80s Child Stars Who Live Like Normal People Now

A child star’s life is intense and often ends quickly. From struggling to maintain career momentum to dealing with typecasting as they age (combined with mental illness, substance abuse, and neglect or abuse from industry members or family and friends), there are many horror stories about child celebrities managing life after stardom. While some stars, like Christina Applegate and Sean Astin, decided to stay in the spotlight, or others made a comeback later in life, there are many child stars who decided to drop out of Hollywood altogether and give up fame and fortune for a normal life.

1. Jeff Cohen of The Goonies Is an Entertainment Lawyer

Remember Chunk from The Goonies? Yeah, the “Truffle Shuffle” kid grew up and got a law degree. Jeff Cohen used his acting money to fund his education and now works as a partner at his own firm, Cohen Gardner LLP, representing entertainment clients. He hasn’t acted since 1991 — unless you count acting like he loves reading contracts. And yes, he grew up to be kind of a total babe.

2. Josh Saviano of The Wonder Years Went Into Law Too

Josh Saviano — aka Paul Pfeiffer, Kevin’s nerdy but lovable bestie on The Wonder Years — left acting after the show ended. He went to Yale, became a lawyer, and eventually founded two advisory firms that help entertainers, influencers, and entrepreneurs manage their careers. He even popped up on Law & Order: SVU, proving once again that former child stars can’t resist a little TV cameo.

3. Danny Lloyd from The Shining Became a College Professor

Imagine starring in one of the scariest movies ever made… and then deciding, “Yeah, I think I’ll teach biology.” That’s exactly what Danny Lloyd did. After playing little Danny Torrance in The Shining at just six years old, he retired from acting, worked on a farm to pay for school, and eventually became a biology professor at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College in Kentucky. “Here’s to normal careers, Johnny!”

4. Carrie Henn from Aliens Became an Elementary School Teacher

Carrie Henn was only 10 when she starred opposite Sigourney Weaver in James Cameron’s Aliens. But instead of chasing fame, she chose a quiet life teaching elementary school in Atwater, California. Aside from one voice role in 2020, she’s been shaping young minds instead of fighting space monsters — which honestly sounds way less stressful.