5 Child Stars Who Had the Wildest Career Changes

Nikole Stewart

Updated: June 26, 2026

Growing up, it was always fascinating seeing kids your age on the screen. And even though it was a dream of ours as kids, it’s not something others would stick with. In fact, there are a few child stars who had the wildest career changes. From becoming a hit on TV shows to doing everyday work, these are a few changes that these child stars made.

5. Devon Werkheiser

Devon Werkheiser, Credit NickRewind, Wiki Commons (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license) — Credit NickRewind, Wiki Commons (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license)

Well-known for his work as Ned Bigby on the Nickelodeon sitcom, Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, Devon had to take a 9-to-5 job when his savings ran out. In 2023, he started a podcast called Growing Up with Devon Werkheiser, as well as a rewatch podcast called Ned’s Declassified Podcast Survival Guide with Lindsey Shaw and Daniel Curtis Lee.

4. Peter Ostrum

Peter Ostrum, Credit Gage Skidmore, Wiki Commons (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license) — Credit Gage Skidmore, Wiki Commons (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license)

After starring as Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Peter opted out of acting and pursued a career in veterinary medicine, caring for animals every day. At first, he was reluctant to talk about his one starring role, but in 1990, he started an annual tradition of speaking to schoolchildren about the film, and he became a subject of interest again when the 2005 adaptation was released to theaters.

3. Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple, Credit Harry Warnecke, Lee Jennings Elkins, Wiki Commons (Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication) — Credit Harry Warnecke, Lee Jennings Elkins, Wiki Commons (Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication)

One of the most famous child stars ever, Shirley Temple, also had one of the widest career shifts. Temple began her diplomatic career in 1969 when she was appointed to represent the U.S. at a session of the United Nations General Assembly under Ambassador Charles Yost. Later, she was named U.S. Ambassador to Ghana.

2. Jennifer Stone

Jennifer Stone, Credit Sterling Dee, Wiki Commons (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license) — Credit Sterling Dee, Wiki Commons (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license)

Harper Finkle was an iconic side character in Wizards of Waverly Place, a beloved Disney show starring Selena Gomez. But instead of continuing, she swapped acting for nursing, graduating in 2019 and contributing to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Bridget Mendler

Bridget Mendler, Credit TechCrunch, Wiki Commons (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license) — Credit TechCrunch, Wiki Commons (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license)

Known for her role in Good Luck Charlie, Bridget Mendler is one of the most iconic child stars who has had the wildest career changes. While she continued to act in her adulthood, she later enrolled at MIT and Harvard from 2017 to 2024, then co-founded Northwood Space, a satellite data startup.