The 1960s could be considered the golden age of child TV stars. During that decade, adorable boys and girls dominated television family comedies and dramas. Many of the top child TV stars of the 1960s were able to make a name for themselves as adults in Hollywood, some left Hollywood and worked in the private sector, and sadly, some became casualties of the child stardom. The following article lists the tip child TV stars in the 1960s.

Ron Howard (The Andy Griffith Show)

In the 1960s, Ron Howard was the dominate child star of the decade, with all of freckle faced cuteness displayed on The Andy Griffith Show. Who could forget Opie Taylor and his love for his Pa, Sheriff Andy Taylor? Unlike a lot of child TV stars in the 1960s, he became an adult actor and eventually left acting to become one of the most respected directors in Hollywood, even garnering an Academy Award.

Lisa Loring (The Addams Family)

Lisa Loring was creepily cute as Wednesday Friday Addams on The Addams Family. Although she was generally a good child, Wednesday enjoyed playing with spiders and playing with her beheaded dolls named Marie Antoinette, Mary Queen of Scots, and Little Red Riding Hood. She had a few problems with substance abuse but managed to have a steady acting career until 1992. Now a mother of two, she works in the private sector.

Paul Petersen (The Donna Reed Show)

Paul Petersen played young Jeff Stone on The Donna Reed Show. Petersen made a name for himself on this hit family show, but it was his efforts outside of acting that forever changed the fate of child stars. Using his experience as a child star, this top child TV star in the 1960s created an organization called A Minor Consideration. This organization improved working condition for child stars and helped them transition to adult life. If he hadn't done anything else, helping child stars is a good accomplishment.

Anissa Jones (Family Affair)

While her name may not be general knowledge, Anissa Jones is best known by her character's name, Buffy Patterson-Davis on Family Affair. Jones played the adorable, blonde twin girl who carried her doll Mrs. Beasley everywhere she went. Sadly, she was one of the many unhappy endings for former child stars. This top child TV star of the 1960s was worked to death on this television series, in addition to her turbulent family life. By the time she reached her teen years, she had substance abuse problems. Unfortunately, this cute little girl died of an accidental drug overdose at 18.

Marc Copage (Julia)

Marc Copage played the adorable Corey Baker on Julia. As the title character's son, he was the first African-American child TV star in the 1960s. Before his appearance on the groundbreaking television sitcom, Copage showed the world that African-American children could be just as precocious and cute as Caucasian children. His cuteness set the stage for other cute children like Gary Coleman and Keshia Knight Pulliam. In general, he has acted very little since childhood but his impact remains constant.

The top child TV stars in the 1960s helped set the stage for child stars that followed them. A few made major impacts as adults in Hollywood behind the camera. Others, because of their experience, helped future child stars not have to go through the same things they did. Many served as cautionary tales of the hard life that many child stars have after their cuteness has worn off. A few set the stage for redefining child stardom. Even with the passage of time, people still name them as the top child TV stars of the 1960s and beyond.

Source:

http://www.imdb.com

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