By Jevon Phillips, Los Angeles Times staff writer "Little Miss Sunshine" was not the start of Abigail Breslin's career, which could more or less be pegged at her well-received turn in the Mel Gibson/M. Night Shyamalan movie "Signs" at age 6, but her star power got a boost from playing the little girl with the surprising talent-show routine.
4 Images

Ten who were stars by the age of 10

By Jevon Phillips, Los Angeles Times staff writer "Little Miss Sunshine" was not the start of Abigail Breslin's career, which could more or less be pegged at her well-received turn in the Mel Gibson/M. Night Shyamalan movie "Signs" at age 6, but her star power got a boost from playing the little girl with the surprising talent-show routine.

By Jevon Phillips, Los Angeles Times staff writer

“Little Miss Sunshine” was not the start of Abigail Breslin‘s career, which could more or less be pegged at her well-received turn in the Mel Gibson/M. Night Shyamalan movie “Signs” at age 6, but her star power got a boost from playing the little girl with the surprising talent-show routine. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen burst on the scene in the '80s sitcom "Full House" when they were not even 2 years old. They were hired together to play one character so as not to overstep child-labor laws, but the duo has worked hard ever since. The sisters became household names with straight-to-video success and as moguls in fashion and other merchandise.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen burst on the scene in the ‘80s sitcom “Full House” when they were not even 2 years old. They were hired together to play one character so as not to overstep child-labor laws, but the duo has worked hard ever since. The sisters became household names with straight-to-video success and as moguls in fashion and other merchandise. (Richard Derk / Los Angeles Times)

Possibly the most famous child star ever, Shirley Temple, with her head full of curls, had made close to 40 films and short films before she even turned 10.

Possibly the most famous child star ever, Shirley Temple, with her head full of curls, had made close to 40 films and short films before she even turned 10. (Gordon Wallace / Los Angeles Times)

In her first major film role, Dakota Fanning received Oscar buzz starring alongside Sean Penn in "I Am Sam" -- and she was 6. The TV miniseries "Taken" was her next major pre-10 role -- and she continued to get generally glowing reviews. Critical acclaim continues in projects such as "Hounddog," " The Secret Life of Bees," and "The Runaways," though she's now into teendom.

In her first major film role, Dakota Fanning received Oscar buzz starring alongside Sean Penn in “I Am Sam” -- and she was 6. The TV miniseries “Taken” was her next major pre-10 role -- and she continued to get generally glowing reviews. Critical acclaim continues in projects such as “Hounddog,” " The Secret Life of Bees,” and “The Runaways,” though she’s now into teendom. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

1/4