Public opinion reflects new stance
Kym Karath is best remembered for playing the adorable little Gretl in 'The Sound of Music' (1965). However, she landed her acting debut at the age of four when she appeared in 'Spencer's Mountain' (1963) with Henry Fonda.
Best remembered as Kurt von Trapp in 'The Sound of Music' (1965), Chase also had a small role in the family film 'Follow Me, Boys!' (1966).
He went on to join the Forest Service in 1969 and earned a degree in geology. The former actor currently lives outside of Seattle.
He went on to make regular appearances in different shows, and even starred as Spider-Man in the '70s television series 'The Amazing Spider-Man.' He has lived in Australia since the mid '80s and regularly appears in local TV shows.
Best known for playing the feisty Friedrich in 'The Sound of Music' (1965), Hammond had already appeared on Broadway before he was cast in the famous musical.
English-born Cartwright landed her acting debut at the age of three as Paul Newman’s daughter in 'Somebody Up There Likes Me' (1956). But her most famous role was the part of Brigitta von Trapp in the classic 'The Sound of Music' (1965).
Shortly after the film’s debut, Turner left show business and went back to school. She moved to Minnesota, where she raised four daughters with her husband.
Patrick took a break from show business between 1974 and 1991, but returned to acting. He most recently appeared in the 2022 movie 'The Munsters,' based on the '60s sitcom.
Along with working as a photographer, she still acts in smaller roles. Her older sister is actress Veronica Cartwright.
Born in California to Canadian parents, Debbie Turner is best known for her role as Marta von Trapp in 'The Sound of Music' (1965).
Butch Patrick played the adorable werewolf Eddie Munster in 'The Munsters,' from 1964 to 1966. Before his breakthrough role at the age of 11, Patrick had small parts in 'The Untouchables' and 'General Hospital,' among other projects.
Jerry Mathers is best known for his role in the sitcom 'Leave It to Beaver,' originally broadcast from 1957 to 1963. He reprised the role from 1983 to 1989 in 'The New Leave It to Beaver.'
Murphy has continued to act, but has also ventured into other fields. She has worked as a casting director, makeup artist, fashion stylist, acting teacher, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur.
Erin Murphy is best known for playing the young Tabitha Stephens on 'Bewitched,' from 1964 to 1972. After the show, she went on to guest star in 'Lassie' and appeared in a variety of commercials.
Johnny Whitaker played Jody Davis on 'Family Affair' from 1966 to 1971. He also had the lead in 'The Littlest Angel' in 1969, and starred as Tom Sawyer in the 1973 musical version of 'Tom Sawyer.'
While still in high school, he took a break from acting to join the Air Force. He then went on to study at UCLA before returning to the industry.
After his childhood stardom, Whitaker, worked as a computer consultant at CBS. He struggled with addiction in adulthood, but got sober and became a certified drug counselor. He sometimes still acts.
Provost left acting to study at Sonoma State University. He went on to work in real estate, but still makes occasional film and TV appearances.
Marc Copage starred as Corey Parker on the groundbreaking show 'Julia,' from 1968 to 1971. It was the first TV show with a Black female lead in a non-stereotypical role.
Jon Provost rose to stardom as the young Timmy Martin in 'Lassie.' He held the role from 1957 to 1964.
She retired from acting at 14 years old and chose to become an art restorer instead. However, in 2005 she came out of retirement and starred in 'Our Very Own.'
His most recent role was in 'The Meg' (2018), and before that 'The Kid' (2000). Instead of pursuing acting, Copage became a jazz musician.
Mary Badham is best known for playing Scout Finch in the 1962 film 'To Kill a Mockingbird.' At the age of 10, the role earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. At the time, she was the youngest actress ever nominated in the category.
Alongside his acting career, Carter went into music and released an album in 1975 called 'When You're Young and in Love.' He's been under the radar, but continues to work in music.
Sources: (Insider) (New York Post) (It's Rosy)
See also: Enforced diets, killings and teen brides: Hollywood scandals that history forgot
Melissa Sue Anderson became well known for landing the role of Mary Ingalls on 'Little House on the Prairie' at the age of 11. She was the only cast member to receive an Emmy nomination for the show.
Anderson continued to act, but wasn't able to translate her childhood success into adult roles. Since 2002, she has been living in Montreal, Canada.
She went on to have a successful acting career when she took up a main role in 'L.A. Law' from 1986 to 1992. Her role as Grace Van Owen earned her three Emmy nominations, six Golden Globe nominations, and one Golden Globe win. She retired from acting in 2004.
Ralph Carter had his big break when he landed the role as the youngest child in the sitcom 'Good Times.' He appeared on the show from 1974 to 1979. Before TV, he played Travis Younger in the Broadway musical 'Raisin,' which earned him a Tony nomination for Best Supporting or Featured Actor in a Musical.
Susan Dey made her debut on the sitcom 'The Partridge Family,' where she played the daughter, Laurie Partridge, from 1970 to 1974.
Karath graduated from USC with a degree in humanities. She shortly after moved to Paris, where she married and had a child. She eventually moved back to the US and returned to acting.
A glimpse of some of the most memorable child actors of the early days of showbiz.
Where are they now: Your favorite child stars of the ‘60s and ‘70s
Many of them left show business behind
LIFESTYLE Now and then
The '60s and '70s enchanted audiences with series and movies that today bring us plenty of nostalgia. From films like 'The Sound of Music' (1965) to TV shows like 'Leave It to Beaver' and 'Lassie,' families were introduced to the lives of fictional characters that became cultural phenomena. These productions also featured child stars who left their mark in the industry. Some of them remained in show business, while others left Hollywood for good.
Do you know where your favorite child stars from the '60s and '70s are now? Click through the following gallery to find out!