Horror Movie Kids: Then And Now

By Elliot for Creepy

Being a child actor is already a very difficult thing. Especially if you're a child star that was cast for a horror movie. Once they've appeared in one horror movie, child actors tend to really struggle to escape the genre.

With these struggles, it often leads to child actors disappearing from Hollywood to pursuit other career options. Other child actors might reappear years later working in a whole different genre or the independent horror genre.

Ever wondered what happened to some of the most iconic horror child actors? We're here to shine light on this question!

1. Daveigh Chase ( "The Ring" [2002] )

Daveigh Chase had a fairly sizeable portfolio before she appeared as Samara in the film "The Ring". This role did put her on the map though and really boosted her fame.

Since she played Samara in "The Ring", Chase has landed a recurring role on the popular HBO series "Big Love" [2006] and appeared in 31 episodes of the serialized drama. Chase also featured in more feature films since then and is currently actually pursuing a singing career too.


2. Miko Hughes ( "Pet Sematary" [1989] )

After terrifying audiences as Gage in "Pet Sematary", Hughes decided to continue riding the horror film wave by starring in Wes Craven's New Nightmare [1994] as Heather Langenkamp's son.

Hugh never left Hollywood, but rather moved on to making guest appearances in a huge amount of television series. He also worked as a voice actor and a musician. Miko Hughes recently even directed a segment in the horror anthology film, Chilling Visions: 5 Senses of Fear [2013].


3. Lisa and Louise Burns ( "The Shining" [1980] )

Lisa and Louise Burns acted in the television series "Kids" [1970] before they got the roles as incredibly scary young ghost girls in the movie "The Shining".

After "The Shining", Lisa and Louise left Hollywood behind them and completely disappeared from the acting scene. The only other appearences they have done since then was in an episode of the VH1 series "Where Are They Now" and for a screening of the Stanley Kubrick film "Dr. Strangelove".


4. Danielle Harris ( "Halloween 4" [1988] )

Danielle Harris started her acting career in the horror movie genre. She appeared in the horror hits "Halloween 4" and "Halloween 5" as Jamie Lloyd. 

After acting in "Halloween 4" and "Halloween 5", Harris only returned to the horror genre in 1998 in the movie "Urban Legend". Outside of horror movies, Harris made many guest appearances in television shows and even got a couple of supporting roles in some feature films. She even showed how talented she was by working on several voice acting jobs.

Since 2007, Danielle Harris became very active in the horror filmmaking community again. She starred in various horror feature films and even directed the film "Among Friends" [2012].


5. Michael Baldwin ( "Phantasm" [1979] )

Michael Baldwin gained a huge following with his role as Mike in Don Coscarelli's Phantasm. The film itself achieved a huge cult following and received much critical acclaim. 

Baldwin was sadly recast in the second Phantasm film, but did return in the third and fourth film. He is also confirmed to appear in the fifth Phatasm film called "Phantasm: Ravager". Michael Baldwin took many breaks from acting during his career and even spent a while with an Indian Guru living on an ashram. According to reports he does still practice Eastern Mysticism. He did return to horror movies recently and has been involved in many horror movies in the last couple years.


6. Brandon Adams ( "The People Under The Stairs" [1991] )

Before appearing in "The People Under The Stairs", Adams played Zeke in Michael Jackson's "Moonwalker". Adams was lucky to perform under the direction of Wes Craven, which gave him the opportunity to act alongside huge Hollywood talents. Adams also appeared in the horror film "Ghost in the Machine" [1993] as a character called Frazer.

After appearing in several horror movies, Adams moved on to doing voice over work for video games. Brandon Adams has since mostly stopped his acting career to focus on his rapping career. He is known as B. Lee in the music industry.


7. Kyle Richards ( "Halloween" [1978] )

Kyle Richards appeared in several horror movies at a young age. She was Angie in "Eaten Alive" [1977], Debbie in "The Car" [1977] and of course her most famous role Lindsey Wallace in "Halloween" [1978].

Richards has since appeared in a wide variety of movies and television shows as a guest star or supporting role. In recent times she is best known for her part as a regular member on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills".

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