Most child stars don’t stay famous forever, and some don’t want to. A few decide early that acting isn’t the life they want long-term. After a taste of Hollywood, they step away completely and build careers in different professions. These are full exits from the industry, often with no plans to return.
What’s striking is how un-Hollywood their new jobs are. Here are 10 former child actors who left fame behind and chose something completely different, and much more ordinary.
Peter Ostrum Became a Large-Animal Veterinarian
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
He played Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, then walked away from acting altogether. Ostrum turned down a studio contract and eventually became a large-animal vet. He spent decades tending to horses and dairy cows in upstate New York before retiring in 2023, completely removed from the film business.
Carrie Henn Chose a Career in Elementary Education
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
As Newt in Aliens, she worked with James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver. She eventually decided never to act again. Henn opted for a life away from cameras. She earned a degree and became an elementary school teacher. She’s been in education for years, with no interest in revisiting her short time on screen.
Danny Lloyd Entered Academic Science
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Best known for playing young Danny Torrance in The Shining, Lloyd never knew he was in a horror film until years later. Kubrick kept the set calm for him. He later pursued science and now teaches biology at a community college in Kentucky, far from any red carpet.
Ariana Richards Built a Career as a Fine Artist
Credit: Instagram
Best known as Lex in Jurassic Park, Ariana Richards shifted her creative energy from performance to painting. She built a successful career in fine art, specializing in impressionist landscapes and portraits, and received awards at national oil painting competitions.
Jeff Cohen Became an Entertainment Attorney
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As Chunk in The Goonies, he left a lasting impression, especially with the Truffle Shuffle. But Cohen left performing behind, studied law at UCLA, and became a successful entertainment attorney. He now negotiates contracts instead of memorizing lines.
Kay Panabaker Works as an Animal Keeper
Credit: Instagram
Once a Disney Channel regular, Panabaker starred in shows like Phil of the Future before stepping away. She studied zoology at UCLA and now works as an animal keeper at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Her days are spent with wildlife, not film crews. It was a shift she’s never publicly regretted.
Josh Saviano Transitioned Into Corporate Law
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Josh Saviano, who played Paul on The Wonder Years, later earned a degree from Yale and became a corporate attorney. He went on to start his own law firm and brand consultancy. He does not maintain a presence in film or television.
Charlie Korsmo Became a Law Professor
Credit: Youtube
Known for his roles in Dick Tracy and Hook, Korsmo left film behind in his teens. He earned a physics degree at MIT, then studied law at Yale. Now, he teaches corporate law at Case Western Reserve University, trading scripts for syllabi and lectures.
Omri Katz Shifted Into Horticulture and Business
Credit: Instagram
After starring in Hocus Pocus and Eerie, Indiana, Katz stopped acting. He briefly worked as a hairstylist and later shifted to horticulture, including work in cannabis-related businesses. He occasionally appears at fan events but doesn’t pursue any active roles in entertainment.
Michael Maronna Works as a Union Electrician
Credit: Youtube
He played Big Pete on The Adventures of Pete & Pete, but Maronna didn’t stick with acting long-term. He trained as a union electrician and now works behind the scenes on film sets. His credits include Men in Black 3, though always from the technical crew, not the cast list.
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