Heather O’Rourke
> Role: Carol Anne Freeling
> Movie: “Poltergeist” (1982)
> Director: Tobe Hooper
Six-year-old Heather O’Rourke played the child harassed by demons in “Poltergeist,” and would utter the famous line, “They’re back,” in the sequel. She appeared on the television series “Happy Days” and “Webster” before her untimely death at 12 years old in 1988.
Drew Barrymore
> Role: Gertie
> Movie: “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982)
> Director: Steven Spielberg
Drew Barrymore, scion of one of America’s greatest acting families, became the big screen’s youngest scream queen at 6 years old upon seeing the alien in “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” Barrymore has had a full career as an actress (78 credits) and producer (26 credits). Her acting credits include “Fever Pitch,” “Never Been Kissed,” and “Donnie Darko.”
Aleksei Kravchenko
> Role: Flyora Gayshun
> Movie: “Come and See” (1985)
> Director: Elem Klimov
Aleksey Kravchenko appeared as a teenaged resistance fighter battling the Nazis in the harrowing film “Come and See.” He also appeared in the anti-war motion picture “The 9th Company,” about the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Corey Haim
> Role: Lucas
> Movie: “Lucas” (1986)
> Director: David Seltzer
Canadian-born Corey Haim appeared in the early 1980s Canadian series “The Edison Twins” before he hit the big screen in the title role “Lucas” about teenage love. His performance was lauded by critics such as Roger Ebert. Among his other film credits are “The Lost Boys” and the horror flick “Watchers.”
River Phoenix
> Role: Chris Chambers
> Movie: “Stand By Me” (1986)
> Director: Rob Reiner
Sixteen-year-old River Phoenix received critical acclaim for his performance in the coming-of-age film “Stand By Me.” Phoenix had other successes such as “The Mosquito Coast,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (as the young Jones), “My Own Private Idaho,” and his Oscar-nominated role in “Running on Empty.” His promising career was cut short by a fatal drug overdose in 1993.
