Child Stars Who Were One-Hit Wonders

Acting is a notoriously hard business to break into. Out of the millions who try to make it in Hollywood, the success rate is an incredibly low percentage. If you wish to succeed in this tough world, you need patience and resilience, and often it’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time. The world of children’s acting is not much different.

While it may seem easier for a child to break into the industry since they aren’t expected to have many acting credits, the sheer volume of competition lessens the odds. According to a new documentary on HBO called “Show Kids,” more than 20,000 child actors audition for roles in Hollywood every year and 95% don’t book a single job.

But for those who make it, life may often take a drastically different turn, both for better and often for the worse. The 1970s and ’80s were rich with many TV show options that often featured memorable young characters. Some child stars went on to continue their careers, while some enjoyed the height of their fame and then their star faded.

24/Tempo reviewed some of the most recognizable child stars who enjoyed their time in the spotlight and learned more about where life took them when the lights went down. Some thrived and went on to be successful in other careers, while others struggled. (Click here to check out the 40 best kids’ shows of all time.)

Jeremy Miller

• Role: Ben Seaver on “Growing Pains”

Now 47 years old, Jeremy Miller was nine when he began the role of Ben Seaver; when he was 14, while still on the show, he had a male stalker. He gave up acting and is currently in recovery for alcohol use disorder (he began drinking alcohol when he was four years old).

Emmanuel Lewis

• Role: Webster on “Webster”

Emmanuel Lewis began acting at nine but when he was cast to play the seven-year-old Webster on the show of the same name he was already 12. He was only 42 inches tall. Currently 52, Lewis founded an entertainment label fittingly called Emmanuel Lewis Entertainment

Ami Foster

• Role: Margaux Kramer on “Punky Brewster

Ami Foster was discovered on “Star Search” at age 8 and appeared on one episode of “Webster,” and in the movie “Troop Beverly Hills”. She is now 48 years old and lives in California with her husband and two kids.

Chad Allen

• Role: David Witherspoon on “Our House”

Currently 49 years old, Chad Allen began acting at age seven. He retired from the profession and is now a psychologist as well as a member and supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.

Brice Beckham

• Role: Wesley Owens on “Mr. Belvedere”

Brice Beckham, who also appeared on one episode of “Alice”, is now 47 and the co-founder of Drama ¾, a third-party production company in Los Angeles.

Ari Meyers

• Role: Emma McCardle on “Kate & Allie”

The 54-year-old Meyers graduated from Yale University with a double major in Philosophy and Theater Arts and is now a postpartum and lactation nurse at an LA-area hospital.

Staci Keanan

• Role: Nicole Bradford on “My Two Dads”

Keanan began her career at age 5 by modeling and by age 12 she was cast in “My Two Dads.” Once a tutor for students in grades 5-12, she is now a lawyer and law professor in Los Angeles using her given name, Anastasia Love Sagorsky

Josie Davis

• Role: Sarah Powell in 104 episodes of “Charles in Charge”

Davis, now 50, began acting at age three and you can find her online with her kitschy new podcast called “The Imperfect Podcast”.

Keshia Knight-Pulliam

• Role: Rudy Huxtable on “The Cosby Show”

Knight-Pulliam started working in entertainment at 9 months old and was cast as the youngest Huxtable child when she was five. Currently 44 years old, she graduated from Spelman College with a Sociology degree. Now married with a young son, she has a line of spices and seasonings called Keshia’s Kitchen.

Danny Pintauro

• Role: Jonathan Bower on “Who’s the Boss?”

Pintauro, 47, appeared in the film “Cujo” before landing the role of Jonathan Bower. Appearing on stage after “Who’s the Boss?” as well as trying other jobs, including Tupperware sales, restaurant manager, and vet technician, he now lives in California with his husband and has returned to acting.

Brian Bonsall

Brian Bonsall publicity portrait from the television series ‘Family Ties’, 1987. (Photo by Paramount/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

• Role: Andy Keaton on “Family Ties”

Brian Bonsall began acting at age 4 and left the industry to pursue a music career. He moved to Boulder, Colorado with his family and has been a musician since 1998. Now 42, he plays in the punk band “Lights in the Sky”.

Jason Hervey

• Role: Wayne Arnold on “The Wonder Years”

The 51-year-old Hervey became a serial entrepreneur and is currently the Founder & CEO of Marathon 360, a marketing agency.

Benji Gregory

(L-R) Max

• Role: Brian Tanner on “Alf”

Gregory, whose full name Benji Gregory Hertzberg, kept his career as a family affair – his grandmother was his agent. He served in the U.S. Navy and is now 45 years old, living in Avondale, Arizona

Danny Cooksey

• Role: Sam McKinney on “Diff’rent Strokes”

Danny Cooksey began acting at age 8 and while best known for his role as San McKinney, has been in several hit movies and television shows. Now 48 and living in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter, he is a musician who has played with several rock bands and continues to act.

Philip McKeon

• Role: Tommy Hyatt on “Alice”

McKeon, brother of actress Nancy McKeon from “Facts of Life” fame, was discovered by Linda Lavin, who played his mother Alice on the sitcom of the same name. He worked in radio after ending his acting career and in 2019 at the age of 55, he died after battling a long illness.

Adam Rich

• Role: Nicholas Bradford on “Eight is Enough” for 112 episodes

Adam Rich appeared on some of the most popular shows of the 1980s and was only eight years old when he began his role as the youngest Bradford child. He began using drugs at 14, dropped out of high school at 17, and at the age of 54 he died from an accidental fentanyl overdose.

Sidney and Lindsay Greenbush

• Shared the role of Carrie Olson on “Little House on the Prairie”

The Greenbush twins left acting shortly after “Little House” ended. They are currently 53 years old and both reside in California. Sidney, who is widowed, has a degree in animal science and works with American quarter horses. Lindsay, who has a degree in Accounting, occasionally acts. She is currently married and has one child.

Jill Whelan

• Role: Vicki Stubing in six seasons of “The Love Boat”

Jill Whelan is currently 57 years old and has been married three times. She also played heart patient Lisa Davis in the cult hit Airplane and was named “Celebrations Ambassador” by Princess Cruises, the same line featured in “The Love Boat”.

Danielle Spencer

• Role: Dee Thomas on “What’s Happening!”

Spencer, now 58 years old, became an actress at eight, which is also the same age she was when was in a car accident that left her in a coma for three weeks. She also played Dee in the sequel, “What’s Happening Now!” and lived in Africa for a time after the show was canceled. She is currently a practicing doctor of veterinary medicine in California.

Missy Gold

American child actress Missy Gold, circa 1985. She is wearing a James Dean badge. (Photo by Ron Wolfson/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

• Role: Katie Gatling on “Benson”

In addition to her popular role as Katie Gatling on Benson,” Missy Gold appeared on several popular shows of the ‘80s. Gold, who is 53, is now a licensed psychologist. She is also the sister of actress Tracey Gold who starred in “Growing Pains”.

Cherie Johnson

• Role: a character of the same name — Cherie Johnson — on “Punky Brewster”

Johnson, who played a character of the same name on the hit show “Punky Brewster” is currently 48 years old and not only acts, writes, and produces but also hosts a podcast called “Cherie’s World”. Additionally, she has a line of hair products called Wild Cherry.