Child Actors

Gary Coleman was a breakout child star of the 1970s and became emblematic of American pop culture in the decades thereafter. But behind his sitcom short king persona, Coleman’s life was a constant battle with illness and pain–both physical and mental.

The success of child star Tommy Kirk made a fortune for Disney—and then he simply disappeared. But what made him leave the entertainment world behind?

Heather O’Rourke was the angel-faced child actress who rose to fame as Carol Anne Freeling in Poltergeist. But her breakout role came with a terrible curse.

Hollywood discovered Brad Renfro at the tender age of 10—but as it often happens with child stars, his life went so off the rails, it's unforgettable.

On the surface, Jennette McCurdy seemed like she was living every little girl’s dream—but in reality, her life was a downright horror story.

Baby Peggy’s time in Hollywood was unbelievably disturbing—but it wasn’t until years later that she exposed the demons of her past in her bombshell memoir.