Susan Walker from Miracle on 34th Street, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger from the iconic Harry Potter franchise, Eleven from Stranger Things, Manny from Modern Family — these were not just roles but characters that became our friends, and propelled the child actors portraying them to overnight fame. It is impossible to watch Perks of Being a Wallflower and not think, “wow, li’l Hermione has become so mature!”, or look at Millie Bobby Brown sharing skincare tutorials on the ’gram and instantly remember the first time we met her as Eleven.
On Children’s Day, My Kolkata has hopped on the nostalgia wagon to look back at memorable roles of a few popular artistes who debuted as child actors and made a special place in our hearts.
Natalie Wood
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When Miss Celine told Lorelai Gilmore that she looked like Natalie Wood, Gilmore Girls fans and fans of Natalie Wood are sure to have done some mental mapping. After all, Natalie Wood was a diva (and so was Lorelai, TBH) and while Wood is remembered for her many roles, one that’s etched in the minds of cinephiles, especially with the approaching holiday season is Miracle on 34th Street (1947). The Christmas classic always features on the holiday season watchlist, and Wood as Susan Walker is a delight to watch. Whether Kris Kringle is really the Santa Claus remains a mystery, but Susan shows us the power of innocent prayer in the heartwarming role, and we also hope for her dream house every time we watch the film.
Natalie Wood (1938-1981) started her career when she was four years old and debuted on the silver screen with the Irving Pichel directorial The Moon Is Down. Her other popular films as a child artiste are The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Driftwood, No Sad Songs for Me, and The Star, to name a few.
Hayley Mills
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“If you go around looking for the bad in people, you will surely find it” — who knew an inscription in a locket shown in a film could stay on with you. The Abraham Lincoln quote is a life lesson, and Pollyanna Whittier’s life is a gentle reminder of so many things. The optimistic, well natured girl from Gladtown emulates the saying ‘Fall down seven times, get up eight’ with her life. She battles personal setbacks, finds strength in empathy, and gives hope. Hayley Mills as Pollyanna in Pollyanna is unforgettable, thus.
Mills won a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer for her performance in J. Lee Thomposon directorial Tiger Bay, which bagged her the lead role in Pollyanna. Now 78, the actress has acted in several Walt Disney films like The Parent Trap and In Search of the Castaways, to name a few.
Macaulay Culkin
Kevin McCallister gives us anxiety every time he is “home alone”. Getting locked in the attic to coming up with an elaborate war plan to ward off burglars — the li’l one is as smart as he is naughty. Home Alone remains a favourite for people around the world even after three decades, and Macaulay Culkin as Kevin is special — you fall in love with him from his first complaint of “Uncle Frank won’t let me watch the movie…” and continue to laugh at his antics, worry about him and finally breathe a sigh of relief by the end of the film. And kudos for this connection goes to the actor who aced the assignment.
McCallister’s stage career began when he was four. He also acted as a child actor in cartoon TV series Wish Kid, as well continuing his shenanigans in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. The actor has turned into a performer later in his life, but he will always be Kevin, the kid who loves adventures.
Freddie Highmore
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The boy with the “perfect pitch” — Evan Taylor in August Rush. A movie that will tug on your heartstrings and leave you in awe of a kid’s talent, watching a young Freddie Highmore in August Rush makes you root for him until he makes it to that concert stage. A prolific actor even later in life, Highmore shines brilliantly as Peter in Finding Neverland and Charlie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, making us cry and laugh with him. He started acting at the age of seven. The roles played by him during the early years of his cine career have been diverse, but the musical August Rush is different, because of the nuance with which he plays the role of a child raising himself alone and searching for his roots.
Daniel Radcliffe
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From the innocent and naive 11-year-old blown away by magic to the determined and courageous boy who fought Voldemort, Daniel Radcliffe gave life to Harry Potter. Despite the many illustrations and Harry Potter art out there, when you think of Harry, it is only Radcliffe who comes to mind. Embarking on the many adventures with him continues to be a fond memory of all Potterheads. It is surprising to believe that little Harry is now a father in real life!
Radcliffe debuted at the age of 10, and started his journey as a child actor in a Dickensian classic David Copperfield (1999) where he played Copperfield’s younger version. From playing Harry Potter, Radcliffe graduated seamlessly to becoming a mature stage actor and delivered stellar performances in diverse and often quirky roles in movies like The Woman in Black, Kill Your Darlings, Now You See Me 2 and television series like Miracle Workers (who can forget that dance sequence on She’ll be driving six white horses when she comes!). Radcliffe has also become a champion for many issues, showing open support for organisations like The Trevor Project. For most of the world though, he is still that little boy shopping with Hagrid for magic supplies, running around Hogwarts with Hermoine and Ron, getting into broom fights, and chasing off danger, because he is Harry after all!
Emma Watson
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A young, brave girl with extraordinary grit and knack for discovery — that’s Hermione Granger. Emma Watson as Hermione was an example of perfect casting, and the young actress did full justice to the role, and more. Hermione is much more than just Harry Potter’s friend. She is the inspiration behind many adventures, and shows leadership skills even when she is herself figuring out the world of wizardry. Emma Watson was nine when she auditioned for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, but she slipped into the shoes of an artiste way before that by forraying in the school plays.
Watson has not only matured as an actress in her career so far with memorable roles in films like Beauty and the Beast, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring, Regression, and Little Women, but also become the voice of important social issues. But when you think of her, you remember the smart, nerdy, courageous girl who showed up for her friends, no matter what.
Millie Bobby Brown
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Many of us did not know about psychokineticism until we met Eleven. A kid who can use telepathy, Jane Ives aka Eleven might be “different” but you still connect with her on a deep level every time you watch the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. She seems relatable, and makes a bond with you almost instantly with her silence, vulnerability and loyalty towards her “squad”. Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown in Stranger Things, is that one pal who dares to be different, and it’s one fun ride accompanying her. And the credit goes to Brown’s portrayal of a character we’re sure wasn’t easy for a child to grasp.
Did you know that Brown debuted in a guest role in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland? The 20-year-old actress bagged two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations at the beginning of her career for her performance in Stranger Things. As accolades followed, so did good projects like Enola Holmes, which is another character played by Brown that continues to be a favourite.
Rico Rodrigez
@starringrico/Instagram
Modern Family gave us many memorable characters — adults and children alike. One of the most endearing perhaps, was Manny — the young man with many quirks, ample wit, and the sensibility of an adult. Rico Rodrigez has immortalised the character in the sitcom, and fans who have watched the show from episode one have seen Rico light up the screen as a child actor and later as a young adult. The kid who loves espresso, appreciates art and culture, is not a fan of sports — Manny is much more than these traits. Because, he is also the little boy who has been his single mother’s support system, has made a true bond with Jay and his “modern family”, and broken about a dozen stereotypes and stigmas about young boys by being who he is.
Rodrigez started his career as an actor at the age of nine with Cory in the House, and has grappled the attention with his acting prowess in Endgame.
As we sign off, let’s also hoot and cheer for Adam Robert Worton and Jacob Joseph Worton as Bennington Austin ‘Bink’ Cotwell IV in Baby’s Day Out. Because Children’s Day without this iconic film and the adorable character is not possible!
