I was reading a review at Anomalous Material a few days ago and came across a film that struck me. It made me remember how great the movie was and how shocked I was that such a young actor was the star. He’s quite the “A” list actor today and as this list will show there are quite a few of these noted performers that are some of the biggest stars to grace the silver screen ever. Enjoy the list, as I couldn’t stop writing, and even today as I’m posting a day late (sorry-needed a day off) I’m still thinking of other performers that I may have missed. What a group of talented children.
10. Anna Paquin as Flora McGrath
The Piano (1993)
Who can deny the performances in this slow moving deliberate film by Jane Champion? I was never a fan of the movie itself, but the performances can’t be ignored, and the youthful Anna Paquin ‘s in particular, which happened to steal the Oscar that year as Best Supporting Actress. She’s a very talented woman now, but you can see she’s had the talent since she was just a young girl.
9. Ricky Schroder as T.J.
The Champ (1979)
Over the years some have said his performance was overacted but I disagree. Jon Voight was great in “The Champ”, but it was Ricky (pardon-he’s a serious actor now-RICK) who stole the show. You can say what you want about the rest of the film, but if that blonde haired, blue eyed little boy doesn’t have you in tears when he’s crying for the Champ to wake up, you’ve got to be dead inside.
8. Dakota Fanning as Lucy Diamond Dawson
I am Sam (2001)
Anyone who’s a fan of recent cinema knows the uber talented young actress Dakota Fanning, but for me it was 2001 when I discovered who she was. Her soft and innocent eyes emoted emotions far beyond her years, and while Sean Penn regressed his age, she became older. It was an incredible switch, and whether you are a fan of the film or not, it was where she became a star, and frankly still hasn’t had that remarkable of a performance since. Though she was remarkable in Man On Fire.
7. Jodie Foster as Iris
Taxi Driver (1976)
Jodie Fosters performance in Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver cannot be overlooked. When we take into consideration that she was playing against Robert DeNiro in one of his most exciting moments ever as Travis Bickle , the sociopath coming unhinged, it’s remarkable that she stood out as such an individual source in the film. Clearly her talent has not waned since then, but I still think of Iris as one of the most memorable performances by a kid (she was only 14) that I can remember.
6. Kirsten Dunst as Claudia
Interview With The Vampire (1994)
I also love her performance in Little Women, but standing out against the likes of Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Antonio Banderas, and stealing scene after scene still shocks me. Playing Claudia, the woman trapped in a child’s body, she haunted Interview and gave it the melancholy mood that even Pitt didn ‘t successfully emote. Her suffering and translating of that confusion while still being a child but essentially playing an adult is simply dumbfounding to me, especially considering she’s such a lackluster actress now.
5. Anna Chlumsky as Vada Sultenfuss
My Girl (1991)
I also loved McCauley Culkins performance in this movie, but it was Anna Chlumsky as the dramatic, imaginative, and creative Vada Sultenfuss that carried this wonderful coming of age film. Anna’s simply became this character and came alive. She was an individual, and while always carrying herself as strong and positive on the outside, you could easily grasp the lonely and heart broken girl inside, which of course just makes the ending that much more painful. A beautiful film and performance.
4. Kelly Reno as Alec Ramsey
The Black Stallion (1979)
I’m pretty sure Kelly Reno doesn’t even speak for the first forty minutes or so of the film. When he and “The Black” are marooned on the island together, it is one of the most memorable moments of cinema for me as a child. So much emotion is exchanged through animal and boy without words even spoken. When Alec and “The Black” finally are rescued from the island and back to the real world the transition of his character is incredible, especially that the connection between the two is kept. It was an astounding and memorable performance.
3. Christian Bale as Jim ‘Jamie’ Graham
Empire Of The Sun (1987)
When did I discover that Christian Bale was an incredible actor? In 1987 watching Empire Of The Sun. In 1941 Jamie Graham is separated from his parents and held in a prisoner camp in a Japanese occupied Shanghai. The range of emotions the young Bale had to connect with at such a young age to make this Spielberg gem plausible is utter insanity for his age. Watching it even know I’m genuinely astonished, especially when he commands the screen against one of the greatest actors of all time, John Malkovich.
2. Victoire Thivisol as Ponette
Ponette (1996)
Beyond the fact that a child is the main star of this film, let’s take into consideration how many years young Victoire Thivisol actually was. She was only four years old! The story of Ponette is about a little girl whose mother dies. In reaction this young girl withdraws from the people surrounding her, talks to god, and tries to manage anyway she can to bring her mother back. The story is so sad, but the performance is insanely riveting. How a child that young could share those kind of emotions is beyond my comprehension. Insanely amazing.
1. Natalie Portman as Mathilda
The Professional (1994)
If Natalie Portman’s performance in The Professional doesn’t blow you away, I don’t know what will. She and Jean Reno are incredible together, and while her role in “Beautiful Girls” comes to a close second to her role as the young Mathilda, I can’t remember a child stealing the screen with such absolute totality as she does in “The Professional”. Any child paired against GaryOldman and Jean Reno and being the star is something that can’t be ignored. Love this character and still love Portman just for it.
Honorable Mentions: Mara Wilson in Matilda, Abigail Breslin in Llittle miss sunshine, Elijah Wood as Mike (Radio Flyer, 1992), Linda Blair The Exorcist as Regan (1973), Justin Henry, Kramer vs. Kramer, McCully culkin Home Alone, Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams, and Henry Thomas in E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Did you like this list? Rate it!
I’d add Wil Wheaton in Stand by Me, Corey Feldman in Goonies, Anton Yelchin in Hearts in Atlantis, Joseph Perrino in Sleepers, Haley Joel Osment in the Sixth Sense, and Spencer Treat Clark in Unbreakable!
I couldn’t pick just one of the guys from Stand By Me and decided it was a better ensemble cast than individual and so left it, but you are dead on about Anton Yelchin in Hearts In Atlantis. I loved that movie.
Haley Joel Osment I’ve always thought was too highly regarded and was never overwhelmed by his acting ability. He was good in the Sixth Sense, and even A.I., but I don’t think he’s one of the greatest childhood actors ever. I may be alone in that, but just my thoughts.
Yeah, I agree, but if we take Haley Joel Osment’s performance alone in the Sixth Sense, it really stands out.
I think it was one of the few times where he was competent.
It’s funny to look back and see some of the big stars now when they were only wee! Not to mention I never realized some of them were in those movies, like Christian Bale or Natalie Portman. Makes me wanna check them out again.
Both of those simply blow me away. I had forgotten that it was Christian Bale in Empire Of The Sun, but I fell in love with Natalie Portman right away in Leon.
When I saw the title of this article, the first thing I thought was, “Christian Bale had better be in there or I’m disreguarding that Heather in a big way.” Glad to see his acknowledgement.
And I’m surprised to see Jodie Foster so lowly ranked. I thought she would be a shoo-in for the top spot. However, it’s hard to argue with Natalie Portman’s work. That was simply incendiary.
The one performance that I would have added here is Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin in Kundun. He may not be a big name, and it may not have been a great movie, but if he didn’t impress me, then I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.
Nice compilation, Heather. Still a fun read.
I’m happy I didn’t disappoint you.
Part of my concern with Jodi Fosters performance was that she was fourteen or fifteen and I wasn’t sure if that would be fair to say it was a “child” performance instead of adolescenet. I decided it was my list and I didn’t care and added her, just didn’t rank her as low.
Out of your list, I definitely agree with Jodie Foster as Iris in Taxi Driver. Great post!
Thanks DB!
Great post Heather and thanks for the shout out! You hit it on the nail here with Natalie Portman as Matilda. She has been a bit up and down during her adult career but she showed great talent at such a young age (just like Bale). The Professional is such an underrated movie, I really want to see it again soon
Thanks Castor. I was reading your Empire Of The Sun review and it’s what inspired this list. Bale’s performance was insanity there.
Great post. I eventually watched Empire of the Sun last month and was really blown away by how good Christian Bale was in that film, just WOW.
So many brilliant choices on that list, Dakota Fanning was amazing in I Am Sam. Also so pleased to see Anna Chlumsky for My Girl in the list too as that was my favorite film when younger and I still love it now.
One I would possibly throw into contention would be Jamie Bell in Billy Elliott.
I have never seen Billy Elliot Caz, but lately I’ve been getting it recommended to me. I should add it to that neverending list.
I would totally recommend adding it to your list of movies to see. Its based not far from where I am from too!
I certainly will!
Tatum Oneal was the youngest person to ever win an oscar for her performance in Paper Moon so I’m going to give her an honerable mention. I personally would have put Linda Blair on the list because of the emotional thing she must have gone through making that movie and it was an amazing performance. Overall it’s a great list but Christian Bale would have been #1 on my list. His performance was unbelievable.
Great list! I happened to catch the ending to ‘My Girl’ about a week ago. Such a great child performance, and that ending can usually mangage to get the tears a rolling.
A few that I particularly liked this decade were Abagail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine, Soarsie Ronan in Atonement, and Anna Sophia Robb in The Bridge to Terebithia.
You are so right about Anna Sophia Robb! I had completely forgotten about that performance!
Anna Sophia Robb 100% and amazing performance!
Hello, No Saoirse? And I know this is weird choice but I always found that Rupert Grint is an excellent actor, the best of the Harry Potter lot, even back when he was young.
You know, I totally see where you are coming from with that. The Harry Potter kids are all pretty talented when you think about it.
I agree about Empire of the Sun. For years, I didn’t even know that was Christian Bale. This is Spielberg’s most underrated film.
Great list top to bottom. Keep up the good work, boys and girls!
BTW, was that a grown up Anna Chlumsky in In The Loop? I believe it was!
All I’m hearing is about The Loop. Clearly this is something I need to see.
What is “The Professional”??? Is that a USA title for LEON? I love that film if it is!
Not sure about a couple of choices, but then it’s your list and a good one at that. And the harry potter mention above, forget that! Emma Watson maybe but that’s it lol.
Nice list, great work.
How far back are you going? Way back when, Patty Duke as Helen Keller was incredible. As I remember, she was the youngest at that time to win an Oscar, as best supporting actress. Anna Paquin, who was also incredible, may have surpassed that.
I would also add Mae Whitman in “Hope Floats”. The movie overall is a bit sappy for my taste, but Whitman’s performance made it worthwhile. Amazingly done.
I’m not sure I would consider Kirsten Dunst a lackluster actress now as much as I would consider the roles she chooses lackluster. I have yet to see any of her more recent movies challenge her the way “Interview” did.
I agree with Sara H., that you aren’t going far back enough. If you want one of the best childhood performances ever, see Jackie Cooper in “Skippy”, for which he won the Academy Award at the age of nine for BEST ACTOR, the youngest person to win Best Actor to this day. Also, Patty McCormack in “The Bad Seed”. Amazing performance, you actually hate the child. Mary Badham in “To Kill A Mockingbird”, one of my favorite movies. Victoire Thivisol, the four year old in “Ponette”. Elizabeth Taylor in “National Velvet”. Jackie Coogan in “The Champ”.
Those are all great child actors, but unfortunately they are before my time.
I am not a huge fan of the movie, but though Leo DiCaprio’s performance in “What’s Eating Glibert Grape?” was amazing!