A former child star remains under the radar.
He found success but faced legal issues.
The actor now looks “unrecognizable” after growing a beard to blend in.
The actor at The Hollywood Reporter 4th Annual Young Star Awards on November 7, 1999 | Source: Getty Images
A former child star managed to stay out of the spotlight for years, despite a brush with the law. He now sports a beard, making him hardly recognizable to his fans.
The star rose to fame with his moving role in “Forrest Gump” as the son of the title character. This actor became a beloved figure in American cinema.
Child star and Bruce Willis on the set of “The Sixth Sense,” 1999 | Source: Getty Images
His career soared after starring in “The Sixth Sense” along with Bruce Willis and won 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.
Child prodigy and Bruce Willis on the set of “The Sixth Sense,” 1999 | Source: Getty Image
Chuck Norris and child prodigy on the set of “Walker, Texas Ranger,” 1997 | Source: Getty Images
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, young Haley Osment charmed audiences with his boyish innocence. Images from that year show him with a cherubic face, framed by light brown hair.
Haley Osment on the set of “Thunder Alley,” 1994 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Edward Asner and Haley Osment on the set of “Thunder Alley,” 1994 | Source: Getty Images
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. This led to an approach by “Forrest Gump,” director.
Forrest Jr was only a small part of 5-year-old Osment. 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 earlier 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 has 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 look was more mature. It had the start of facial hair.
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 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.