Have you ever wondered what happened to Punky Brewster or the Karate Kid? If so, you’re in luck. Several child stars from our childhood years faded quickly from the lime light as we — and they — grew up, but they were still on the radar, just harder to find. Here is a roundup of some of the most famous young entertainers from decades ago who may disappeared from the leading credits but hope they’re not forgotten.

Soleil Moon Frye

Frye became a star at the tender age of 8, when she took the title role in the show “Punky Brewster.” Part lovable orphan, part problem child, Punky drove her adoptive father crazy, but always won him over in the end.

After the show ended in 1988, Frye continued to act, making appearances on “Saved by the Bell” and “The Wonder Years.” She made the cover of People magazine when she was 15 — the story documented her breast reduction surgery (she allegedly went from a 38DD to a 36C).

More recently, she played one of Joey’s girlfriends on “Friends” and she was a co-star on the “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” TV series.

Now 30, she is married and has a 1-year-old daughter named Poet Sienna Rose Goldberg.

Sources: imdb.com/name/nm0004941/ and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoleilMoonFrye

Emmanuel Lewis

This now 35-year-old actor is best known as “Webster” from the TV show of the same name.

This former child star got his start acting in multitudes of TV commercials for products ranging from glue to cars to Burger King. His roles on TV made him a big star in the U.S. and Japan, and earned him celebrity friends like Michael Jackson.

Lewis stands just 4 feet 3 inches tall and claims there is no known medical reason for the fact that he grew only six inches after his 12th birthday.

Lewis graduated from college with a degree in theater arts in 1997, is still pursuing acting and is also interested in directing, and has his own record label. Lewis most recently appeared on the VH1 reality TV series “A Surreal Life” and the movie “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star,” both in 2003.

Sources: imdb.com/name/nm0507171/bio and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmanuel_Lewis

Ralph Macchio

We were introduced to Macchio (aka “Daniel san”), along with Mr. Miyagi, in “Karate Kid” back in 1984 and didn’t see much of him after the final movie of the trilogy. He was around though, starring in unmemorable roles in memorable movies like “My Cousin Vinny.”

I was surprised to learn that this “child star” is anything but — he is now 45, which means that he was in his 20s back in his “Karate Kid” days, when he looked young enough to be in elementary school.

Macchio now works as an actor in independent films and on off-Broadway plays, writes and directs films, and lives in Long Island, NY, with his family. Rumor has it he may be starring in his own television series, so keep an eye out.

Sources: imdb.com/name/nm0001494/ and ralphmacchio.net/Biography.html

Photo sources: geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/3036/maccio_kk.jpg (before); kultur-channel.at/Pics/macchio2.jpg (now)

Keshia Knight Pulliam

Best known as Rudy Huxtable on the Cosby Show, at age 6, Pulliam, now 27, was recognized as the youngest actress to be nominated for an Emmy. She played the youngest Cosby kid and entertained audiences with her silliness and sass.

Since the Cosby Show ended, she continued working as an actress and also graduated with a degree in sociology from Spelman College. Pulliam recently co-starred in the movie “Beauty Shop” and several other movies and participated in celebrity editions of the TV shows “The Weakest Link” and “Fear Factor.” She also starred in the 2004 Chingy video “One Call Away.”

Pulliam was most recently in the news for her alleged cocaine addiction, and she’s become popular online for her not-so-Rudyish photos.

Source: imdb.com/name/nm0700443/ and bestweekever.tv/tag/Keisha+Knight+Pulliam

Photo sources: punto.it/img/spaziofoto/space10/137470/ImmGhytorakiki01125643340.jpg (before); img22.exs.cx/img22/7108/keshia01.jpg (now)

Jonathan Taylor Thomas

His face was all over teen girls’ heartthrob magazines like Bop and 16 back in his heydays when he starred as the rebellious middle child, Randy Taylor, on “Home Improvement.” Preteen girls swooned as they thought of their beloved “JTT” (a nickname he supposedly hates), who they adored for his boyish good looks and slightly edgy (in a Disney sort of way) personality.

Thomas went on to become Disney’s most popular child actor from the mid- to late-1990s. After that, he appeared in one or two episodes of TV shows like “Ally McBeal,” “Veronica Mars” and “Smallville.”

Thomas, 25, is now best known for speaking out on political issues such as abortion (he is pro-life). He appeared on the cover of The Advocate, a gay and lesbian magazine to discuss rumors that he is gay — he claims he is not.

Sources: imdb.com/name/nm0001795/bio and nndb.com/people/869/000025794/

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