6 Child Actors Who Dropped Out Of Hollywood To Purse Other Dreams

Many children dream of one day starring in a film, seeing themselves on the silver screen, living a life of fame and fortune, and enjoying it. For some young actors, however, a life of fame isn’t in the cards. Here are six child actors of Hollywood who left the film industry behind in pursuits of other dreams.
 

1.  Peter Ostrum

Source: Woman's World

Peter Ostrum’s only role was that of Charlie Bucket in the 1971 film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, at just 12 years of age. Though he enjoyed the filmmaking process, Ostrum chose not to sign a three-year contract with the talent agency that had recruited him, after which he preferred not to talk about his role in the film.  His passion for veterinary sciences emerged after shooting his film, when observing horses and the vet who worked with them. He went ahead to become a veterinary doctor, and continues practicing his profession till date.
 

2. Danny Lloyd

Source: Zimbio

6-year-old Danny Lloyd was chosen for the role of Danny Torrance in the 1980 film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, The Shining.His selection for the role was on the basis of his ability to hold a concentrated stare for long periods of time. His final role was in 1982, in an appearance as Young Liddy in Will: G. Gordon Liddy, the television film. He retired from acting soon after, due to reasons unknown, and is currently a professor of Biology at a community college based in Kentucky.

3.  Shirley Temple

Source: TooFab

At the age of 3, Shirley Temple began her career as an actress, gaining international fame in the film Bright Eyes.Films such as Heidi and Curly Top followed soon after, boosting her rise to fame as an international superstar. Her cinematic popularity, however, plateaued and waned as she reached adolescence, doing a couple more films before retiring from the film industry at the age of 22. At 30, she returned to show business, albeit briefly, with a fairy tale adaptation anthology TV series, which ran for two seasons. Temple later moved on as a diplomat, representing the United States at the United Nations General Assembly, and then becoming the 27thUnited States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, 9thUS ambassador to Ghana, and the 18thChief of Protocol of the United States. She passed away in 2014.
 

4.   Charlie Korsmo

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Charlie Korsmo appeared in four films during his career, as Dick Tracy Jr. in Dick Tracy, Single in What About Bob?, and Jack Banning in the 1991 film, Hook. His final role was that of William Lichter in Can Hardly Wait. Post his acting career, Korsmo pursued a degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and later on, a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. He has also worked for the Republican Party of the United States, as well as for the Environment Protection Agency. In 2011, President Barack Obama nominated Korsmo for a member of the Board of Trustees of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Korsmo is currently a professor at a law school in Cleveland.
 
 
 

5.  Mara Wilson

Source: MovieCreedLive

At the age of 6, Mara Wilson was cast as Natalie Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire, her first role on the silver screen. She is also well known for her performances as Susan Walker in Miracle on 34thStreet, Matilda Wormwood in Matilda, and Lily Stone in Thomas and the Magic Railroad. She has starred in various other films and TV serials, including the American sitcom, Melrose Place.Her final role after a 12 year break from acting was in a single episode of an online web-series called Missed Connection, after which she decided to focus solely on her writing.

6.  Ariana Richards
 

Source: Snakkle.com

Ariana Richards is best known for her role as Lex Murphy in the hit film Jurassic Park, with her debut role in a made-for-cable show, Into the Homeland. Her acting career has included playing a cheerleader in the film Angus, as well as her appearances in the Tremors films. She has also made appearances in television shows such as Golden Girls, Empty Nest, and Boy meets World. After her retirement from the film industry, Richards went on to become a highly successful artist and is currently working as the same.