“From Stardom to Obscurity: Uncover the 25 Child Actors Who Vanished from the Spotlight!”
Michael Oliver
Californian actor Michael Oliver was only eight years old when he was introduced to audiences worldwide as Junior Healy, the adoptive son from hell in Problem Child. Though despised by critics, the raucous 1990 comedy was a big enough hit for Oliver to reprise the role in 1991 follow-up Problem Child 2 – but this did not launch him to a long-standing career.
Oliver’s career was derailed when his mother (also his manager) was sued by studio Universal on extortion charges, after she threatened to withdraw her son from Problem Child 2 unless they paid him $500,000. Oliver soon quit acting, and in 2015 said he had no regrets: âAfter having been thrust into the spotlight as a child, I appreciate some peace and quiet. I am grateful and always will be for the experiences.â
Bradley Pierce
Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Thanks to his role as Peter Shepherd in 1995 family classic Jumanji, Bradley Pierce has been a familiar face to generations of viewers. His voice should also be familiar, as Pierce took the role of the adorable little teacup Chip in Disney’s 1991 animated smash Beauty and the Beast. These are just two of numerous credits Pierce clocked up as a child actor.
Although Pierce might not look so familiar as an adult, he has never stopped acting. However, he has largely eschewed live-action work in favour of voiceovers on cartoons and video games. Pierce is a divorced father of three, and in the wake of his old co-star Robin Williams’ death, the former child star has spoken openly about battling depression since his teenage years.
