Didn't you wish they never grew up?

There are some characters who simply refuse to age. Some of these child actors, in memorable roles, became huge stars, some didn’t.
But that doesn’t mean we can ever forget them. Here’s what they are up to now...
Abigail Breslin (15)
Early beginnings: M Night
Shyamalan’s “Signs” and “Raising Helen”.
And then? Hit big-time with indie hit “Little Miss Sunshine”. Followed it up with strong performances in “No Reservations”, “Definitely Maybe” and “My Sister’s Keeper”.
What next? “The Wild Bunch” and “New Year’s Eve”.
What we like: Breslin’s acting chops are there for everyone to see. Smart role choices have defined her career.
Drew Barrymore (36)
Early beginnings: 1980 film “Altered States”, at age five.
And then? The role of Gertie in Steven Spielberg’s “E.T the Extra-Terrestrial” happened. A Golden Globe nomination for 1984 film “Irreconcilable Differences”, followed; as did drugs and rehab.
What next? “The Wedding Singer”, “50 First Dates” and the “Charlie’s Angels” franchise.
What we miss: Her coquettish
comic timing.
Jonathan Lipnicki (20)
Early beginnings: Played Renee Zellweger’s cutie-pie son in “Jerry Maguire” and starred in “Stuart Little” and “Stuart Little 2”.
And then? Ever since, he has focused mostly on independent films and is better known for his contributions to charity.
What next? His “For The Love Of Money” is in post-production.
What we miss: The pint-sized bundle of cuteness, he once was!
Dakota Fanning (17)
Early beginnings: Played the lovable Lucy Diamond Dawson in “I Am Sam”.
And then? “Cat In The Hat” and “Man On Fire” were strong roles. In “War Of The Worlds”, she was just plain annoying. Then, with an acclaimed performance in “The Runaways”, came redemption..
What next? The final two films in vampire franchise “Twilight”.
What we like: She has had a grounded upbringing and no starry excesses or tantrums. So far.
Kirsten Dunst (29)
Early beginnings: Woody Allen’s short film “Oedipus Wrecks”, though her breakthrough role was in “Interview With the Vampire”, for which she won numerous awards.
And then? Fantasy hit “Jumanji” and a recurring role in TV drama “ER”. A grown-up Kirsten scored a hit with “Spider-Man”.
What next? “Upside Down”, “Charm” and “On the Road” are in post-production, while she is shooting “Bachelorette”.
What we miss: Child-woman spunk.
Macaulay Culkin (30)
Early beginnings: The “Home Alone” series.
And then? Lead roles in “The Good Son”, “My Girl” and “Richie Rich” followed as did a brief tryst with drugs and controversy post emancipation from his parents.
What next? Has fallen off the gossip radar since dating Mila Kunis and sleeping in Michael Jackson’s bed as a kid.
What we miss: The innocence that came through in his first “Home Alone” film.
Haley Joel Osment (23)
Early beginnings: Debuted in “Forrest Gump” as Tom Hanks’ son.
And then? Came to prominence with M Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense”, “Pay It Forward” and “AI: Artificial Intelligence”.
What next? “Sassy Pants” and “Wake The Dead” are under production. He has a DUI (driving under the influence) charge.
What we miss: The wide-eyed look of the scared, quiet kid is all but gone.
Nicholas Hoult (21)
Early beginnings: 1996 film “Intimate Relations”, after attending acting school.
And then? Was first
noticed in “About A Boy” (2002). He bagged a lead role in the first two
series of TV drama “Skins”. Was last seen in designer Tom Ford’s “A Single Man” and “X-Men: First Class” as The Beast.
What next? “Jack the Giant Killer” and “Warm Bodies”.
What we miss: The quiet yet confident intelligence.