Exciting news! Brace yourselves for a blast from the past: a bunch of kid hero characters from the best ’90s movies that you totally forgot about. We all remember the big names like Macaulay Culkin, Elijah Wood, Scarlet Johansson, Jonathan Lipnicki, Haley Joel Osment, and Rufio from Hook. These legends left an indelible mark in film history.
But wait, there’s more! What about the other kids? They were just as awesome and entertaining, but mysteriously disappeared after one or maybe two movies. Today, we pay tribute to those unsung heroes of 1990s movies. Can you even remember their names?
Get ready to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane as we revisit these amazing kid characters from ’90s movies. From the feisty Icebox to the mischievous Stilwell, the adorable Alfalfa to the spunky Curly Sue, these fictional ’90s kids were the ultimate squad you always wanted to hang out with. Prepare to be reacquainted with their unforgettable stories and relish in the joy of rediscovery.
1. The Kid with the Cheeks from “Hook”
Rufio definitely stole the audience’s hearts in Hook, no doubt about it. But let’s not forget about the other lost boys who were just as important and adorable. One of them, Thud Butt, played by Raushan Hammond, was particularly memorable. Unfortunately, Hammond didn’t have much luck in acting after growing up. However, in 2014, he resurfaced to share his thoughts on the tragic death of his co-star, Robin Williams.
2. Alfalfa from “Little Rascals”
Back in 1994, they decided to turn the popular TV show Little Rascals into a full-length movie. They cast Bug Hall to play the role of Alfalfa. Interestingly, Bug Hall later made appearances in numerous television shows such as Criminal Minds, Cold Case, CSI: Miami, and CSI: NY. It seems like he was popping up on almost every show you could think of!
3. The Guy from “Hocus Pocus”
In 1993, director Kenny Ortega, known for his work as Michael Jackson’s choreographer, took the helm of a Bette Midler film that revolved around the bewitching Sanderson sisters. The talented cast included Thora Birch from “American Beauty,” Sarah Jessica Parker, and Vinessa Shaw from “Ray Donovan.” However, it was Omri Katz who stole the spotlight as the lead character, Max. Katz had previously appeared on “The John Laroquette Show,” but unfortunately, he struggled to find success in the acting world and ultimately decided to pursue a career as a hairdresser.
4. The Girl from “Jurassic Park”
Everyone recognizes this girl’s face, but her name remains a mystery to all! Ariana Richards, who portrayed John Hammond’s granddaughter in the iconic Jurassic Park, is a familiar face to all. She shared the screen with Joseph Mazello, who is still active in the industry. After appearing in Tremors 3, Richards seemed to fade away from the film and television scene. However, she decided to pursue a singing career and tied the knot with Mark Bolton in 2013.
5. The Kid from “The Santa Clause”
So get this, the kid from The Santa Clause movie is now 28 years old. I know, it’s hard to believe! He was the adorable eight-year-old son of Tim Allen’s character, symbolizing the pure Christmas spirit within all of us. But guess what? Nowadays, he’s rocking out with a band and even has a cool lip ring. Talk about a transformation!
6. Jesse from “Free Willy”
Released in 1993, this film quickly won over the hearts of its audience as they witnessed the beautiful bond between a troubled kid and an orca. The role of the kid, Jesse, was portrayed by Jason James Richter, who went on to star in two sequels of the movie. Interestingly, Richter is still actively pursuing his acting career even today.
7. Icebox from “Little Giants”
Becky “Icebox” O’Shea, portrayed by Shawn Waldron, was the girl who always longed to join the boys in playing football. After her role as Icebox, Waldron found success as Michael Douglas’s daughter in The American President. However, she seemed to vanish from the spotlight for quite some time. In 2008, Waldron caught people’s attention when she appeared topless in the TV movie Poison Ivy 4.
8. Pugsley from “The Addams Family”
Christina Ricci’s portrayal of the gloomy Wednesday Addams in the 1991 film The Addams Family remains etched in our memories. But what happened to her on-screen brother Pugsley, played by Jimmy Workman? While Ricci’s career took off with movies like Sleepy Hollow and Monster, poor Pugsley seemed to fade into obscurity.
Despite the memorable role he played in The Addams Family, Jimmy Workman struggled to capture the same level of attention in his subsequent acting endeavors. While his sister soared to stardom, poor Pugsley seemed to be forgotten by the limelight.
It’s not uncommon for one actor in a film to gain more recognition than their co-stars, and unfortunately for Jimmy Workman, he fell victim to this phenomenon. While Christina Ricci’s talent propelled her to become a celebrated movie star, Pugsley’s character did not receive the same recognition, leaving Workman somewhat overlooked in the industry.
Although it may be disheartening for fans of Jimmy Workman and his portrayal of Pugsley, it’s important to remember that success in the entertainment industry is unpredictable. While Christina Ricci’s career flourished after The Addams Family, Workman’s path took a different turn, with fewer opportunities to showcase his talent.
While it’s disappointing that Jimmy Workman’s career didn’t reach the same heights as his sister’s, it’s essential to acknowledge that the entertainment industry can be fickle. Despite the lack of recognition, Workman’s portrayal of Pugsley in The Addams Family will always be remembered as an integral part of the film.
9. Adam from “The Mighty Ducks”
When people think about The Mighty Ducks franchise, Joshua Jackson is the first person that comes to mind. However, we shouldn’t forget about Vincent Larusso, the actor who played Adam Banks, the rival team member who later joins the Ducks. Believe it or not, Larusso is now almost 40 years old! After his time with the Ducks, he decided to pursue higher education and studied at Boston University’s School of Management.
10. Will Smith’s Kid in “Independence Day”
Oh, do you remember Will, the President, the aliens, and basically everything about Independence Day? But hold on, can you recall Will and Vivica A. Fox’s son Dylan? Well, Ross Bagley played that role! You might recognize him from his time on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Nicky Banks, where he knew Will Smith for two years. It’s worth mentioning that Bagley is still in the acting scene, although you probably haven’t seen him since his 2004 guest appearance on Judging Amy.
11. The “3 Ninjas” Kids
Back in 1992, Hollywood released a super cool movie called 3 Ninjas. It was all about these three awesome kids who were totally into martial arts and ended up fighting against some organized crime dudes. The kids in the movie were played by Max Elliot Slade, Michael Treanor, and Chad Power.
Guess what? Chad Power is now a high school football coach. How cool is that? Michael Treanor, on the other hand, became a psychologist. He must have learned a thing or two from all those intense battles in the movie. And last but not least, Max Elliot Slade actually studied anthropology and holds a degree in it. Who would’ve thought, right? These guys have really taken different paths in life since their ninja days.
