Christmas movie kids: Then and now

Christmas movies are timeless. Sealing in that festive freshness, ready to be wheeled out year after year for a hit of holiday fun. Only their young stars don’t remain so ageless in real life.

You might have only just seen them on the tellybox, but here’s what those Christmas movie kids are up to now.

Taylor Momsen

Played: Cindy Lou in ‘The Grinch’ (2000)

Last seen: As a series regular in glitzy US socialite series ‘Gossip Girl’, but now more famous for her risqué performances fronting US rock band The Pretty Reckless.

Jake Lloyd

Played: Jamie in ‘Jingle All The Way’ (1996)

Last seen: Studying Film and Video at Columbia College Chicago and making occasional meet-and-greet appearances. Better known for playing Anakin Skywalker in ‘The Phantom Menace’.

Eric Lloyd

Played: Charlie in ‘The Santa Clause’ (1994)

Last seen: Aside from best-forgotten threequel ‘The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause’, playing charmingly named “Geeky Worker” in 2011 horror sequel ‘ChromeSkull: Laid To Rest 2’.

Peter Billingsley

Played: Ralphie in ‘A Christmas Story’ (1983)

Last seen: Making his way as a TV and movie exec. He produced ‘Iron Man’ back in 2008 and directed ‘Couples Retreat’ a year later. He still makes the occasional cameo.

Carrie Kei Heim

Played: Cornelia in ‘Santa Claus: The Movie’ (1985)

Last seen: Working as a lawyer in Boston, whilst doubling as a novelist too.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Played: Sam in ‘Love Actually’ (2003)

Last seen: He played Newt in 2014 sci-fi adaptation ‘The Maze Runner’, and played Jojen Reed in a few series of ‘Game Of Thrones’.

Mara Wilson

Played: Susan in ‘Miracle On 34th Street’ (1994)

Last seen: Working for New York based charity Publicolor. She recently wrote her first Off Broadway play ‘Sheeple’, and a made-for-viral Cracked.com article about why former child stars can go a little “weird”.

Zach Galligan

Played: Billy in ‘Gremlins’ (1984)

Last seen: Now a B-movie regular, he was last seen playing Sheriff Fowler in recent slasher sequel ‘Hatchet III’.

David Krumholtz

Played: Bernard in ‘The Santa Clause’ (1994)

Last seen: As Mike Kattan in Robert Downey Jr. courtroom drama ‘The Judge’. He also plays Dr. Jack Habib in acclaimed US show ‘The Newsroom’, and he had an ill-fated cameo spot in apocalyptic Franco/Rogen comedy ‘This Is The End’. He’s also got a role in the Coens’ upcoming ‘Hail, Caesar!’.

Brett Kelly

Played: Thurman in ‘Bad Santa’ (2003)

Last seen: In 2016′s sequel ‘Bad Santa 2′, his first new acting credit in six years.

Macaulay Culkin

Played: Kevin in ‘Home Alone’ (1990)

Last seen: Confusing the Internet with his “Pizza themed” Velvet Underground tribute band, and occasionally in the tabloids thanks to complicated personal life.

Phoebe Cates

Played: Kate in ‘Gremlins’ (1984)

Last seen: She bowed out of acting in the early 90s, with 2001’s 'The Anniversary Party’ (alongside husband Kevin Kline) a rare reappearance. She now owns a boutique on New York’s Madison Avenue.

Christian Fitzpatrick

Played: Joe in ‘Santa Claus: The Movie’ (1985)

Last seen: Advertising for work as an actor and voice over artist on networking site LinkedIn.

Olivia Olson

Played: Joanna in ‘Love Actually’ (2003)

Last seen: Lending her vocal talents to Marceline the Vampire Queen in award-winning offbeat animation ‘Adventure Time’, and alongside ‘Love Actually’ co-star Sangster in Disney’s ‘Phineas And Ferb’ series.

Corey Feldman

Played: Peter in ‘Gremlins’ (1984)

Last seen: Being Corey Feldman - a regular gift to the guest-star spot. He did himself proud(ish) in ‘Dancing On Ice’ 2012, and made a cringey stint opposite Keith Lemon on ‘Celebrity Juice’.

Joseph Cross

Played: Charlie in ‘Jack Frost’ (1998)

Last seen: Making his way as a steady supporting actor. He played Honest Abe’s military secretary Hay in 2012 Oscar-magnet ‘Lincoln’.

Devin Ratray

Played: Buzz in ‘Home Alone’ (1990)

Last seen: Playing “Deado” Pulaski and in flop ‘R.I.P.D.’, and a supporting part in Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’.

Karolyn Grimes

Played: Zuzu in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)

Last seen: Chirping those immortal Christmas movie lines: “every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings”. She stopped acting in 1952, and is sometimes spotted at fan events.

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- Pixar Scenes That Will Make You Cry
- 6 Stars Who Just Disappeared

Watch ‘28 People Having A Worse Christmas Than You’ below…