Finding a young actor who not only fits the bill but can also successfully portray the necessary emotions to keep the movie moving is difficult. Hollywood is a fickle industry and it happens often that a young person who was once a hot commodity in the industry gets quickly overlooked as they age. As kids develop in a tempting business, the enormous constraints placed upon them at such a young age sometimes prove too much for them to handle. These stars may struggle to cope with his or her sudden stardom and fall off the rails if the strain simply gets to be too great. These are the ones that made it through, however…
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore’s portrayal of the endearing Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial helped her become a household name as a young actor. The years that followed were quite difficult for Barrymore, during which time she battled alcoholism and drug addiction among other things. Fortunately, she had a solid support system, and they were able to turn her life around with Barrymore’s help and drive. Since then, she has developed into one of Hollywood’s most bankable actresses, having starred in a number of blockbuster films like the Charlie’s Angels series, 50 First Dates, and Never Been Kissed, to mention a few.