This ‘Angelic’ Child Star Stayed under the Radar — He Looks ‘Unrecognizable’ & Grew Beard to Hide from the Public

The star rose to fame with his moving role in “Forrest Gump” as the son of the main character. This actor became a beloved figure in American cinema.

His career soared after starring in “The Sixth Sense” (1999), along with Bruce Willis — a role that won him critical acclaim. A year after this breakthrough, the child prodigy acted with Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt in “Pay It Forward.” He then starred in Steven Spielberg’s “A.I. Artificial Intelligence,” the following year.

This early success laid the groundwork for his career. He would become the first millennial to receive an Oscar acting nomination but lost to Michael Caine.

From having an angelic look to a more mature appearance, here is the history-making child star who has significantly transformed through the years.

The Actor in 1994

In 1994, a young Haley Joel Osment charmed audiences with his boyish innocence. Images from that year show him with a cherubic face, framed by light brown hair.

He showed joyful curiosity in commercials and serious thought in film roles. While very young, he had a remarkable ability to convey deep emotions. Both audiences and critics loved this about him.

The child star fell into acting by chance. At the age of four, someone spotted him in Ikea. He first appeared on screen in a 1993 Pizza Hut ad. Soon afterward, he was approached by the “Forrest Gump,” director.

Playing Forrest Jr. was only a small part of five-year-old Osment’s career. But, his screen test with Tom Hanks still circulates on social media. This is thanks to their heartwarming double act.

Osment in 1997

By 1997, Osment still appeared in TV and film. His appearance during this period showed a slight change from his early years. The award-winning star began to grow into his features, with a more defined look. It hinted at the young adult he would soon become.

Osment in 1999

“The Sixth Sense” came out in 1999. It saw Osment change into a serious, thoughtful young star. His deep-set eyes and serious manner captured his character’s haunted feelings.

This role brought him global fame. It also secured his place in Hollywood. People saw him as a talented young actor with an old soul.

Director M Night Shyamalan had worried that Osment was too much of a “cherub” to cast in “The Sixth Sense.” But the boy was also serious-minded and precocious.

For Osment’s final audition of three for “The Sixth Sense,” he wore a suit. Shyamalan said the boy’s vulnerability and depth moved him to tears. He was especially moved by Osment’s delivery of the now-classic line, “I see dead people.”

Osment in 2000

At the start of the new millennium, Osment attended the 72nd Academy Awards as a nominee. The event marked him as one of Hollywood’s top young talents.

Osment’s style had matured at this time. He seemed more polished at public events. His youthful charm now came with growing sophistication.

He also found himself back at school where he was not treated as a celebrity. Then in fifth grade, Osment admitted that it was a “shift in gear,” as he found it easier to navigate.

“The Sixth Sense,” at the time was considered unsuitable for kids under 13. Most of Osment’s classmates did not even get to see the Oscar-nominated film.

Meanwhile, the movie’s star’s sister, Emily Osment, had “a way tougher path” to fame. She is best known for appearing in the popular Disney series, “Hannah Montana,” alongside Miley Cyrus.

The actress’s older brother explained that she had to deal with the invasion of privacy while starring in the show. This deprived her of having a normal life.

Osment further explained what made things worse was that his sibling had to be on social media. Unlike her, he resisted until he was 27 years old.

Osment in 2002

By 2002, Osment still worked on the big screen but under the radar. Not many recognized him as the child that starred in “The Sixth Sense.”

He had done voice work for films like “The Country Bears” and ” The Jungle Book 2,” showing his versatility. Moreover, his looks began to show signs of adolescence.

His face became more angular and he had a teenage growth spurt. It made him look very different from the young boy America had first loved.

Osment in 2005

In 2005, Osment’s looks had changed as he had grown taller. This reflected his shift from a child star to a young adult actor.

Osment in 2006

The year 2006 was tumultuous for Osment. It involved a highly publicized drunk driving incident that resulted in an arrest. In mug shots from this time, he looked like a young man. This was a stark contrast to his polished public image in earlier years.

Osment suffered multiple injuries including a fractured rib and a hurt shoulder. He was charged with driving under the influence and underage drinking.

The then 18-year-old relocated to New York to study experimental theatre at New York University. His parents wanted him to experience college life and so did he.

“I did work that practically nobody saw for a long time, which was not a great career move – but, ultimately, was important for me to figure out whether this was what I truly wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Osment once said.

Osment in 2007

By 2007, Osment was working to rebuild his career and image. His roles during this period showed a more mature perspective. He chose projects that showed his depth as an actor. He did not rely on the innocent charm of his youth.

Osment in 2008

In 2008, Osment made his Broadway debut, a significant step in his career. His appearance had matured, with the early signs of facial hair giving him a more grown-up look.

His role as a heroin addict in “American Buffalo” let him explore dark, complex themes. “That was definitely a very fun period of playing a lot of bad guys,” Osment admitted in a 2020 interview.

This experience also further distanced him from his child-star persona. He agreed that it might have been an act of rebelliousness against his “angelic childhood image.”

Osment in 2012

In 2012, Osment took on the role in the film “Sassy Pants.” It showed his ability to play against type. He looked very different but still had youthful features.

The movie star had a pinch-his-cheeks-cute face which was rounder. Additionally, his body was a lot beefier, than in his youth.

His performance in “Sassy Pants” was as a quirky, unconventional character. It won him praise and showed his willingness to push acting’s boundaries.

Osment in 2014

By 2014, Osment had immersed himself in character roles. The roles leveraged his dramatic skill. His stint in “Sex Ed” showed his comic timing.

Notably, Osment’s look was fuller and he had a well-groomed beard. It matched his shift to more mature and nuanced characters. He looked unrecognizable after gaining weight.

Social media users expressed shock at how Osment looked entirely different than before. They took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to comment on his weight gain.

“Just noticed Haley Joel Osment in the ending credits of ‘What We Do in the Shadows.’ I’m like who? When? Had to google it omg completely unrecognizable,” wrote one person. Another said, “Can we talk about how Haley Joel Osment is almost unrecognizable in this?”

Someone else penned, “Does this man make you wonder why Haley Joel Osment gained so much weight? Almost unrecognizable. Such an incredible actor and now no parts for Haley.”

However, Osment was okay with appearing different. “I would say it’s fine that it’s unrecognizable. It’s good. […] there’s those sort of roles that give you the opportunity to undergo a transformation like that are really really kind of fun,” Osment lamented.

Osment in 2016

Osment kept appearing in TV and film. This showed his stable career. He had a look that was both friendly and mature. His roles often need a mix of sensitivity and strength. This mix had become a hallmark of his performances.

Osment in 2017

Osment took on roles with serious themes by 2017. They reflected his growth as an actor who can handle complex issues. He presented himself with a neat beard and a polished appearance.

Osment in 2018

Osment starred in the praised series “Silicon Valley.” The comedy show aired for six seasons from 2014 to 2019 and it won two Primetime Emmy Awards. This stint was a departure from Osment’s previous roles.

He played a tech-savvy character and his look was clean and modern. It fit the tech theme of the show. He had a sharp wit and timing that resonated well with audiences.

During this period, Osment had a full-grown beard. The star revealed that he grew a beard “to try to hide in public. That didn’t really work at all.”

Having grown up in the limelight, Osment’s upbringing is not cliched like that of fellow child stars. He once commented on working as a child saying there is an expectation for negative experiences along the way.

“But I think there are a lot more stories of people who had positive experiences working as children and didn’t have that kind of cliched storyline going forward. And that’s been the case for me,” Osment explained.

Osment in 2020

The year 2020 found Osment reflecting on his career during the lockdown. During this time, his roles were introspective. They mirrored his personal journey from child star to established actor. During this time, he had moved back to his hometown LA after living in NY for 13 years.

Osment in 2023

Osment’s career continued to thrive in 2023. He had roles in both TV and film. They used his wide acting range. His look was now distinguished as he had a beard and a confident manner. It matched the complexity of the characters he portrayed.

Osment in 2024

As of 2024, Osment remains respected in acting. His current appearance reflects a long journey. He has gone from a child star to a seasoned actor. He has a well-groomed beard and a mature, thoughtful demeanor.

Osment still receives recognition for transforming his abilities and dedicating himself to his craft. “Nice to see a child actor turned out normal,” commented one user. Another wrote, “This guy is still absolutely adorable. He has such a tremendous presence and seems to really have fun with what he does and not take it too seriously.”

“He’s so cute he seems like he would be good at hugging,” one individual expressed. Someone else echoed, “He looks like a huge cuddly teddy bear!!! I just wanna give him a BIG hug!!!!”

“It’s pretty apparent that he grew up to be a very intelligent actor. I see him as the next Phillip Seymour Hoffman,” one social media user stated.

In a September 2024 interview with Entertainment Weekly, the child prodigy reflected on his relationship with Willis after “The Sixth Sense” became a hit. “I heard from him a lot after it came out in those subsequent years. He’d leave voicemails at the house from time to time, just checking in. He would just call out of the blue, so sometimes it was in the lead up before travel,” he shared.

“We went to Japan together twice, if I remember correctly, to open Sixth Sense in different cities. So he would call ahead of that, and then sometimes I would just come home from school and the answering machine would be blinking and it’d be him going like, ‘Hey, Haley Joel. Just saying hi.’ I need to find those old answering tapes. I know we preserved those,” noted Osment.

Osment also shared that while he knows Willis’ daughters a little, he hasn’t spoken to the actor since the news of his health struggles became public.

Osment was once a child prodigy. Now, he is a versatile actor. He has made bold choices and delivered transformative performances throughout his career.

Most recently, Osment appeared in the 2024 psychological thriller “Blink Twice,” starring alongside Channing Tatum, Zoë Kravitz, and Naomi Ackie. This role, like many of his others, showcases his continued evolution as an actor.

Each year has marked a big step in his journey. This is true not in his chosen roles but in his physical change. He has become almost unrecognizable from his days as a child star.