Why do so few childhood actors never make it as adult actors?

Question

The were big stars when they were young, but never carried on to be adult stars.

Answer 1

They end up being labeled and nobody wants them.

For example, when that kid that plays Harry Potter is 30 whenever someone sees them they are gonna be like "Hey! It's Harry Potter!"

Directors and producers don't like that.

Answer 2

I guess people just forget them. When they hit their teen years, they don't get roles. So I guess thats y. Oh and to the person who said about that Harry Potter kid, don't you dare say a word against Daniel Radcliffe. He's just not known as the HP guy. He's coming in plays and alot of different movies. So shut up you SOB. Long live Harry Potter.

You can dance .. you can jive .. having the time of your life

See that girl .. watch that scene .. diggin' the dancing queen ♥♥♥.

Answer 3

A Hollywood career can only last so long. Most people start getting noticable roles in their twenties, and it lasts a certain amount of time from there.

But if a child starts at age 8, then it can only last so long from there, you know what I mean? Most child stars are only good for playing cute little kids. No one cares much about them when they get older, because people just associate them as being cute little kids. It's hard to take them seriously.

Answer 4

Some just start thinking they are too good and want to be paid more. Also some are not as smart as others at choosing roles  that make it easier for a transition to more "grown up" roles

Answer 5

I Don't Know but I hope Nathan Kress becomes an adult actor :D

Answer 6

people get so used to them as a certain role, so it makes it hard for them to get serious work

Answer 7

Actually, many child actors do choose other professions. Try reading some of the biographies at IMDb and other sites. Many saved to go to college or simply decided they didn't want to keep up with those particular demands.

More than you realize do keep working and often have had fairly steady careers in acting, including Roddy McDowall, Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood, Dean Stockwell, Jackie Cooper, Rick(y) Schroder, Mickey Rooney, Kurt Russell, and Robert Blake. Today, we've seen a number of them continue acting, including Drew Barrymore (amazing career!), Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Ricci, C. Thomas Howell, Lukas Haas, Henry Thomas, and Molly Ringwald.

I think that many do choose other careers because they want them, not because they were rejected as actors when they were older~which I'm certain does happen to some.

Answer 8

can't bear the load of stardom at such an early stage........

loads of unjustified demand and expectation........

form a stereotype as a child actor......never ever able to break that prototype........

enough of it!!

Answer 9

some get burned out

good example: the olson twins

everyone loved them as the baby in Full House but the moment they grew up they pretty much lost their life in hollywood.

I like how Corey Haim and Corey Feldmen are doing that show "The two Coreys" about their lives as adults and what they go through as friends and problems.

Answer 10

it is because that they have  already receive the richness and fame that what they want and dreamed of.  

Answer 11

I think it really varies.

I think some kids outgrow their (or stop being) "cute" status.  Some seem to be typecast and can never escape.  Examples include the Olsen twins, "Webster" and Gary Coleman.

Some seem to get to into the partying and not the acting such as Lindsay Lohan and River Phoenix.

Some seem addicted to fame for fames sake and not because they're actually talented.  The parents are addicted to fame or pushing their kids.

Generally speaking the kids that have "sensible" parents who don't stick them in front of the paparazzi viewfinders every five seconds seem to do better as adults.

Daniel Radcliffe may survive - as long as he can do other rolls aside from Harry Potter.