Lights, Camera, Exit
Remember those kids who made us laugh and cry through our television screens? Many walked away at the height of their popularity because these budding performers sought different paths.
Peter Ostrum
When Ostrum was only 12 years old, he stepped into the role of Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Here, he crafted an unforgettable character before walking away from fame forever. The young actor literally shocked Wilder and Mel Stuart by declining a lucrative three-film contract.
Wolper Pictures, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Peter Ostrum (Cont.)
“I enjoyed the experience, but it wasn't something I wanted to do with my life”. This is what Ostrum explained years later during one of his discussions. Trading Hollywood for horseshoes, Ostrum soon discovered his true passion while observing a veterinarian treat his family's horse.
Wikimedia Commons,Gage Skidmore
Peter Ostrum (Cont.)
This pivotal moment inspired his journey through Cornell University's veterinary program. He graduated in 1984 with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Many of his patients in New York remained unaware of their vet's chocolate factory past until a 1990 magazine feature revealed his former life.
Jay North
As per reports, the little star endured grueling 10-hour workdays while delivering his catchphrases and executing well-timed pranks on Mr Wilson. Television screens across America displayed North's portrayal of the energetic troublemaker in Dennis the Menace (1959-1963), cementing his place in pop culture history.
Darriell Productions, Dennis the Menace (1959–1963)
Jay North (Cont.)
Following his departure from Dennis the Menace, North struggled with typecasting, which limited his acting opportunities beyond his childhood roles. The sitcom star eventually served in the US Navy before working as a correctional officer in Florida during the 1980s. He was also involved with A Minor Consideration (1990).
NBC Television Network., Wikimedia Commons
Erin Murphy
Magical twitches defined Erin Murphy's childhood as Tabitha Stephens. Initially sharing scenes with her twin sister Diane, she soon took over entirely when producers noticed her more natural camera presence and comfort with the crew. After Bewitched ended, Murphy chose paths outside traditional acting.
Ashmont Productions, Bewitched (1964–1972)
Erin Murphy (Cont.)
Her resume expanded to include stints as a makeup artist, casting agent for reality shows, acting teacher, and even a Kahlua Girl spokesperson in the 1980s. Once a child star, she grew to launch a handcrafted alpaca knitwear line in 2012.
Greg Hernandez from California, CA, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Quinn Cummings
"That kid steals every scene she's in!" exclaimed film critics after witnessing ten-year-old Cummings' Oscar-nominated work in The Goodbye Girl. Her portrayal of precocious Lucy McFadden opposite Richard Dreyfuss highlighted her timing and emotional depth that extended to her role as Annie Cooper.
Warner Bros., The Goodbye Girl (1977)
Quinn Cummings (Cont.)
Invention replaced acting when Cummings developed the HipHugger in 2000, a soft baby carrier born out of her own parenting challenges. The former child actress turned this solution into a thriving juvenile products company before selling it to pursue writing full-time, where she published three books.
Susan Olsen
Apparently, the youngest Brady daughter earned around $1,100 weekly during the show's peak. However, she found herself typecast after the series ended. Director Robert Reed secretly tutored Olsen between takes, fostering her love of art and graphic design that would later become her career focus.
ABC Television., Wikimedia Commons
Susan Olsen (Cont.)
Artistic pursuits pulled Olsen away from acting after brief returns for Brady reunions. The child actress established herself as a successful graphic designer and visual artist in Los Angeles. She even crafted her own album cover artwork for bands like Camper Van Beethoven.
Greg Hernandez, Wikimedia Commons
Mike Lookinland
We all remember Mike Lookinland as Bobby Brady on The Brady Bunch. This Utah-raised figure’s naturally blonde hair was dyed dark brown for continuity with his TV siblings. Lookinland's profession pivoted when he established a company specializing in decorative concrete in Salt Lake City during the 1990s.
ABC Television., Wikimedia Commons
Mike Lookinland (Cont.)
Creator Schwartz once noted, “Mike absorbed more technical knowledge on set than any child actor I've worked with”. This could be because he had previously worked as a cameraman for feature films and television, applying his childhood observations of production techniques. Lookinland’s architectural concrete business thrives today.
Nightscream, Wikimedia Commons
Tommy Kirk
Walt Disney personally discovered Tommy Kirk at age 13 during a 1954 theater production. He has starred in Old Yeller (1957) and The Shaggy Dog (1959). The studio abruptly terminated Kirk's contract in 1964 after discovering his homosexuality during the filming of The Misadventures of Merlin Jones.
Walt Disney Pictures, Wikimedia Commons
Tommy Kirk (Cont.)
This devastating blow came at just 21 years old when Kirk was among Disney's most bankable young talents. However, carpet cleaning equipment supported Kirk financially throughout the 1970s. He established a successful cleaning business in Los Angeles, finding stability away from the industry that had rejected him.
Christopher Knight
Peter Brady went from a fictional character to a household name as Christopher Knight appeared in millions of American living rooms every week. Between filming the popular family series, Knight spent hours tinkering with electronic devices and developing technical skills, while his peers focused only on performing.
ABC Television., Wikimedia Commons
Christopher Knight (Cont.)
In some years, keyboards replaced scripts in Knight's professional journey when he joined computer memory manufacturer Adesso in 1991. This leveraged his analytical mind and technical aptitude. The actor mentioned that he realized he had business instincts that were completely untouched during his acting years.
Nightscream, Wikimedia Commons
Kathy Coleman
"Holly! Holly!" echoed through TV speakers as viewers watched Kathy Coleman tackle prehistoric dangers in NBC's Saturday morning series. The red-headed adventurer battled Sleestaks and dinosaurs alongside co-stars Wesley Eure and Spencer Milligan, becoming an instant favorite among science fiction fans.
She Disappeared From Hollywood 50 Years Ago, Now the Rumors Are Confirmed by DoYouRemember?
Kathy Coleman (Cont.)
Producer Sid Krofft specifically selected Coleman for her athletic ability and expressive reactions to the show's elaborate special effects. After all the dinosaur stuff settled down, Coleman left the public scene. She deliberately turned down chances to go to conventions and reunions.
Wesley Eure, copyright holder, Wikimedia Commons
Kathy Coleman (Cont.)
Personal struggles and limited post-show opportunities led her to seek privacy rather than fame. Her 2015 autobiography, Run, Holly, Run!, finally broke decades of silence. It spoke in detail about her difficult transition from a beloved adventure heroine to an anonymous civilian.
Kathy Coleman Promo by Creature Features
Lisa Gerritsen
Phyllis Lindstrom's precocious daughter Bess thrilled viewers when Gerritsen portrayed the character across multiple hit shows. These included The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off Phyllis. She served incredible emotional range while working with legends like Mary Tyler Moore and Cloris Leachman.
MTM, The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977)
Lisa Gerritsen (Cont.)
Corporate America ultimately beckoned Gerritsen out of acting after completing her education at UCLA in the 1980s. She said goodbye to entertainment and set herself in business operations management for technology companies in California. Her last screen appearance was in Husbands, Wives & Lovers (1978).
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Susan Richardson
Richardson is an American actress best known for her role as Susan Bradford on the Eight Is Enough from 1977 to 1981. Born in March 1952, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, this girl began her acting career with roles in American Graffiti and A Star Is Born from the 70s .
Why 'Eight Is Enough' Star Susan Richardson Now Lives In A Trailer by Inside Edition
Susan Richardson (Cont.)
Unfortunately, she was faced with significant difficulties in her life. Richardson suffered from serious health problems, including mini-strokes, diabetes, and a rare disorder. The former actor later worked as a nursing home caregiver and became an author and illustrator of children's books.
Why 'Eight Is Enough' Star Susan Richardson Now Lives In A Trailer by Inside Edition
