5 Young TV Stars Who Grew Up & Are Now Parents Themselves – Family Photos

• These former child stars, once the faces of iconic TV shows, have grown up and embraced the joys and challenges of parenthood.
• They share heartwarming family moments on social media, offering fans a window into their lives.
• Some transitioned smoothly into parenthood, but some faced bumps along the way. Ultimately, they found joy in their families.

Once the darlings of hit television shows, these stars have grown up and embraced parenthood. While some are still navigating the teenage years, others have become empty nesters. From classics like "Saved by the Bell" to "Family Ties," here are five former child celebrities who are now proud parents.

Lisa Whelchel

Lisa Welchel fell in love with acting at age eight and performed in musical theater for the next four years. At 12, she auditioned to be a Mouseketeer on "The New Mickey Mouse Club" and landed the role. Whelchel starred on the show from 1977-1978.

In 1979, the public figure began her iconic role as the wealthy, preppy, private-school girl Blair Warner on "The Facts of Life," which aired for nine seasons.

Decades after the show ended, Whelchel and her cast members, including Nancy McKeon and Mindy Cohn, reunited for the series' 35th anniversary. Reflecting on the reunion, Whelchel said, "It was fabulous. It was so much fun. We laughed half the time."

In a 2022 interview, Whelchel expressed her love for the show: "We had so much fun. We had an incredible cast and crew, and there wasn't a lot of pressure." Soon after the series wrapped, she transitioned from acting to becoming a family woman.

Whelchel is now a mom to daughters Clancy and Haven, and son Tucker Cauble. When asked about adjusting to life after fame, she explained, "[...] It wasn't for me. [...] My first chapter was great, but my second chapter, as a mom, was even better."

Whelchel has learned valuable lessons in motherhood, realizing that "winging it" often works best. She even wrote a book, "Corrective Correction," based on her experiences.

When coming to her parenting technique, the veteran actress explained that she paid attention to each one of her kids as they grew up. However, as they started to develop, what used to work did not anymore, which was a "different ball game" for her, she said.

Now 61, Whelchel frequently shares family moments on Instagram, showing her adult kids. She recently posted a photo with her oldest daughter, Haven, and followers couldn't help but comment on their striking resemblance.

"Lisa you and your daughter could be twins! You both are so Beautiful!!" wrote one person. Another simply commented, "Twins." While a third individual noted, "Your daughter is beautiful like her Mama."

As for Whelchel's youngest daughter Clancy, she accompanies her to public events. The mother and daughter duo attended the 2014 PaleyFestFall TV Preview in 2014.

Like her famous mother, Clancy, who initially dabbled in acting but has since quit the industry, rocked her blonde curly hair as she posed next to her.

Meanwhile, in 2019, Whelchel announced on Facebook that her son Tucker was engaged, sharing heartfelt images from the proposal. "I'm so proud of my son for a million reasons but never more than when I witness how well he loves this beautiful soul, @caylamk," the star captioned the post.

In 2022, she joyfully posted photos from Tucker's outdoor wedding, writing, "Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Cauble. It was a magical day in every way. My heart is overflowing with joy."

Joey Lawrence

Joey Lawrence, another former child star, joined the main cast of "Gimme a Break!" in 1983, playing the foster son of Nell Carter's character.

Despite the series' moderate success for the majority of its run, it was eventually canceled, marking the end of the famed child actor's first recurring role.

Despite becoming famous at a young age, Lawrence admitted in a 2006 interview that he still wanted more from his career. "I haven't reached where I want to go in my career. George Clooney did pilot after pilot before he finally got "ER." Now he's got the career he's always wanted. I want to emulate that," he said.

In the same interview, the actor also talked about his then-six-month-old daughter Charleston, whom he welcomed in May 2006, and his new cleanish look. "She sits in bed with me for 45 minutes in the morning and rubs my head," he said after going bald. Lawrence added that he enjoyed watching her grow.

Now 48, Lawrence had two more daughters since then and his look has also changed as his hair has grown back. In June 2023, he gushed about fatherhood in a lengthy Instagram post in which he shared images of him and his family, including his three daughters.

"I have been blessed three times over with 3 beautiful amazing, wonderful daughters! [...] I am such a blessed man. The gift of fatherhood is the greatest gift of all and I am just so incredibly grateful," Lawrence wrote.

Followers complimented the father of three, with one writing, "You have 3 Beautiful daughters." Another gushed, "Wow there’s no denying those girls are his." "All of your girls look EXACTLY like you!!!" said one.

The musician's youngest daughter is Dylan Rose, whom he showed off in a January 2023 Instagram post alongside his wife, Samantha Cope. "1.16.23. Dylan Rose Lawrence. Mom, Dad and big sisters are all so smitten with you sweet girl!" the star captioned his post.

Three months later, Lawrence posted an image of him and his last born online. In the photo, he warmly held on to his child on a sunny day outdoors. "Forever a #girldad," he said.

"She looks exactly like you! Love this photo! You can feel the love between the two of you! Blessings to you and your family!" commented one Instagram follower. Another stated, "Such a great daddy!"

In June of that year, Lawrence yet again showed how much he adores his little one by posting a video of him making her laugh uncontrollably. He wrote, "Laughing our way thru the weekend." One person observed, "I didn't even realize you are a daddy. So cute, those giggles are the absolute best."

Corey Feldman

Another famed child prodigy is Corey Feldman. He launched his acting career at three years old starring in a commercial and has more than 80 films under his belt.

The actor became a household name after appearing in "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" in 1984. As the lead, he played Tommy Jarvis in the horror film and reprised his role in the sequel.

Feldman later made several appearances in hit movies such as "Gremlins," "The Goonies" and "Stand by Me." After making an impression with his performances over time, he was honored with a Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.

That same year, in August, the talented actor also became a father when he welcomed his son Zen Scott. In an interview, Feldman candidly talked about fatherhood.

"[It's] a reason to smile every day, that's what it is. Whereas I used to get depressed or neurotic or dwell on things, I see my son's bright eyes and smile in the morning, and suddenly, I don't feel like I'm depressed anymore. There's nothing to be depressed about when you've got that," he shared.

In 2019, Feldman, now 42, paid a birthday tribute to Zen, 19 with shirtless images of the father and son duo. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BOY: ALTHOUGH ITS TRUE, @zenscottfeldman IS MY ONLY SON, I CAN NO LONGER CALL HIM MY BABY," the proud dad captioned his post.

Online users were quick to point out their uncanny resemblance. "He's your mini you!" wrote one Instagram follower. Another echoed, "Looks like his dad." Someone else complimented the father of one, writing, "Your son is gorgeous! He looks just like you!!!"

Tiffani Thiessen

One other former teen idol is Tiffani Thiessen. When she was eight, her uncle encouraged her to try acting and modeling. Soon after, she appeared in her first TV commercial for Peaches and Cream Barbie.

From there, she started to participate in several beauty pageants and won the Miss Junior America pageant in 1987. She later landed the role of the popular cheerleader Kelly Kapowski on the NBC series "Saved by the Bell" in 1989. The show aired for five years.

Thiessen is now 50 years old and is a mother of two — a daughter, Harper, and a son, Holt. In a 2021 interview, she spoke about the motherhood challenges she experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I think moms have had and I don’t want to be sexist or anything but I feel like moms have had it double time. We have had it double time. I have taken on roles that I never thought I would ever take this last year," she said.

Recently, Thiessen showed off her eldest child, daughter Harper, on Instagram. "Happy 14th birthday to our first born! 14…[...] Harper, it’s truly so dang much fun to watch you grow, learn and find your passions," she penned. In the comments, one user gushed, "OMG! I thought that was you!"

In May 2024, Thiessen and her daughter hosted a Mother & Daughter’s Day event and posed together in their curly locks while smiling. One person mentioned the resemblance between the pair, writing, "Your daughter looks just like you!" "Beautiful girls," commented another.

In 2024, Thiessen also shared a picture of her and her two children on Mother's Day. She gushed, "I’m so lucky! I don’t take my role as your mother for granted. You both have given me the greatest gift and I will continue to cherish every moment and every stage of life with you two."

Brian Bonsall

Last on the list of former child stars is Brian Bonsall. He had various roles during his acting career between the ages of three and fourteen. His most notable stint is playing Andy Keaton on "Family Ties" in 1982.

Over the years, Bonsall faced several run-ins with the law. In 2010, he was sentenced to two years of probation due to a fight with a friend which occurred in Colorado the year prior. Bonsall pleaded guilty to felony menacing and third-degree assault.

The celebrity also pleaded guilty to violating terms of his probation dating from a 2007 assault which involved his then-girlfriend. Following this dark period in his life, Bonsall became a father and a family man.

In June 2024, he posted a photo of him and his son making funny faces and wrote, "Father’s Day weekend is upon us and I just love this little guy so much."

Bonsall, 42, showed off his son Oliver in a family portrait in April 2024. The musician revealed on Instagram that it was his child’s first time attending a show. "Your son is a spitting image of you Brian," said one user. Another agreed, writing, "Spitting image of you at that age!" A third user expressed the same sentiments.

After rising to superstardom from a young age, each of these celebrities endured different experiences in life and are now proud parents who continuously show off their kids.