What Happened to Haley Joel Osment?
Haley Joel Osment, a former child actor renowned for his roles in "The Sixth Sense" and "A.I. Artificial Intelligence," has successfully transitioned into a diverse career as an adult actor and prolific voice artist. While continuing to appear in films and television series, he has also embraced independent projects and extensive voice work, notably as Sora in the "Kingdom Hearts" video game franchise. His recent years have seen him balance professional engagements with personal challenges, including legal issues and a home loss, while maintaining a steady presence in the entertainment industry.
Quick Answer
Haley Joel Osment has continued his acting career as an adult, moving beyond his child star fame to take on a variety of roles in film and television, and becoming a prominent voice actor. In 2024, he appeared in the films "Blink Twice" and "Drugstore June." In 2025, he featured in "Happy Gilmore 2" and had a guest starring role as a serial killer in "Wednesday" Season 2. He also continues his long-standing voice role as Sora in the "Kingdom Hearts" series, with a D23 panel appearance related to "Kingdom Hearts 4" anticipated in August 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline19 events
Born in Los Angeles, California
Haley Joel Osment was born in Los Angeles, California.
Begins acting career with Pizza Hut commercial
Osment landed his first acting role in a Pizza Hut television commercial.
Feature film debut in 'Forrest Gump'
He made his feature film debut as Forrest Gump Jr., the son of the title character, alongside Tom Hanks.
Breakthrough role in 'The Sixth Sense'
Osment starred as Cole Sear, a psychic child, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Stars in Steven Spielberg's 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence'
He played the leading role of David, a highly advanced humanoid robot, in the science fiction drama.
Arrested for DUI and marijuana possession
Osment was involved in a single-car accident and subsequently charged with driving under the influence and misdemeanor marijuana possession. He pleaded no contest and received probation, a fine, and alcohol rehabilitation.
Begins studies at New York University
Osment enrolled at New York University, taking a break from the intense demands of mainstream Hollywood.
Appears in horror film 'Tusk'
He took on a supporting role in Kevin Smith's body horror film, marking a shift towards more unconventional projects.
Plays Mesmer in 'The Boys' and appears in 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile'
Osment had a notable recurring role as Mesmer in the Amazon Prime Video series 'The Boys' and a supporting role in the Netflix film about Ted Bundy.
Stars in 'Drugstore June'
Osment appeared in the crime comedy film 'Drugstore June,' which had a limited theatrical release.
Appears in 'Blink Twice'
He featured in the psychological thriller film 'Blink Twice,' directed by Zoë Kravitz.
Altadena home destroyed in Eaton Fire
Osment's home in Altadena, California, was lost during the Southern California wildfires.
Arrested for public intoxication and cocaine possession
He was arrested at a ski resort in Mammoth Lakes, California, and charged with public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance. He also used an antisemitic slur during the arrest, for which he later apologized.
Sentenced to AA and therapy for April arrest
A judge granted Osment a one-year diversion, requiring him to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and therapy sessions for six months.
Appears in 'Happy Gilmore 2'
Osment starred as Billy Jenkins in the Netflix sequel to the Adam Sandler comedy, which premiered on the streaming service.
Guest stars in 'Wednesday' Season 2 (Part 1)
He appeared in the second season of the Netflix series 'Wednesday' as a serial killer, with Part 1 released on this date.
Guest stars in 'Wednesday' Season 2 (Part 2)
The second part of 'Wednesday' Season 2, featuring Osment's guest role, was released on Netflix.
Due for court review of diversion compliance
Osment was scheduled for a court review to assess his compliance with the terms of his diversion program following his April 2025 arrest.
Anticipated appearance at D23 for 'Kingdom Hearts 4'
Haley Joel Osment, as the voice of Sora, is anticipated to appear at a D23 panel for a 'Kingdom Hearts 4' Deep Dive, indicating ongoing involvement with the franchise.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Haley Joel Osment rose to international prominence as a child actor, delivering critically acclaimed performances that earned him an Academy Award nomination for his role as Cole Sear in M. Night Shyamalan's 1999 psychological thriller, "The Sixth Sense." His early career also included memorable roles in "Forrest Gump" (1994) as Forrest Gump Jr. and Steven Spielberg's "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" (2001) as the sentient robot David, solidifying his status as one of Hollywood's most talented young performers.
As Osment transitioned into adulthood, he consciously stepped away from the intense spotlight of child stardom to pursue higher education, attending New York University. This period allowed him to explore theater and re-evaluate his career path, ultimately reaffirming his passion for acting. Upon his return to more consistent on-screen work, Osment embraced a diverse range of projects, often taking on character roles in independent films and television series, diverging from the leading man trajectory often expected of former child stars. Notable adult roles include appearances in "Tusk" (2014), "Silicon Valley" (2017), "Future Man," and "The Boys" (2019), showcasing his versatility and comedic timing.
Parallel to his live-action career, Osment has established a significant presence in voice acting, most notably as the enduring voice of Sora in the popular "Kingdom Hearts" video game franchise, a role he has held for over two decades. His voice work extends to animated series such as "Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous" (2021) and "DreamWorks Dragons: The Nine Realms" (2021–2023), and animated films like "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie" (2022) and "LEGO Marvel Avengers: Code Red" (2023).
Recent years have presented both professional opportunities and personal challenges for Osment. In January 2025, his Altadena home was destroyed during the Eaton Fire, part of the Southern California wildfires. In April 2025, he faced legal issues, being arrested in Mammoth Lakes, California, for public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance, later confirmed as cocaine. During the arrest, he used an antisemitic slur towards an officer, for which he later issued a public apology. In June 2025, a judge granted him a one-year diversion, mandating three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and two therapy sessions weekly for six months, with a compliance review scheduled for January 2026. Despite these personal difficulties, Osment remained active professionally. In 2024, he appeared in the psychological thriller "Blink Twice" (released August 23, 2024) and the crime comedy "Drugstore June" (released February 23, 2024, limited; March 8, 2024, digital). In July 2025, he attended the premiere of "Happy Gilmore 2," in which he played Billy Jenkins, a film released on Netflix on July 25, 2025. He also guest-starred as a serial killer in "Wednesday" Season 2, which premiered in two parts on August 6 and September 3, 2025. As of August 2026, Osment is anticipated to attend a D23 panel related to "Kingdom Hearts 4," continuing his long-standing role as Sora. He is also listed as an actor in the 2025 documentary "Long Lonesome Highway: The Story of Michael Parks."
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Haley Joel Osment made different choices?