I love me a good list, and this is one I was most pleased to trip over. Moviefone has gathered what they anticipate to be the Top 25 Child Stars of all time.
With all of the little tykes and tots who have hit the big screen over the years, one would think that it might be one heck of a daunting challenge to narrow the list down to a top 25, but I think Moviefone may have done it. They’ve posted a list of the Top 25 Child Stars of All Time, and they’ve hit just about every child star I can think of, including a few I forgot about.
I would share that list with you now, as well as the movies they were best known for in their younger roles.
25. Kirsten Dunst - Interview with a Vampire
24. Lindsay Lohan - The Parent Trap (remake)
23. Sean Astin - Goonies
22. Keisha Castle-Hughes
21. Natalie Wood - Miracle on 34th St
20. Christian Bale - Empire of the Sun
19. Abigail Breslin - Little Miss Sunshine
18. Elijah Wood - Forever Young
17. Jodie Foster - Freaky Friday
16. Hayley Mills - The Parent Trap (original)
15. Freddie Highmore - Finding Neverland
14. Freddie Bartholomew - Toyland
13. Anna Paquin - The Piano
12. Christina Ricci - The Addams Family
11. Tatum O’Neal - Paper Moon
10. Haley Joel Osment - Sixth Sense
9. Elizabeth Taylor - National Velvet
8. Patty Duke - The Miracle Worker
7. Jackie Cooper - Skippy
6. Dakota Fanning - I am Sam
5. Drew Barrymore - ET
4. Mickey Rooney - Mickey McGuire
3. Judy Garland - Wizard of Oz
2. Macaulay Culkin - Home Alone
1. Shirley Temple - Glad Rags to Riches
This unique list spans generations, and as like many lists that detail the greatest, many of them harken back to days of black and white films, where child actors put out no less than 5 movies a year. But I was surprised to see Macaulay Culkin listed so close to the #1 spot. Many of the others on this list had gone on to greater careers than the homely Home Alone star.I do wonder if some of the more recent contenders on this list will have as aspiring careers as some of their peers.
Did this list leave anyone out?
18 Comments, Comment or Ping
tom.
Small correction, Keisha Castle wasn’t in a movie called Hughes, however Keisha Castle-Hughes did play Paikea in ‘Whale Rider’.
Apr 9th, 2008
Marc
I understand this list is based on the celebrities’ popularity as children more than anything else, but if it were based on acting ability instead, I would put Eamonn Owens at the top for his role in the The Butcher Boy. That just might be the greatest performance by a child actor I’ve ever seen. And it was his very first film performance on top of that!
Apr 9th, 2008
Anthony
I would argue number 19, Abigail Breslin - Little Miss Sunshine, as she is still a child, and it was only a year ago the film was released. So her in a list of “all time” seems a bit premature. She is still a kid and only having a few films under her belt make me challenge the notion. Dakota Fanning, on the hand, although still a child, has greater experience. Have you considered the Olsen Twins? I dont know if you want to include television. Which, for that matter I would put Leonardo DiCaprio for Growing Pains, or minimally, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
Apr 10th, 2008
townes
imo Jodelle Ferland (Tideland) is not only the best kid actress but one of the best actresses over all.
Apr 10th, 2008
Jasper
Judy Garland, a child in THE WIZARD OF OZ? I thought she was like, 20 or something when she played Dorothy.
Apr 10th, 2008
pickle
I was expecting Natalie Portman to be in the list for Léon
Apr 10th, 2008
alpoc
Leonardo DiCaprio: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
Lucas Black: sling blade
i agree with Natalie Portman in Leon (the professional)
Apr 10th, 2008
movie replicas
ricky schroeder = the champ
river phoenix = stand by me
Apr 10th, 2008
Mattiac
I agree with Pickle, Alpoc and with Movie replicas regarding River Phoenix (and the other kids in that movie as well).
Apr 10th, 2008
Mattiac
I must add that I don’t know who Lucas Black is but I want to mention Luke Edwards who was Jimmy Woods in the sad but good movie The Wizard. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098663/ I also think that Edward Furlong did a good job in Terminator 2.
Apr 10th, 2008
Marla Singer
haley joel osment
Apr 10th, 2008
Rodney
Marla, Hayley Joel Osment was listed. He is #10
Apr 10th, 2008
Thos
I am surprised that Peter Billingsley did not make the list for “A Christmas Story” (as Ralphie).
Apr 10th, 2008
Marla Singer
oh my, thanks rodney!
Apr 10th, 2008
John
Umm… Daniel Radcliffe?
Apr 10th, 2008
Jenny
Judy Garland was 17 years old when she filmed Wizard of Oz, I think that is really a bit too old to be considered a child star. Beyond that, this is a really amusing list!
Apr 10th, 2008
Ratter
Would’ve thought Jodie Foster’s nomination would have been for Taxi Driver.
Apr 11th, 2008
Meredith Harries
What about that kid in Matilda? I don’t know her name, but i love that film.
Also, AnnaSophia Robb as Loren McConnell in The Reaping. I think she portrays the character really well in so little words.
Also Freddie Highmore in August Rush. I loooove that film
Nov 5th, 2008
Reply to “Top 25 Child Stars of All Time”