Top 10 Child Stars Who Quit Hollywood

#10: Ariana Richards

As “Jurassic Park’s” Lex Murphy, Richards had to contend with velociraptors, among other life-threatening dangers. Maybe it was the demanding nature of this role that caused her to move on only a few years later. Richards attended Skidmore College, and, after graduation, continued studies at the Art Center College of Design, honing her skills as an artist and painter. Though it might seem strange to abandon a successful film career to work in an equally challenging domain, painting is in her blood - her ancestor was Carlo Crivelli, who was an artist of note during the Renaissance. Richards’ work has been recognized by awards from the National Professional Oil Painting Competition and Art of the West’s Award of Excellence.

#9: Barret Oliver

Barret Oliver is most recognizable for his star turn in the hit film “The NeverEnding Story” - but his own Hollywood story came with an expiration date. By the time he was 16, the Saturn Award-winning actor’s acting career was over, and he found other ways to distinguish himself. Like Ariana Richards, Oliver followed a career path into the visual arts, becoming a printer and a photographer. Oliver has a special expertise in 19th-century printing techniques that somewhat obscure. He even wrote a book about one of them, a process known as Woodburytype, which was well-received in art circles.

#8: Lisa Jakub

Lisa Jakub had an interesting onscreen career, appearing in a number of smaller films, as well as smash hits “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Independence Day.” After graduating from college, she ultimately decided she wanted more out of life than show business could give her. Jakub suffers from anxiety attacks and depression, but found that yoga helps her deal with these issues; as a yoga teacher, she now gets to share that passion with others. Furthermore, Jakub has become a blogger and writer, even penning her own memoir.

#7: Josh Saviano

Contrary to a popular Internet rumor, the guy who played best friend Paul on the beloved sitcom “The Wonder Years” did not grow up to be glam rocker Marilyn Manson. Far from it, as a matter of fact! Josh Saviano, who apparently never had any intentions of making acting his life’s work, seems to have been as smart as his on-screen counterpart. He graduated from Yale with a degree in Political Science, then got his J.D. from Yeshiva University. Saviano is now a lawyer, and the head of his own law firm. He also started a consulting business that partners with artists “who are looking to make the transition from individual artist to branded business.”

#6: Mara Wilson

This young star of “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Matilda” still takes the occasional acting role, but for the most part her Hollywood days are behind her - and she seems perfectly happy with that. In more recent years, her roles have primarily taken the form of voiceover work, in addition to appearances on web series.. Mara spends a great deal of her time writing, especially as a blogger, but she has also written a produced play and a memoir of her child star career. She also works for Publicolor, a non-profit that helps high risk teens. As someone who has dealt with ADHD and OCD, Wilson also works to raise awareness for mental health.

#5: Jeff Cohen

As Chunk in 1985’s “The Goonies”, Jeff Cohen was a total scene stealer. After being immortalized in the film however, Cohen left acting just a few years later when offers became less frequent. In high school, Cohen joined his football team to help shed a few pounds and he eventually graduated from UC Berkeley. Having figured out that lawyers play a highly influential behind-the-scenes role in show business, Cohen went to UCLA and earned his law degree. Eventually, Hollywood Reporter named him one of their top 35 executives under 35 years of age.

#4: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

Anyone alive during the 1990s knows that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were positively en fuego during that decade, and they maintained that momentum for the first few years of the new millennium. Even before they effectively retired from acting, they had became astute businesswomen, branding their names and likenesses on a multitude of products. In the time since, they’ve most notably become fashion industry icons. They’ve done enormously well with their various lines, twice winning the Womenswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

#3: Danny Lloyd

The image of a cute but slightly odd little boy croaking the word “redrum” has become an important part of film history. And yet, funnily enough, the little boy in question has done little else in the industry! As a matter of fact, after his memorable performance in the iconic adaptation of “The Shining,” Danny Lloyd appeared in only one more film, portraying a young G. Gordon Liddy. Perhaps that was enough to scare any child away from acting, but for whatever reason, Lloyd left the screen and seems perfectly happy with that decision. He now teaches biology at a college in Kentucky.

#2: Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple was an absolute phenomenon in her youth. She ruled the box office from 1935 to 1938 as the number one star in America. Her cheerful optimism, “can do” attitude, and amazing skill at performing won the hearts of audiences the world over. Temple continued acting as a teenager and even beyond, but her special magic seemed tied to her childhood years. And so, being a public spirited individual, Temple turned to politics. She was chosen to be a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly and went on to be appointed as U.S. Ambassador to both Czechoslovakia and Ghana. Temple also served for some time as the first woman to be named the Chief of Protocol of the United States.

#1: Jake Lloyd

Playing a young Anakin Skywalker in the first “Star Wars” prequel would seem a dream come true for a young actor, but Jake Lloyd only appeared in two more films after that, perhaps because he had become so strongly identified with that “Star Wars” character. Sadly, Lloyd hasn’t had an easy life in the years since. He was bullied by many other children because of his high-profile role, and later gained all the wrong kind of attention for a reckless driving incident. Lloyd also was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia; and while reportedly “off his meds,” attacked his mother in 2015, and eventually served time in jail, including confinement in a psychiatric facility. Here’s hoping that Llyod can find both health and happiness in the future.