Good Child Actors Who Became Bad Teenage Actors During a TV Show

Growing up on television can be tough for any child actor. Audiences watch them go from cute kids to awkward teenagers right on screen. While some young actors handle this transition with ease, others seem to struggle. Their performances, once praised for being natural and charming, can become stiff and unconvincing as they get older. This change can be due to many reasons, including the challenges of navigating puberty, a disconnect with the character’s development, or the pressures of fame.

This article looks at several child actors who started strong on a TV show but whose acting was perceived by many viewers to have declined during their teenage years. For some, the change was subtle, a gradual loss of the spark they once had. For others, it was a more noticeable shift that affected how their characters were received in the later seasons of their shows. Here are some examples of good child actors who, for various reasons, became less convincing as teenage actors on the same series.

Isaac Hempstead Wright – Game of Thrones

Isaac Hempstead Wright began playing Bran Stark on Game of Thrones (2011-2019) when he was just a child. In the early seasons, his portrayal of the curious and adventurous young boy who suffers a tragic fall was well-received. He effectively conveyed the fear, loss, and determination of his character. Viewers were invested in Bran’s journey and his developing abilities.

As the show progressed and Bran became the Three-Eyed Raven, both the character and the performance changed dramatically. In his teenage years, Wright was tasked with portraying a character who was detached from emotion and humanity. This resulted in a performance that many viewers found to be wooden and one-note. While the script called for a more subdued character, his delivery often came across as flat and unengaging, a stark contrast to the lively performance of his younger years.

Chandler Riggs – The Walking Dead

Chandler Riggs grew up playing Carl Grimes on The Walking Dead (2010-2018). In the first few seasons, he gave a solid performance as a young boy trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. He was central to many emotional storylines, particularly those involving his father, Rick.

However, as Riggs became a teenager, some viewers and critics found his acting to be less convincing. His line delivery in some later seasons was often criticized for being awkward or flat, especially during dramatic scenes. Riggs himself later admitted that he felt his acting suffered during the show’s middle seasons while he was trying to balance work with school.

Taran Noah Smith – Home Improvement

Taran Noah Smith played Mark Taylor, the youngest son on the popular sitcom Home Improvement (1991-1999). As a young child, he was a cute and essential part of the Taylor family dynamic, often seen as the sensitive and sometimes picked-on little brother. His early performances were natural for a child actor on a family-friendly show.

However, as Smith grew into his teenage years, his character was given less to do, often fading into the background. His delivery became less engaging, and the character of Mark became a gloomy, goth-like teenager, a shift that didn’t seem to fit the show’s tone. Smith largely quit acting after the show ended, stating he had lost interest in the profession.

Zachery Ty Bryan – Home Improvement

Zachery Ty Bryan played Brad Taylor, the oldest son on Home Improvement (1991-1999). In the show’s early years, he convincingly portrayed the popular, athletic, and often mischievous older brother. He had a natural charm that worked well for the family sitcom format.

As the show went on and Bryan entered his later teenage years, his performance was sometimes seen as less charismatic than in the earlier seasons. The character became more focused on typical teen drama, but the spark from his younger years seemed to diminish. The transition from a funny kid to a more serious teen actor felt awkward to many viewers.

Angus T. Jones – Two and a Half Men

Angus T. Jones played Jake Harper on the hit sitcom Two and a Half Men (2003-2015). For years, he was the “half” in the show’s title, delivering funny one-liners with perfect comedic timing for a child actor. He was a core part of the show’s success in its early seasons.

As he entered his late teens, Jones’s storylines shifted to more adult themes, and his performance seemed to lose its earlier charm. Jones himself grew uncomfortable with the show’s content due to his religious beliefs. He publicly criticized the series, and his on-screen discomfort became apparent before he eventually left his main role.

Nolan Gould – Modern Family

Nolan Gould starred as the dim-witted but lovable Luke Dunphy on Modern Family (2009-2020). As a young child, his comedic timing and portrayal of the quirky, accident-prone kid were highlights of the show. He was a natural at physical comedy and had great chemistry with his on-screen family.

As Luke grew into a teenager, the character’s lack of intelligence was exaggerated, and the role became less about charming cluelessness. Some viewers felt Gould’s acting became awkward and that his line delivery was often flat. The natural humor of the young character did not always translate well as he got older.

Rico Rodriguez – Modern Family

Rico Rodriguez played Manny Delgado, the comically sophisticated and romantic old-soul on Modern Family (2009-2020). When he was young, his portrayal of a child who acted like a middle-aged man was a fresh and funny concept. His serious delivery of poetic and dramatic lines was a consistent source of humor.

As Rodriguez grew into a teenager, the joke of a kid acting like an adult began to wear thin. The character’s shtick became repetitive for many viewers, and the performance felt less like a novelty and more like a one-note character. The charm of a little boy in a tiny tuxedo was lost as he became an actual young man.

Aubrey Anderson-Emmons – Modern Family

Aubrey Anderson-Emmons took over the role of Lily Tucker-Pritchett on Modern Family from season three onwards. As a young child, she was known for her sassy and deadpan one-liners, providing a sharp contrast to her dramatic dads. She had great comedic timing for a child her age.

As she grew older on the show, many viewers felt that her performance did not evolve. Her line delivery often remained in the same deadpan style, which came across as stiff or monotone in her teenage years. The character’s sarcasm, which was funny from a small child, was sometimes perceived as simply sullen from a teenager.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen – Full House

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen famously shared the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House (1987-1995). They were cast as babies and grew up on set, becoming beloved for their cute catchphrases and charming toddler antics. Their performances were a huge part of the show’s appeal.

As the twins got older, their acting style changed. In the later seasons, their delivery became more rehearsed, and the natural cuteness of their younger years was harder to capture. While still a popular character, the performance was not as consistently strong as when they were little, and they both retired from acting to pursue fashion.

Danny Pintauro – Who’s the Boss?

Danny Pintauro was the adorable Jonathan Bower on Who’s the Boss? (1984-1992). As a young child, he had a natural and sweet screen presence that made him a beloved character. His interactions with his on-screen mother, grandfather, and housekeeper were often highlights of the show.

As Pintauro entered his teenage years, the character of Jonathan was written into more standard teen storylines. His performance, while not bad, lost the unique spark that made him stand out as a younger child. He became a more conventional sitcom teenager, and the charm of his early years proved difficult to maintain through puberty.

Luis Armand Garcia – George Lopez

Luis Armand Garcia played Max Lopez on the sitcom George Lopez (2002-2007). In the early seasons, Max was a funny kid with dyslexia, and Garcia’s performance was seen as a solid part of the family dynamic. He was a cute kid who could deliver a funny line.

As the show progressed, both the character and the actor grew up. In the later seasons, the character of Max became more sullen and angry. Many viewers felt Garcia’s performance became wooden and lacked the comedic timing he displayed in his younger years, making the character less likable.

Emma Kenney – Shameless

Emma Kenney played Debbie Gallagher on Shameless (2011-2021), a show known for its dark and dramatic themes. As a young girl, Kenney was excellent at portraying Debbie’s intelligence and resourcefulness, serving as the responsible heart of the chaotic Gallagher family.

As Debbie entered her teenage years, the character went through a dramatic and often unlikable transformation. While this was intentional for the storyline, many viewers felt Kenney’s performance became grating and one-dimensional. Her portrayal of the difficult teen and young adult Debbie was a frequent point of criticism for fans of the show.

Ethan Cutkosky – Shameless

Ethan Cutkosky portrayed Carl Gallagher, the troubled and delinquency-prone middle child on Shameless (2011-2021). As a young kid, his deadpan delivery while engaging in destructive behavior was a source of dark humor, and he played the part of a budding sociopath convincingly.

When Carl became a teenager, his storylines became more serious, involving gangs, crime, and eventually, military school. Some viewers found Cutkosky’s performance during these years to be stiff and his delivery mumbled. The transition from a darkly comedic child character to a dramatic teen role was not always smooth.

Millie Bobby Brown – Stranger Things

Millie Bobby Brown received massive acclaim for her role as Eleven in the first season of Stranger Things (2016-present). Her portrayal of a frightened, powerful, and nearly non-verbal child was subtle and compelling. She conveyed a wide range of emotions with very few words.

In later seasons, as Eleven became more verbal and assimilated into American teenage life, some critics and viewers felt Brown’s acting became more theatrical and over-the-top. The quiet intensity that defined her early performance was replaced with a style that some found less nuanced and believable for the character.

Finn Wolfhard – Stranger Things

Finn Wolfhard also gained fame as Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things (2016-present). In the first season, he was praised for his natural performance as the earnest and determined leader of his group of friends. His chemistry with the other young actors was a key part of the show’s success.

As the series continued, some viewers felt that Wolfhard’s performance became less engaging. His line delivery was sometimes criticized as being mumbled or disinterested, especially in seasons three and four. While the character of Mike became more of a typical moody teenager, the acting was seen by some as a step down from his stronger work in the show’s beginning.

Jared Gilmore – Once Upon a Time

Jared S. Gilmore played the key role of Henry Mills in Once Upon a Time (2011-2018). As a young boy, he was the heart of the show, the believer who brought all the fairytale characters together. His performance was praised for being both precocious and vulnerable.

As Gilmore grew into his teenage years on the show, some viewers felt his acting became flat and his delivery lifeless. In scenes that required a great deal of emotion, his performance was sometimes seen as bland. While the character of Henry remained central to the plot for many seasons, the performance in the later years was often pointed to as a weak point.

Marten Holden Weiner – Mad Men

Marten Weiner, son of the show’s creator, played the recurring role of Glen Bishop on Mad Men (2007-2015). Glen was the strange neighborhood boy who formed an odd friendship with Betty Draper. As a young child, his performance was suitably awkward and unsettling, which fit the character perfectly.

Weiner appeared on the show periodically as he grew into a teenager. In his later appearances, the character’s inherent strangeness was still present, but many viewers found the performance to be overly stiff and unconvincing. His line readings were often described as flat, which distracted from the scenes he was in.