Our list of the richest child stars does not speak only to child stars who are absolutely the wealthiest. It lists actors and actresses who have entertained and delighted us with their talents. One cannot deny that child stars like Gary Coleman did brighten up the day of those who tuned in to Diff’rent Strokes at the time it ran. However when he died in 2010, his net worth may have only been about $50 thousand.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Net Worth: $400 million
They were only just nine months old when they appeared in ABC’s sitcom Full House.
The twins shared one role, that of Michelle Tanner. They continued to play this role until the show ended in 1995.
By the time they were six years old, the twins were cast in shows like Two of a Kind (1998), Billboard Dad (1998), The Challenge (2003). Their parents set up Dualstar a production and entertainment company through which the twins were engaged.
After they turned 18, they became joint-presidents of Dualstar. The girls ventured into the fashion industry in the 2000s, spurred on mainly by their enormous social media following. Today, they are one of the top fashion designers with their own lines and fashion accessories.
As of 2023, the Olsen twins are estimated to have an estimated net worth of $400 million.
We were always surrounded by people who knew us very well and cared about us.
Mary-Kate Olsen
Miley Cyrus
Net Worth: $140 million
She was a teen idol playing the title character of the Disney Channel television series Hannah Montana from 2006 to 2011. She launched her music career touring with the Cheetah Girls singing songs from the show. And with the release of soundtracks from the show, she was catapulted to fame.
When her debut album Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus was released, it was quickly certified triple platinum and made in excess of $10 million.
From there, her music career grew and in 2008, she went on a national tour of the US called Best of Both Worlds to promote her album Breakout.
Today, Miley Cyrus is a pop star extraordinaire. As of 2023, she is thought to have a personal wealth of some $140 million.
Anyone that hates on you is always below you, because they’re just jealous of what you have.
Miley Cyrus
Daniel Radcliffe
Net Worth: $70 million
Playing the title role of Harry Potter in the first installment of the Harry Potter franchise in 2001, Daniel Radcliffe was made for life. He later reprised the role for each of the 7 further edition of the franchise.
Prior to Harry Potter, Radcliffe was cast in the title role of the television series David Copperfield in 1999 and appeared in the movie The Tailor of Panama (2001) alongside Pierce Brosnan.
Outside of Harry Potter, Radcliffe has also starred in other genres, notably as Allen Ginsburg in Kill Your Darlings (2013).
This child star and now talented actor is as of 2023 estimated to have an estimated net worth of $70 million.
Some people think I am gay, which I think is awesome.
Daniel Radcliffe
Emma Watson
Net Worth: $65 million
Another Hogwarts acolyte, Emma Watson was the red-haired Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series.
Watson also starred in the 2007 television adaptation of the novel Ballet Shoes and lent her voice to The Tale of Despereaux (2008).
After the last Harry Potter film, Watson starred in various roles of different genres. Her most popular role so far was as Bella in the 2017 musical romantic fantasy Beauty and the Beast, and Meg March in the coming-of-age drama Little Women (2019), for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Watson famously studied for her degree at Brown University while taking on parts in movies and television shows. She graduated with a degree in English Literature in 2014.
As of 2023, this former student of Hogwarts is worth an estimated $65 million.
All I can do is follow my instincts, because I’ll never please everyone.
Emma Watson
Selena Gomez
Net Worth: $70 million
After appearing in Barney & Friends from 2002 to 2004, Selena Gomez took the role of Alex Russo in Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning Wizards of Waverly Place (2007 to 2012).
In films, she has starred in the films like Another Cinderella Story (2008), Princess Protection Program (2009), Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (2009), and Ramona and Beezus (2010) as a young star.
Today Selena Gomez is an established pop star with 7 million albums sold and 22 million singles worldwide.
As of 2023, she is thought to have a personal wealth of some $70 million.
I’m not perfect. I make mistakes.
Selena Gomez
Rupert Grint
Net Worth: $30 million
Rupert Grint is yet another child star who has benefited enormously from his role, as Ron Weasley, in the Harry Potter series. He started to work outside the Harry Potter series as early as 2002 with roles notably in Thunderpants and Driving Lessons.
Since Harry Potter, Grint has been cast in various roles on stage, television, and movies. Currently, Grint is Julian Pearce on the Apple TV+ series Servant, produced by M. Night Shyamalan.
As of 2023, Rupert Grint is estimated to have a net worth of about $30 million.
We had a script reading, and that’s when we met J.K. Rowling, which was really exciting.
Rupert Grint
Leonardo DiCaprio
Net Worth: $200 million
Leonardo DiCaprio started in commercials for Matchbox, Kraft Foods, Bubble Yum, and Apple Jacks. In 1989, he played the role of Glen in two episodes of The New Lassie. Soon, by the 1990s, he regularly cast in roles on television, playing different parts in sitcoms and comedies like in Parenthood where he played Garry Buckman, a troubled teenager. That role won him a nomination at the 12th Youth in Film Awards.
In 1993, Leonardo co-starred in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, as the disabled brother of Johnny Depp’s character. The film was a critical success, earning Leonardo a National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor and nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
His next couple of films were not much of a commercial success although Leonardo received critical acclaim for his role as the drug-addicted Jim Carroll. By the time Leonardo starred in the Titanic, he was an established superstar.
This child actor who was thought too good looking for the role in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape but was taken on anyway because he was the most observant is as of 2023 estimated to be worth $200 million.
I’m not the kind of person who tries to be cool.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Michael J. Fox
Net Worth: $40 million
Michael J. Fox was a child star with his first notable role at the time playing Alex P Keaton, the Young Republican in the TV show Family Ties. Fox won three Emmy Awards for Family ties in 1986, 1987, and 1988. He also garnered a Golden Globe Award in 1989.
From Family Ties, Fox was cast as the teen werewolf in Teen Wolf (1985) and Back to the Future (1985) which launched Fox as an international teen star.
Unfortunately, Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 29 in 1991, just when his star was rising. As of 2023, this child star/teen idol is estimated to have a net worth of $40 million.
What other people think about me is not my business.
Michael J. Fox
Robert Downey Jr.
Net Worth: $250 million
Robert Downey Jr. was a child star recognized early on for his talents. He made his acting debut in his father’s film Pound released in 1970. Subsequently, he starred in various teen films like Weird Sciences (1985) and Less Than Zero (1987) with other teen stars like Emilio Esteves, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, and Molly Ringwald.
Downey Jr. went through a period of hiatus while he attended at a treatment facility for substance abuse. His early success as a child star/teen idol had contributed to a lot of his issues which he has now resolved. He is today an A-Lister in Hollywood.
As of 2023, Robert Downey Jr. is thought to be worth about $250 million.
I’m not particularly tall, strong, fast, or aggressive.
Robert Downey Jr.
Frankie Muniz
Net Worth: $20 million
On January 9, 2000, Linwood Boomer’s Malcolm in the Middle premiered on FOX, starring Muniz as the title character. The pilot episode was watched by 23 million people and the second episode by 26 million. Following this commercial success, Miniz was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2001, and received The Hollywood Reporter “Young Star Award” for his work in the series.
Throughout his television career as a child star, Muniz made guest appearances on the shows Lizzie McGuire; Sabrina, the Teenage Witch; and MADtv.
He had his first starring role as Willie Morris in the 2000 family drama film My Dog Skip, which was released at the same approximate time as the pilot for Malcolm in the Middle. That same year, he provided the character voice of Domino in the 2000 video game 102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the Rescue and was featured on the video game Stargate Worlds.
Muniz has since come a long way and is now an established actor, and what’s more, he indulges in his car racing interest taking part in various races.
As of 2023, Frankie Muniz is thought to have an estimated net worth of $20 million.
I know I am no better than anyone else.
Frankie Muniz
Demi Lovato
Net Worth: $40 million
After a stint in the children’s television series Barney & Friends (2002–2004), Demi Lovato became widely known for her role as Mitchie Torres in the Disney Channel musical television film Camp Rock (2008) and its sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010). She was also popular as the titular character on Sonny with a Chance (2009–2011).
Lovato sang the film’s soundtrack “This Is Me”, and the duet with Joe Jonas peaked at the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. After signing with Hollywood Records, Lovato released her pop-rock debut album, Don’t Forget (2008), which charted at number two on the Billboard 200. Its follow-up, Here We Go Again (2009), topped at number one in the US upon release and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
This child star/teen idol is today an established singer-songwriter, and as of 2023, she is estimated to have a net worth of $40 million.
Music is what I love.
Demi Lovato
Macaulay Culkin
Net Worth: $10 million
The Home Alone kid films were every Christmas season favorite, and Macaulay Culkin was every kid’s superhero in taking on robbers and intruders with his antics and tricks.
For Home Along 2: Lost in New York, Caulkin’s asking price was $4.5 million. Riding on the success of the Home Alone films, Culkin’s paycheques skyrocketed and he reportedly made $8 million for Getting Even With Dad and for Richie Rich.
Although we don’t hear much about Caukin these days, he will always be remembered for his role in the Home Alone films. He has tried his hands at being a comedy Rockstar and is currently the publisher and CEO of a satirical pop culture website and podcast called Bunny Ears.
As of 2023, Macaulay Culkin is estimated to be worth about $10 million.
Acting found me.
Macaulay Culkin
Gary Coleman
Net Worth: $50 thousand
A list of the richest child stars cannot be complete without mentioning Gary Coleman. Even though in figures, he was not as wealthy as most of the more recent child stars, he was television’s most beloved child star at the time.
Gary Coleman’s role as Arnold “Watchootalkinbout” Jackson on NBC sitcom Diff’rent Strokes, earned him one of the highest salaries for a kid of his age.
After the show ended, Coleman did not get many offers as he grew older. Although he made millions, his parents had spent a lot of his earnings, leading him to sue them. He later had to declare bankruptcy. Despite being one of the biggest TV stars of the 1980s, Coleman’s net worth at the time of his death in 2010 was estimated to be about $50 thousand. He was 42 when he passed on.
I would not give my first 15 years to my worst enemy.
Gary Coleman
Brooke Shield
Net Worth: $25 million
Brooke Shield was a child model who received critical acclaim at age 12 for her leading role in Louis Malle’s film Pretty Baby (1978) in which she played a child prostitute in New Orleans at the beginning of the 20th century.
She continued to model into her late teenage years, whilst at the same time starring in several dramas in the 1980s, including The Blue Lagoon (1980), and Franco Zeffirelli’s Endless Love (1981). She was only fifteen when she starred in The Blue Lagoon opposite Christopher Akins and received notoriety as well as acclaim for her role which was a little racy for its time.
As of 2023, Brooke Shields is thought to have a personal wealth of $25 million.
I don’t ever feel like I have it all together.
Brooke Shield
Judy Garland
Net Worth: $50 thousand
One of the original child stars of Hollywood, Garland began performing in vaudeville as a child with her two older sisters and was later signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a teenager.
One of her most famous roles as a child star was as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1939). If you don’t know Judy Garland, you may know Liza Minelli, her equally famous daughter.
As of 2023, at the time of her death in 1969, Judy Garland was worth approximately $40,000, which is the equivalent of $50 thousand in today’s terms.
I can live without money, but I cannot live without love.
Judy Garland
Shirley Temple
Net Worth: $15 million
Another child star who was probably even more famous is Shirley Temple. She was Hollywood’s number one box-office draw as a child actress from 1934 to 1938.
Shirley Temple started acting at age of three in 1931. Two years later, she achieved international fame in Bright Eyes, a feature film designed specifically for her talents. She received a special Juvenile Academy Award in February 1935 for her outstanding contribution as a juvenile performer in motion pictures during 1934.
She churned out hit movies like Curly Top and Heidi year after year during the mid-to-late 1930s. Temple capitalized on licensed merchandise that featured her wholesome image; the merchandise included dolls, dishes, and clothing.
As of 2023, at the time of her death in 2014, Shirley Temple was worth approximately $15 million.
Time is money. Wasted time means wasted money means trouble.
Shirley Temple
