At 11, The Sixth Sense made Haley Joel Osment a household name. Now, his life has taken a dark turn.

From his haunting performance as the boy who "sees dead people" in The Sixth Sense to his recent arrest at a California ski resort, Haley Joel Osment's journey through Hollywood has been anything but ordinary.

Now 37, the former child star has maintained a steady presence in the entertainment industry over the years. Though he stepped away from mainstream spotlight roles, Osment has quietly built a respectable career through voice acting, quirky character parts, and indie productions.

However, in his personal life, Osment has faced challenges, the most recent of which is an arrest for public intoxication.

Let's take a look at his journey from child star to where he is today.

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Haley Joel Osment's childhood.

Born on April 10, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, Haley Joel Osment was born into a family with connections to the entertainment industry. His father, Eugene Osment, was also an actor, and his younger sister is actress Emily Osment, best known for her role in Hannah Montana.

Haley began acting at just four years old when he tried out for a Pizza Hut commercial in a shopping mall. This commercial was his first step into the entertainment world, and he quickly landed his first television role that same year.

His early film work included a small but memorable role as Forrest Jr. in the Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump, where he shared the screen with Tom Hanks. He also appeared in various TV series, including Thunder Alley, The Jeff Foxworthy Show, and Murphy Brown.

Image: Getty

Haley Joel Osment's rise to fame.

Osment's career-defining moment came in 1999 when he starred alongside Bruce Willis in M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller The Sixth Sense. His portrayal of Cole Sear — a troubled young boy who could communicate with the dead — earned him widespread acclaim.

At just 11 years old, Osment became one of the youngest nominees to receive an Academy Award nomination for acting. Though he didn't win, his performance is still regarded as one of the most memorable child performances in cinema history.

Following this success, Osment starred in several high-profile films, including Pay It Forward with Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt, and Steven Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence, which further cemented his status as one of Hollywood's most talented young actors.

Image: Getty

Like many child stars, Osment faced the challenge of transitioning to adult roles. After taking some time away from the spotlight to attend New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, he began to rebuild his career with different types of roles.

He appeared in comedies like Sex Ed and had recurring roles in TV shows including Silicon Valley and The Kominsky Method. This transitional era of his career included voice acting work as well, as he lent his talents to the Kingdom Hearts video game series.

Unlike many former child stars who completely disappear from the industry, Osment managed to maintain a steady career, albeit with a lower profile than his childhood fame.

Where is Haley Joel Osment now?

Today, Osment continues to work in Hollywood, recently appearing in Zoë Kravitz's directorial debut Blink Twice and joining the cast of Netflix's popular series Wednesday for its upcoming season. He's also set to appear in the second season of Poker Face, premiering in May.

However, his career has recently been overshadowed by legal troubles. On April 8, 2025, Osment was arrested at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in California for alleged public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance presumed to be cocaine, according to police reports.

Image: Getty

The situation worsened when footage of the arrest showed Osment using an anti-semitic slur during the encounter. On April 19, he issued a public apology for his behaviour.

"I'm absolutely horrified by my behaviour. Had I known I used this disgraceful language in the throes of a blackout, I would have spoken up sooner," Osment told People. "The past few months of loss and displacement have broken me down to a very low emotional place."

This wasn't Osment's first brush with the law. In 2006, he was convicted of driving under the influence and marijuana possession after a car accident in Los Angeles, for which he received probation and was required to complete an alcohol rehabilitation program.

Sources close to the actor mentioned that he recently lost his home in the Eaton Fire earlier this year and has reportedly faced difficulties with insurance claims after the disaster, which has added to his personal challenges.

Feature Image: Getty.