Issue Date: November 9, 2008
Who's hot in Hollywood is an ever-changing list, but this week I introduce you to some fresh young faces who are sure to be on the radar for years to come. Although they may not yet be in their teens, their performances in this winter's biggest movies prove they've got acting chops beyond their years. This special edition of Who's News was reported by Nancy Mills
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Kodi Smit-McPhee, 12, grew up in a family of actors and started acting professionally three years ago. Last year, he won a best young actor award from the Australian Film Institute for playing Eric Bana's son in "Romulus, My Father." His good looks may be concealed under a lot of dirt in "The Road," which opens later this year, but he holds his own opposite Viggo Mortensen.
Predicting his future: He has the sensitivity of a young Leonardo DiCaprio and could earn a heartthrob reputation or go the intense Robert De Niro route.
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Family ties brought Jaden Smith, 10, into the acting biz. First, he was in the TV series "All of Us" in 2003, produced by his parents, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, and then he made his film debut in "The Pursuit of Happyness" opposite Dad. Now Jaden plays Jennifer Connelly's stepson in the action-packed "The Day the Earth Stood Still," opening Dec. 12.
Predicting his future: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Like Dad, Jaden is mixing drama and action. He could add music, too.
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The youngest of nine, Bobb'e J. Thompson, 12, started rapping at age 5 and won the Apollo Theater Talented Tykes competition. He hasn't slowed down since, appearing in a string of TV series and films. Next up is "Role Models," opening this weekend. "Bobb'e is a true force of nature, a comedy machine," director David Wain says. "I've never met anyone like him!"
Predicting his future: He could be the next Eddie Murphy.
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After a family friend recommended her, China Anne McClain, 10, sang her way into the 2005 film "The Gospel." She then caught the eye of Tyler Perry, who cast her in "Daddy's Little Girls" and the TV series "House of Payne." In "Hurricane Season," set to open Dec. 25, she plays Forest Whitaker's daughter. She also has a singing group, 3McClainGirls, with her sisters.
Predicting her future: Her vocal skills combined with her acting talent could make China the next Raven-Symone or Queen Latifah.
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Is Simpkins the next Winslet?
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Ryan Simpkins, 10, got an agent at 4 and, soon after, a role in the TV movie "Fallen Angel." Hollywood noticed Ryan when she played Maggie Gyllenhaal's daughter in "Sherrybaby." In "Revolutionary Road," opening Dec. 26, she plays the daughter of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. And she plays a kidnapped child in "Gardens of the Night," also opening in December.
Predicting her future: Director Sam Mendes, who is married to Winslet, chose Ryan to play her daughter onscreen, so it seems clear that she has the potential to be another Winslet.
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If Elle Fanning looks familiar, it may be because as a toddler she was a dead ringer for big sister Dakota, even playing a younger version of her in "I Am Sam." Now Elle, 10, has her own career in recent films like Babel and Reservation Road. In "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," opening Dec. 25, she plays a young Cate Blanchett.
Predicting her future: Emulating Blanchett is likely, or, as casting director Ann Goulder predicts, "a career like Jodie Foster's."
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Also keep your eyes on these kids
Zachary Gordon, 10, plays the young Adrien Brody in "The Brothers Bloom," opening in December. Skyler Gisondo, 12, has a small part in "Four Christmases," opening Nov. 26, and is a regular on "The Bill Engvall Show." Jaysha Patel, 12, is in "Crossing Over," opening Dec. 3, and is a stand-up comedian. Nathan Gamble, 10, plays a son of Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston in "Marley & Me," opening Dec. 25. Ty Simpkins, 7, joins sister Ryan (see above) and plays the son of Winslet and DiCaprio in "Revolutionary Road."
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BIRTHDAYS
November 9: Nick Lachey, 35; Eric Dane, 36
November 10: Miranda Lambert, 25; Ellen Pompeo, 39
November 11: Leonardo DiCaprio, 34; Demi Moore, 46
November 12: Ryan Gosling, 28; Neil Young, 63
November 13: Anne Hathaway 26; Chris Noth, 54
November 14: Travis Barker, 33; Josh Duhamel, 36
November 15: Ed Asner, 79
 Ask Lorrie Lynch a question about a celeb!
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