Here's what the child stars from the best '80s sitcoms look like now

From rich kids to the most junior of doctors, '80s sitcoms launched the careers of many child stars – see how many you still recognise

Image© Getty Images
Daisy Finch
Daisy FinchAudience Writer
2 minutes ago
LEAVE A COMMENT
Share this:

Almost every child dreams of seeing their own face on the TV screen or joining their favourite sitcom family around the dinner table, but for most of us these aspirations remain a dream, featuring perfectly circular pancakes and freshly squeezed orange juice. 

But what happens when it's time to leave those days of childhood stardom behind? Keep reading to find out what happened to your favourite '80s child stars following their early sitcom fame.

Split image of actress Tina Yothers. Shown on the left as a child with shoulder length blonde hair in a brown jumper and red apron in 1982. On the right, her blonde hair bobbed, wearing a black top and jacket in 2023.© NBCUniversal via Getty Images,Getty Images for The Michael J. Fox Foundation

Tina Yothers is an icon to '80s tweens and even wrote a book to guide girls through growing up

Tina Yothers – Jennifer Keaton in Family Ties

Just nine years old when she brought Jennifer Keaton to life, Tina Yothers became an icon to tween girls during the '80s on sitcom Family Ties. After finding fame, she wrote guidance book Being Your Best: Tina Yothers' Guide for Girls (1987) and briefly pursued a music career.

Tina walked away from the spotlight in the 2000s, enjoying life as a wife and mother-of-two. But she certainly hasn't forgotten her on-screen family and appeared with her Family Ties brother Michael J. Fox at his A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's gala in 2023.

Split image of Neil Patrick Harris. Shown on the left in around 1989 as Doogie Howser and on the right in 2026 wearing a beige suit jacket and pale blue scarf.© Getty Images,AFP via Getty Images

Neil Patrick Harris is still a household name and was a beloved '80s sitcom child star

Neil Patrick Harris – Doogie in Doogie Howser, M.D.

Before he starred on How I Met Your Mother as the smooth-talking Barney Stinson, Neil Patrick Harris found fame as Doogie in Doogie Howser, M.D. which followed the titular medical prodigy's adventures starting in 1989.

Nowadays, Neil is still acting and has several hit projects to his name including A Series of Unfortunate Events, Gone Girl and 2022 series Uncoupled. He married actor and chef David Burtka in 2014, welcoming twins Harper Grace and Gideon Scott in 2010.

Split image of Gary Coleman. Shown on the left as a child in a suit and bowtie in 1980 and on the right in a blue shirt in 2008.© Getty Images,WireImage via Getty Images

Gary Coleman starred as fan-favourite Arnold Jackson in 'Diff'rent Strokes'

Gary Coleman – Arnold Jackson in Diff'rent Strokes

Wise-cracking Arnold Jackson was a favourite among fans of Diff'rent Strokes. Brought to the screen by Gary Coleman, Arnold and his brother Willis were adopted by millionaire Phillip Drummond.

Gary kept acting through the '90s and '00s, appearing in 2008 comedies like The Great Buck Howard and Big Fat Important Movie. The actor sadly passed away in 2010 following an intracranial haemorrhage caused by a fall.

Split image of Ricky Schroder. On the left in 1979 as a child actor in a suit with a velvet lapel, velvet bowtie and ruffled shirt. On the right, in 2020 in a velvet suit with velvet bowtie. © Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images,AFP via Getty Images

Ricky starred as the rich kid at the heart of 'Silver Spoons'

Ricky Schroder – Ricky Stratton in Silver Spoons

Silver Spoons followed the life of spoiled Ricky Stratton who copes with everyday teenage problems. Ricky Schroder starred as Ricky Stratton himself, making him an icon of the '80s sitcom scene. Since his days as rich kid Ricky, the actor has appeared in NYPD Blue and Black Cloud. 

Most recently, Ricky featured in Dolly Parton TV movies Coat of Many Colors (2015) and Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love (2016).

Split image of Alexander Polinsky. On the left, as a child in 1988 wearing a black top and a denim jacket with one button done up. On the right, as an adult in 2022 in a burgundy jacket with a colourful scarf and longer hair.© Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images,Variety via Getty Images

Alexander Polinsky is a former child star turned singer and voice actor

Alexander Polinsky – Adam Powell in Charles in Charge

Alexander Polinsky's Adam Powell was a regular alongside the rest of the Charles in Charge gang as Scott Baio's Charles worked as a college student and live-in housekeeper for the Powell family.

The former child star has since found success as a voice actor on shows like Monster High, Teen Titans Go! and Lost in Oz. He also works as a singer and recently released his debut album Before Your Very Eyes.

Split image of Brian Bonsall. On the left as a child in the '80s, pictured for season seven of Family Ties with parted blonde hair and a teal jumper printed with three cows. On the right, in a black hoodie with a white zip and a blue top, holding his hands clasped in front of him.© NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images,Getty Images

Brian Bonsall was cast as the youngest Keaton child on 'Family Ties'

Brian Bonsall – Andrew Keaton in Family Ties

Steven and Elyse have their hands full with consistently suited son Alex and daughters Mallory and Jennifer, only adding to the load with son Andrew. The youngest Keaton child, Brian Bonsall worked on 74 episodes of the sitcom hit.

The actor has since appeared in Blank Check, Mikey and Star Trek: The Next Generation. His most recent project, horror flick 2022's You're Melting!, followed a murderous plastic surgeon known as the Witch Doctor.

Other Topics
More TV and Film
See more
Read More