We've all heard the child star horror stories: parents stealing all their earnings, criminal charges, and rehab stints. Or more often than not they simply fade into obscurity. But occasionally these showbiz kids are able to make the transition into adulthood and become Hollywood powerhouses. Here some of the most successful former child stars working today.

Drew Barrymore

U Age: 34

Years in Show Business: 33

The fourth generation in an acting family, Drew appeared in a commercial when she was eleven months old. After winning over audiences at age six in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," Drew had some tough teenage years. But she came back as a grown-up star, and now she has her first movie as a director, "Whip It."

Christian Bale

Age: 35

Years in Show Business: 23

Though he appeared in some TV movies beforehand. Bale's first major role was as the lead in Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun." Since then, his star has steadily risen. Last year, he played the Caped Crusader in "The Dark Knight," one of the highest-grossing movies ever. This year, he starred in a pair of summer blockbusters: "Terminator Salvation" and "Public Enemies."

Jodie Foster

Age: 46

Years in Show Business: 43

A Coppertone Girl at age three. Jodie was doing guest spots on TV by six. While shooting her first movie, Disney's "Napoleon and Samantha," 10-year-old Jodie was picked up and mauled by her lion costar. It left her with scars, but didn't diminish her drive. She went on to win two Best Actress Oscars, continues to star in hits like "The Brave One," and is currently directing her third feature. Christina Ricci

Age: 29

Years in Show Business: 23

Like many others, Christina was a child model until she got her first acting gig in the 1990 movie "Mermaids" with Cher. After the success of "The Addams Family,” she became known for quirky and sometimes dark roles. She started taking on more adult roles with the bawdy "The Opposite of Sex," and got great reviews

starring with Samuel L. Jackson in "Black Snake Moan."

Leonardo Dicaprio

Age: 34

Years in Show Business: 19

Leo is a late-comer compared to some, getting his first break at 15 on the short-lived TV version of "Parenthood" in 1990. He appeared on the last season of "Growing Pains," but really got attention starring with Robert De Niro in 1993's "This Boy's Life." The next year he was Oscar nominated for "What's Eating Gilbert Grape." And then he was in the biggest movie of all-time. Next up: his fourth movie with Martin Scorsese, "Shutter Island."

Scarlett Johansson

Age: 24

Years in Show Business: 15

Johansson got her start at the tender age of nine with a bit part in Rob Reiner's box-office dud "North." Now she's a bona-fide A-lister. Next year, she will star as the duplicitous Black Widow opposite Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man 2."

Reese Witherspoon

Age: 33

Years in Show Business: 19 Reese auditioned for a bit part in "The Man in the Moon" on a lark and wound up with the lead. She's since gone on to win an Oscar for her turn as June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line." This year, she could be heard in "Monsters vs. Aliens."

Natalie Portman

Age: 28

Years in Show Business: 15

Portman first role was in Luc Besson's "The Professional" (aka "Leon") in 1994. After she took a brief hiatus to go to Harvard, Portman went on to star in Oscar-nominated movies and crowdpleasing blockbusters. She costarred with fellow former child star Scarlett Johannson in "The Other Boleyn Girl," and watch forherinthe2011 Marvel fiick"Thor."

Kirsten Dunst

Age: 27

Years in Show Business: 24

At three years old, Kirsten was a child model in commercials, and at eight made her film debut in Woody Allen's section of "New York Stories." She made a big impression kissing Brad Pitt when she was only 10 in "Interview with a Vampire." Since then she had huge hits with the "Spider-Man” movies and showed of her majestic side as "Marie Antoinette."

Kurt Russell

Age: 58

Years in Show Business: 46

At age 12, Kurt appeared in the 1963 movie "It Happened at the World's Fair" starring Elvis Presley. 16 years later, he played Elvis in the TV movie about his life. That was his first film with director John Carpenter, who then turned Kurt into an action star with "Escape From New York." Kurt was still doing action -- and his own stunt driving - - in 2007's "Grindhouse."

Compiled by Cultural Correspondent