Yahoo Movies Christmas Movie Child Stars: Then and Now
Christmas movies are timeless. Sealing in that festive freshness, ready to be wheeled out year after year for a hit of holiday fun. Only their young stars don’t remain so ageless in real life.
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You might have only just seen them on the tellybox, but here’s what those Christmas movie kids are up to now.
Jake Lloyd; Jamie in ‘Jingle All The Way’ (1996)
Last seen: Studying Film and Video at Columbia College Chicago and making occasional meet-and-greet appearances. Better known for playing Anakin Skywalker in ‘The Phantom Menace’.
Taylor Momsen
Played: Cindy Lou in ‘The Grinch’ (2000)
Last seen: As a series regular in glitzy US socialite series ‘Gossip Girl’, but now more famous for her risqué performances fronting US rock band The Pretty Reckless.
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Eric Lloyd
Played: Charlie in ‘The Santa Clause’ (1994)
Last seen: Aside from best-forgotten threequel ‘The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause’, playing charmingly named “Geeky Worker” in 2011 horror sequel ‘ChromeSkull: Laid To Rest 2’.
Peter Billingsley
Played: Ralphie in ‘A Christmas Story’ (1983)
Last seen: Making his way as a TV and movie exec. He produced ‘Iron Man’ back in 2008 and directed ‘Couples Retreat’ a year later. He still makes the occasional cameo.
Carrie Kei Heim
Played: Cornelia in ‘Santa Claus: The Movie’ (1985)
Last seen: Working as a lawyer in Boston, whilst doubling as a novelist too.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Played: Sam in ‘Love Actually’ (2003)
Last seen: He played Newt in 2014 sci-fi adaptation ‘The Maze Runner’, and played Jojen Reed in a few series of ‘Game Of Thrones’.
Mara Wilson
Played: Susan in ‘Miracle On 34th Street’ (1994)
Last seen: Working for New York based charity Publicolor. She recently wrote her first Off Broadway play ‘Sheeple’, and a made-for-viral Cracked.com article about why former child stars can go a little “weird”.
Zach Galligan
Played: Billy in ‘Gremlins’ (1984)
Last seen: Now a B-movie regular, he was last seen playing Sheriff Fowler in recent slasher sequel ‘Hatchet III’.
David Krumholtz
Played: Bernard in ‘The Santa Clause’ (1994)
Last seen: As Mike Kattan in Robert Downey Jr. courtroom drama ‘The Judge’. He also plays Dr. Jack Habib in acclaimed US show ‘The Newsroom’, and he had an ill-fated cameo spot in apocalyptic Franco/Rogen comedy ‘This Is The End’.
Brett Kelly
Played: Thurman in ‘Bad Santa’ (2003)
Last seen: In 2010 stoner comedy ‘High School’ (see what they did there?). Currently studying at the University Of British Columbia, Canada.
Macaulay Culkin
Played: Kevin in ‘Home Alone’ (1990)
Last seen: Confusing the Internet with his “Pizza themed” Velvet Underground tribute band, and occasionally in the tabloids thanks to complicated personal life.
Phoebe Cates
Played: Kate in ‘Gremlins’ (1984)
Last seen: She bowed out of acting in the early 90s, with 2001’s ‘The Anniversary Party’ (alongside husband Kevin Kline) a rare reappearance. She now owns a boutique on New York’s Madison Avenue.
Christian Fitzpatrick
Played: Joe in ‘Santa Claus: The Movie’ (1985)
Last seen: Advertising for work as an actor and voice over artist on networking site LinkedIn.
Olivia Olson
Played: Joanna in ‘Love Actually’ (2003)
Last seen: Lending her vocal talents to Marceline the Vampire Queen in award-winning offbeat animation ‘Adventure Time’, and alongside ‘Love Actually’ co-star Sangster in Disney’s ‘Phineas And Ferb’ series.
Corey Feldman
Played: Peter in ‘Gremlins’ (1984)
Last seen: Being Corey Feldman - a regular gift to the guest-star spot. He did himself proud(ish) in ‘Dancing On Ice’ 2012, and made a cringey stint opposite Keith Lemon on ‘Celebrity Juice’.
Joseph Cross
Played: Charlie in ‘Jack Frost’ (1998)
Last seen: Making his way as a steady supporting actor. He played Honest Abe’s military secretary Hay in 2012 Oscar-magnet ‘Lincoln’.
Devin Ratray
Played: Buzz in ‘Home Alone’ (1990)
Last seen: Playing “Deado” Pulaski and in flop ‘R.I.P.D.’, and a supporting part in Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’.
Karolyn Grimes
Played: Zuzu in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)
Last seen: Chirping those immortal Christmas movie lines: “every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings”. She stopped acting in 1952, and is sometimes spotted at fan events.
