Child Stars

New York City native Connor Paolo was still a teenager when he landed the life-changing role of the complex high school student, Eric van der Woodsen -- who had some crazy family connections -- on the iconic The CW television show "Gossip Girl."

Conor Paolo was cast alongside some serious up-and-coming actors including Penn Badgley as the cool in-law, Dan Humphrey, Ed Westwick as the sharp-dressed half brother, Chuck Bass ... and of course, Blake Lively as his sister, Serena van der Woodsen.

Connor went on to also star in the ABC drama "Revenge."

Southern California local Bradley Steven Perry was only 12 years old when shot to stardom after he landed the role of the mischievous middle child Gabe Duncan -- who liked to annoy the neighbors and play pranks on his huge household -- on the family-friendly Disney Channel sitcom "Good Luck Charlie."

Bradley Steven Perry shared the small screen with some cool child actors including Bridgit Mendler as the older sister, Teddy Duncan, Jason Dolley as the big bro, PJ Duncan  ... and of course Mia Talerico as the title character in the show, Charlie Duncan.

New Jersey-born child actor Yvonne Zima was only 7 years old when she was cast as the wishful little sister Sarah Jackson -- who is the reason that her brother has to endure Christmas every day -- in the 1996 holiday movie "Christmas Every Day."

Yvonne shared the screen on the holiday classic with Robert Hays and Bess Armstrong as the caring parents ... and of course Erik von Detten as the older brother.

Yvonne's older sister, Madeline Zima, is also a famous face in Hollywood and was cast as Grace in "The Nanny" and Mia Lewis on "Californication."

East Coast child actor, Adam Hann-Byrd, is best known for his role as the young boy genius Fred Tate -- who gets accepted to college at 7 years old and learns about scholastics ... but mostly learns about life -- in the 1991 coming-of-age film, "Little Man Tate."

Adam Hann-Byrd was cast alongside some big-name actors including Dianne Wiest as the intelligent liaison, Jane Grierson, David Hyde Pierce as the friendly educator, Garth ... and of course Jodie Foster as the caring mom, Dede Tate.

Adam can also be spotted on the big screen in the 1995 film "Jumanji" as the young version of Robin Williams' character, Alan Parrish.

A reboot of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" without Rick Moranis would be like cereal without milk, it wouldn't be right ... according to the woman who played his daughter in the original movies.

Amy O'Neill played Amy Szalinski in the theatrical releases and tells TMZ ... the reboot would have been incomplete without Rick agreeing to return. Amy says without him ... the new production just couldn't work.

Josh Gad is reportedly the star attached to the film -- with original director Joe Johnston also returning -- but Amy told us why Rick's flair was the critical ingredient.

Something else she's fired up about is seeing the new special effects. Remember, when "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" was first released in 1989, its special FX were considered cutting-edge. She says the green screen the film used back in the day was the largest of its kind at the time. More than 30 years later ... she can't even imagine what kinda technology will be used to pull it off this time. She's champing at the bit to see it, though.

Jeremy Sylvers -- who played Tyler in the third Chucky movie -- is facing serious jail time for allegedly stealing his mom's ride ... but it could have been a lot worse.

The now 37-year-old "Child's Play 3" star is facing 6 misdemeanor charges ... including assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (a phone), attempting to prevent someone from reporting a crime and driving and taking a vehicle without consent of the owner.

We broke the story ... Sylvers allegedly knocked down his mom last weekend, and took the keys to her 2002 Honda CRV. He got arrested the next day when cops went to his home to investigate.

The only bright side -- he was NOT charged with felony grand theft auto. He was originally booked for it when he was arrested.

Sylvers is looking at 3.5 years behind bars if convicted on all 6 counts.

Teen star Ethan Wacker's Disney Channel sitcom, "Bizaardvark," should be called 'Cash Cow' ... as far as he's concerned -- 'cause the kid's in line to earn way more than half a mil off the franchise.

We got a hold of the 15-year-old's contract, filed in court because he's a minor, and for the first 2 seasons alone -- 41 episodes -- he's hauled in more than $375k. If the Mouse House signs up for 2 more seasons, with his raises, Ethan could earn more than another $400,000.

The contract also accounts for a potential "Bizaardvark" movie -- Ethan gets $150k for that. He'll bank $75k per movie if Disney opts to use him in any other flicks ... plus some bonus change -- $500 a pop for public appearances.

YouTube celeb Jake Paul ain't trying to get on the A-list ... he's more about the B-list, as in BILLIONAIRE.

We got Jake at LAX Monday where we congratulated him on plunking down $7 mil for a sick new Calabasas crib. Turns out Jake's early goal was to buy a pad in that area. So, he's checked that box.

What's next for the 20-year-old? He unloaded a list of goals for us, and pay attention to the biggest one -- 10 years from now Jake plans to be pretty high on the Forbes list.

Actor Griffin Gluck is growing up and cashing checks ... scoring a sweet contract to play a high schooler on Netflix's new true crime satire, "American Vandal."

Griffin -- known for playing family son roles on movies like "Just Go With It" and "Why Him?" and the TV show "Private Practice" -- landed the series regular role of Sam on the upcoming mockumentary ... at a rate of $7,500 per episode.

Gluck's in all 8 eps ... so that comes out to $60k. Not bad for a 16-year-old.

It gets better -- if 'American Vandal' gets picked up for a second season, he gets a pay hike -- $10k an ep ... and $12,500 if there's a season 3.

You go, Griff.

The show premieres September 15.

Aaron Carter has just come out, saying he's bisexual.

Aaron posted a late-night tweet Saturday in which he says when he was 13, "I started to find boys and girls attractive."

He goes on, "There were years that went by that I thought about it, but it wasn't until I was 17-years-old, after a few relationships with girls, I had an experience with a male that I had an attraction to who I also worked and grew up with."

He says, "This doesn't bring me shame, just a weight and burden I have held onto for a long time that I would like lifted off me."

He ends by quoting Boy George, "I've never felt as though I didn't belong. I just acted as though I did."

Carter has had a rough time in the last month ... he was arrested in July for alcohol and drugs. He and girlfriend Madison Parker were spotted on on the TMZ Celebrity Tour a few days ago when Aaron jumped on the bus and said he had just had an operation but said the details were secret.

Beyonce doesn't believe children should just skate through life until they graduate college ... she's already taken steps to ensure her daughter becomes a mogul, at age 5.

Bey's company wants to launch a line of Blue Ivy Carter products ... from hair care to clothing, mobile devices to video games, and more. The company already filed legal docs to make it happen and, based on our research, it looks like the application will be approved very soon.

This is a case of, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Beyonce's company filed a similar application in 2012, but she was shut down because someone already had a lock on the name, Blue Ivy.

Adding Carter should do the trick.

Co-starring with the likes of Billy Bob Thornton and William Hurt is making a 15-year-old kid a ton o' dough ... as in six figures before he can even drive alone.

Britain Dalton is on David E. Kelly's Amazon lawyer drama, "Goliath" ... and according to the kid's contract, he's making $12,500 per episode for the first season of 8 episodes. That's $100k payday for a kid with just a handful of films under his belt.

Under California law, 15% of a child actor's pay goes into a trust until they turn 18. Sooo ... he'll get a nice bonus in December 2019.

David Beckham's 11-year-old son, Cruz, could find himself kicking it more in recording studios than soccer fields.

Radio stations are talking about playing Cruz's cover ... Justin Bieber's "Home to Mama."

The kid has been singing for a while, but now that radio stations are lining up it looks like it could be more than a hobby.

'Honey Boo Boo' star Kaitlyn Cardwell is healthy and recovering after surgery to remove an extra thumb.

Kaitlyn -- Mama June's 4-year-old granddaughter -- was born while the show was still on-air ... and her extra digit became a big topic of conversation. Kaitlyn's mom, Anna, tells us she made the decision to have the thumb removed to thwart medical issues and bullying.

Kaitlyn will wear a cast for 6 weeks ... but it's definitely worth it.

It could have an adverse effect on her cheese ball intake ... just ask Honey Boo Boo.

Disney star Michael Galeota's history of high blood pressure led to heart disease at just 31 ... this according to the death certificate.

The

-- obtained by TMZ -- shows the actor's cause of death was atherosclerosis heart disease ... a build-up of plaque that clogs the artery wall. Hypertension is also listed as a significant factor.

TMZ broke the story ... Michael died back in January and was discovered lying unconscious in his living room. He'd been battling high cholesterol and diverticulitis -- inflammation of the digestive tract.

The death certificate confirms the star of "The Jersey" on the Disney Channel died of natural causes.

Bug Hall -- best known as Alfalfa from the '90s version of "The Little Rascals" -- says his iconic hairdo wasn't just for looks ... it was the ultimate closer with the ladies.

Hall was in NYC promoting Discovery's new show, "Harley and the Davidsons." Naturally we talked motorcycles and stuff, but it got really interesting when we asked a not-so-innocent question about his post 'Rascals' love life. WHO KNEW???

Also, check out Bug's pipes in this clip. Darla would be proud.