Youngest Stars: The Complete List

Stage, screen and concert halls have long been places where prodigies surface early, changing how we think about talent and timing. Looking at these careers together highlights patterns in training, opportunity and the moments that make a young performer famous.

There are 28 Youngest Stars, ranging from Anna Paquin to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. For each entry you’ll find below Age when notable (years),Birthdate,Notable for (max 15 words) so you can scan ages, dates and the single accomplishment that put each person on the map.

How did you decide who counts as one of the youngest stars?

Inclusions are based on a clearly dated, publicly recognized achievement (performance, award, film role, composition premiere) that made the person notable; entries rely on reputable sources and aim to reflect the age at the time of that specific milestone.

Why might an age listed here differ from other sources?

Ages can vary because some sources cite the date of publication, premiere or award differently, or define “notable” in other ways; the table lists the age tied to the single event used as the defining milestone.

Youngest Stars

Images and Descriptions

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Born in Salzburg, Mozart was performing for royalty and composing short pieces by age six. His early court appearances and miniature compositions made him a European phenomenon, proving extraordinary musical gifts and setting a lifelong career in classical music.

Shirley Temple

American Shirley Temple became a national sensation in the 1930s with hit films and signature songs. By age six she was the era’s top box-office attraction, reshaping child stardom and influencing Hollywood’s marketing of young performers.

Judy Garland

Raised in vaudeville and MGM, Judy Garland’s portrayal of Dorothy at 16 in The Wizard of Oz (1939) made her an instant icon. That role launched a lifelong career and established her as one of the century’s most beloved performers.

Tatum O’Neal

Tatum O’Neal won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Paper Moon at age ten. Her Oscar remains the record for youngest competitive winner, a milestone that spotlighted both her performance and child actors in serious dramatic roles.

Anna Paquin

Born in Canada and raised in New Zealand, Anna Paquin earned the Best Supporting Actress Oscar at 11 for The Piano (1993). Her win made global headlines, cementing her status among the youngest major award winners in film history.

Justin Bieber

Discovered on YouTube and signed at about age 15, Canadian Justin Bieber exploded into pop stardom with early singles and international tours. His rapid rise from online performer to global pop star exemplified social media’s power in launching young careers.

Billie Eilish

Raised in Los Angeles, Billie Eilish released “Ocean Eyes” at 14 and soon gained wide attention for her voice and distinctive style. Her teenage breakthrough led to chart success, Grammys, and a new generation of singer-songwriters embracing DIY online launches.

Lorde

New Zealander Lorde wrote and released “Royals” as a teenager; the 2013 hit topped global charts and earned multiple awards. Her mature songwriting and minimalist production stood out, turning age-16 Lorde into an unexpected pop tastemaker.

Stevie Wonder

Born in Michigan, Stevie Wonder was signed to Motown around age eleven and marketed as “Little Stevie Wonder.” Early hits showcased his prodigious talent on harmonica and voice, beginning a long, influential career in soul and pop music.

Michael Jackson

From Gary, Indiana, Michael Jackson rose to fame as the precocious lead singer of the Jackson 5, scoring Motown hits at about age eleven. That child-star success launched his path to becoming one of the world’s best-selling solo artists.

Jackie Coogan

Jackie Coogan captured audiences as the child co-star in Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid (1921). His success made him one of the earliest American child film stars and later led to legal protections for child actor earnings in California.

Malala Yousafzai

From Pakistan’s Swat Valley, Malala became internationally known for advocating girls’ education and surviving an assassination attempt. At 17 she received the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the youngest laureate and a global symbol of youth activism for education rights.

Nadia Comăneci

Romanian Nadia Comăneci stunned the world at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, scoring the first perfect 10 in gymnastics at age 14. Her performance won multiple golds, transformed the sport’s global popularity, and made her a teenage athletic icon.

Pelé

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, broke out at the 1958 World Cup, scoring and helping Brazil win the tournament at age 17. His early brilliance on football’s biggest stage launched a legend in global soccer history.

Martina Hingis

Swiss tennis phenom Martina Hingis won the 1997 Australian Open singles title at 16, becoming the youngest Grand Slam singles champion of the Open Era. Her tactical game and early success reshaped expectations for teenage players in pro tennis.

Bobby Fischer

Born in the U.S., Bobby Fischer became U.S. Chess Champion at 14, demonstrating prodigious strategic talent. His early dominance in national tournaments presaged a rivalry-filled path to the 1972 World Championship and global fame.

Magnus Carlsen

Norwegian Magnus Carlsen achieved the grandmaster title at 13, quickly rising through world rankings. His early ascent to elite status foreshadowed his later reign as world chess champion and consistent top-ranked player.

Simone Biles

American gymnast Simone Biles won her first World Championships all-around title at 16 in 2013. Her combination of power, skill, and new signature moves established her as a generational talent in gymnastics from a young age.

Mary Lou Retton

Hailing from West Virginia, Mary Lou Retton won the Olympic all-around gold at 16, becoming America’s breakout gymnastics star in 1984. Her perfect-10 routines and charismatic performances made her a national sports celebrity.

Kylian Mbappé

French forward Kylian Mbappé was 19 when he starred for France at the 2018 World Cup, scoring and helping his country win. His pace and composure on football’s biggest stage marked him as a generational talent.

Macaulay Culkin

American Macaulay Culkin became a household name at 10 after starring as Kevin in Home Alone (1990). The film’s box-office success turned him into one of the most recognizable child actors of the era.

Drew Barrymore

Born into a showbiz family, Drew Barrymore achieved early fame at seven for her role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Her childhood stardom evolved into a long career as an actress, producer, and media personality.

Dakota Fanning

From Georgia, Dakota Fanning earned acclaim at age seven for her role in I Am Sam (2001). Her mature acting in early childhood set the stage for sustained success in film and television through her teens and adulthood.

Mary-Kate Olsen

Mary-Kate Olsen shared the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House as an infant, becoming famous before her first birthday. The early TV exposure launched a long career in entertainment and later fashion entrepreneurship.

Ashley Olsen

Twin sister of Mary-Kate, Ashley Olsen also debuted as Michelle Tanner on Full House as an infant. The twins’ shared role made them early pop-culture figures and later business partners in fashion and media.

LeBron James

From Akron, Ohio, LeBron James entered the NBA straight from high school at 18 and quickly became a national sensation. His early pro success established him as one of basketball’s defining stars from a very young age.

Venus Williams

American Venus Williams turned pro in her mid-teens and won WTA matches early, rapidly climbing rankings. Her teenage professional debut signaled the start of a career that would transform women’s tennis and sportsmanship.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams went pro at 14, quickly making waves on the WTA tour. Her early entrance into professional tennis set the foundation for a dominant, record-setting career spanning decades and many Grand Slam titles.