Haley Joel Osment is an acclaimed American actor who rose to fame as a child star with his unforgettable performance in The Sixth Sense (1999), which earned him an Academy Award nomination at the age of 11. Known for his emotional depth, intelligence, and natural talent, Osment transitioned from child stardom to a successful adult acting career, appearing in diverse roles across film, television, and voice acting.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Haley Joel Osment was born on April 10, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, into a creative family. His father, Eugene Osment, was a theater and film actor, and his younger sister, Emily Osment, also pursued a successful acting career.
Osment’s entry into acting came at a young age when, at just four years old, he was discovered in a shopping mall and cast in a commercial for Pizza Hut. His charm and precociousness quickly led to guest appearances on television shows such as Thunder Alley and Murphy Brown. He also had a small but memorable role as Forrest Jr. in Forrest Gump (1994), showcasing his early potential as an actor.
Breakthrough with The Sixth Sense
Osment achieved global stardom with his role as Cole Sear in M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological thriller The Sixth Sense. His portrayal of a troubled boy who can see and communicate with spirits was both haunting and deeply moving, earning him widespread acclaim. At the age of 11, he became one of the youngest actors ever to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
His iconic line, “I see dead people,” became a cultural phenomenon and solidified his place in Hollywood history.
Continued Success as a Child Actor
Following The Sixth Sense, Osment delivered another critically acclaimed performance in Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), where he played David, a highly advanced robotic boy searching for love and acceptance. He also starred in Pay It Forward (2000) alongside Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt, further showcasing his ability to handle emotionally complex roles.
His voice acting work during this period included the role of Sora in the popular video game series Kingdom Hearts, a franchise he has remained involved with for over two decades.
Transition to Adult Roles
After taking a break from acting to focus on his education, attending New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Osment returned to Hollywood, choosing a mix of independent films and television roles to rebuild his career. His performances in Sex Ed (2014), The Spoils of Babylon (2014), and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) showed his willingness to embrace quirky and unconventional roles.
Osment also gained attention for his comedic work in shows like The Kominsky Method and What We Do in the Shadows, highlighting his versatility as an actor.
Personal Life
Osment has largely kept his personal life out of the public eye, focusing on his craft and philanthropic work. He is known for his close relationship with his family, particularly his sister Emily, with whom he has occasionally collaborated professionally.
