Child Actresses Who Transitioned to Great Adult Careers

Growing up on screen is never simple, yet many young performers built steady paths from kid roles to accomplished adult work. This list spotlights former child actresses who kept learning new skills, took on challenging projects, and expanded into producing, directing, music, or business. You will find familiar faces from family shows, indie films, and major franchises, each with credits and milestones that mark a clear evolution. These careers show how early starts can lead to long lasting creative lives across film, television, and beyond.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster began acting in commercials and moved into breakout roles in ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘Freaky Friday’. As an adult she won multiple Academy Awards for performances in films like ‘The Accused’ and ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. She directs features and television episodes including ‘Money Monster’ and installments of ‘Black Mirror’. Foster continues to balance acting with producing through her company.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman debuted in ‘Léon: The Professional’ and worked steadily through school years. Her adult career includes ‘Black Swan’, which earned her an Academy Award, and key roles in ‘Jackie’ and the ‘Thor’ franchise. She graduated from Harvard and has produced projects that foreground women’s stories. Portman also launched the production banner MountainA with creative partners.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore started in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ and became a fixture of family films. She led adult comedies and romances like ‘The Wedding Singer’, ‘Charlie’s Angels’, and ’50 First Dates’. Barrymore founded Flower Films, producing movies and series while headlining ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’. She also built beauty and homeware brands under the Flower umbrella.

Christina Ricci

Christina Ricci gained fame with ‘The Addams Family’ and ‘Casper’. Transitioning to adult roles, she led indie dramas such as ‘The Opposite of Sex’ and ‘Monster’. Ricci returned to series work with ‘Yellowjackets’ and appeared in ‘Wednesday’. She continues to take period pieces and genre projects across streaming and cable.

Claire Danes

Claire Danes started on ‘My So-Called Life’. As an adult she won multiple awards for ‘Homeland’ and starred in films like ‘Romeo + Juliet’ and ‘Little Women’. Danes has appeared in prestige limited series and stage productions. She remains active in both film and television with lead roles in contemporary dramas.

Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin won an Academy Award as a child for ‘The Piano’. Her adult work spans the ‘X-Men’ films and the series ‘True Blood’, where she also served as a producer. Paquin founded a production company that develops features and television projects. She frequently alternates between independent films and mainstream releases.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson appeared in ‘The Horse Whisperer’ as a young performer. She moved into adult leads with ‘Lost in Translation’ and ‘Match Point’ and later anchored the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Black Widow. Johansson earned multiple Oscar nominations for films like ‘Marriage Story’ and ‘Jojo Rabbit’. She has produced features through These Pictures.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon’s early credits include ‘The Man in the Moon’. Her adult career features ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Walk the Line’, and ‘Wild’, with an Academy Award for portraying June Carter Cash. Witherspoon co-founded Hello Sunshine, producing ‘Big Little Lies’, ‘The Morning Show’, and ‘Little Fires Everywhere’. She also leads book-to-screen adaptations through a popular book club.

Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst appeared in ‘Interview with the Vampire’ and ‘Jumanji’. She transitioned into adult roles with ‘Bring It On’, ‘Spider-Man’, and ‘Melancholia’. Dunst earned awards recognition for ‘Fargo’ and ‘The Power of the Dog’. She continues to work in auteur films and prestige television.

Dakota Fanning

Dakota Fanning broke out with ‘I Am Sam’ and ‘War of the Worlds’. As an adult she has chosen a mix of indie features and series like ‘The Alienist’. Fanning launched a production company with her sister and produces projects she also stars in. She maintains a steady presence in festival films and limited series.

Elle Fanning

Elle Fanning began in ‘Phoebe in Wonderland’ and appeared alongside her sister in several projects. As an adult she headlined ‘The Great’ and starred in films like ‘Super 8’ and ‘Maleficent’. Fanning serves as a producer on television work and collaborates with acclaimed directors. She balances historical comedy with contemporary dramas.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson started as Hermione in the ‘Harry Potter’ series. She later starred in ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and ‘Little Women’. Watson completed a degree at Brown and became a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. She explores directing and sustainable fashion ventures alongside acting.

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan earned early acclaim for ‘Atonement’. Her adult career includes multiple Oscar-nominated roles in ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Lady Bird’, and ‘Little Women’. Ronan works frequently on stage and in independent cinema. She continues to collaborate with directors known for character driven storytelling.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld was introduced in ‘True Grit’. As an adult she led ‘The Edge of Seventeen’ and voices characters in ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ and related series. She stars in ‘Dickinson’ and appears in the ‘Hawkeye’ series. Steinfeld also records music that charts internationally.

Abigail Breslin

Abigail Breslin gained attention in ‘Little Miss Sunshine’. She moved into adult parts with ‘Zombieland’ and crime dramas like ‘Stillwater’. Breslin has appeared on network and streaming series in recurring roles. She also records music and participates in theater projects.

Zendaya

Zendaya began on ‘Shake It Up’ and ‘K.C. Undercover’. Her adult work features ‘Euphoria’, which brought major awards, and films like ‘Dune’ and ‘The Greatest Showman’. Zendaya produces projects she stars in and works closely with fashion houses. She is active in music and brand partnerships tied to her screen work.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer started in ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ and family television. As an adult she led ‘Hustlers’ and ‘Nope’ and hosted national talk and game shows. Palmer voices animated series, releases music, and produces through KeyTV. She engages in live theater and voice roles across major franchises.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez rose on ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’. She now stars in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ and produces series like ’13 Reasons Why’ and ‘Living Undocumented’. Gomez founded Rare Beauty and supports mental health initiatives through the Rare Impact Fund. She continues to release multi platinum music.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus began on ‘Hannah Montana’. Her adult career includes chart topping albums and live tours, along with appearances in ‘Black Mirror’ and feature films. Cyrus serves as a coach on ‘The Voice’ and produces music and specials. She manages creative direction across fashion and philanthropic projects.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato came from ‘Camp Rock’ and Disney Channel projects. As an adult they released number one albums, headlined world tours, and judged on ‘The X Factor’. Lovato’s screen work includes documentaries that examine personal health and industry pressures. They continue to act in television and voice roles.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné started on ‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘That’s So Raven’. As an adult she co-hosted ‘The View’ and produces and stars in ‘Raven’s Home’. Her career includes voice work in ‘Kim Possible’ and animated features. She also records music and directs episodes for family series.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande began on ‘Victorious’ and ‘Sam & Cat’. She transitioned to a global music career with multiple number one albums and major tours while continuing screen work in projects like ‘Wicked’. Grande mentors on ‘The Voice’ and produces music videos and specials. She collaborates with brands on fragrance and fashion lines.

Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff started with ‘Lizzie McGuire’. As an adult she leads ‘Younger’ and ‘How I Met Your Father’ and writes bestselling novels. Duff founded businesses in fashion and clean baby products. She continues to record music and produce television projects.

Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik began on ‘Blossom’. Her adult success includes ‘The Big Bang Theory’, which brought multiple award nominations, and hosting duties on ‘Jeopardy!’. Bialik holds a PhD in neuroscience and writes books on science and parenting. She produces and directs independent features and podcasts.

Melissa Joan Hart

Melissa Joan Hart rose with ‘Clarissa Explains It All’ and ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’. As an adult she starred in ‘Melissa & Joey’ and produced television movies. Hart operates a production company focused on family content. She also directs and appears in holiday features.

Alyson Hannigan

Alyson Hannigan appeared in commercials and early television roles. Adult audiences know her from ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, ‘American Pie’, and ‘How I Met Your Mother’. Hannigan hosts competition series and participates in voice acting for animation. She appears in specials and live events tied to classic franchises.

Kaley Cuoco

Kaley Cuoco worked in family sitcoms before landing teen roles. Her adult career includes ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and ‘The Flight Attendant’, where she also serves as executive producer. Cuoco voices Harley Quinn in the animated series of the same name. She founded a production company to develop screen projects.

Keri Russell

Keri Russell began with ‘The All New Mickey Mouse Club’. She later starred in ‘Felicity’ and then anchored ‘The Americans’, earning major awards. Russell appears on stage and in films like ‘Waitress’ and ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’. She continues to lead limited series and political dramas.

Anna Kendrick

Anna Kendrick started in theater and earned a Tony nomination at a young age. Her adult film career spans ‘Up in the Air’, ‘Pitch Perfect’, and ‘A Simple Favor’. Kendrick produces features and series and has authored a memoir. She also records songs for soundtracks and live performances.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson appeared on youth oriented television and sketch shows. As an adult she won an Academy Award for ‘Room’ and leads the ‘Captain Marvel’ films. Larson directs shorts and features and produces projects through her company. She participates in documentary and limited series work.

Shailene Woodley

Shailene Woodley acted in television from an early age. Her adult roles include the ‘Divergent’ series, ‘The Descendants’, and ‘Big Little Lies’. Woodley advocates for environmental causes and co-founds initiatives tied to sustainability. She alternates between independent films and studio projects.

Kiernan Shipka

Kiernan Shipka started on ‘Mad Men’. As an adult she headlined ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ and appeared in ‘White House Plumbers’ and thriller features. Shipka works in voice acting for animated series and films. She continues to take lead roles in genre projects across streaming platforms.

Emma Roberts

Emma Roberts began on ‘Unfabulous’. She moved into adult work with ‘American Horror Story’, ‘Scream Queens’, and a string of independent films. Roberts co-founded Belletrist Productions, adapting books for screen. She balances anthology television with romantic comedies and thrillers.

Miranda Cosgrove

Miranda Cosgrove started in ‘School of Rock’ and ‘Drake & Josh’. As an adult she leads the revival of ‘iCarly’ and voices the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise. Cosgrove studies at university and produces projects she headlines. She also hosts science and wildlife themed specials.

Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne began on ‘Shake It Up’. Her adult career covers films across thriller and indie categories and directing music videos and shorts. Thorne releases music and authors novels. She manages business ventures in fashion and beauty while producing independent features.

Joey King

Joey King appeared in commercials and early family films. As an adult she led ‘The Kissing Booth’ series and starred in ‘The Act’, earning major nominations. King produces projects she headlines across streaming platforms. She continues to work in action, drama, and true crime adaptations.

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega started on Disney Channel series and family films. She transitioned to adult roles with ‘You’, ‘Scream’, and ‘Wednesday’. Ortega serves as an executive producer on select projects. She also advocates for immigration and mental health causes through partnerships.

Sophie Turner

Sophie Turner began professional acting with ‘Game of Thrones’. She moved into adult film roles and leads in thrillers and superhero franchises like ‘X-Men’. Turner appears in limited series and podcast dramas. She works with fashion brands and produces select projects.

Emily Osment

Emily Osment started in ‘Spy Kids 2’ and ‘Hannah Montana’. As an adult she stars in ‘Young Sheldon’ and ‘Pretty Smart’ and performs music under the name Bluebiird. Osment writes and records original songs featured in series. She continues voice acting in animation and games.

Anna Chlumsky

Anna Chlumsky became known for ‘My Girl’. Her adult breakthrough came with ‘Veep’, bringing multiple award nominations. Chlumsky appears in limited series and true crime adaptations. She also works on stage and develops new projects with producers and networks.

Share your favorite picks from the list or add a name we missed in the comments so everyone can check out more success stories.