What do Horse Whisperer and Lost in Translation have in common? One of the main leading roles, which were both played by Scarlett Johansson; and as unbelievable it might seem, these two films were shot only four years apart. Scarlett Johansson has been in the movies since the age of ten.
The Horse Whisperer
Lost in Translation
In case the main child’s role in Leon seems a little familiar, then yes, it is the future star Natalie Portman at the age of thirteen, who among others alo played in the film Goya’s Ghosts.
Leon
Goya’s Ghosts
Some people are easily traceable from childhood into adulthood. While he is mainly recognisable through epic movies such as The Lord of the Rings, if you saw him in earlier movies, you would confidently recognise him there, too. Elijah Wood made his debut in a small role in the movie Back to the Future Part II, at the age of nine. A bigger role came with the film Radio Flyer.
Back to the Future Part II
Radio Flyer
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The role of the FBI academy student Clarice in the thriller The Silence of the Lambs became iconic for the actress who played her. Perhaps less known is the fact that Jodie Foster has been in front of cameras since an early age. She appeared in a commercial at the age of three followed by several TV films and series. Among her early movies it is worthwhile to mention the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, which appeared in theaters when Foster was twelve.
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
The Silence of the Lambs
The last of our former child actors who continued acting as adults is an actress who has been around since really early. Leaving aside the ads where she appeared before she was even one year old and a few easily forgotten early films, her more memorable role in E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial lives on. Drew Barrymore later starred in several movies, one of many being the film 50 First Dates.
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
50 First Dates
Photo: IMDB