What Happened To 1980s Child Star Jenny Lewis?

 

While many child actors maintain their careers well into adulthood, some disappear. Of course, they don't actually disappear – many choose to live sober lives, return to school, or pursue other paths in life. One person you may not have seen on screen in quite some time is Jenny Lewis, but that doesn't mean you haven't heard of her. He decided to pursue music instead of acting and really made a name for himself.

Jenny Lewis was a successful child actor of the 1980s

The 1980s were a golden era for family entertainment, which required a large number of talented child actors. Jenny Lewis stood out among these, who won people's hearts with her roles in Troop Beverly Hills and The Wizard. She also starred in several single episodes of hit television shows including Baywatch and Roseanne.

However, as the 1990s began, Lewis gradually shifted her focus from acting to music, a passion she had wanted to pursue since her childhood. This pivot began a new chapter in his life, taking him away from the silver screen and into the recording studio.

Rilo Kiley's early musical success

In the late 1990s, Lewis co-founded Rilo Kili, an indie rock band that achieved considerable success in the music industry. Through albums such as "Under the Blacklight", the band led by Lewis gained critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base despite facing challenges within the group.

Despite his success, Rilo Kiley was not without his internal struggles. The failed relationship between Lewis and lead guitarist Blake Sennett and the pressures of fame led to the band disbanding in 2010 and eventually splitting the following year. Lewis then decided to move away from collaborative music to focus on his solo career. He explored a variety of sounds, from the country atmosphere of the album "Rabbit Fur Coat" to the introspective approach in "On the Line", earning himself a positive reputation as a highly talented, versatile and skilled musician.

Lewis has no problem cooperating

Lewis's involvement with the Postal Service demonstrated his ability to collaborate and create music that resonates with a wide audience. Joining the band as its female vocalist, the group performed several concerts, with their album "Give Up" seeing extensive use on television and movie soundtracks. Although they are not their sole music-making vessel, he has continued to join them for tours.

Additionally, beyond his solo career and The Postal Service, Lewis has worked in numerous collaborations, forming bands such as Jenny & Johnny and Nice as F***. She also welcomes other artists onto her solo albums, such as featuring the Watson Twins on "Rabbit Fur Coat" and working with Jonathan Rice on both her and his projects.

While Lewis made a significant transition away from the silver screen in her younger years, the transition from acting to music did not mean leaving the film industry behind completely. His musical talents can be heard in Disney's Bolt (2008) and the 2013 independent film Very Good Girls.

experiencing personal loss

Despite her success, Jenny Lewis has faced personal trials, including losing her parents. Lewis was bringing in a steady stream of income working as a child actor, and she believes her mother was running a drug selling business during the 1980s. Whatever income Lewis brought in, his mother was spending it on luxuries. Eventually, when she grew up, Louise broke all ties with her mother and did not reconnect until she was on her death bed.

Her mother died when she was 70 years old. “He had liver cancer. From untreated hepatitis C, Lewis explained. "She was a lifelong heroin addict and also mentally ill and ... it was a really sad situation." He also lost his father, who was absent throughout his life, shortly after he was featured playing harmonica on his 2008 album "Acid Tongue".

Lewis made a brief comeback into acting

After focusing on music for years, Jenny Lewis returned to acting with select roles that showcased her versatility. The biggest part of her comeback in television and film is her work in voice acting. She voiced a minor character in Disney's Bolt and voiced a teenage girl character in the animated series American Dad!