The ’70s and ’80s were packed with talented child stars who lit up our screens and became household names. Whether they were stealing scenes in beloved sitcoms, leading blockbuster movies, or charming us in commercials, these young actors seemed destined for lifelong fame. But as quickly as they rose to stardom, many vanished from the spotlight, leaving fans wondering what happened. Some chose to walk away from Hollywood, while others struggled to recapture their early success. Here are 13 child stars from the ’70s and ’80s who disappeared from Hollywood—and left us curious ever since.
1. Gary Coleman
Gary Coleman became an instant star as Arnold Jackson on Diff’rent Strokes, with his signature line, “Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” making him a pop culture icon. Despite his success, Coleman faced personal and financial struggles, and his acting career never fully recovered after the show ended. He took on a few smaller roles but eventually distanced himself from Hollywood, working odd jobs to make ends meet. Coleman’s life had its challenges, and his untimely death in 2010 left fans mourning the loss of a childhood favorite.
2. Dana Plato
Also from Diff’rent Strokes, Dana Plato played the lovable Kimberly Drummond and was a staple of ’80s TV. But after the show ended, she struggled to find meaningful roles and faced personal troubles, including legal issues and substance abuse. Plato attempted a few comebacks but ultimately drifted away from Hollywood. Her tragic death in 1999 shocked fans and served as a somber reminder of the pressures child stars can face.
3. Peter Ostrum
Peter Ostrum captured hearts as Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), but after his iconic role, he vanished from the big screen. Surprisingly, Ostrum chose not to pursue acting further, instead following a completely different path—he became a veterinarian. Despite walking away from Hollywood, his portrayal of Charlie remains a beloved part of movie history. Ostrum has since embraced his quiet life, occasionally appearing at fan events but staying far from the limelight.
4. Lisa Whelchel
Lisa Whelchel starred as Blair Warner on The Facts of Life, playing the spoiled but lovable rich girl throughout the show’s nine seasons. After the series wrapped, Whelchel stepped away from acting and focused on her family and music career, even earning a Grammy nomination for her Christian music. While she made a brief return to reality TV on Survivor: Philippines in 2012, she largely avoided the Hollywood scene. Fans remember her fondly, but Whelchel found her happiness outside of acting.
5. Ricky Schroder
Ricky Schroder became a teen idol as Ricky Stratton on Silver Spoons, and his boyish charm made him a fan favorite in the ’80s. While he continued to act sporadically in adulthood, he never regained the level of fame he had as a child star. Schroder eventually shifted his focus behind the camera, producing projects like the military drama Black Cloud. Though he pops up occasionally in the public eye, he’s mostly stayed away from mainstream Hollywood.
6. Tatum O’Neal
Tatum O’Neal made history as the youngest-ever Oscar winner for her role in Paper Moon (1973), earning the award at just 10 years old. Despite her early success, her career struggled to maintain that momentum, and personal issues, including family conflicts and substance abuse, overshadowed her acting. She appeared in a few TV roles later on but never fully recaptured her early stardom. O’Neal’s story remains one of the most poignant examples of a child star’s complicated journey.
7. Erin Moran
Erin Moran was America’s sweetheart as Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days, later starring in the spin-off Joanie Loves Chachi. But after the shows ended, Moran found it difficult to land significant roles and slowly faded from Hollywood. She faced financial struggles and personal hardships in the years that followed. Her passing in 2017 saddened fans who remembered her as the bright, spirited face of classic TV.
8. Mackenzie Phillips
Mackenzie Phillips rose to fame as Julie Cooper on One Day at a Time, charming audiences with her rebellious, free-spirited character. However, her off-screen life was turbulent, marked by substance abuse and personal struggles that eventually led to her departure from the show. Phillips later published a candid memoir detailing her experiences but largely stayed out of the acting spotlight. Her early fame remains a cherished memory for fans of ’70s television.
9. Adam Rich
Adam Rich was known as “America’s Little Brother” for his role as Nicholas Bradford on Eight Is Enough, with his adorable bowl haircut and lovable demeanor. But after the show ended, Rich struggled to transition into adult roles and faced personal issues, including legal troubles and substance abuse. He made a few brief returns to acting but ultimately left Hollywood behind. Rich’s story is a reminder of how challenging the spotlight can be for child actors.
10. Melissa Sue Anderson
Melissa Sue Anderson played Mary Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie, delivering a memorable performance as the kind-hearted, blind sister in the beloved series. After the show, Anderson took on a few smaller roles but eventually stepped away from acting to focus on her family. She moved to Canada and embraced a quieter life, far from the pressures of Hollywood. Though she left the spotlight, fans still remember her as an essential part of the Little House legacy.
11. Jay North
Jay North became a household name as the mischievous Dennis Mitchell in Dennis the Menace (1959–1963), but his fame carried into the early ’70s through reruns and appearances. However, the pressures of being a child star took a toll on him, and North struggled to find work as he grew older. He eventually left acting altogether, pursuing a career as a correctional officer. Despite leaving Hollywood, his iconic role as Dennis remains etched in TV history.
12. Kim Fields
Kim Fields stole the show as the roller-skating Tootie on The Facts of Life, becoming one of the most beloved characters of the series. After the show ended, Fields took a step back from acting to focus on her education, attending Pepperdine University. She later returned to television in smaller roles and even dabbled in directing, but her mainstream fame from the ’80s never fully reignited. Fields remains a cherished figure from ’80s sitcoms, even if she’s no longer in the spotlight.
13. Susan Olsen
Susan Olsen charmed audiences as Cindy Brady, the youngest member of The Brady Bunch, with her pigtails and sweet lisp. After the show ended, Olsen struggled to break out of the Cindy Brady image and eventually left acting behind. She explored other creative fields, including graphic design and radio hosting, far removed from Hollywood’s glare. While she stepped out of the limelight, The Brady Bunch fans will always remember her as the adorable youngest sibling.
These child stars from the ’70s and ’80s left a lasting impact on pop culture, even if their time in Hollywood was fleeting. Whether they chose to step away from the spotlight or faced challenges that pulled them away, their early performances continue to be cherished by fans. While some found new paths in life, others remain reminders of the complex journey from childhood fame to adulthood.
