20 Child Stars Who Walked Away From Acting for Regular Careers

Bridgit Mendler’s career change makes “regular job” feel slightly inadequate. After beginning acting at 11 and becoming a Disney Channel star through Good Luck Charlie, Mendler pursued advanced academic work at MIT and earned a law degree from Harvard. She then co-founded Northwood Space and became its CEO, working on satellite communications infrastructure. By 2026, the company had raised another $100 million. Most former Disney kids simply leave television; Mendler apparently decided outer space needed her next.