6. Gary Coleman
Gary Coleman was the child star in the ’70s and ’80s, starring in shows like Diff’rent Strokes, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Married… With Children, and more.
He would soon go on to star as himself in later TV series for millennials like Drake and Josh and Robot Chicken, retiring before he eventually passed away in 2010 from a subdural hematoma at the age of 42.
7. Harvey Stephens
Harvey Stephens is best-known for his role as the creepy little boy in the 1976 film of The Omen. After that film, he only went onto appear in one other film in 1980 called Gauguin the Savage, which was a TV movie and played the role of tabloid reporter #3 in a remake of The Omen in 2006.
Otherwise, he’s been very quiet and focuses more on his family these days!
8. Denise Nickerson
Denise Nickerson is remembered for her role as the gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde in the 1971 film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. She would go on to appear in several more TV series and movies but would retire from acting after 1978 to work as a nurse.
Some of the TV series she’s dabbled in over the years include The Brady Bunch in 1974 and The Magical World of Disney in 1978.
9. Peter Ostrum
Peter Ostrum, another Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory alum, starred as Charlie Bucket in the 1971 film. Despite starring as himself in a number of documentaries and TV shorts over the years, he hasn’t done much in the film industry since he retired after his Willy Wonka days.
He received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. Ostrum has been married to Loretta Lepkowski since 1987 and they have two children together!
10. Linda Blair
Most people see this name and it sends chills down their spine! Linda Blair is best-known for her role as Regan in the 1973 film of The Exorcist. This role would open many more doors for her to appear in more TV movies and films throughout the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. She’s been less active in the 2000s, but still has a film in post-production called Landfill.
She spends her spare time doing charity work these days, partly with her own foundation, The Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation, which provides a safe haven and lifelong care for animals. Below is a great interview with Linda Blair about her experience filming one of the most terrifying movies of all-time!
There are more former child stars on the NEXT page! Let’s see if you remember any of them…