10 Actors You Never Knew Were Child Stars

jake g There are some child actors who grow up and become regular people. There are some that grow up to be really messed up individuals. Some were child stars in their own right, and when they were adults they continued to function as big name A-listers. But what about the ones who were just jobbing child actors? They weren't necessarily huge stars as children, but some of them went from moderate success to major adult stardom. Because they weren't hyper famous as kids, it's easy to forget that they didn't get into the entertainment business as adults. But a surprising number of actors today actually started working before they were old enough to vote. Here are some actors who are popular today, but you might not realize that they've been working in Hollywood since they had their baby teeth.

10. Keira Knightley

kknightley2 Although audiences weren't familiar with this English beauty until her breakout roles of soccer-loving Jules in Bend It Like Beckham and Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, she'd actually been a jobbing actor since the age of 8. Her first role was a minor character in the British TV series Screen One, but she quickly moved on to bigger and better things. At fourteen, Keira Knighley had a featured role in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, as Sabe, one of Queen Amidala's decoys. Since then, she's been nominated for an Oscar for her work in Pride and Prejudice. Not too shabby!
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Contributor

Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.