Being a child-star is a dream for many kids and their parents. For some it can turn into a life long career (just ask the Olsen twins!) and for others, it doesn’t pan out quite the same. The industry can taint the best of kids, and the pressure to remain on top is simply unattainable for many. Whether a symptom of genetics and aging, or a lifetime under the spotlight and career pressures that many don’t even have until adulthood, many child stars don’t age so well, making them almost unrecognizable to the face that made them famous.
10. Jake Lloyd
After some smaller roles in child-acting, Jake Lloyd landed every young boy’s dream job, the role of “Anakin Skywalker” in Star Wars : Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace. While Jake took on the iconic role of a young Darth Vader at the tender age of 8, he retired from acting at only 12. He went on to later say in an interview that his “life was a living hell” from Star Wars, and he was bullied by kids noting, “They would make the sound of the light saber every time they saw me. It was totally mad.” He also reportedly destroyed all of his Star Wars memorabilia. Guess he does have a little Vader in him after all. However, he’d hardly be recognizable these days, as he looks nothing like his once adorable self.
©Lucasfilm Ltd./courtesy Everett / Everett Collectio Rex Features Ltd.