Alyssa Milano is an example of a child actor who has stayed in the business and come out of the other side without any horrible trauma. She has been in many iconic shows like Who's the Boss, Melrose Place, Charmed, My Name is Earl, and Mistresses. She has her babysitter to thank for her acting success. Her babysitter took her to an audition for Annie in which she was chosen out of 1,500 girls.
She had a difficult time breaking into movies and shows as an adult, especially as a sex symbol, because people still saw her as the little girl from Who's the Boss. She ended up doing some risque photo shoots and roles to help break out of that good-girl image. Now she's known as a sex symbol. I know I had her poster up on my wall.