angels of mine: the greatest child actors ever!
75Children are an infinite source of joy, amusement and inspiration. Whether at your own home, your next door neighbour's or in the dark confines of a cineplex, we all have fallen in love, at one time or the other, with their gift to banish hate, anger and pain. Yes, they can also be a terrible pain in you know where at times but this comes with the territory of youth. And hey, we all have been children once and we were always sorry, right? So in tribute to tykes everywhere, I have come up with my own list of some of the greatest child actors who have painted a smile on our faces or put a lump in our throats.
Jackie Coogan
The originator of child celebrity merchandising, he was the Boy King of Hollywood whose memorable performances alongside Charlie Chaplin did not require, really, spoken words. Here's to you, kid!
Watch the magic: The Kid (1921)
Freddie Bartholomew
His name was billed alongside the biggest stars of 1930s Hollywood including Great Garbo and Spencer Tracy.
Watch the magic: David Copperfield (1935)
Shirley Temple
The iconic America's little darling who charmed and tap danced her way into being a worlwide phenom. She will always be our Little Princess.
Watch the magic: The Little Princess (1939)
Elizabeth Taylor
Her most rare pair of purple eyes first seen in 1941 foretold the great beauty and talent that she will become three short years later.
Watch the magic: National Velvet (1944)
Enzo Staiola
A personal favourite, I love his flair for natural acting that showcased none of the adult-like sensitivity that other child actors tend to be praised for. A child who acted like a child.
Watch the magic: The Bicycle Thief (1948)
Mark Lester
He was the poster boy for European and British child actors from the 1960s to early 1970s whose innocent looks made several unforgettable starrers.
Watch the magic: Oliver! (1968)
Macaulay Culkin
No matter how everything eventually turned out to be for this rascal, he will always be the little devil that everybody loved.
Watch the magic: Home Alone (1990)
Anna Paquin
The second youngest recipient of an Oscar, it is too bad she chose not to spread herself too thin after this achievement. Nonetheless, this single performance will forever define innocent precocity.
Watch the magic: The Piano (1991)
Haley Joel Osment
His trademark sensitive acting has won both critical acclaims all over the world plus an Oscar nomination to boot.
Watch the magic: The Sixth Sense (1999)
Dakota Fanning
The youngest ever actor to be nominated for a SAG award, her bright eyes have always bespoken of her great talent. The same reason that she has been compared to the legendary Bette Davis.
Watch the magic: War of the Worlds (2004)
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The Kid (2 Disc Special Edition)
Price: $25.71
List Price: $29.98 |
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David Copperfield (1935)
Price: $6.98
List Price: $19.98 |
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Shirley Temple - America's Sweetheart Collection, Vol. 5 (The Little Princess / Stand Up and Cheer / The Blue Bird)
Price: $18.74
List Price: $29.98 |
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The Elizabeth Taylor Signature Collection (National Velvet / Father of the Bride / Cat on a Hot Tin Roof / Butterfield 8)
Price: $13.98
List Price: $39.98 |
![Vittorio De Sica Collection Three (3) Disc Box Set : Bicycle Thieves (The Bicycle Thief) / Shoeshine (Sciuscia) (aka: Shoe-Shine) [Import] (All-Regions)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5128OAWUqWL._SL75_.jpg){kind=small}
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Vittorio De Sica Collection Three (3) Disc Box Set : Bicycle Thieves (The Bicycle Thief) / Shoeshine (Sciuscia) (aka: Shoe-Shine) [Import] (All-Regions)
Price:
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Oliver!
Price: $8.05
List Price: $12.99 |
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Home Alone: The Complete Collection
Price: $22.12
List Price: $34.98 |
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The Piano
Price: $12.01
List Price: $14.98 |
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The Sixth Sense (Collector's Edition Series)
Price: $5.68
List Price: $14.99 |
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War of the Worlds (Full Screen Edition)
Price: $2.88
List Price: $12.98 |
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Comments
Honestly, I haven't heard of that movie before so thanks for recommending it. I only shortlisted those that I have seen. I'll check if Amazon has it. By the way, catch The Secret Life of Bees, Dakota is there and she's no longer a child (sigh - how time flies!) Thanks again :D
Or why not our very own Rebecca Lusterio from Muro Ami?
I guess Nino Muhlach would make the cut but Rebecca's in my personal list :D
Very nice page - there's extra magic with the black & white photos, Makes me recall how much I enjoyed War Of The Worlds, Home Alone, Sixth Sense, and many Shirley Temple movies. Haven't seen Piano yet, but will watch out for it. Well done!
thanks Charles! i've many other hubs with b&w photography - nothing is more nostalgic! anyways, thanks for dropping by and i do hope you get the chance to see The Piano, it's a great movie - Holly Hunter won an Oscar for her role. thanks again :D
Oh I love Dakota Fanning. Shes adorable. I would add Punky Brewster though, only I dont know how to spell her real name. Soliel Moon Frye... or something along that weird name line.
Anyways, Im interested in seeing The Kid. Never seen it, and now Im intrigued.
Yep love Dakota - though she's all grown up now - well not exactly but getting there. Felt uncomfortable seeing her kiss a guy in The Secret Life of Bees! How time flies... gotta love Punky Brewster though she also kind of reminds me of that little girl who's robot in another program - the title currently eludes me.
Charlie Chaplin despite his comic stylings always makes me cry. Go look for it! :D
yep.... this was a nice hub..... loved seeing Shirley Temple, though it was a long time ago...... and Mark Lester. One more came to mind.... Hailey Mills, in the film where she thought Jesus was in the barn,, I have put together poetry books in schools long ago, and my grandaughter just wrote a poem on hub pages yesterday, would appreciate it a comment from you if you have time. I am going to photo copy it for her. I think she has great potential, Lovely hub
Hailey Mills...her name rings a bell. Oh sure no prob, as soon as I find the time (and finally bought a new computer! Hahaha - been working on my sis' laptop). Thanks for checking out this old hub, Brenda :D
Great hub. I think National Velvet is my favorite Liz Taylor movie!
Thanks! Um mine would be Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. But I must admit she's so adorable in Velvet! D
girlgenius says:
13 months ago
Hey Chris,
Thanks for another great hub! You thorough and informative (and interesting!)
Thought you might want to check out the French film "Ponette". It's about a 4-year-old girl whose mother dies. Critics have praised Victoire Thivisol as the best child actor ever. I'd like to hear what you think!