, leaving Stephanie to be played by Chloe Lang in the series’ 2013 revival. Meanwhile, Mauriello retired from acting and went on to get her master's degree from Columbia University. Though many may be surprised that she is not working in performing arts, she is still dedicated to children's physical and mental health. Mauriello is now a pediatric occupational therapist in Los Angeles, where she uses her many talents to support the activity of kids who need it most.
#2: Mara Wilson
Mara Wilson gained instant recognition as the adorable daughter in "Mrs. Doubtfire" and the 1994 remake of "Miracle on 34th Street". '90s kids may remember her most as the magical, mischievous Matilda in the cult classic film of the same name. Wilson was poised to be one of Hollywood's breakout stars for the new millennium. However, the tragic death of her mother in 1996 left her feeling overwhelmed and longing for a more normal life. She’s also said that she wanted more creative freedom - and she seems to have found it, becoming a writer across multiple media. This career has carried her back into the public eye as an advocate for progressive causes and mental health. She even takes on the occasional acting role for fun.
#1: Danny Lloyd
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Six-year-old Danny Lloyd made his acting debut in what he thought was a standard family drama. He was in fact playing Danny Torrance in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining", one of the greatest and scariest horror movies ever. Lloyd's performance was praised alongside his veteran castmates'. But after his sophomore role in a TV movie about Watergate, he opted for a less public coming-of-age. Lloyd has been a biology professor in Kentucky since 2004, reluctant to share his claim-to-fame with his students. He's still glad to meet fans of "The Shining" though. He even returned to the screen for a cameo in the 2019 sequel, "Doctor Sleep". Dr. Lloyd otherwise feels he shined enough in the one role, and is equally proud of his career in academia.
