TV | Pop Culture | 90s
8 Child Actors From The 90s Who Definitely Aren't Kids Anymore
Whether you related to them because you were also a child in the 90s, or you loved to watch these kids rise to stardom with their cute expressions and hilarious deliveries, you knew that these child actors were going somewhere.
Decades later, have you ever thought of where they ended up? Here's the answer you have been looking for.
Cole Sprouse- Ben, Friends
Starting his acting career with his twin brother when they were only eight months old, they played Partick Kelly in Grace Under Fire for five years. They then got their first major film role in the 1999 movie Big Daddy, opposite to Adam Sandler. Cole then went solo as he played Ross Geller's son, Ben on the TV series Friends in 2001.
The twins reunited for more acting roles, until they launched a clothing line, book series and magazine.
In 2007, the boys became the wealthiest children thanks to their roles in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. By 2010 the Sprouse brothers were the highest-paid teenage Disney TV actors, earning $40,000 an episode combined. They were reported to be the richest twins in Hollywood since Mary Kate and Ashley Olson.
Michael Fishman - D.J. Conner, Roseanne
From the age of 6 to 15, Michael Fishman was known as D.J. Conner on the hit sitcom Roseannne. He landed the role that changed his life when he met Roseanne Barr who championed for him in spite of his lack of acting experience. When the series ended after 9 seasons, it was Michael who took it really badly.
"It was one of the hardest times of my life," he said. "I was devastated. The cast and crew were my family. I'll always love so many of those people. They shaped me as a person and made me who I am."
Michael would go on to appear in guest roles on Walker, Texas Ranger and Seinfeld before having his shot behind the camera.
That's when he decided acting was more for him, and he got out from behind the camera yet again.
Zachery Ty Bryan - Brad Taylor, Home Improvement
I bet you didn't realize that Zachery Ty Bryan was only a month younger than Jonathan Taylor Thomas who played his younger brother, Randy on Home Improvement. For eight years Zachery played Brad, while also making appearances on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
He also appeared in a 2003 episode of Smallville playing Eric Marsh, a high school baseball player using steroids made from meteor rock. He also played a hitman in the 2008 show Burn Notice.
He has has many notable roles in his acting career for someone who has been on air since he was a teenager.
Tatyana Ali- Ashley Banks, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Tatyana began her acting career at the age of six as a regular on Sesame Street before landing her role as Ashley in 1990.
"I don't come from a wealthy background — I went to public school and had a thick Long Island accent to hide — but I understood Ashley as a character. I actually got to grow up with her. Our lives were completely intertwined. Sometimes the veil between fiction and reality seemed almost non-existent," she said.
After the final episode of the hit sitcom aired, she launched her album Kiss The Sky which became certified gold in 1999.
She had several hits from the album, including one featuring Will Smith.
In 2008, she performed on the song "Yes We Can", a will.i.am project.
She is now playing the recurring character of Roxanne, on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless.
These next four will definitely surprise you!
Trevor Einhorn- Frederick, Frasier
At only six years old, Trevor Einhorn appeared alongside Demi Moore and Michael Douglas in the steamy movie Disclosure before landing his role on the hit sitcom, Frasier.
Since his days in the 90s sitcom, Trevor has gone on to appear in the sixth season of Mad Men as well as in an episode of Arrested Development.
Danielle Fishel- Topanga, Boy Meets World
If you feel like you haven't seen Danielle Fishel much since her stint on Boy Meets World, it's because you haven't. In the seventeen years since the sitcom ended, she has only nabbed minor roles in lesser-known TV shows.
But she's back!
Danielle starred in Girl Meets World, a sitcom that debuted last summer on the Disney Channel. This sitcom was a continuation of the original Boy Meets World.
Erik Per Sullivan- Dewey, Malcolm in the Middle
From 2000 to 2006, Erik played the younger brother to the main character of Malcolm in the comedic sitcom Malcolm in the Middle.
The child star also was busy with other work including the 2001 horror film Wendigo and the 2004 comedic film, Christmas with the Kranks. He also had a role in Joe Dirt and in the 2003 animated film Finding Nemo.
In 2010, he played the role of Timmy in the movie Twelve and has not acted since. After his stint in acting, he pursued education at the University of Southern California.
Mackenzie Rosman- Ruthie Camden, 7th Heaven
The actress who played the adorable Ruthie Camden on the hit WB series 7th Heaven continues to capture the audience.
After 7th Heaven, Mackenzie Rosman landed a role on ABC Family's The Secret Life of the American Teenager and recently agreed to appear in a Maxim photo shoot. They grow up so fast!
Who was your favorite child TV sitcom star in the 90s? Share with us in the comments.