10 Child Actors Who DIDN’T Implode From Early Fame—Where Are They Now?

Ryan Gosling in The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993-1995

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Ryan Gosling in The Mickey Mouse Club and Now

Before he was breaking up street fights, earning festival kudos and the love and admiration of every woman within a mile, Gosling was just another tow-headed munchkin on the Mickey Mouse Club.

Ron Howard in Happy Days from 1974-1984

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Ron Howard in Happy Days and Now

From his early days as a ginger-headed cutie on The Andy Griffith Show and in The Music Man to his days as Richie Cunningham on Happy Days, Howard created a powerful place for himself in pop culture. Luckily, he was able to mature and become one hell of a director.

Neil Patrick Harris in Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle in 2004

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Neil Patrick Harris in Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle and Now

After Dr. Doogie took his final house call for the Albuquerque native, Neil Patrick Harris turned to the stage, where he became a fixture in the musical scene before he was cast in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. The small cameo gave his career a boost. Now, he is starring in his final season of How I Met Your Mother and is a fixture on every award show ever.

Natalie Portman in Leon The Professional in 1994

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Natalie Portman in Leon The Professional and Now

The former child star who caught the attention of critics and audiences in The Professional the Black Swan actress graduated from Harvard with a degree in psychology.

Kieran Culkin in Igby Goes Down in 2002

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Kieran Culkin in Igby Goes Down and Now

The younger brother of Macaulay managed to avoid the pitfalls that plagued his brother, earning a Golden Globe nomination for his role in Igby Goes Down.

Justin Timberlake in The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993-1995

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Justin Timberlake in The Mickey Mouse Club and Now

Another vet of the Mickey Mouse Club, young Justin used to hang out with Ryan Gosling before he headed of to a world filled with boy bands and Saturday Night Live hosting gigs.

Joseph Gordon Levitt in A River Runs Through It in 1992

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Joseph Gordon Levitt in A River Runs Through It and Now

Beginning his career with big dog movie Beethoven, JGL was initially welcomed into homes every Friday with his role on 3rd Rock from the Sun. Today, he is an A-list actor and has recently taken a turn into directing, with his first feature film Don Jon.

Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver in 1976

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Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver and Now

Despite beginning her career at age three and going on to play wild child teens in Taxi Driver and Foxes, the French-speaking Oscar winner graduated from Yale with a Doctor of Fine Arts.

Jason Bateman in Silver Spoons from 1982-1984

Jason Bateman in Silver Spoons and Now

The former arrogant Derek, frenemy to the Rickster, managed to grow up without the attention of the police, leading on to bigger and better things, like Juno and Arrested Development.

Emma Watson in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in 2001

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Emma Watson in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Now

The adorable yet sometimes bossy Hermione Granger became the Harry Potter franchise when she was a wee lass. However, after the final film, Watson was able to branch out, cutting her hair, attending Brown University and trying new roles, such as in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Dakota Fanning in I Am Sam in 2001

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Dakota Fanning in I Am Sam and Now

After starring in I Am Sam opposite Sean Penn at age seven, Ms. Fanning became the premiere child actress of the time. Luckily, she was able to move ahead with her career rather than fall in the fame pit. Her part in the Twilight series gave her the transition she needed from child star to serious actress.