Harper Hall
The bright lights of Hollywood have a way of dimming for some child stars as they grow up. During the 1970s, television and film introduced us to many talented young actors who captured our hearts. While some stayed in the entertainment business, others chose completely different paths. Let’s take a look at ten ’70s child stars who walked away from fame to build new lives away from the spotlight.
1. Mara Wilson
The adorable face behind “Matilda” and “Mrs. Doubtfire” traded scripts for notebooks when she stepped away from acting. Mara found her true calling in storytelling—just not in front of cameras. After graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, she embraced writing as her primary creative outlet.
Her memoir “Where Am I Now?” candidly explores her Hollywood experiences and the challenges of growing up in the public eye. Today, Wilson contributes to various publications and focuses on projects that bring her genuine fulfillment, proving there’s life beyond child stardom.
2. Sharon Baird
Remember the cheerful Mouseketeer with the infectious smile? Sharon Baird danced her way into American homes during the original Mickey Mouse Club before appearing in various productions throughout the ’60s and ’70s.
Unlike many child performers who crashed under pressure, Sharon made a graceful exit. She later worked behind the scenes as a puppeteer for Sid and Marty Krofft productions, including the bizarre children’s show “H.R. Pufnstuf.” Sharon eventually retired completely from entertainment, choosing a private life away from Hollywood’s relentless spotlight.
3. Danny Bonaduce
The fiery-haired troublemaker from “The Partridge Family” experienced perhaps the most turbulent post-fame journey of his peers. After childhood stardom, Danny’s life spiraled into a well-documented struggle with substance abuse and legal troubles. Finding salvation in an unexpected place, he rebuilt his life behind a microphone rather than a camera.
His distinctive raspy voice became his new ticket to success as a radio personality. While technically not completely gone from public life, Danny deliberately stepped away from Hollywood’s acting scene, creating distance from the industry that defined his childhood.
4. Jodie Foster
Child prodigy Jodie Foster stunned audiences with her raw talent in films like “Taxi Driver” before most kids finish elementary school. What many don’t realize is how deliberately she stepped back from the constant spotlight to nurture her intellectual side. Yale University welcomed the young actress, who graduated with honors in literature.
Though she occasionally returns to acting and directing, Foster has prioritized a life of the mind over Hollywood glamour. Her occasional lectures at universities reveal her passion for cinema as an art form rather than merely a vehicle for fame.
5. Tatum O’Neal
At just ten years old, Tatum became the youngest person ever to win an Academy Award for her role in “Paper Moon.” Her precocious talent promised a brilliant career, but Hollywood’s pressures took their toll on the young star. After battling addiction and a highly publicized divorce from tennis star John McEnroe, Tatum chose to prioritize healing and family.
Her 2004 memoir “A Paper Life” revealed the painful reality behind her seemingly charmed childhood. Now focused on being present for her children and grandchildren, Tatum has found peace away from the industry that both made and nearly broke her.
6. Ricky Schroder
“Silver Spoons” catapulted young Ricky into teen heartthrob status, but fame never seemed to be his ultimate goal. After growing up on camera, Schroder made the surprising decision to relocate his family to a sprawling ranch in Colorado. Trading Hollywood parties for horseback riding, he embraced a simpler lifestyle focused on raising his children away from the entertainment industry’s pressures.
His occasional directing projects allow him to stay connected to storytelling without sacrificing privacy. His Grand Mesa property became a sanctuary where fame takes a backseat to family values and outdoor living.
7. Melissa Sue Anderson
The girl with the striking blue eyes who played Mary Ingalls made a bold move that surprised fans. After years portraying the eldest daughter on “Little House on the Prairie,” Melissa Sue Anderson eventually sought a life far from Hollywood’s reach. In 2002, she relocated her family to Montreal, Canada, even becoming a Canadian citizen.
Raising her children in relative anonymity became more important than maintaining her status as a television icon.
8. Dana Plato
The story of Kimberly Drummond from “Diff’rent Strokes” serves as a sobering reminder of fame’s potential dangers. Dana’s struggle to transition from adorable child star to adult actress led to financial hardship and substance abuse issues. After leaving Hollywood, she worked briefly as a cashier in Las Vegas, where a customer recognized and photographed her—creating tabloid fodder that further damaged her fragile self-image.
Her attempts to restart her career with B-movies never gained traction. Dana’s premature death at 34 remains one of Hollywood’s most heartbreaking cautionary tales about the fragility of child stars.
9. Kari Michaelsen
The sunny teenager who played Katie on “Gimme a Break!” found her true calling far from television studios. After her acting career waned, Kari discovered her passion for education and motivational speaking. Reinventing herself as a business consultant and educational advocate, she developed programs helping young people identify their potential. Her work with youth organizations allows her to mentor the next generation without the pressures of public scrutiny.
Married to Hollywood producer David Waldock, Kari maintains connections to the entertainment world while purposefully staying behind the scenes.
10. Brandon Cruz
The boy who melted hearts opposite Bill Bixby in “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father” found an unexpected second act in the punk rock scene. Brandon traded his clean-cut image for a mohawk when he joined the influential hardcore band Dr. Know in the 1980s. Music offered Brandon creative fulfillment without the constraints of Hollywood’s expectations.
After years of touring, he later worked as a surfing instructor and addiction recovery advocate, helping others find sobriety. His journey from squeaky-clean child actor to punk rocker to mentor represents one of Hollywood’s most unusual and authentic reinventions.
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