Then and Now, ‘Home Alone,’ More

They wish you a Merry Christmas! Every year, fans watch their favorite holiday films on repeat — including It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone — but what ever happened to the kids who starred in the iconic movies?

While the leads often get all the love — like Tim Allen as Santa Claus/Scott Calvin in The Santa Clause trilogy — the cute child stars that accompany them help make the movies feel warmer and fuzzier.

Love Actually, for example, has a ton of major adult actors such as Liam Neeson and Keira Knightley, but for many, it’s Neeson’s character’s stepson, Sam, who steals the show. Nearly a decade after the British rom-com hit theaters in 2003, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, who played Sam, still gets recognized for his adorable role.

“I don’t think Love Actually is going to go anywhere. I think I’ll forever be known as the cute little kid from Love Actually,” the Nanny McPhee actor told Mr. Porter in an interview published in February 2021. “I don’t mind that, that’s fine.”

The Nowhere Boy star recalled hating “being spoken down to in any way or mollycoddled as a child,” while working in the entertainment industry. That desire to be treated like just one of the cast ultimately transformed how he approached going to work as a kid and beyond.

“When I’d go on set, everyone would just treat me as just another person hired to do a job and I loved that sense of responsibility,” Brodie-Sangster told the outlet. “But, I mean, that must affect how you develop and grow as a person.”

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Karolyn Grimes is another actor who will never be forgotten for her holiday movie role. The California native portrayed Bailey’s daughter Zuzu in 1946’s It’s a Wonderful Life, and 75 years later, she is happy that people still stop her to talk about the heartwarming film.

Grimes was only six years old when she uttered the famous line, “Look, Daddy, teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” It wasn’t until she was nearly 40 that she actually watched the movie all the way through — and at that moment she understood why viewers loved it so much.

“It impacted me in a way I will never forget,” Grimes told the Washington Post in December 2021 while reflecting on the classic tale. “I was taken on an emotional roller-coaster, and at the end, I realized what a wonderful message this film has for everyone. I knew then that this was going to be a part of my life, because I wanted it to be.”

When it came to her memorable line, she admitted that she couldn’t have guessed how “those words would be so special to so many people.” She added: “I’m thrilled I got to say them and that I got to be a part of that scene and that movie.”

Scroll down to see what your favorite Christmas movie kids are doing now — including Jack Frost’s Joseph Cross and Home Alone’s Macaulay Culkin.

Culkin portrayed Kevin McCallister in both Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. He went on to star in The Good Son, Richie Rich and Saved! The former child star had a recurring role on Kings, Robot Chicken and The Jim Gaffigan Show before returning to film in 2019’s Changeland. He played Mickey on season 10 of American Horror Story in 2021, marking his first big TV role since 2016. Culkin launched the comedy brand Bunny Ears in 2017, which includes a website, podcast and video content.

The New York native began dating Brenda Song in June 2017. The couple welcomed their first child, son Dakota, in April 2021. Us confirmed in January 2022 that the pair were engaged after four years together.

Lloyd played Scott Calvin/Santa Claus’ son, Charlie, in all three Santa Clause films, which hit theaters in 1994, 2002 and 2006. He went on to star in Dunston Checks In, Deconstructing Harry, My Giant, Luminous Motion and Chromeskull: Laid to Rest 2. The California native portrayed Little John Warner on Jesse from 1998 to 2000. Lloyd stepped behind the camera in 2017 and began working as a sound designer in Hollywood. His projects include 2020’s Frennemis Jurés, Sisters and the short film Grandpa: The Horror. In 2022, Lloyd reunited with Allen for an episode of The Santa Clauses.

Billingsley’s name became synonymous with the holidays after dressing up in a pink bunny suit as Ralphie in 1983’s A Christmas Story. The New York native has since starred in Russkies, Beverly Hills Brats, The Break-Up, Iron Man, A Case of You and Spider-Man: Far From Home. The Sherman Oaks alum is also a well-known producer having worked on Dinner for Five, Sullivan & Son (which he directed), Undeniable With Joe Buck and F Is for Family. In 2022, Billingsley reprised his role as Ralphie for HBO Max’s sequel, A Christmas Story Christmas.

The actress captivated audiences as the adorable Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 film, which starred Jim Carrey as the Grinch. Momsen then appeared in Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams, Hansel & Gretel and Underdog before landing the role of Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl. She starred on the CW series from 2007 to 2010, before returning for the 2012 series finale. The Missouri native has been the frontwoman for the rock band The Pretty Reckless since 2009. The group has released four records, including 2021’s Death by Rock and Roll.

The star portrayed Susan Walker in the classic Christmas tale one year after making her acting debut in 1993’s Mrs. Doubtfire. Wilson has since starred in Matilda, A Simple Wish, Thomas and the Magic Railroad and Pre-Emptive Defence. She has voiced characters on BoJack Horseman, Big Hero 6: The Series and Helluva Boss.

The California native graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2009. She penned her biography, Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame, seven years later. Wilson came out in 2016 as bisexual following the tragic massacre at Orlando’s gay nightclub Pulse in June of that year.

Lloyd made his acting debut in 1996, which is the same year he starred in Jingle All the Way alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Colorado native pulled at viewers’ heartstrings in the holiday film as Jamie Langston, a kid who really wants the Turbo Man doll for Christmas. He has since appeared on The Pretender and in the movie Madison. He is best known for playing Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace and a series of video games for the franchise.

The former child star stepped back from acting in 2002. Seven years later, he returned to the entertainment industry working as a production assistant for 2009’s Peer Pressure. In 2015, Lloyd made headlines after he was arrested for reckless driving, driving without a license and resisting arrest in Charleston, South Carolina. He was behind bars until April 2016 when he was transferred to a psychiatric facility after being diagnosed with schizophrenia. His family released a statement about his mental health in January 2020, revealing he had moved closer to his loved ones amid his battle with paranoid schizophrenia and was “still a kind and caring person.”

The British actor caught viewers’ attention as lovestruck Sam in the holiday rom-com. Brodie-Sangster has since found success on TV, voicing Ferb on Phineas and Ferb from 2007 to 2015 and John Tracy amongst other characters on Thunderbirds Are Go from 2015 to 2020. He also appeared on Game of Thrones, Godless and The Queen’s Gambit. The former child star portrayed Newt in the Maze Runner franchise and will star in the upcoming series Unsinkable as 2nd Officer Hawkins. Brodie-Sangster joined the band Winnet as the bass guitarist alongside his family in 2010.

Brodie-Sangster confirmed his relationship with fellow British actress Talulah Riley while attending the British Academy Film Awards Gala Dinner in March 2022 together.

The New York native played Buddy’s (Will Ferrell) half-brother, Michael, in the 2003 holiday movie. Tay went on to appear in Doogal, Beer League and Brooklyn Rules before stepping back from acting in 2009. He briefly returned to the entertainment industry in 2017, reprising his role as the voice of Doogal during an episode of AniMat’s Classic Reviews.

He graduated from Yale University in 2014, according to Hello! magazine. Tay reportedly became an SAT tutor and bilingual editor after college and has been working as a research associate for Columbia University Irving Medical Center since December 2020, per his LinkedIn profile.

Breslin joined the Santa Clause franchise as the No. 2 elf, Curtis, in the sequel. He reprised the role in 2006’s The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. The New York native has since appeared on Teamo Supremo and Center of the Universe. He also starred in The Cat in the Hat, Raising Helen, The Shaggy Dog, Stuck in Love, Some Kind of Hate and External Forces. Spencer, who is the older brother of actress Abigail Breslin, is also a producer, having worked on Widget & Poptop from 2014 to 2015 and 2018’s External Forces short film.

Spencer has his own record label, Acadian Recording Company, and released his debut album, Labor Day, in 2012. Four years later, the musician joined the band Broken Machine.

Mumy played Charlie’s adorable little sister, Lucy Miller, in The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3. She has since starred in the Cheaper by the Dozen movies, Santa Buddies and The Loud House Movie. The California native voiced characters on Lilo & Stitch: The Series, Catscratch, Powerpuff Girls Z, Higglytown Heroes, Chowder, Winx Club: Power of Believix, Bravest Warriors and The Loud House. When Mumy isn’t acting, she’s working as a fitness instructor at Barry’s Bootcamp in Los Angeles.

The actress announced her engagement to her longtime love, Ben, in December 2021.

The New Jersey native portrayed Charlie Frost, whose dad, Jack Frost (Michael Keaton), comes back to life as a snowman after he tragically dies in the 1998 film. Cross has since appeared on As the World Turns, The O’Keefes, Big Little Lies and Mindhunter. He starred in Homecoming, Flags of Our Fathers, Milk, Citizen Gangster, The Last Film Festival, Mank and Licorice Pizza. The Columbia University alum made his directorial debut with 2019’s Summer Night, which he also produced.

Galecki rose to fame after playing Rusty in the 1989 Christmas-themed movie. The Emmy-nominated actor has since starred on American Dreamer, Billy, Roseanne, The Big Bang Theory and The Conners. His movie hits include I Know What You Did Last Summer, CBGB and A Dog’s Journey. Galecki produced his first film, Bagtime, in 2001. His biggest producing credits, however, include the series SciJinks and Living Biblically.

The Belgium-born star dated his Big Bang Theory costar Kaley Cuoco from 2007 to 2009. He then was in a relationship with Alaina Meyer from 2018 to 2020. Galecki and Meyer share one child, whom they welcomed in December 2019.

Grimes is best known for playing George (Jimmy Stewart) and Mary Bailey’s (Donna Reed) youngest daughter, Zuzu, in the iconic 1946 holiday film. Her career continued through 1954 with roles in The Bishop’s Wife, Rio Grande, Honeychile and an episode of The Ford Television Theatre. The Los Angeles native has continued to support the movie that made her career, speaking at screenings of the film from time to time and frequently attending the It’s a Wonderful Life event in Seneca Falls, New York. In 2000, she published Zuzu Bailey’s It’s a Wonderful Life Cookbook. She returned to the entertainment industry in 2020’s Canaan Land playing a talk show guest.

The former actress, who has been married three times, pursued a career as a medical technologist after graduating from the University of Central Missouri. Grimes is the mother of seven children.

The actor portrayed Samuel “Slam” Gibbons in the 2007 film. Throughout the movie, spunky Slam gets life advice from Fred Claus (Vince Vaughn). Thompson later starred in Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Knucklehead, School Dance, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and A Rich Christmas. The Missouri native appeared on For Better or Worse and House of Payne and was a regular on Wild ‘N Out from 2018 to 2020. Thompson is also a rapper, who released the single “Big Body” in September 2021.

Englefield played Jude Law’s eldest child, daughter Sophie, in the 2006 Christmas film. The role was her first acting credit. The England native followed it up with an appearance on The Whistleblowers before starring on Casualty. Englefield stepped back from acting following 2011’s Beautiful Girl. She is currently a model and musician, who plays punk rock jams in West Sussex.

The former child star welcomed her first baby, daughter Frances, in April 2020, with partner Alex Whivley-Conway.

The England native portrayed Law’s youngest daughter, Olivia, in The Holiday. It is her only acting credit to date. Pritchard has kept a low profile since starring in the rom-com and doesn’t appear to have a social media presence.