Do you remember these iconic 1960s western child stars? See how completely unrecognisable they look today

Before he landed star roles in '80s action hits like The Thing and Escape from New York, Kurt Russell played Jaimie McPheeters in The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (1963-1964). The show followed the 13-year-old's journey from Kentucky to California with his optimistic father, set in the year 1849.

Now, he's better known for hits like Tombstone (1993), Overboard (1987) and The Christmas Chronicles (2018) – the latter of which stars Kurt alongside his long-time love Goldie Hawn, with whom he welcomed actor son Wyatt.

Johnny Crawford played the son of Chuck Connors' Lucas McCain in ABC series The Rifleman between 1958 and 1963. He also appeared in several further TV hits, including The Lone Ranger, Little House on the Prairie and Wagon Train, as well as feature films like 1966's El Dorado working opposite John Wayne.

He continued regularly acting until the early '90s, with only three subsequent roles in The Thirteenth Floor (1999), Rupert Pattinson Wants to Be a Superhero (2001) and in 2019 returned to his sharpshooting roots in Bill Tilghman and the Outlaws. Johnny sadly passed away in 2021 at the age of 75.

Daniel Boone followed the life and times of frontiersman Daniel, starring Fess Parker as the lead, Patricia Blair as his wife Rebecca and a young Darby Hinton as their son, Israel. Darby acted on the show for a total of 110 episodes, appearing between 1964 and 1970.

He can still be found onscreen today, continuing his western star status with Was Once a Hero (2024), Sod and Stubble (2025) and The Cowboy Killer (2026). Darby is also not opposed to embracing a soppier side to his filmography, starring in light-hearted comedies and romantic features like Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses (2019).

Following her fame on The Searchers (1956), in which Lana Woods shared the role of a young Debbie Edwards with her older sister Natalie, playing the younger and adult parts respectively, the actress appeared in several '60s western hits. 

She appeared in The Wild Wild West several times, cast as characters like Averi Trent and Sheila O'Shaughnessy, and in 1967 guest-starred as Dana Dawson on Bonanza. The 1971 Bond girl starred opposite Sean Connery in Diamonds are Forever and has continued to act with credits in Dog Boy (2022), Best Years Gone (2021) and 2019's Bill Tilghman and the Outlaws. 

Johnny Whitaker's western fame had him booked and busy, guest-starring on shows like Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Virginian and Lancer. He also starred in sitcom Family Affair between 1966 and 1971, and his love of on-screen adventure continued into the 1970s with the lead role in Tom Sawyer (1973).

Today, Johnny is still busy with public appearances, including a star casting in The Last Evangelist (2024) and self-proclaimed geeky podcast Too Opinionated. He's also set to feature in upcoming horror Prepper's Grove, the story of a missing teenager case gone cold.

Stefan's stardom crossed between the small and silver screens, including a lead role in 1967 feature The Way West as William 'Billy' Tadlock Jr., the son of Kirk Douglas' wagon train leader, as well as TV appearances in Gunsmoke, The Virginian and Here Comes the Brides.

He's not worked onscreen since 2015, with his last television appearances including Fargo (2015), Arrow (2013-2014) and The Killing (2011). Stefan now lives in Vancouver with his wife Dawn Morrison-Arngrim, having relocated from Los Angeles after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.