11 Child Stars Who Sought Emancipation

Some just wanted to skirt child labor laws
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 2, 2013 7:09 AM CDT
11 Child Stars Who Sought Emancipation
Jaden Smith doesn't really want to be emancipated from his parents—but these 10 child stars did: Drew Barrymore petitioned for emancipation in 1991, when she was 15, in order to skirt child labor laws restricting the hours she could work.   (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Turns out Jaden Smith doesn't really want to be emancipated from his parents—but these 10 child stars, rounded up by the Huffington Post, did:

  • Drew Barrymore petitioned for emancipation in 1991, when she was 15, in order to skirt child labor laws that were restricting the hours she could work.
  • Alicia Silverstone did the same thing, at the same age, so she could film The Crush in 1993.

  • Michelle Williams was also emancipated at age 15, but she later said she was "stupid" to live on her own: "I didn't know what I was taking on."
  • Macaulay Culkin's quest for emancipation was a bit more contentious: It was preceded by a custody battle and a financial fight.
  • Similarly, financial reasons were behind Corey Feldman's emancipation at age 15—he discovered he only had $40,000 left of $1 million he'd earned.
  • Emancipation runs in this family: Courtney Love was emancipated as a teen, and then her daughter Frances Bean Cobain won emancipation in 2010.
Click for the complete list. (Read more Drew Barrymore stories.)

We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy.
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X