8 Oscar Winners Who Got Their Acting Starts As Kids (2 of 5)

Leonardo DiCaprio

DiCaprio is the epitome of an actor who made a successful transition from child star to acclaimed adult performer. He got his start playing a homeless teen who gets adopted by the Seaver family in “Growing Pain.” He also received praise for his role in the film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, although it wasn’t until he hit the jackpot with Titanic that people started to view him as more than just a good-looking actor. Although he has been an A-lister for a couple of decades, he didn’t truly achieve the pinnacle of success until 2016, when he finally won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in The Revenant.

Reese Witherspoon

Although Reese Witherspoon’s breakthrough came with her role as the precocious and ambitious Tracy Flick in the 1999 film Election, her career trajectory can actually be traced back to her standout performance in the 1991 coming-of-age film The Man in the Moon. Fifteen at the time, she captivated audiences with her portrayal of the young and introspective Dani Trant. She continued to impress movie-goers with her performances in various movies, showcasing her versatility and comedic timing. She would go on to win an Oscar for Best Actress in 2006 for her role in the biopic Walk the Line.