17 People Who Were Child Stars That Deserve More In Hollywood

She won an Oscar in 2019, but she needs to be in more.

After decades of struggling to find acting work, Ke Huy Quan won Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Academy Awards. He was, without a doubt, the biggest comeback story in Hollywood this year (so far).

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From his days as a child starring in films like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies, it's been a long time coming. Which got me thinking...what other child actors deserve their day in the sun?

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Here are 21 child actors who deserve more respect on their names:

1. Jake Lloyd

Lucasfilm

People basically ruined this man's life with online harassment, but he was a big part of my childhood with his roles in both Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Jingle All the Way. If he ever wanted to return to Hollywood, I hope he'd be welcome back with open arms.

But, mentally and emotionally, I hope he recovers...and that should come before anything.

2. Dakota Fanning

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Speaking of people being jerks to child actors for their performances, I thought Fanning portrayed a very believable scared girl during *checks notes* an alien invasion.

She still acts but has yet to land that big mainstream leading role, so I say give her a chance.

3. Noah Wiseman

Umbrella Entertainment

Especially in today's era, people use "cringe" when describing child actors. One, that's messed up. They're children. Two, they are portraying children in real life, which is usually pretty random and has undeveloped behavior.

This brings me to Noah Grossman's performance in The Babadook. He made it easy for the audience to find him annoying and feel bad for him from beginning to end. I'd love to see the young Aussie actor take on more roles.

4. Edward Furlong

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We should bring back John Conner while we're at it.

Furlong had roles in films like T2: Judgment Day and Pet Semetary 2 but hasn't seen much work nowadays. Let's ease him back into a supporting role and see where it goes!

5. Tatyana Ali

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Ali has most recently starred in the Bel-Air spinoff, but it would be nice if that were a gateway into more acting opportunities.

6. Jeremy Sumpter

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Most recognized for playing the lead role in Peter Pan, he hasn't really had a big role like that again. He's clearly very capable, and I'm sure Pan fans wouldn't hate seeing him get another run.

7. Malcolm David Kelley

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After playing Walt Lloyd in Lost, he has appeared in limited TV roles. He has focused more on his music career, but seeing him move up the ladder in movie roles would be nice.

8. Rupert Grint

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Grint might finally be shaking off the Ronald Weasley name after starring in Knock at the Cabin. The other two Potter child actors have had lead roles in mainstream movies, so I think it's time to give Grint his due.

9. Aly Michalka

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Growing up, I had a big crush on her when she starred in Phil of the Future, but she never really received acting roles beyond TV.

Like all of the actors on this list, with age comes experience, so it'd be nice to give her the reins in a leading or supporting role for a film.

10. Macaulay Culkin

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I was never a Home Alone guy, but Culkin's performance in The Good Son messed me up as a kid.

You're telling me Culkin wouldn't knock a horror role out of the park again? He could...if he wanted to.

11. Hillary Duff

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Duff has stayed busy with shows like Younger and How I Met Your Father, but she has never shaken off that Lizzie McGuire role.

It'd be nice to see her land a role that could ignite a new run for a movie acting career.

12. Haley Joel Osment

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Besides The Boys, What We Do in the Shadows, and Tusk, I can't recall seeing the beloved Sixth Sense star. Perhaps it's time he gets a Joaquin Phoenix-like in something to showcase his character acting ability.

13. Thora Birch

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Name all her movies you want, but Birch will always be Dani from Hocus Pocus to me. That said, she has gotten the short end of the stick as time has passed, and I'd love to see her in more prominent roles.

14. Lindsay Lohan

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Lindsay Lohan announced recently that she is having a baby, but that shouldn't stop her from pursuing a return to leading roles (if she wants).

Off-screen incidents have distracted the masses from the fact that she is honestly a solid actor. Like many on this list, personal health over stardom is the most important factor, but if she was down, I say give her a shot.

15. Mason Thames

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Thames is only 15, but after seeing his performance in The Black Phone, he should be in much more going forward.

16. Kyliegh Curran

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Curran was phenomenal in Doctor Sleep, and although she is still young, it'd be nice to see her in more leading roles wherever necessary.

I'm very excited to see her a part of a loaded cast for Mike Flanagan's take on The Fall of the House of Usher.

17. Maisie Williams

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The Game of Thrones star has had limited movie roles since the end of the beloved HBO show. Her next TV series is The New Look, a show about Dior/Chanel.

Hopefully, we will see Williams, who brought Arya Stark to life, receive more opportunities on the big screen.

Are there any child actors you loved growing up that you believe deserve better? Comment below!