13 Celebrities You Forgot Were Child Stars

Nicole Villeneuve
Jul 20, 2016

The term “child actor” seems to only get tossed around when we’re talking about the Macaulay Culkins of the world — stars who weren’t able to turn their success as youngters into stable adult careers or lives. But whether your memory has failed you or you just never knew in the first place, some of your favorite stars right now got their start when they were much, much younger, and have turned out (more or less) just fine. While some of the roles were indeed memorable, some of these might surprise you. Read on to find out the celebrities you forgot were child stars.

1. Jennifer Lawrence: Before Katniss and Mystique, before Silver Linings Playbook and Joy, talented chatterbox Jennifer Lawrence put in the work with bit parts on popular TV series such as Monk, Cold Case and Medium before landing her first big recurring role on The Bill Engvall Show. JLaw played Lauren, the teenage daughter of a therapist who can figure everyone but his own family out. (Photo via Jamie McCarthy/Getty)

2. Ellen Page: Before we fell in love with Ellen in her breakout leading role as a sarcastic pregnant teenager in Juno, Ellen charmed Canadian audiences with numerous small-screen roles, including a series about coal mining in Nova Scotia (Pit Pony) and a mockumentary comedy about rural trailer park life (Trailer Park Boys). Acclaim for the 2007 Canadian film The Tracey Fragments cemented her as a talent to watch, and the world would catch on soon after. (Photo via Jason Merritt/Getty)

3. Kristen Stewart: Kristen may have only been 18 when she starred as Bella in the blockbuster Twilight franchise, but at just 11 she starred alongside one of the greats, Jodie Foster, as the daughter in Panic Room. We hardly recognized her either. (Photo via Rachel Murray/Getty)

4. Ryan Gosling: Hey girl, did you know that Ryan Gosling was a Canadian TV celeb in his own right with shows like Breaker High (where he played an overconfident dweeb who went to high school on a boat) and Young Hercules (where he played — spoiler alert! — Hercules)? When he was really young, he was also a Mouseketeer alongside summer chart-toppers Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. Hey girl. (Photo via Ian Gavan/Getty)

5. Ryan Reynolds: The other child actor on Canadian TV, Ryan! Before breaking out on the sitcom Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, Ryan had starring roles on Hillside (called Fifteen when it aired on Nickelodeon) and The Odyssey. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty)

6. Gaby Hoffman: Before captivating roles on critical faves Girls and Transparent, Gaby was all of our best friend in movies like Freaky Friday and as young Samantha (played as an adult by Demi Moore) in Now and Then. Which reminds us: more teenage girl ensemble movies, please. (Photo via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty)

7. Anna Chlumsky: Currently known for her supporting role as high-strung, sleep-deprived campaign manager to the President (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) on Veep, Anna’s debut — and ultimately star-making — role was as hypochondriac Vada in My Girl. If you haven’t ever watched it, watch it. Watch it now. And quote, “He can’t see without his glasses!” and cry over it forever and ever. (Photo via Rob Kim/Getty)

8. Kate Winslet: She may forever be best known as Rose from Rose and Jack (in Titanic), but Kate Winslet was a TV star in early ‘90s Britain with recurring roles on sci-fi show Dark Season and the sitcom Get Back. She made her film debut in the 1994 critical hit Heavenly Creatures. (Photo via Mike Windle/Getty)

9. Shailene Woodley: Did you remember that Shailene played Marissa Cooper’s little sister Kaitlin in The O.C.? She played the role for all of six episodes before being replaced by Willa Holland. Not that it hurt her any — Shailene, of course, turned up her own TV-starring role in The Secret Life of the American Teenager before becoming a major Hollywood star too. (Photo via Jason Merritt/Getty)

10. Kat Dennings: Blink and you might miss her, but a young Kat Dennings made her acting debut with a scene in Sex and the City before going on to star in Raising Dad (which ALSO starred Bob Saget and a young Brie Larson). (Photo via Jason Merritt/Getty)

11. Natasha Lyonne: This is going WAY back. When she was just six years old, Natasha Lyonne — who you now know best as the tough-talking heroin addict Nicky on the much-binged Orange Is the New Black — played Opal, one of three kids who made up Pee-wee’s playhouse gang on the first season of Pee-wee’s Playhouse. (Photo via Fernando Leon/Getty)

12-13.) Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez: And the award for the most adorable child actors goes tooooo: Demi and Selena, who, long before they became Disney Channel stars, sang songs and played dress up with a big purple dinosaur. Yep, you might not have recognized them, but these two childhood friends both starred on Barney and Friends, going all the way from Baby Bop to queens of pop together. #goals (Photo via Jason Merritt/Getty)

Do you remember any of these appearances? Let us know over @BritandCo!

(Featured photo via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty)

Hold Up, Did Rebecca Yarros' First 'Onxy Storm' Excerpt Just Tease Violet Sorrengail's True Identity?

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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WHICH Movie Had Kate Winslet "Sh—ing" Herself?!

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

  • Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
  • However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
  • The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

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Here's A New Look At Florence Pugh's Return As Yelena Belova

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.

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