If you were anywhere near a TV in 1989, you remember Amy Szalinski sprinting through oversized blades of grass in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. The blonde teen caught in her dad’s science experiment became part of pop culture overnight. Three and a half decades later, Amy O’Neill is 54 and still happily leaning into the chaos of being tiny on screen.
Born on July 8, 1971 in Pacific Palisades, Amy started early. She auditioned at 10, popped up on Mama’s Family at 13, then appeared in guest roles on shows like Night Court, Highway to Heaven, The Twilight Zone and Family Ties. At 15, she landed a regular role on The Young and the Restless in 1986. By 19, she was starring opposite Rick Moranis in Disney’s runaway hit.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, released in 1989, turned into a box office smash and later spawned Honey, I Blew Up the Kid in 1992 and Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves in 1997. Amy even scored a Young Artist Award nomination, losing out to Gaby Hoffmann for Field of Dreams. Not bad company to keep.
Last year marked 36 years since the original film hit cinemas, and Amy marked the moment at a Disney+ Dive In Theatre screening. She showed up in a blue and pink racer swimsuit, wicker hat in place, posing with a giant spoon and oversized “cheerios” in a pool. On Instagram, she wrote the experience “transported us back to a different time and size.” That’s commitment to the bit.
She reunited with co-star Thomas Wilson Brown, now 51, who played Little Russ. When a fan asked how it felt seeing him again, she replied, “Wonderful as always. He brought his grandson to the screening- so adorable!” Another follower wished the rest of the young cast had shown up. Amy answered, “I wish they’d been there also- but I wish all of you had been there too!”
After stepping away from mainstream acting in 1994, she joined the circus troupe Girls On Stilts. Yes, juggling. Fire breathing. Stilts. She later appeared in Baskets and the short film The Follower, and now spends time meeting fans at conventions around the world.
Some actors run from their biggest role. Amy O’Neill (check her out on Instagram) grabs a giant spoon and dives right back in.
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It is good to see she has not changed much. She is cute.