From Hal Roach’s Our Gang to CBS’ Two and a Half Men, child stars have played an important role in on screen entertainment since its inception, and these young actors and actresses possess a level of talent that makes them fit right in with their adult contemporaries. Over the years, fans from across the globe have fallen in love with child stars such as, Shirley Temple, Macauley Culkin, and Raven Simone, and while all child stars’ careers do not successfully transition into adulthood – they have left a lasting mark on the entertainment industry, and have probably made more money during their childhood than most of us can hope to make in a life time. Here is a list of the highest paid child stars.
5. Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple rose to fame in the early 1930s, and with her cute smile and tight curls, she quickly became one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars. In December of 1993 Temple signed a contract with contract with Fox stating that she was to be paid $150 per week; however, by the time she was six years old she was able to pull in around $1,250 per week; $22,000 per week if adjusted for inflation. By age 13 Shirley Temple was worth $3,000,000 which translates to $35,000,000 today with inflation.
4. Gary Coleman
Gary Colemen, star of the hit sitcom Diff’rent Strokes, was reportedly making $70,000 per episode by the time the show ended in 1986. When the show ended Coleman was just 18 years old and filled with much potential; however, Coleman was never able to duplicate the success his career had during the 70s and 80s
3. Angus T. Jones
In 2010 at the age of 17, Angus T. Jones, star of the hit show Two and a Half Men became the highest paid child actor of his time, with his new contract earning him $300,000 per episode and by the time Jones parted ways with the show in 2012 he was earning $350,000. Since leaving the show Jones has since expressed an interest in becoming a minister.
2. MaCauley Culkin
In his prime young Macauly Culkin was the most successful child star since Shirley Temple and the Home Alone star earned a million dollar paycheck for his roll in the 1991 film, My Girl. By the time he starred in his final (to date) big screen appearances, he was able to command about $8,000,000 per film.
1. Daniel Radcliffe
In 2000 when a young Daniel Radcliffe won the roll of J.W. Rowling’s leading wizard, Harry Potter, his celebrity status grew overnight. When the film franchise began Radcliffe signed on to make $250,000 per film; however, by the franchise’s end he was making $25,000,000 with each movie.
(Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)
