courtesy
It seems like just yesterday we were watching these actors and actresses as tweens and teens — but believe it or not, those familiar faces are definitely all grown up now! From your favorite Disney Channel and Nickelodeon stars to child actors you completely forgot about, these celebs have come a long way since their years as popular kid stars. While some have decided to leave the spotlight to pursue other careers, others have since gone on to star in other shows and movies — and have even become more famous than they ever were before. Of course, no matter where they ended up in present-day, quite a few of them are barely recognizable now — especially if we’d only ever known them as adorable young faces. For the ultimate nostalgic throwback (which will also make you feel super old!), take a look at what these former child actors are up to now.
1 of 86
THEN: Dylan and Cole Sprouse
Remember these twin boys from Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody? They actually started their acting careers pretty young — in fact, you can also spot Cole as Ross Geller’s son, Ben, in the hit ’90s sitcom Friends!
2 of 86
NOW: Dylan and Cole Sprouse
The twins are still pretty well-known to this day. While Cole is now starring as Jughead Jones in The CW’s Riverdale, Dylan has made a name for himself as the co-founder of a New York meadery — and is soon starring in an upcoming film called After We Collided.
RELATED: Your 28 Favorite Disney Channel Stars Then and Now
3 of 86
THEN: Mara Wilson
You might remember Mara Wilson as your favorite child telekinetic in the 1996 family movie “Matilda” — it’s hard to believe it’s been well over 20 years since the charming little girl first captured our hearts!
4 of 86
NOW: Mara Wilson
Though Mara retired from acting in 2000 to focus on her writing (in fact, she has a published book titled Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame), the actress recently returned to the screen in 2012, starring in the comedy-drama film Billie Bob Joe and in a Mrs. Doubtfire-inspired episode of Broad City.
5 of 86
THEN: Jonathan Lipnicki
It’s hard to believe it’s been over 20 years since Jonathan Lipnicki stole the show as Ray Boyd, the precocious and lovable kid in Jerry Maguire. You also might recognize him from the Stuart Little films, where he played George Little.
7 of 86
THEN: Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit
When real-life twins Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit joined the Full House cast in the show’s sixth season, they immediately stole the show. Playing Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky’s children, Nicky and Alex, the Tuomy-Wilhoits were absolutely adorable.
8 of 86
NOW: Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit
9 of 86
THEN: Dante Basco
Remember Rufio, aka the most famous of the Lost Boys in Hook? Known for both his bright red hair and the “Ru-fi-ooooooh!” chant that accompanies his arrival, Rufio, portrayed by actor Dante Basco, is one of the most iconic characters from the beloved 1991 film.
10 of 86
NOW: Dante Basco
Since he played the scarlet-haired Lost Boy, Basco has grown up quite a bit — and he’s got a much tamer haircut, of course. Basco has been keeping busy with many different types of roles, including voicing Zuko in the popular Avatar: The Last Airbender series and appearing on shows like Entourage and Community.
12 of 86
NOW: Anna Chlumsky
While she took a six-year hiatus from acting between 1999 and 2005, her career is better than ever these days. Since 2012, Chlumsky has starred on HBO’s hit comedy series Veep as Amy Brookheimer, chief of staff to Vice President Selina Meyer, a role for which she’s earned three consecutive Emmy nominations.
13 of 86
THEN: Jerry Mathers
From 1957 to 1963, Jerry Mathers charmed Leave It To Beaver‘s audiences each week as the Cleaver family’s adorable little rascal, Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver.
14 of 86
NOW: Jerry Mathers
After Leave It To Beaver, Jerry joined the United States Air Force Reserve, eventually rising to the rank of Sergeant. He’s done a few acting parts here and there, and is now the national spokesman for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America organization.
RELATED: Where Are They Now: The Cast of “Happy Days”
15 of 86
THEN: Ron Howard
Another Happy Days alum, Ron Howard first got his start as adorable redhead Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show before moving onto his role as Richie Cunningham.
16 of 86
NOW: Ron Howard
Ron has made a name for himself as a director and producer, winning over critics and audiences alike with award-winning projects including A Beautiful Mind and Arrested Development.
17 of 86
THEN: Maureen McCormick
Though she appeared in shows like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, Maureen’s most famous role was on The Brady Bunch as the family’s beautiful eldest daughter, Marcia Brady.
19 of 86
THEN: Danica McKellar
Danica wooed the hearts of many teenage boys while playing Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years.
20 of 86
NOW: Danica McKellar
In 2014, Danica wowed audiences on Dancing With The Stars‘ 18th season, coming in sixth place with her partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy.
21 of 86
THEN: Candace Cameron Bure
Candace followed in the footsteps of her older brother Kirk, a.k.a. Mike Seaver of Growing Pains. In 1987, she was cast as D.J. Tanner in Full House, starting her career as one of most famous preteens of the late ’80s and early ’90s.
RELATED: Candace Cameron Bure’s Fuller Definition of Beauty
22 of 86
NOW: Candace Cameron Bure
23 of 86
THEN: Corey Feldman
As a teenager, Corey starred in hits including Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Gremlins, and Stand By Me, making him a favorite ’80s heartthrob.
24 of 86
NOW: Corey Feldman
Between 2007 and 2008, he appeared with fellow ’80s star Corey Haim in the short-lived reality series The Two Coreys. He’s also a big animal rights activist, appearing in a PETA ad with his now ex-wife Susie Feldman.
25 of 86
THEN: Macaulay Culkin
Who could forget this adorable little guy? With iconic roles in Home Alone, My Girl, and Richie Rich, Macaulay became one of the most famous child actors of all time.
26 of 86
NOW: Macaulay Culkin
He’s since appeared in films like Saved! and Party Monster, but Macaulay has mostly stayed out of the spotlight — though his comedic band The Pizza Underground briefly gained notoriety when a video of the actor eating pizza went viral in 2013.
27 of 86
THEN: Tia and Tamera Mowry
28 of 86
NOW: Tia and Tamera Mowry
They’ve continued to appear on television: Tamera is currently co-hosting talk show The Real, while Tia stars in the sitcom Family Reunion. Tamera has two children with husband Fox News correspondent Adam Housley, and Tia welcomed her second child with actor Cory Hardrict in 2018.
29 of 86
THEN: Danielle Fishel
Anybody who grew up watching Boy Meets World in the ’90s couldn’t help but love the wise-beyond-her-years Topanga — and envy her thick, wavy blonde hair.
30 of 86
NOW: Danielle Fishel
Talk about a career coming full circle! From 2014 to 2017, Danielle starred with fellow Boy Meets World cast member Ben Savage in the show’s modern-day spinoff Girl Meets World.