From Geeky To Gorgeous, These Childhood Stars Hit The Puberty Pot Of Gold

Burtland Dixon | January 24, 2019 5:21 pm

The acting business can be a grueling one, especially if you become a star at a young age. At first, everyone loves you because you're so adorable, but youth doesn't last forever. On top of growing up, child actors also have to worry about being typecast. Getting typecast from the start may thoroughly harm their chances of landing any roles once they out-grow their young roles. But these talented stars who were once cast as geeks grew up to be gorgeous. Wait until you see some of these transformations.

Josh Peck Wanted To Take Control

Josh Peck
SGranitz / Contributor/Frazer Harrison / Staff
SGranitz / Contributor/Frazer Harrison / Staff

Josh Peck was once the goofy, uncoordinated stepbrother to Drake on Nickelodeon's hit TV series, Drake & Josh. He also was more on the chubby side, but who counts calories that young? Peck probably laughs at old pictures of himself.

After a whole generation grew up with Peck, puberty struck and transformed him into a handsome, not so heavy-set, gentleman. Peck was open about his weight loss and how he wanted to take control of his health. Good for him!

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Meagan Good Has Always Had Confidence

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Getty Images
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Can you guess how long it's been since Meagan Good started acting? She's been in front of the cameras since she was four-years-old and hasn't stopped since. While in the spotlight, Good grew up to become the lovely young lady that we all know today.

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"I grew up super nerdy, super skinny, buckteeth, big ole afro, and yet I had a sense of confidence about myself," she told Vibe. That sense of confidence helped her get through the tough days, and now she's one confident woman.

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What Type Of Wizardry Is This?

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Matthew Lewis
Thos Robinson / Stringer/Gustavo Caballero / Stringer
Thos Robinson / Stringer/Gustavo Caballero / Stringer
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Many of you know him by his wizard name of Neville Longbottom, but Matthew Lewis is far from those early days of Harry Potter. He and Josh Peck went through similar transformations as they grew up and we love it.

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In 2015, Lewis did a photoshoot revealing his toned body which surprised many. Even J.K. Rowling had to comment. "I will always support you whatever you want to do, Matthew," she tweeted. "Now go put some clothes on."

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Jerry O'Connell Grew Up To Shine

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Jerry O'Connell
Ron Galella / Contributor/Kevork Djansezian / Stringer
Ron Galella / Contributor/Kevork Djansezian / Stringer
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Jerry O'Connell's first on-screen appearance came when he played Vern Tessio in Stand by Me. He was the chunky, shy member of the group. It was probably a tough awkward phase for him, but he came out of it victorious.

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After puberty, some trips to the gym and a couple of years, O'Connell became the hunk who married Rebecca Romijn (who is equally attractive.) Did we mention he also made eyebrows look good too?

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He's Not So Disney Anymore

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Frazer Harrison / Staff/Roy Rochlin / Contributor
Frazer Harrison / Staff/Roy Rochlin / Contributor
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Well before the world got acquainted with Zac Efron in High School Musical, he was a slender child actor. Efron played in movies like Miracle Run and Melinda's World. It would take some time before he could shake off his Disney past.

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In 2014 he did, however, when he starred in Neighbors as a rambunctious, college party animal. Once he took off the shirt, he took the attention of all women 17 and older. Now, it's like he doesn't take on a role unless it requires shedding his top.

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Jonathan Lipnicki Breaks The Narrative

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Jonathan Lipnicki
Ron Galella / Contributor/Rodin Eckenroth / Stringer
Ron Galella / Contributor/Rodin Eckenroth / Stringer
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Even though he starred alongside an adorable rodent and befriending a vampire, it wasn't enough to knock the title of "the kid from Jerry Maguire." Thankfully, Jonathan Lipnicki grew up to become his own man and looks well.

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He still acts and likes to change the narrative around childhood stars. "I've never done drugs," he says. "I've never punched out a tourist. I went to public school! I played little league baseball!" Sounds like Lipnicki lives his life exactly how he wants to.

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Demi Lovato

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Mark Davis / Stringer/Mike Coppola / Staff
Mark Davis / Stringer/Mike Coppola / Staff
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When Demi Lovato first appeared on screen, she was nearly unrecognizable from how she is today. We first saw her on Barney & Friends when she was only ten-years-old alongside Selena Gomez. Puberty hit and Lovato blossomed into the talent we now know.

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Unfortunately, personal issues follow her, but that didn't stop her fan base from showing her a lot of love and support. The beautiful songstress is adored by many and a true inspiration to those wanting to escape their awkward phase.

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Michael B. Jordan Can Take A Couple Punches Now

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Mychal Watts / Contributor/Matt Crossick - PA Images / Contributor
Mychal Watts / Contributor/Matt Crossick - PA Images / Contributor
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Michael B. Jordan's career in acting kicked off in 1999 when he appeared in the film Black and White as just "Teen #2" and in an episode of The Sopranos as Rideland Kid. Now, he's starring in some of the highest grossing movies.

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Jordan ditched the braids and braces as he stepped into the spotlight like no other after his touching performance in Fruitvale Station. Then he hit us with Creed, changing the trajectory of his career forever.

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Alyson Stoner The Dancing Machine

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SGranitz / Contributor/Frazer Harrison / Staff
SGranitz / Contributor/Frazer Harrison / Staff
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We first got to see Alyson Stoner in Disney's Mike's Super Short Show. That role led to her first big-screen appearance in Cheaper by the Dozen. Also, if you're a fan of Missy Elliot then you are familiar with her flashy dance moves in Elliot's music videos.

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Now that Stoner is an adult, she catches every eye as she walks across red carpets. Stoner also has a side career in music that she always has an option of pursuing full time. Her rise to become this beautiful woman is sensational.

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Joseph Gordon-Levitt Cut The Hair

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Linda Vanoff / Contributor/Frederick M. Brown / Stringer
Linda Vanoff / Contributor/Frederick M. Brown / Stringer
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The Joseph Gordon-Levitt we've all grown to know and love today looks completely different than his younger, more nerdy looking childhood days. He first appeared with the long hair as Tommy Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun.

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Unlike a few on this list, Gordon successfully made the transition from the small screen to the big screen. He's starred in movies with Christian Bale (he'll we'll get to see later) as Batman's sidekick, and Leonardo DiCaprio as a dream wanderer.

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From Bel-Air To Happy Mother

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tatyana ali
Ron Galella, Ltd. / Contributor/Jason LaVeris / Contributor
Ron Galella, Ltd. / Contributor/Jason LaVeris / Contributor
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Remember Ashley, Will's younger cousin from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? She was young and nerdy asking her big cousin Will how to go on dates and bullies. Those days are well behind her now and she's flourishing.

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Tatyana Ali grew up in the best way possible. She had a short stint as a singer, but could have honestly continued because she had the vocal range and look. Now, she's a happy mother enjoying her gorgeous looks.

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Michelle Trachtenberg Slays

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Michelle Trachtenberg
Ron Galella / Contributor/Michael Tran / Stringer
Ron Galella / Contributor/Michael Tran / Stringer
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Michelle Trachtenberg had unforgettable, huge, expressive eyes to go along with a spunky attitude during her younger acting years. Many will remember her from Harriet the Spy and The Adventures of Pete and Pete.

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Now that she has grown into her stunning looks, the former Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress is somewhat of a fashion icon. She's still into acting as well as she plays beautiful villains in guest spots on TV. Her look is perfect for those roles.

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Don't Call Him Cookie Anymore...

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Mike FANOUS / Contributor/Albert L. Ortega / Contributor
Mike FANOUS / Contributor/Albert L. Ortega / Contributor
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Daniel Curtis Lee has to be one of the leaders of transforming from nerdy child star to hunky human being. If you aren't familiar with him, he played the cyber-geek known as "Cookie" from Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.

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He was literally going through puberty as the show aired, which must have been tough for the 13-year-old. Those days are long gone and Cookie now has GQ level sizzle. The actor is also a musician but could model if he really tried.

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Addams Family Finest

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Jim Smeal / Contributor/Michael Tran / Stringer
Jim Smeal / Contributor/Michael Tran / Stringer
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You might remember Christina Ricci as the adorable one from The Addams Family. That was back in 1991. Since then, we've got to watch her grow up before our eyes and see how lovely she's become in the process.

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She's had roles where she has to be scantily clad (Black Snake Moan) and that helped propel her to her starring role in The Lizzie Borden Chronicles. She came out of the swamp masterfully and we can't get enough.

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Did He Do That?

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Ron Galella, Ltd. / Contributor/Emma McIntyre / Staff
Ron Galella, Ltd. / Contributor/Emma McIntyre / Staff
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If anyone can say they evolved into a stud from nerd, then its without a doubt Jaleel White. He would do it on TV in Family Matters as his timeless character Steve Urkle would transform into Stefan to help secure his crush.

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These days, White has ditched the glasses and is quite active on social media. You might see him helping other aspiring actors get into better positions in the industry or he'll be relaxing enjoying the fruits of his labor.

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Girl Meets World

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SGranitz / Contributor/Jerod Harris / Contributor
SGranitz / Contributor/Jerod Harris / Contributor
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Topanga Lawrence was the girl of Cory Matthews' dreams. She was the smart, quiet nerd on screen (which was equally true off-screen.) Boy Meets World will forever be Danielle Fishel's most famous role as fans had the ability to see her grow up before their eyes.

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As she started to become older, more and more people, mainly men, began to feel like Cory Matthews. You or someone you know possibly had a crush on Fishel.

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From Zero To Hunk

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Kevin Winter / Staff/Araya Diaz / Contributor
Kevin Winter / Staff/Araya Diaz / Contributor
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The young big-haired child actor who played alongside Shia LaBeouf in Holes is none other than Khleo Thomas. While that might have been one of the biggest appearances in his young career, he never stayed in one lane.

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Thomas also started releasing music in 2010 and would appear in music videos as well. Then, for a while, he was kind of behind the scenes and no one heard from him, but he's still here serving looks.

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Christian Bale Has Always Been Talented

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Murray Close / Contributor/Kevin Winter / Staff
Murray Close / Contributor/Kevin Winter / Staff
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Long before he was the Caped Crusader, Christian Bale was a young talent with the look of a mama's boy, if we're honest. Thankfully, the only thing that stayed with him over the years is his talent.

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Bale has pretty much nailed every role he's been in and goes to extremes to get into character. He's one of the entertainment industry's most dedicated studs that many love going to the theater to witness firsthand. What's your favorite Bale movie?

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Shia LaBeouf Lost The Goofy Look

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Albert L. Ortega / Contributor/Xinhua News Agency / Contributor
Albert L. Ortega / Contributor/Xinhua News Agency / Contributor
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A very polarizing figure now, Shia LaBeouf used to be a messy-haired Disney actor from Even Stevens. Those Disney days are long gone as LaBeouf continues to do movies as well as stir up huge controversy.

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We can describe with many adjectives all we want, but perhaps the New York Post had the best description when they called him a "beautiful hot mess." Whatever your opinion, you must acknowledge his transformation into a man.

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You're Not A Wizard Anymore, Harry

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daniel radcliffe
Dave Hogan / Contributor/Gary Gershoff / Stringer
Dave Hogan / Contributor/Gary Gershoff / Stringer
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Yet another Harry Potter alum makes the list and albiet, the most famous of them. When the movie series first started, Radcliffe must have been the epitome of a childhood nerd. The huge glasses and perky smile sealed the deal.

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As the Potter movies progressed, so did Radcliffe in the most amazing of ways. He's now become a well-groomed gentleman who isn't afraid to drop his pants on Broadway. Maybe he can share the spell he used to turn into such a budding star.