5 Celebrities You Never Knew Were Child Stars

From Jodie Foster to the two Ryans-Gosling and Reynolds, these celebrities remind us that we all start somewhere. Discover their surprising early careers in the world of entertainment.

Imagine this: you know their names, you’ve seen their faces, but little do you know that these superstars kick-started their showbiz adventures at a very young age.

It’s a captivating journey through the lives of these Hollywood stars, as they got their first taste of the limelight long before you ever knew it.

In the world of entertainment, these celebrities prove that dreams can take flight at any age. 

So, get ready for a fascinating dive into the early careers of these Hollywood stars, whose paths to fame began long before you even realized it.

READ ALSO: Talent Runs In The Family: 5 Celebrities You May Have Forgotten Are Nepo Babies

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster, whose real name is Alicia Christian Foster, became a household name for her incredible talent. 

However, her acting journey didn’t begin with her iconic roles. 

Publicity photo of child actress Jodie Foster promoting her role on the 1974 television series Paper Moon.
Young Jodie Foster/Photo courtesy of Paper Moon, ABC-TV via Wikimedia Commons

Jodie made her debut in the world of entertainment through TV shows like The Courtship of Eddie’s Father and The Doris Day Show.

She has since earned a staggering four Oscar nominations and clinched two wins, both for Best Actress, for her exceptional performances in The Accused and Silence of the Lambs.

Award-winning actress, Jodie Foster.
Jodie Foster/Photo via Instagram @nyadmovie

Ryan Reynolds

Believe it or not, before he became the charismatic and humorous actor we all adore, Ryan Reynolds started his acting career as a 14-year-old on the Canadian TV show Fifteen

Back then, he was earning a modest $150 per day. 

Ryan Reynolds as Billy Simpson in the TV Series Fifteen.
Young Ryan Reynolds/Photo courtesy of IMDb

Reynolds has successfully ventured into a wide range of roles, from playing snarky wiseguys in films like Van Wilder and Waiting to tackling action-packed characters in comic book movies such as Green Lantern (2011) and Deadpool (2016).

Deadpool 2 Japan Premiere Red Carpet, Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds/Photo by Dick Thomas Johnson via Wikimedia Commons

Ryan Gosling

It’s a tale of two Ryans! Ryan Gosling began his journey in the world of entertainment on The Mickey Mouse Club. He shared the spotlight with Justin Timberlake. 

Additionally, he graced various television shows during the 1990s. This includes Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Goosebumps, and Flash Forward. 

His early promise has led to two Oscar nominations for this charming actor.

Ryan Gosling speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California.
Ryan Gosling/Photo by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson’s acting career took off at just nine years old. She played Laura Nelson in North alongside Elijah Wood in 1994. 

Fast forward to today, and she’s a star in her very own Avengers spin-off, Black Widow.

Her remarkable talent has earned her numerous accolades. 

This included Oscar nominations for Best Actress in Marriage Story and Best Supporting Actress in JoJo Rabbit at the 2020 Oscars.

Scarlett Johansson in Paris at the César Awards ceremony
Scarlett Johansson/Photo by Georges Biard via Wikimedia Commons

Christian Bale

Christian Bale’s journey to stardom kicked off with a bang when he starred in Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun at the tender age of 13. 

Before that, he had small roles in television mini-series like Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna and Heart of the Country. 

Bale’s incredible versatility led him to portray Batman in the Dark Knight trilogy and secure an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in The Fighter.

Christian Bale at the red carpet film premiere of Public Enemies at the Mann Village Westwood during the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival.
Christian Bale/Photo by Asim Bharwani via Wikimedia Commons

Child Prodigies

These celebrities’ early beginnings might come as a surprise, but they all share one thing in common: they started their incredible careers as child stars. 

These stories remind us that talent knows no age, and it’s never too early to begin pursuing your dreams.

Banner photo via Instagram @theoutset.

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