Started By
Message

Best 90's Child Actor?

Posted on 7/6/25 at 2:04 pm
Posted by Skenes
Member since Mar 2025
419 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 2:04 pm
Who do you feel was the best either television or movies.



Some contenders:
- Culkin
- Olsen (twins)
- Lipnicki
- DiCaprio
- Osmett
- Bynes
- Ricci
- White
- Thomas
- Thompson
Plus many more that I could really list

This isn't about what they do today but their acting chops in the movies and roles from the 90's.
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
94829 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 2:09 pm to
quote:

- Lipnicki


It's him or Dunst, I think. They were so advanced for their age, at least for screen acting.

Posted by sledgehammer
SWLA
Member since Oct 2020
6804 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 2:11 pm to
Olsen twins
They carried their success into the 2000s with a TV show and movies that were always played at teen girl’s slumber parties
Posted by Jack Ruby
Member since Apr 2014
26537 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 2:18 pm to
Leo wasn't a child actor in the 90s. When he did Gilbert Grape in '93, he was like 19. He just played a teenager well into his 20s.

As for child actors go, Culkin and Shirley Temple are the two biggest child stars ever.


It's Culkin by a mile. He carried multiple gigantic films that adults and kids alike could watch at like 8-10 yrs old. There's a reason only happens about once every 50-60 yrs.


The Olsen Twins get honorable mention because they basically became billionaires at like 16 and just retired. They're acting, however, was like cardboard. Culkin lapped them in range, charisma, and star power.

Posted by TigerintheNO
New Orleans
Member since Jan 2004
44243 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 2:22 pm to
quote:

DiCaprio


his sister on the show dated Brad Pitt and Matt Perry


Youtube Link
Posted by BOSCEAUX
Where the Down Boys go.
Member since Mar 2008
51507 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 4:22 pm to
I always thought Ricci was a very good child actor. As far as actual acting ability not monetary success I would probably rank them Dunst, Ricci, Culkin.
Posted by boston vol
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Member since Sep 2015
6743 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 4:40 pm to
Natalie Portman, for The Professional alone.
Posted by Ranger Call
Lonesome Dove / Montana
Member since Apr 2023
674 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 4:41 pm to
Elijah Wood and Joseph Gordon-Levitt could hold their own in dramatic or light material.
Posted by Lexis Dad
Member since Apr 2025
5791 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 8:21 pm to
Culkin.

Ricci.

Leo
Posted by Neutral Underground
Member since Mar 2024
2772 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 8:34 pm to
Dicaprio played a kid on Growing Pains.
Posted by Neutral Underground
Member since Mar 2024
2772 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 8:36 pm to
My pick will be Fred Savage.
Posted by BigNastyTiger417
Member since Nov 2021
5196 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 9:28 pm to
DiCaprio. Anything else is silly
Posted by Demonbengal
Ruston
Member since May 2015
5001 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 10:26 pm to
Dunst was really good in Interview with a Vampire. I would have her and Ricci at the top.
Posted by Locoguan0
St. George, LA
Member since Nov 2017
7089 posts
Posted on 7/6/25 at 11:45 pm to
Posted by WaltWhite504
Member since Sep 2021
2108 posts
Posted on 7/7/25 at 7:33 am to
quote:

his sister on the show dated Brad Pitt and Matt Perry


In the 80-90s - Tracey Gold's stepfather Harry Gold (former child actor) ran one of the top child agencies in Hollywood. Her mother was one of the top commercial execs casting kids in TV ads. They were the child acting power couple during this era. All the top child talent signed with them.

The Golds sent their best to Growing Pains to boost Tracey's career.
Posted by Lake08
Member since Jun 2023
2778 posts
Posted on 7/7/25 at 7:54 am to
Loved GP’s but Tracey was a terrible actress
Posted by Snoopy04
Republic of Texas
Member since Aug 2015
3218 posts
Posted on 7/7/25 at 9:26 am to
quote:

While several child actors had notable projects in the 1990s, Macaulay Culkin is often cited as having the most prominent and successful career during that decade, particularly due to his roles in "Home Alone" and its sequel. He starred in several other films throughout the 90s, solidifying his status as a major child star.

Here's why Culkin stands out:
"Home Alone" franchise:
Culkin's portrayal of Kevin McCallister in "Home Alone" (1990) and "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992) catapulted him to international fame and established him as a household name.

Other 90s roles:
Beyond "Home Alone", he starred in "My Girl" (1991), "The Good Son" (1993), "Getting Even with Dad" (1994), "The Pagemaster" (1994), and "Richie Rich" (1994), showcasing his versatility.

Peak of child stardom:
Culkin's popularity in the early to mid-90s was immense, making him one of the most recognizable and sought-after child actors of the era.

Financial success:
Culkin's box office success in the "Home Alone" movies and other films made him one of the highest-paid child actors at the time, according to Finance Monthly.


Posted by chinese58
NELA. after 30 years in Dallas.
Member since Jun 2004
33359 posts
Posted on 7/7/25 at 9:30 am to
Culkin by a mile.


Leo wasn't a star as a child. His ImDb say he was in Growing pains in 1991 and 1992. Two years as a minor character in a series when he was 17 and 18 years old playing an eight year old isn't a child star.
Posted by coolpapaboze
Parts Unknown
Member since Dec 2006
20903 posts
Posted on 7/7/25 at 9:40 am to
quote:

Natalie Portman, for The Professional alone.
I think this might have been her peak as an actor. She seems to have regressed.
Posted by coolpapaboze
Parts Unknown
Member since Dec 2006
20903 posts
Posted on 7/7/25 at 9:44 am to
If you’re talking about skill as an actor I’d go with Osment. He was incredible in the Sixth Sense, nominated for an Oscar for that performance. Osment also made his name doing dramatic parts which I’d argue is harder for a child actor.

Macaulay Culkin was obviously in some blockbuster movies, but he was a terrible actor.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 2Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram