They were once familiar faces on screens, growing up in front of millions of viewers. Years later, these former young stars have built lives audiences might never have expected.
For some, leaving Hollywood meant more than walking away from acting. They found new careers, built families, and settled into quieter lives – and a few have become almost unrecognizable from the characters audiences remember.
“The Sandlot” brought together a young cast for a story that became a 1990s favorite. Decades later, some of its stars would take paths far removed from movie sets. | Source: Getty Images
Amanda Bynes
Amanda Bynes followed an unexpected path after stepping away from the screen, pursuing new interests that gradually took her in a different professional direction.
Amanda Bynes first found fame as a child performer on Nickelodeon, eventually becoming the face of “The Amanda Show.” Movie roles followed as she carried her early television success into the 2000s. | Source: Getty Images
In June 2019, the “She’s the Man” star graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. She documented the milestone herself on X, posting a photo in her cap and gown with the simple message, “FIDM graduate 2019.” Her studies continued after graduation.
In April 2022, Bynes told E! News that she was continuing with a bachelor’s degree at FIDM, majoring in Creative Industry Studies with a focus on Beauty Marketing and Product Development. She also said she planned to travel to New York that June to work on developing a fragrance intended for a holiday launch.
By October 2022, the former Nickelodeon star was learning another skill in the beauty field. Access Hollywood reported that she wrote in her Instagram bio that she was “in cosmetology college to become a manicurist.” She also shared a video from school that showed her training space and three nails painted with black and glittering silver polish.