Tag Archives: abigail breslin

Former “Naked Brothers Band” Child Stars, Nat & Alex Wolff, Release Indie-Feel Album “Black Sheep”

Former “Naked Brothers Band” Child Stars, Nat & Alex Wolff, Release Indie-Feel Album “Black Sheep”

Posted on 11. Oct, 2011 by .

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Brothers, recording artists and actors Nat and Alex Wolff were destined to be stars from the start and they have the resumes to prove it. “Black Sheep,” their very first album as Nat & Alex Wolff, was produced by Matt Wallace (Maroon 5, Faith No More, O.A.R., The Replacements) and shows these two coming into their own with serious musical chops and the songwriting skills to back them.

The first single off “Black Sheep” and video for the track “Thump Thump Thump,” features Academy Award Nominee Abigail Breslin and Alex Wolff alongside a ton of puppy love, both literally and figuratively. The video for the second single, “Maybe” features Nat Wolff and a mannequin in a modern love triangle straight out of a movie (ala Lars and the Real Girl). Although the band would not be complete without the talents of the two brothers, it is each of their unique, yet complementing, personalities that sets this indie-rock duo head and shoulders above the rest.

“Black Sheep” was written entirely by Nat and Alex Wolff and is a step in a different, more sophisticated direction for the duo as evidenced by the release of the first two singles, “Thump Thump Thump” and “Maybe.” The two have cited their major influences for the album as Bob Dylan, Green Day, The Velvet Underground, and The Rolling Stones. It’s evident that these brothers have done much maturing in the years since their last album, allowing them to remain relevant without being forced to reinvent themselves.

Eldest brother Nat Wolff, 16, was only in pre-school when he formed his first band, The Silver Boulders, and younger brother Alex, now 13, learned to play the saxophone before the age of three. After begging their mother and father (actor and screenwriter Polly Draper and jazz pianist and composer Michael Wolff) repeatedly for the chance to be child stars, they finally agreed to let the boys record in the studio with their father. While in the studio, Polly came up with the idea for a mock documentary, treating the boys’ band as if they were huge like The Beatles, and The Naked Brothers Band was born. Originally the stars of Nickelodeon’s The Naked Brothers Band, the TV series went on to have an incredible run, garnering Nat and Alex many accolades including a 2007 BMI Cable Award for their work on the show (making them the youngest award recipients ever), a nomination for best band at the 2009 Australian Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards, and a performance at the Song Writers Hall of Fame at the request of John Sebastian.

After the successful multi-year run on Nickelodeon, two full-length albums, a DVD, cross-country touring and appearances on ABC’s Good Morning America and The View, the brothers were ready to shed their old moniker and graduate to the next level: Nat & Alex Wolff the recording duo was born. The talented brothers have since traversed the country, playing everywhere from Pop-Con 2010 alongside Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez to New York’s 2010 Earth Day concert. For the past two years, the brothers have been hard at work on their first album as Nat & Alex Wolff. Recorded in LA and New York over several weeks in 2009 and 2010, their album Black Sheep released today, October 11, 2011.

In addition to writing and recording “Black Sheep,” the brothers have kept busy with acting roles; most recently Nat filmed roles in the upcoming movies New Years Eve and Peace, Love and Misunderstanding, while Alex appeared on episodes of hit TV shows Monk and In Treatment, as well as in the Fall Out Boy video for “The Take Over, The Break’s Over.” Additionally, Alex wrote and both boys starred in the 2010 play What Would Woody Do? at New York’s Flea Theater.

Today’s release of Black Sheep represents an exciting step into new territory for Nat & Alex Wolff, and one the duo is ready to take by storm.

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Cameron Diaz Tells Young Actors, “Work Your Ass Off!”

Cameron Diaz Tells Young Actors, “Work Your Ass Off!”

Posted on 07. Jul, 2011 by .

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Last week it was her ex-beau and former child star Justin Timberlake offering child actor advice, and this week, Bad Teacher star Cameron Diaz fires off her opinion on having a career in Hollywood, telling young actors, “You have to work for it!”

The actress, who has worked with talented child actors Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva, Matthew Evans, Kaitlyn Dever, Noah Munck and many others, shared with WENN that she’s tired of young talent who mistakenly think doors should be open to them and believes kids today expect fame to come too easily.   She told the media outlet, “From 33 years old and [younger], kids have no concept of what it is to work hard and, in the business we’re in, making movies, you get nowhere if you’re not willing to work your a** off because we work major hours. You need to work really hard to make a movie.”

On work ethic in the entertainment industry, Diaz stated, “It drives me so crazy when people don’t have a good work ethic. If you’re gonna be here, work your a** off.  There’s a handful [of young actors] that do have a work ethic and they stand out and they’re the ones that are gonna go far because the majority of kids just think that everything should just be handed to them; that they’re entitled to it.”  She did not mention any of the child actors whom she was referencing, by name.

The single, childless Diaz suggests parents not make life too easy for their offspring: “It’s the generation of the credit card. My parents didn’t have credit cards. You didn’t get to have something you couldn’t pay for when I was a kid. When I wanted something I had to have the money to buy it. I think the mentality that we don’t have to have the money to have things, means you don’t have to work to have them. I see that a lot with the youth.”

Do you think she has a point? Does today’s generation of child actors expect too much? Are we raising a culture of entitled youth?

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Child Star Abigail Breslin’s “New Year’s Eve” Salary Guarantees a Happy New Year!

Child Star Abigail Breslin’s “New Year’s Eve” Salary Guarantees a Happy New Year!

Posted on 26. May, 2011 by .

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Young Actress Abigail Breslin earned $275,000 for one week’s work on the upcoming movie “New Year’s Eve,” according to the 15 year old’s contract.  She will play Sarah Jessica Parker’s daughter in “New Year’s Eve,” which also stars Robert De Niro, Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl.

According to TMZ, the young starlet earned $39,285 a day in March for shooting her scenes for the comedy — and will command the same day rate in the event that any scenes need to be re-shot in post-production.

To put this in perspective, if she were to work daily at this rate she would earn a whopping $14 million per year. Jaden Smith was named the top earning film child star and his 3 million salary on “Karate Kid” pales in comparison to this.

Breslin’s minor contract, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, also showed that she would net an additional $100,000 if the flick’s box office receipts exceeded $150 million.

The actress starred in her first movie, “Signs,” when she was 5 but became a household name in the 2006 box office hit “Little Miss Sunshine.”

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CHILD STAR STYLE: Abigail Breslin Debuts a Blonde Bombshell Persona at the Hot Pink Party!

CHILD STAR STYLE: Abigail Breslin Debuts a Blonde Bombshell Persona at the Hot Pink Party!

Posted on 15. Apr, 2011 by .

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Hold onto your headbands! For those of you who remember her from “Little Miss Sunshine,” (picture right) 15 year old Actress Abigail Breslin‘s new look may take you by surprise.  Miss Breslin debuted a decidedly more mature look replete with strawberry blonde locks and a fire engine red Marchesa gown at the 2011 Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Hot Pink Party held at The Waldorf Astoria on April 14, 2011 in New York City.

US Magazine reports that Breslin went Blonde for a movie role.  Scott Peper, senior colorist at the Oscar Blandi Salon in NYC reveals the color change took almost four hours, commenting, “The color is a soft pale shade, not a bright gold shade like Lindsay Lohan. It looks natural and age-appropriate.”  Breslin reportedly loves her new do.

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Profile: Headshot Photographer Doreen Stone

Profile: Headshot Photographer Doreen Stone

Posted on 10. Apr, 2011 by .

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Bio: Doreen Stone has been in the business of professional head shot photography for more than 2 decades – surprising considering she doesn’t look a day over 25 herself.  Over her illustrious career Doreen has photographed almost every child star you can imagine from 80′s & 90′s child stars like Mario Lopez (Extra!) and Danielle Fishel (The Dish!) to feature film a-listers Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine, My Sister’s Keeper), today’s television stars such as Ariel Winter (Modern Family) and tomorrow’s stars like Mackenzie Foy (who plays Renesmee Cullen in the next Twilight installment)  When my daughter Jordan shot with her earlier this year not only did she nail the “specific” photo looks we required, I learned a lot about the artist behind the lens!

Jordan Bobbitt in her aloof, rich girl pose. Doreen nailed it!

HMB: How did you become a headshot photographer?

Doreen Stone: From a very young age, I’ve been drawn to photography. Although I never had an interest in the technical aspects, looking through a camera lens was really a way for me to connect more deeply with people and really, the world.  I am most alive and present when I am behind my camera. I see each person before me as a gift. I see each person’s uniqueness.

HMB: What’s your method and philosophy:

Doreen Stone: When I look through the camera lens, I am forced to focus on the person in a way I never before would have noticed to think about.  I think that’s why my head shots are so different and special.  I am sensitive to each individual personality and understand that some clients may feel trepidation when entering a session…but through trust and even humor, I really concentrate on creating a carefree environment.  I don’t pressure my clients but instead try to draw them out. I also try to take [them] by surprise – like capturing a moment before they even know the picture was taken. This helps [avoid] having those fake smiles and poses.

If I am doing my job right, there comes a moment when there is a sense that everything has come together…the lighting, the mood and the emotion. At this point it just hits me and I know, “That’s a good picture!”  I believe all my clients are worthy of such attention.  I [believe] this philosophy evolved from my decision to shoot more children and teens.

The winning combo of cute kids caught on film with great lighting are a Doreen Stone signature

HMB: How did you come to primarily specialize in photographing kids and teens?

Doreen Stone: Kids have this amazing openness and receptivity.  They are also so flexible and usually have no expectations. They’re in the moment with me, creating the most amazing environment of trust and humor. Unfortunately adults seems to loose that carefree spontaneity and are constricted by their expectations of how things ought to look.

HMB: Please give us your perspective as a photographer who prefers film, on why film versus digital cameras.

Doreen Stone: I have to admit the new digital cameras are really awesome. Is there a clear cut answer to digital versus  film? No.  Digital is not “better,” it’s just different. having said that, I prefer the look of film. Mostly the highlights and resolution.  The highlights are richer and the textures more graceful which is important to me for skin tones. But even more, with film you are forced to slow down and think about what you are doing.

I see these photo shoots where the photographer shot 600 pictures with a digital camera and all 600 pictures look exactly the same. No uniqeness. No connection to the moment nor the person sitting in front of them. You will never see that with my pictures.

Mackenzie Foy

HMB: What advice do you give parents to prepare their kids for a shoot?

Doreen Stone: I think it’s important that the parents speak first with the [child's] agents and/or managers and THEN the photographer.  What is the agent or manager looking for? Commercial shot? Theatrical shots? Something more specific? Only head shots, or body shots also?

[I also suggest] they have several changes of clean and ironed clothes. Usually the clothes should be bright and solid colored with no patterns or anything too distracting. The clothes should be casual and appropriate for a child or teen.  Also your picture should look as young as you are…sometimes even a little younger. So my general rule is no make-up!  And most important, your child should have a good nights rest before a shoot.

To schedule your child star’s next headshot session with Doreen Stone, please call (818) 384-9691 or (323) 876-2636.

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CASTING UPDATE: 2 Top Child Actors May Be Out of The Running for Katniss in “The Hunger Games”

CASTING UPDATE: 2 Top Child Actors May Be Out of The Running for Katniss in “The Hunger Games”

Posted on 12. Mar, 2011 by .

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Hold onto your beloved, earmarked hardcover copies of “The Hunger Games,” ladies as it appears Gary Ross and Lionsgate are close to casting Katniss for the feature film version of the trilogy.

Academy Award-nominated Jennifer Lawrence, 20, (Winter’s Bone) is rumored to be the actress who will be offered the lead role in the movie, based on Suzanne Collins‘novel according to Variety. The other contenders are fellow Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) and prolific child star, Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine).

Variety comments that casting a slightly older actress gives producer Lionsgate to choose from larger pool of actors for the male lead character Peeta Mellark. Let’s face it – it would have been beyond uncomfortable to watch a 14 year old flirting with rumored Peeta casting favorite, Alex Pettyfer, 20.

Lawrence can next be seen in former child star Jodie Foster’s, “The Beaver,” starring Mel Gibson, in May.

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NEW TALENT: Kids Jeopardy Champ, Thomas Horn, to Play Sandra Bullock & Tom Hank’s Son in “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”

NEW TALENT: Kids Jeopardy Champ, Thomas Horn, to Play Sandra Bullock & Tom Hank’s Son in “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”

Posted on 17. Dec, 2010 by .

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Director Stephen Daldry (The Reader) has cast Jeopardy-Kids Contestant and acting newbie Thomas Horn, 12, of Piedmont, California to play the son of mega-stars and Oscar winners Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Horn will play Oskar Schell, an intelligent and loquacious 9-year old whose father is killed during the 9/11 World Trade Center terror attack. When Oskar finds a key in what remains of his father’s belongings, the young pacifist/vegan/scientist/artist sets out on a cathartic journey to locate the lock.

Horn is a real-life smarty pants who garnered national attention back in October 2010 when he won first place on the Alex Trebeck-hosted game show Jeopardy! Kids Week, taking home $31,800 in prize money. Horn is represented by ICM, alongside huge child talents Abigail Breslin, and Kodi Smit-McPhee (Let Me In) as well as former child stars Jody Foster and Christina Ricci.

Eric Roth scripted the adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer’s sought-after novel for Warner Brothers. Scott Rudin will produce. Production begins early 2011 in NYC.

Below is an excerpt from an interview done with Horn by SF’s Diablo Magazine a few days before he won the Kids Jeopardy title:
How did you get into trivia?

Horn: I have always liked reading books about facts and trivia as well as history. I also love to talk to people about what’s going on in the world and learning through conversation.

What kind of questions were you hoping they would ask?

My specialties are history, geography, and to a certain extent literature, so I was hoping they would ask questions about U.S. presidents, world capitals, and French writers. I’m terrible at music and pop culture so I didn’t want them to ask anything about that.

How did you prepare for the show? Did you practice your buzzer skills?

I watched lots of jeopardy and took online quizzes. I also bought quiz books that my parents used to quiz me. The buzzing in was nerve racking. I had a hard time with the buzzer at first during my audition and practice sessions but eventually I got the hang of it.

Have you always been a fan of Jeopardy?

I’ve been a fan of the show for about a year now. I first learned about Kids Week when I was watching and there was an advertisement for kids to take an online test. I registered for the test and a while later was called for an audition in L.A. I was nervous when I played the game but it was definitely exciting to meet Alex Trebek.

The winners of Kids Jeopardy get to take a family vacation to one of five locations. If you won which vacation would you choose?

I think I would choose the trip to Alaska because I have never been there and it seems like a beautiful trip. Also it’s not too far from home.

Would you want to do “Jeopardy!” again as an adult?

I would do it again and I it would be nice to have an advantage since I have already done it.

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Variety’s 4th Annual Power of Youth Event Photos and Recap

Variety’s 4th Annual Power of Youth Event Photos and Recap

Posted on 26. Oct, 2010 by .

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Below are photos from Variety’s Power of Youth Event. My immediate impression is that while many wonderful child and teen actors and actresses were in attendance Sunday, many high profile Disney and Nick Kids (Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Miranda Cosgrove, Cole Sprouse, Dylan Sprouse, Miley Cyrus, Debbie Ryan, Emily Osment) were noticeably absent from the event, prime-time television child stars were few and far between (Nolan Gould, Rico Rodriguez, Atticus Shaver, Angus T. Jones) and child stars from feature films (Abigail Breslin, Chloe Moretz, Jonah Bobo, Noah Ringer, Josh Hutcherson, Emma Roberts, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Dakota and Elle Fanning) were no where to be found.  Just an observation. What do you think of the turn out?  Was it what you would have expected for such a high profile event?

4th Annual Power Of Youth 2010 Honorees

HMB fave Madison Pettis Rocks the POY 2010 in a charitable statement tee

Bella Thorne (Dance, Dance Chicago) POY 2010

Pumpkin Kiss Power of Youth 2010

Ariel Winter (Modern Family), Victoria Justice at Monopoly Booth

Bailee Madison with Pumpkin at Power of Youth 2010

Power of Youth Attendees 2010


Power of Youth 2010

Mitchell Musso, Ryan Ochoa

Celebrity Baby Eva Sambora with and Dad Ritchie Sambora. Mom Heather Locklear did not attend.

Celebrity baby Kendall Jenner makes an appearance looking more like momager Chris Jenner each day.

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Abigail Breslin, Now 14 Years Old, Debuts a New Look and A New Film

Abigail Breslin, Now 14 Years Old, Debuts a New Look and A New Film

Posted on 20. Oct, 2010 by .

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Abigail Breslin, now 14 years old, sports a goth look in black and white photos for Bullett Magazine this month, a far cry from the innocent, gap-toothed seven-year-old she we fell in love with in “Little Miss Sunshine.”

The teen star has become the “it girl” for all child roles (heir apparent to Dakota Fanning) since playing Olive in “Little Miss Sunshine,” a role which found her with an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 2007.

Her film roles since then have included playing niece to Catherine Zeta-Jones in “No Reservations,” as a child bravely seeking emancipation inMy Sister’s Keeper, and more recently the comedy-horror flick “Zombieland.”

She is set to show off her singing talents for the first time in the forthcoming drama “Janie Jones,” as a teenager who attempts to forge a relationship with her rock star father after her mother, a former groupie, abandons her.  The film, which co-stars Alessandro Nivola and Elisabeth Shue, recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, with Breslin receiving good reviews for her performance.

”Not that I think I’m a great singer or anything, but I do like to sing,” Breslin told Entertainment Weekly earlier this month. ”I’ve never really done it before — I’ve only really sung at my church Christmas party.”

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It’s a Full House At The 31st Annual Young Artists Awards!

It’s a Full House At The 31st Annual Young Artists Awards!

Posted on 12. Apr, 2010 by .

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HMB's Red Carpet Reporter, Jordan Bobbitt with YAA nominee, Allisyn Ashley Arm of Disney's "Sonny With a Chance." Interview posting soon!

Child and Teen Stars of film, television, internet and theater gathered Sunday at the Beverly Garland Hotel, in North Hollywood for the 31st Annual Young Artist Awards.  Arriving from all points of the globe, so many well-dressed, young stars flooded the YAA red carpet it looked like celebrity rush hour on the 101!  The young stars were photographed by all the news outlets and interviewed by fellow performer Jordan Bobbitt for the Hollywood Mom BlogOn the Red Carpet for ABC and by Piper of Piper’s Picks, among others.  (Jordan’s video coverage of this event’s YAA red carpet will be posted soon, right here on HMB.) Guests were entertained by musical performers Yatharth Ratnum (pictured below), Ashlee Keating and Tyler Shamy.

Here’s a run down of who walked away with the YAA top honors:

In the Feature Film Category Max Records received top honors as Leading Young Actor for his work in “Where The Wild Things Are” and Abigail Breslin won for Leading Young Actress for “My Sister’s Keeper.”  Both of the top honors were received in absentia however, which was somewhat disappointing and anticlimactic given all the actors who did attend and participate. Note to actors: this is a huge honor. Do yourself a favor and show up!

Feature Film Supporting Young Actor honors went to Canadian Ty Wood for “The Haunting” in Connecticut – a personal favorite of ours, who complimented Jordan on her first run as a Red Carpet Reporter. Sofia Vassilieva and Jessica Carlson tied for Supporting Young Actress. Vassilieva won for “My Sister’s Keeper” and Carlson won for “Vampires Assistant.”  Carlson had the spotlight on her acceptance speech as Vassilieva was a no show.

Ensemble Cast honors went to the film “Shorts” with its young stars Jimmy Bennett, Jake Short, Devon Gearhart, Leo Howard, Jolie Vanier and Trevor Gagnon. Short and Vanier accepted on behalf of the entire young cast with genuine enthusiasm and appreciation. It was wonderful to see.

India's Musical Youth, Yatharth Ratnum interviewed by Jordan Bobbitt

Joey Luthman won for Best Young Actor in a Short Film for “Save the Skeet.”  To the crowd’s delight, presenter Nikki Reed jokingly read the winner of the Best Young Actress category as this years’ Oscar, Golden Globe and SAG slam-dunk winner Sandra Bullock, before announcing the real winner,  Madison Leisle for her performance in “City of Lights.”

Presenters Remy Thorne and Sephanie Scott announced Actor Joey Pollari as the winner of Leading Young Actor in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special for “Skyrunners.” In the same category Leading or Supporting Young Actress went to Tori Barban for “The Christmas Hope” and Supporting Young Actor honors went to Alex Ferris for “Living Out Loud.”

For Best Performance in a TV Series the awards went to Calum Worthy, Leading Young Actor for “Stormworld” and Ryan Newman won for Leading Young Actress, for “Zeke and Luther.Ryan Malgarini won Supporting Young Actor honors for Gary Unmarried and his co-star in “Gary Unmarried,” Kathryn Newton, winning for Supporting Young Actress, besting one of our favorites, Allisyn Ashley Arm.  When Kathryn accepted her award she said it was for a former agent who unwittingly told Kathryn she was washed up at the age of 6!  Can you imagine telling a 6 year old her “career” is over? Well good for you Kathryn – look’s like you got the last laugh with a hot prime time TV show and a YAA win to boot!

Guest Starring honors for a young actor 14 and over went to Nate Hartley for Hannah Montana who thanked his life coach & mentor, Mikey Reed and comically thanked Justin Beiber “Just for being so Beiberlicious.”  Actor Billy Unger won Guest Starring Young Actor 13 and Under for “Mental” and Emily Evan Rae won for Guest Starring Young Actress for “Private Practice.”

Recurring Young Actor 14 and Over in a TV Series went to super thoughtful Mick Hazen for As the World Turns who generously thanked not only his real parents but his “fake parents” from the soap.  Colin Ford won for Recurring Young Actor 13 and Under for “Supernatural” and Alex Farrir presented Haley Pullos with Recurring Young Actress honors for “General Hospital.”

Actress & YAA nominee Bella Thorne was a vision in cream as she presented the awards for Outstanding Young Performers in a TV Series to “Modern Family” with its young stars Rico Rodriguez, Nolan Gould and Ariel Winter.  The adorable Nolan Gould (who HMB interviewed at length) graciously accepted on behalf of his cast mates.

Jordan Nagal won for Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role for “Up” and Matthew Knight win for Best Performance in a DVD Film for Gooby. Lastly, Sterling Beaumon won for Best Performance in Live Theater for “‘Big – The Musical.”

For more information go to the organization’s web site youngartistawards.org.

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Forbes Top 10 Teen Actors

Forbes Top 10 Teen Actors

Posted on 05. Jun, 2009 by .

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Forbes recently put out their list of top 10 teen actors. I’d say their right on. These kids not only have talent, but they have “it.” All of them clearly love what they do and were born with natural abilities that with training, just light up the screen.

abigail-breslin

In order of box office pull, Forbes rated them in this order:

  1. Danielle Radcliffe, 19
  2. Miley Cyrus, 16
  3. Dakota Fanning, 15
  4. Abigail Breslin, 13
  5. Hayden Panetierre, 19
  6. Emma Watson, 19
  7. Freddie Highmore, 17
  8. Keke Palmer, 15
  9. Emma Roberts, 18
  10. Anton Yelchin, 20 (No longer a teen Forbes!)

A few of these names may not be as well known, but not for long!  All of these teen actors have more than an ability to deliver lines; they have an apparent maturity and sense of self that works to their advantage in this business. With that ability comes a demand from not only their audience, but the studios that make their movies.  I can’t say if all these kids really have that maturity factor in their day to day lives, but based on their early successes, their publicity interviews, tours and the projects on their calendars, they’re doing something right.

You can read John Burman’s full article at http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/10/teen-star-currency-business-media-forbes-star-currency_slide_2.html?thisSpeed=15000

Post by HMB Guest Contributor, Kathy Partak.

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