Child Stars

American actor Alec Medlock was just 14 years old when he was cast as Craig -- the geeky high school student who is friends with Josh -- in Nickelodeon's 2004-2007 sitcom series "Drake & Josh."

Alec was cast alongside Drake Bell as the cool, attractive and guitar playin' brother, Drake Parker, Josh Peck as the nerdy brother, Josh Nichols, Miranda Cosgrove as the devious pranking sister, Megan Parker and Yvette Nicole Brown as Josh's boss and obsessed with Drake, Helen.

Before landing his role on "Drake & Josh" Alec had a voice acting role in "Finding Nemo."

New York City native Lil Mama (real name Niatia Jessica Kirkland) was only 17 years old when she shot to stardom after she released her Billboard charting first -- and only -- album 'Voice Of The Young People' back in 2008 ... which included the smash single "Shawty Get Loose," -- plus "G-Slide (Tour Bus)" and of course "Lip Gloss."

Lil Mama continued her success by pivoting into hosting and acting roles and could be spotted on shows like "America's Next Top Model" and "The Reel" ... but her standout acting credit was her role as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in the 2013 VH1 Biopic "CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story."

South African actor Kagiso Kuypers was only 14 years old when he shot to stardom after being cast as the young Sierra Leone student Dia Vandy -- who gets separated from his family, then gets brainwashed and turned into a dangerous young soldier by the Revolutionary United Front ... or RUF -- in the 2006 Academy Awards nominated film "Blood Diamond."

Kagiso shared the big screen of the thriller film with some awesome actors like Jennifer Connelly as the well-meaning reporter, Maddy Bowen, Djimon Hounsou as the determined and loving father, Solomon Vandy ... and of course Leonardo DiCaprio as the shady diamond smuggler turned good guy, Danny Archer.

Chicago-born child actor Isaiah Robinson was only 8 years old when he took on the role of the little lost boy Pockets -- who spots the Pan inside of Peter and delivers the classic line "Oh, there you are Peter" -- in Steven Spielberg's 1991 fantasy film "Hook."

Isaiah Robinson shared the big screen with an impressive list of actors including Dante Basco as Rufio, Julia Roberts as the fast-fluttering, Tinker Bell, Dustin Hoffman as the kid-stealing, Captain Hook ... and of course Robin Williams as the lost boy leader turned lawyer, Peter Banning ... a.k.a. Peter Pan.

Illinois born actor Anson Mount (full name Anson Adams Mount IV) had only been working in the entertainment biz for a few years when he landed the role of the hunky boy behind the wheel, Ben -- who takes the BFFs on a road trip and falls in love with Lucy along the way -- in the 2002 teen love story "Crossroads."

The open-road movie is packed with stars including Zoe Saldana and Taryn Manning as the ride-or-die friends Kit and Mimi ... and of course the pop sisters Jamie Lynn Spears and Britney Spears as the young and current versions of the mother-seeking, Lucy.

Southern California child actor David Mendenhall was only 15 years old when he was cast as the long-lost son Michael Hawk -- who is uprooted from private military school to take a road trip with his arm wrestling trucker dad to visit his sick mother -- in the 1987 action-adventure film "Over The Top."

David Mendenhall shared the big screen with some flexing famous folks on the muscle movie including Robert Loggia as the meddling grandpa with money, Jason Cutler, Susan Blakely as the terminally ill mother, Christina Hawk ... and of course Sylvester Stallone as the wrist-bending father figure, Lincoln Hawk.

Arizona actor Chelsea Kane Staub was only 21 years old when she locked in the role as the sharp-dressed stylist Stella Malone -- who keeps the brothers looking good as a childhood friend -- on the 2009 Disney Channel Original Series "Jonas," as well as, "Jonas L.A."

Chels shared the short-run show with some growing talent including Nicole Anderson who plays Stella's best friend and the fan club president, Macy Misa .. and of course the triple threat trio Joe, Kevin and Nick Jonas as the title characters.

Child actor Justin Shenkarow was only 12 years old when he took on the role of his life as the older of the two sons Matthew Brock -- who navigated the bizarre town in Wisconsin while his parents try to keep the peace in the madness -- in the classic '90s American drama "Picket Fences."

Justin was cast alongside some epic actors including Kathy Baker as the medical mom of three kids, Dr. Jill Brock, Holly Marie Combs as the eldest sister, Kim Brock and Tom Skerritt as the straight-nosed Sherriff, Jimmy Brock.

Los Angeles local Emily Schulman was only 8 years old when she shot to stardom after she landed the role of the curious little girl next door, Harriet Brindle -- who was always getting in the family's business and even fancied Jamie -- in the robotic '80s family sitcom "Small Wonder."

Emily shared the small screen with some iconic actors including Dick Christie and Marla Pennington as the parents, Ted and Joan Lawson, Jerry Supiran as the older brother, Jamie Lawson ... and of course Tiffany Brissette as the adorable android, Voice Input Child Identicant ... also known as Vicki.

San Diego native Katrina Johnson was only 12 years old when she shot to stardom after she was cast as one of the super funny OG cast members -- which included epic impressions of Ross Perot and Roseanne Barr -- on the first few seasons of the children's sketch comedy show "All That" filmed at Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando, Florida.

Katrina shared the sketch stage with an impressive list of young actors including Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, Angelique Bates and Lori Beth Denberg ... and of course Alisa Reyes.

New York City native Connor Paolo was still a teenager when he landed the life-changing role of the complex high school student, Eric van der Woodsen -- who had some crazy family connections -- on the iconic The CW television show "Gossip Girl."

Conor Paolo was cast alongside some serious up-and-coming actors including Penn Badgley as the cool in-law, Dan Humphrey, Ed Westwick as the sharp-dressed half brother, Chuck Bass ... and of course, Blake Lively as his sister, Serena van der Woodsen.

Connor went on to also star in the ABC drama "Revenge."

Southern California local Bradley Steven Perry was only 12 years old when shot to stardom after he landed the role of the mischievous middle child Gabe Duncan -- who liked to annoy the neighbors and play pranks on his huge household -- on the family-friendly Disney Channel sitcom "Good Luck Charlie."

Bradley Steven Perry shared the small screen with some cool child actors including Bridgit Mendler as the older sister, Teddy Duncan, Jason Dolley as the big bro, PJ Duncan  ... and of course Mia Talerico as the title character in the show, Charlie Duncan.

New Jersey-born child actor Yvonne Zima was only 7 years old when she was cast as the wishful little sister Sarah Jackson -- who is the reason that her brother has to endure Christmas every day -- in the 1996 holiday movie "Christmas Every Day."

Yvonne shared the screen on the holiday classic with Robert Hays and Bess Armstrong as the caring parents ... and of course Erik von Detten as the older brother.

Yvonne's older sister, Madeline Zima, is also a famous face in Hollywood and was cast as Grace in "The Nanny" and Mia Lewis on "Californication."

East Coast child actor, Adam Hann-Byrd, is best known for his role as the young boy genius Fred Tate -- who gets accepted to college at 7 years old and learns about scholastics ... but mostly learns about life -- in the 1991 coming-of-age film, "Little Man Tate."

Adam Hann-Byrd was cast alongside some big-name actors including Dianne Wiest as the intelligent liaison, Jane Grierson, David Hyde Pierce as the friendly educator, Garth ... and of course Jodie Foster as the caring mom, Dede Tate.

Adam can also be spotted on the big screen in the 1995 film "Jumanji" as the young version of Robin Williams' character, Alan Parrish.

A reboot of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" without Rick Moranis would be like cereal without milk, it wouldn't be right ... according to the woman who played his daughter in the original movies.

Amy O'Neill played Amy Szalinski in the theatrical releases and tells TMZ ... the reboot would have been incomplete without Rick agreeing to return. Amy says without him ... the new production just couldn't work.

Josh Gad is reportedly the star attached to the film -- with original director Joe Johnston also returning -- but Amy told us why Rick's flair was the critical ingredient.

Something else she's fired up about is seeing the new special effects. Remember, when "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" was first released in 1989, its special FX were considered cutting-edge. She says the green screen the film used back in the day was the largest of its kind at the time. More than 30 years later ... she can't even imagine what kinda technology will be used to pull it off this time. She's champing at the bit to see it, though.

Jeremy Sylvers -- who played Tyler in the third Chucky movie -- is facing serious jail time for allegedly stealing his mom's ride ... but it could have been a lot worse.

The now 37-year-old "Child's Play 3" star is facing 6 misdemeanor charges ... including assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (a phone), attempting to prevent someone from reporting a crime and driving and taking a vehicle without consent of the owner.

We broke the story ... Sylvers allegedly knocked down his mom last weekend, and took the keys to her 2002 Honda CRV. He got arrested the next day when cops went to his home to investigate.

The only bright side -- he was NOT charged with felony grand theft auto. He was originally booked for it when he was arrested.

Sylvers is looking at 3.5 years behind bars if convicted on all 6 counts.