Child actors sometimes continue on the Hollywood path, continuing to seek acting roles as they grow from cute kids to teens to adults.
Not all of those former child stars make the difficult transition to adult roles — and not all of them even want to.
For proof, take a look at the unique, outside-of-Hollywood jobs that these recognizable child stars now hold.
Frankie Muniz: Race Car Driver
In early January, the “Malcolm in the Middle” star announced on Instagram that he was ready to begin pursuing his dream of becoming a NASCAR driver.
“Ever since childhood, it’s been my dream to pursue racing in NASCAR,” Muniz told Yahoo! Entertainment.
Read More: Frankie Muniz Places 11th In Arca Racing Debut At Daytona Speedway
During his first professional race in February, Muniz placed a respectable 11th in the stock car racing division’s Menards Series at the Daytona International Speedway.
Not all of those former child stars make the difficult transition to adult roles — and not all of them even want to.
For proof, take a look at the unique, outside-of-Hollywood jobs that these recognizable child stars now hold.
Frankie Muniz: Race Car Driver
In early January, the “Malcolm in the Middle” star announced on Instagram that he was ready to begin pursuing his dream of becoming a NASCAR driver.
“Ever since childhood, it’s been my dream to pursue racing in NASCAR,” Muniz told Yahoo! Entertainment.
Read More: Frankie Muniz Places 11th In Arca Racing Debut At Daytona Speedway
During his first professional race in February, Muniz placed a respectable 11th in the stock car racing division’s Menards Series at the Daytona International Speedway.
- 7/5/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
One of the reasons "Forrest Gump" is a cherished movie is because of the way it lightheartedly traverses decades of key moments in U.S. history and popular culture through the eyes of an altruistic titular protagonist, Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) -- inspired by a couple of real-life blokes. In the eyes of the film, even one simple person can make a big impact on the world around them. The film cleverly blends these events with a fictional narrative to show the significance of Forrest's actions.
In "Forrest Gump," during Alabama Governor George Wallace's 1963 "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door" event where he protested the de-segregation of schools, Forrest curiously watches from the crowd and then helps African-American student Vivian Malone when she drops her books on her way into the school.
Later, during an appearance alongside John Lennon on "The Dick Cavett Show," Forrest inspires the lyrics to Lennon's best-selling single "Imagine.
In "Forrest Gump," during Alabama Governor George Wallace's 1963 "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door" event where he protested the de-segregation of schools, Forrest curiously watches from the crowd and then helps African-American student Vivian Malone when she drops her books on her way into the school.
Later, during an appearance alongside John Lennon on "The Dick Cavett Show," Forrest inspires the lyrics to Lennon's best-selling single "Imagine.
- 1/25/2023
- by Travis Yates
- Slash Film
On the BBC's Graham Norton Show last week, Tom Hanks told how after searching for the voice of Gump, he found his muse in the young Mississippi boy who portrayed Gump in his early years. Hanks also reveals that the boy named Michael Conner Humphreys is now a grown up veteran of Us Army service in Afganistan. Hanks said he spent hours in conversation with the then 7 year old, capturing his cadence and inflections. Watch the clip before to see Hanks' amazing imitation of the boy who became the voice of Gump.
- 2/23/2016
- by Richard Rushfield
- Hitfix
By Anjelica Oswald
Managing Editor
[Warning: Potential spoilers ahead for Interstellar.]
Only two times in Oscar history have there been Oscar nominations for two actors playing the same character in the same film. The first time this happened was in 1998 when Kate Winslet received a lead actress nomination for her portrayal of a young Rose in Titanic (1997) and Gloria Stuart received a supporting actress nomination for Old Rose. Winslet did it again in 2002 when she was nominated for her supporting role as Young Iris Murdoch in Iris (2001) and Judi Dench was nominated for her lead role.
More often than not, when there are multiple portrayals of a character in a film, there is a child actor and the adult who gets the more prominent role and the Oscar nomination, such as with Forrest Gump (1994). Tom Hanks won an Oscar for his portrayal of Forrest Gump, while Michael Conner Humphreys played Young Forrest.
Should Christopher Nolan’s...
Managing Editor
[Warning: Potential spoilers ahead for Interstellar.]
Only two times in Oscar history have there been Oscar nominations for two actors playing the same character in the same film. The first time this happened was in 1998 when Kate Winslet received a lead actress nomination for her portrayal of a young Rose in Titanic (1997) and Gloria Stuart received a supporting actress nomination for Old Rose. Winslet did it again in 2002 when she was nominated for her supporting role as Young Iris Murdoch in Iris (2001) and Judi Dench was nominated for her lead role.
More often than not, when there are multiple portrayals of a character in a film, there is a child actor and the adult who gets the more prominent role and the Oscar nomination, such as with Forrest Gump (1994). Tom Hanks won an Oscar for his portrayal of Forrest Gump, while Michael Conner Humphreys played Young Forrest.
Should Christopher Nolan’s...
- 10/6/2014
- by Anjelica Oswald
- Scott Feinberg
Twenty years ago, Tom Hanks inspired movie audiences around the world to reflect on the parallels between life and chocolate in the Oscar-winning Forrest Gump. In honor of its anniversary, the film is screening in IMAX theaters for one week, starting Sept. 5. For Gump superfans out there, it's a chance to relive some movie magic - just think how intense that floating feather will look on an IMAX screen! To some observers, since its 1994 theatrical run, Forrest Gump has permeated pop culture, leaving a legacy that has inspired further creative efforts and manages to still make news today. 1. Tom Hanks...
- 9/5/2014
- by Drew Mackie
- PEOPLE.com
Forrest Gump taught us that life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you're gonna get! It was 20 years ago this week the Tom Hanks, Robin Wright movie first hit theaters, and we've seen a lot of Forrest and Jenny Irl in the two decades since its release. But what about actors who played the younger versions of the film's stars? Well, Michael Conner Humphreys and Hanna Hall are still (fairly) recognizable today! Young Forest, now 29, pushed showbiz to the side for a bit, opting not to take on any more film or TV roles throughout his childhood. Instead, he grew up and as an adult, joined the Army. Per Fox News, his enlistment ended in June 2008, and he returned to his acting roots playing...
- 7/10/2014
- E! Online
Tom Hanks recently enjoyed a reunion with two of his Forrest Gump co-stars, Gary Sinise and Mykelti Williamson.
The actor posted a picture of himself with Sinise and Williamson, who played Lieutenant Dan and Bubba respectively in the 1994 movie, on his Twitter.
"Hadn't seen these old friends for too long," he tweeted along with the photo.
As the classic heartfelt movie approaches its 20th anniversary, we take a look back at what the main stars of the drama have gone on to accomplish since.
Tom Hanks
Hanks gave a heartbreaking and poignant Academy Award-winning performance as the endearing Forrest Gump in Robert Zemeckis's drama.
The 57-year-old actor reunited with the film's director for the critically acclaimed Cast Away in 2000 and again for 2004's animated The Polar Express.
Hanks has since appeared in a long list of successful movies including Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile and The Da Vinci Code,...
The actor posted a picture of himself with Sinise and Williamson, who played Lieutenant Dan and Bubba respectively in the 1994 movie, on his Twitter.
"Hadn't seen these old friends for too long," he tweeted along with the photo.
As the classic heartfelt movie approaches its 20th anniversary, we take a look back at what the main stars of the drama have gone on to accomplish since.
Tom Hanks
Hanks gave a heartbreaking and poignant Academy Award-winning performance as the endearing Forrest Gump in Robert Zemeckis's drama.
The 57-year-old actor reunited with the film's director for the critically acclaimed Cast Away in 2000 and again for 2004's animated The Polar Express.
Hanks has since appeared in a long list of successful movies including Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile and The Da Vinci Code,...
- 2/10/2014
- Digital Spy
It's been almost 20 years since we all learned why life was "like a box of chocolates" -- and all the stars of "Forrest Gump" have been through some pretty crazy things ever since making the film.When the movie came out in 1994, it was both a box office and critical success, picking up Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing and, of course, Best Actor for Tom Hanks.Tom's costars Gary Sinise, Sally Field and Robin Wright went on to find much success in film, television and, in Robin's case, a critically-acclaimed Netflx series -- but whatever happened to the kids who played young Forrest (Michael Conner Humphreys) and Jenny (Hanna Hall)?Check ou the gallery above to see what they look like now, plus see what they've been doing since 1994! Read more...
- 7/7/2013
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
Run, Forrest, run. onto Blu-ray that is. Paramount pulls out all the stops on this fine Blu-ray presentation that.s as tasty as a box of chocolates. Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) is sitting at a bus stop and shares his life story with anyone who happens to sit down on the bench next to him. Young Forrest (Michael Conner Humphreys) was born to a single mother (Sally Field) and never knew who his father was. He has below average intelligence, but his ability to run fast and goes to college on a football scholarship. After college he enlists in the army and meets .Bubba. Blue (Mykelti Williamson) who seems to be a match for Gump. He wants Forrest...
- 11/9/2009
- by Jeff Swindoll
- Monsters and Critics
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