Did Haley Joel Osment Stop Acting and Make Movies Before Happy Gilmore 2? Net Worth, Wife, Age, and What We Know

Once a household name for his chilling performance in The Sixth Sense, Haley Joel Osment has had a career filled with early success, quiet reinvention, and a steady return to the spotlight.

While people spoke of his entertaining role in Happy Gilmore 2, some fans are wondering: did Osment stop acting after his childhood acting career or has he been working steadily under the radar?

A Star is Born

Born on 10 April 1988 in Los Angeles, California, Haley Joel Osment began acting in the early 1990s. He first appeared in a Pizza Hut advert before landing small roles in television shows, including Murphy Brown.

But it was his unforgettable role in M. Night Shyamalan's 1999 thriller The Sixth Sense that earned him international acclaim. At just 11 years old, his portrayal of the boy who could 'see dead people' earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor—one of the youngest ever.

Success Beyond The Sixth Sense

Before The Sixth Sense, Osment played the role of the adorable Forrest Gump Jr in the highly-successful Forrest Gump starring Tom Hanks. Following his breakthrough, Osment took on lead roles in films like Pay It Forward (2000) and A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), working with top-tier directors and cementing his reputation as a gifted child actor. However, as with many child stars, the transition into adult roles proved challenging.

Osment took a step back from mainstream film in the mid-2000s. Rather than disappear entirely, he shifted his focus, studying at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and exploring theatre and voice acting. His decision to step away from the limelight helped him reset professionally, avoiding many of the pitfalls that have plagued other former child stars.

Did He Stop Acting?

Despite the perception that he faded from public view, Osment never actually quit acting. In fact, he's quietly built a solid body of work over the past decade. He took on diverse roles in independent films and comedic series, including appearances in The Spoils of Babylon, Drunk History, and What We Do in the Shadows.

More recently, Osment found success in recurring roles on hit shows such as HBO's Silicon Valley and Amazon Prime's The Boys spinoff series Gen V. He's also continued working in voice acting, notably lending his voice to Sora in the popular Kingdom Hearts video game franchise.

In 2023, he starred in The Last Time We Saw Them, an indie drama that earned critical praise and reminded audiences of his dramatic chops.

Haley Joel Osment in Happy Gilmore 2

If you haven't watched the movie, be warned: Spoilers ahead. Haley Joel Osment plays Billy Jenkins, the principal antagonist to Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore in Happy Gilmore 2 — a significant shift from earlier speculation suggesting a minor comedic role.

In the sequel, Jenkins is depicted as a formidable competitor in the Maxi Golf League, serving as the film's primary rival and injecting a fresh, tense dynamic into the story arc alongside Sandler. While not a lead in terms of screen time, the role positions him squarely opposite Happy, elevating Jenkins above a simple cameo and granting Osment a substantial presence in the film's central conflict.

Critics and audiences have praised Osment's performance, noting his confident portrayal of Jenkins as both intense and entertaining. Reviewers have highlighted his capacity to command the screen in this adversarial role, showcasing a polished maturity and comic precision that complements Sandler's brash screen energy. Despite sharing less screen presence than lead cast members, Osment's performance is widely considered one of the film's standout support roles.

Personal Life, Age, and Net Worth

Now 37 years old, Osment has managed to maintain a relatively private personal life. He is not publicly married and has kept any relationships out of the spotlight. His net worth is estimated to be around $6 million, accumulated through a combination of major childhood roles, steady adult work, and voice acting.

Unlike some of his early contemporaries, Osment has avoided scandal and embraced the slow burn of a career built on choice rather than hype.

Haley Joel Osment never truly stopped acting—he simply evolved. From Hollywood wunderkind to quietly versatile performer, he's shown that fame doesn't have to burn out quickly.