40 TV Kids You Grew Up With: 8 Are Gone by 2026

Forty kids from the shows you watched every week, then and now, in 2026. Eight of them didn't live to see it. Let's count who's still here. THE REELS 0:00 Melissa Gilbert 0:15 Forty kids 0:24 The Big Families: Alison Arngrim, Melissa Sue Anderson, Shannen Doherty, Eve Plumb, Susan Olsen, Barry Williams, Anissa Jones, Christopher Knight, Mike Lookinland, Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough, Adam Rich, Kristy McNichol 3:42 The Sitcom Kids: Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges, Dana Plato, Kim Fields, Nancy McKeon, Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn, Janet Jackson, Erin Moran, Joey Lawrence, Jason Bateman, Alfonso Ribeiro 6:26 The Eighties: Lisa Bonet, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Justine Bateman, Kirk Cameron, Alyssa Milano, Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Soleil Moon Frye, Fred Savage, Danica McKellar, Jaleel White, Neil Patrick Harris 9:15 The last one on: Maureen McCormick IN MEMORY Anissa Jones (1958–1976), Dana Plato (1964–1999), Gary Coleman (1968–2010), Suzanne Crough (1963–2015), Erin Moran (1960–2017), Adam Rich (1968–2023), Shannen Doherty (1971–2024), Malcolm-Jamal Warner (1970–2025). FROM THE RECORD ◆ Janet Jackson accepted the Grammy Hall of Fame honor for Rhythm Nation 1814 in May 2026. ◆ Jason Bateman co-hosted a live SmartLess show at the Hollywood Bowl in October 2026. ◆ Alyssa Milano's thriller The Night Driver opened Screamfest in Los Angeles in October 2026. ◆ Melissa Gilbert was on stage off Broadway in December 2025, in a play called Pen Pals. CREDITS Ages are as of October 28, 2026, from dates of birth checked in two sources each; every recent appearance is from a dated 2024–2026 report. "Then" images are studio restorations of period photographs, colorized where the original was black-and-white. "Now" portraits are newly made studio portraits based on recent public appearances. Neither is an original photograph. Music and sound effects — Epidemic Sound. If you or someone you know is struggling, in the U.S. you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Outside the U.S., contact your local emergency number. Not affiliated with any studio, network or the actors. No health news, no gossip. Researched, written and edited for The Last Reel.