10 Child Actors Who Now Work Normal Jobs

Many popular celebrities today started as child actors and are still finding success in Hollywood, but other former child actors chose to step away from the spotlight. Some of those actors struggled to land roles after reaching popularity while others just wanted to step away to either take a break or live a normal life. They pursued an education or new careers that would lead them to the life they live today. Here are ten child actors that now have normal jobs.

Related: 10 Actors Dragged out of Retirement for One Key Role

10 Jeff Cohen, Lawyer

In 1985, one of the most popular cult films of the 1980s was released. The Goonies was about a group of young kids who discover an ancient map that leads to a pirate’s lost treasure. The cult classic was produced by Richard Donner, and the screenplay by Chris Columbus was based on the story by Steven Spielberg. The movie featured stars such as Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, and Jeff Cohen, but one of the most popular characters was played by Jeff Cohen.

Cohen played Chunk, a “chunky” brown-haired boy with a signature dance known as the “Truffle Shuffle,” where he pulls up his shirt and wiggles around. Cohen went on to snag a few more roles in Hollywood, but he claims he was typecasted and had a hard time finding roles as he lost weight. He worked several jobs on the business side of studio filmmaking, leading him to pursue a degree in entertainment law. In 2000, he received a law degree from UCLA, and he eventually went into business for himself as an attorney and co-founded Cohen Garnder LLP in Beverly Hills.^[1]

9 Ross Bagley, Realtor & DJ

Ross Bagley’s first major role was Buckwheat in the comedy The Little Rascals. His signature catchphrase in the 1994 family comedy was “Ooooootay,” and his performance would help him land a role in the film Independence Day and an even bigger role on the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He portrayed Nicky Banks on the show and won two Young Artist Awards for his role.
Bagley went on to act in a few other minor roles before making the decision to focus on his education and step back from the spotlight. He wanted to live a more normal life and now works as a realtor in the Los Angeles area. Bagley also works as a DJ on the side and enjoys living life under the radar. He hasn’t closed the door to acting completely, but he has no plans of returning to Hollywood as of now.^[2]

8 Jennifer Stone, Nurse

Jennifer Stone started theatre at the young age of six, but she transitioned into acting for commercials, TV, and film. She acquired minor roles in several shows and movies before landing her most notable role as Harper on Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place. She starred alongside Selena Gomez and played her eccentric best friend. Stone appeared in several other roles until she left acting in 2019 after graduating from nursing school.

Jennifer Stone was originally planning to major in psychology in college, but she was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 20. Her diagnosis made her want to help other people with health problems, and she changed her major to nursing. She is now a registered nurse and works in the emergency room at a hospital in Burbank, California.^[3]

7 Danny Lloyd, Biology Professor

The Shining will forever be one of the most iconic horror movies, with several aspects of the movie engraved in pop culture. The Grady twins, Jack Nicholson’s psycho performance, and Room 237 are popular parts of the film. However, The Shining would never be the same without the performance by Danny Lloyd. Lloyd plays Danny Torrence, the five-year-old with psychic powers.

After his successful role in The Shining, Lloyd was unable to earn another meaningful role. When he reached his teenage years, he decided to quit acting and pursue a normal lifestyle. He now works as a biology professor at the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College in Kentucky. He briefly returned to Hollywood in 2019 to make a cameo in Doctor Sleep, the sequel to The Shining.^[4]

6 Kay Panabaker, Zookeeper

In the early 2000s, Kay Panabaker became a breakout actress on the Disney Channel. She became known for her roles in Summerland and Phil of the Future. She also starred in Disney’s Life Is Ruff and Read It and Weep. Panabaker started to find some success away from the Disney channel, but she eventually made the decision to leave Hollywood.

Panabaker left her acting career because she fell out of love with acting and was frustrated with the toxic side of the industry. Then, while attending Santa Fe College, she fell in love with the animal program. She participated in an internship with the zoo at Disney World, and she was eventually hired as their Associate Animal Keeper. She admits to only making a fraction of the amount she made in acting, but working with animals is her true passion and makes her happier than acting ever could.^[5]

5 Charlie Korsmo, Professor

Charlie Korsmo is a successful law professor in Ohio, but he was a popular child actor before choosing to go into law. Korsmo rose to prominence in the 1990s for his roles in Dick Tracy and Hook. He played Kid in Dick Tracy, and his role in Hook was even bigger as he played the son of grown-up Peter Pan, Jack. He took a seven-year break from acting after Hook, and his next role would come in 1998 as a high schooler in Can’t Hardly Wait.

After leaving acting behind for good, he pursued a degree in physics before earning a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Yale Law School. He now teaches courses in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Korsmo came out of retirement from acting in 2018 for roles in two indie films, but he has no plans to quit his job as a law professor.^[6]

4 Josh Saviano, Lawyer

In 1988, America was introduced to The Wonder Years, an award-winning comedy about a teenager named Kevin Arnold growing up in a suburban middle-class neighborhood in the 1960s. Josh Saviano played Paul Pfeiffer, Arnold’s best friend on the show. He also scored a few other roles in movies and TV shows, but he ultimately decided to leave acting to pursue an education and legal career.

Saviano earned an undergraduate degree in political science from Yale University and then became a paralegal for a law firm in New York. In 2000, he received his Juris Doctor degree from Yeshiva University and joined another law firm. Fifteen years later, he founded Act 3 Advisors, a brand consultancy for celebrities, and he also serves as the President of Spotlight Advisory Group, Inc.^[7]

3 Danielle Spencer, Veterinarian

Danielle Spencer is the child star best known for her role as Dee Thomas on What’s Happening, which aired from 1976–1979. She also starred in the sequel known as What’s Happening Now. Her character became popular for her mature banter and trademark phrase, “Ooohh, I’m tellin’ Mama!” Even though Spencer was a successful actor, she always had a dream of becoming a veterinarian.

In 1993, she finally fulfilled those childhood dreams and became a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, earning a degree from Tuskegee University Veterinary School. She has been a veterinarian for more than 25 years in California. She was also inducted to a permanent exhibition at the National Museum of African History and Culture, a Smithsonian Institute Museum. She is the only former child actor to receive the honor.^[8]

2 Lisa Jakub, Author & Yoga Teacher

Ever wonder what happened to the oldest sister from Mrs. Doubtfire? Well, she is now a writer and yoga teacher. Lisa Jakub, best known for her role as Lydia Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire, also had roles in Independence Day, Matinee, and Picture Perfect. It wasn’t until 2001, at the age of 22, that she made the tough decision to retire from acting.

Jakub went on to write two non-fiction books: You Look Like That Girl (2015) and Not Just Me (2017). When she was younger, she suffered from depression and anxiety, and she claims that yoga helped her manage them. This led her to become a qualified yoga teacher. Jakub also works as a keynote speaker and mental wellness expert, and she holds motivational and inspirational speaking events that provide participants with techniques to improve their home and work lives.^[9]

1 Clayton Snyder, Real Estate Agent

Lizzie McGuire was one of the most popular Disney Channel shows in the 2000s, and Clayton Snyder was lucky enough to hold a role on the show. He played Ethan Craft, who Lizzie had a crush on. After the show ended, Snyder landed several minor roles on several TV shows and even performed in a theatrical play. He also attended Pepperdine University and was a member of the water polo team from 2006 to 2009.

The Disney Channel heartthrob may not be as popular in Hollywood now as he once was as a child actor. However, he still finds himself landing roles in numerous television shows and movies. Acting isn’t his only career now, though, as he also works as a realtor selling homes in Southern California. Snyder is also the founder and executive director of the Los Angeles Athletics Club Water Polo.^[10]