21 Former Child Stars Who Had One Big Role, Where Are They Now?

Television in the 1970s and 1980s introduced audiences to a wave of young actors who quickly became household names. While a few transitioned into long-running careers, many others found their time in the spotlight was brief.

This 24/7 Tempo slideshow revisits child stars who were once everywhere on TV, focusing on those who became closely tied to a single standout role. We take a look at what came next, from career shifts to life outside of entertainment.

From familiar faces you may not have thought about in years to surprising updates, these stories offer a look at how early fame shaped their paths long after their breakout moments.

• Played Ben Seaver on “Growing Pains”
• Currently 49 years old
• Had a male stalker while he was on “Growing Pains”
• Began drinking alcohol at 4 years old
• Currently in recovery for alcohol use disorder

• Played Webster on “Webster”
• Began acting at age 9
• Currently 55 years old
• At age 13, Lewis was 42 inches tall and weighed 40 lbs

• Played Margaux Kramer on “Punky Brewster”
• Discovered on “Star Search” at age 8
• Appeared on one episode of “Webster”
• Currently 50 years old
• Lives in California with her husband and two kids

• Played David Witherspoon on “Our House”
• Began acting at age 7
• Retired from acting
• Currently 51 years old
• Is a psychologist
• Member and supporter of the LGBTQ+ community

• Played Wesley Owens on “Mr. Belvedere”
• Currently 50 years old
• Appeared on one episode of “Alice”
• Co-founder of Drama ¾, a third-party production company in Los Angeles.

• Played Emma McCardle on “Kate & Allie”
• Currently 57 years old
• Graduated from Yale University with a double major in Philosophy and Theater Arts
• Now a postpartum and lactation nurse at an LA-area hospital

• Played Nicole Bradford on “My Two Dads”
• Began her career at age 5 by modeling
• Cast in “My Two Dads” at age 12
• Tutored students in grades 5-12
• Currently a lawyer and law professor in Los Angeles using her given name, Anastasia Love Sagorsky

• Played Sarah Powell in 104 episodes of “Charles in Charge”
• Currently 53 years old
• Began acting at age 3
• Has a kitschy new podcast called “The Imperfect Podcast”

• Played Rudy Huxtable on “The Cosby Show”
• Currently 47 years old
• Started working in entertainment at 9 months old
• Graduated from Spelman College with a Sociology degree
• Has a line of spices and seasonings called Keshia’s Kitchen
• Married with a baby boy born in early 2023

• Played Jonathan Bower on “Who’s the Boss?”
• Currently 50 years old
• Did some stage acting after “Who’s the Boss?”, including Cujo.
• Other jobs include Tupperware sales, restaurant manager, and vet technician
• Has lived in Las Vegas and Austin and now lives in California and has returned to acting

• Played Andy Keaton on “Family Ties”
• Currently 44 years old
• Began acting at age 4
• Left acting and moved to Boulder, Colorado with his family
• Has been a musician since 1998
• Plays in punk band “Lights in the Sky”

• Played Wayne Arnold on “The Wonder Years”
• Now 54 years old
• Serial entrepreneur
• Currently the Founder & CEO of Marathon 360, a marketing agency

• Played Brian Tanner on “Alf”
• Full name is Benji Gregory Hertzberg
• His grandmother was his agent
• Served in the Navy
• Died in 2024 at 46 years old.

• Played Sam McKinney on “Diff’rent Strokes”
• Currently 50 years old
• Began acting at age 8
• Played in a variety of bands
• Lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter

• Played Tommy Hyatt on “Alice”
• Was discovered by Linda Lavin, who played Alice, his mother
• Worked in radio after ending his acting career
• Died in 2019 at the age of 55

• Played Nicholas Bradford on “Eight is Enough” for 112 episodes
• Appeared on some of the most popular shows of the 1980s
• Began using drugs at age 14
• Dropped out of high school at age 17
• Died in 2023 from an accidental fentanyl overdose

• Shared the role of Carrie Olson on “Little House on the Prairie”
• Left acting not long after “Little House” ended
• Currently 55 years old
• Sidney is widowed; Lindsay is married

• Played Vicki Stubing in six seasons of “The Love Boat”
• Currently 59 years old
• Played heart patient Lisa Davis in the cult hit Airplane
• Was named “Celebrations Ambassador” by Princess Cruises, the same line featured in “The Love Boat”
• Married three times

• Played Dee Thomas on “What’s Happening!”
• Also played Dee in the sequel, “What’s Happening Now!”
• Was in a car accident at age 8 which left her in a coma for three weeks
• Lived in Africa after the show was cancelled
• She’s a doctor of veterinary medicine
• Died in 2025 after a long battle with cancer

• Played Katie Gatling on “Benson”
• Currently age 55
• Appeared on several popular shows of the ‘80s
• Sister of Tracey Gold, who starred in “Growing Pains”
• Is a psychologist

• Played a character of the same name — Cherie Johnson — on “Punky Brewster”
• Currently age 50
• Acts, writes and produces
• Has a line of hair products called Wild Cherry
• Hosts a podcast called “Cherie’s World”