Haley Joel Osment rose to fame in the late 1990s as one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed child actors. His breakout role as Cole in The Sixth Sense (1999) earned him an Academy Award nomination at just 11 years old, making him a household name. He followed with standout performances in Pay It Forward (2000) and Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), cementing his reputation for emotional depth and talent.

Like many child stars, Osment faced challenges transitioning into adulthood. He stepped back from Hollywood to study theater at NYU, maturing both personally and artistically. By the 2010s, he re-emerged with a new look and focus, embracing offbeat and comedic roles in projects such as Tusk (2014), Sex Ed (2014), and TV shows like Silicon Valley and The Boys. He also continued his long-running voice role as Sora in the Kingdom Hearts video game series.

Now in his late 30s, Osment has built a steady, diverse career while avoiding the pitfalls that often affect child actors. Thoughtful about fame and grounded in his private life, he continues to explore roles across film, TV, and voice work. More than 20 years after The Sixth Sense, he stands as a rare example of a child star who successfully reinvented himself, showing resilience, range, and longevity.