Jurassic Park changed everything when it premiered in 1993, and not just for those who watched in awe. The film also changed the life of its child stars, especially for Ariana Richards.
30 years later, the actress, who starred as Lex Murphy in the blockbuster film, looks totally unrecognizable. Keep reading to learn more about Ariana and what she's been up to since appearing in Jurassic Park.
© Getty ImagesAriana looks completely different 30 years later
Ariana was a beloved child star
The actress was born on September 11, 1979 and started acting when she was just eight years old. Her first time on screen was in an episode of The Golden Girls. But, it was Jurassic Park, and a brief cameo in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, that moved Ariana to the next echelon.
In February 2014, years after she was in the adventure film, Ariana was voted No. 98 on VH1's 100 Greatest Child Stars list, cementing her place in history.
© Getty ImagesAriana attended the 7th Annual Kids' Choice Awards to accept the blimp award for Favorite Movie on behalf of Jurassic Park
Ariana’s other acting roles
Outside of her Jurassic Park stardom, Ariana went on to act in Hollywood. She appeared in the beloved Christmas film Prancer, in episodes of Boy Meets World, and the monster movie Tremors.
In 1997, Ariana appeared in the “Brick” music video with the band Ben Folds Five.
© InstagramShe sells her art online and on social media
Ariana is an artist
While she teased returning to the screen during a 2006 interview, Ariana instead focused on art as her career. She received a degree in fine arts and drama from Skidmore College and went on to study at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.
Ariana’s paintings, usually of landscapes and figures, tend to be in the style of the impressionists, inspired by Monet and Degas. In June 2015, she opened up to People about her work, saying: "I love to work with people in the art and express their story on canvas and my impression of them and what they want to express and use oils, brushes, canvas to create something that will last the generation."
© InstagramThe couple attend many Jurassic Park events together
She is married
Ariana tied the knot with her husband, Mark Bolton, in January 2013. The two wed in an intimate ceremony in Oregon.
While the child star doesn’t share much about her husband on social media, his Instagram bio reads: “Executive Security Management.”
© InstagramThey are private about their family
Ariana and Mark have one child
The couple welcomed a child in 2015. While they haven't shared the child's name or gender, Ariana opened up about becoming a parent to People in June 2015. "My husband and I are thrilled. This is really a wonderful moment for us. It's super exciting," she shared at the time.
When she was pregnant, Ariana was living in South America on an art tour, far out of the spotlight. "My life story these days, I still experience the red carpet as an artist but on a day-to-day basis I live kind of a country life," she explained. "It's much quieter, but it's still very rich."
