American child actor who at this writing (2000) has proven himself perhaps the best young actor of his generation. The son of actor Eugene Osment and teacher Theresa Osment, Haley was chosen for a commercial at age 4 after a casting director spotted him in a furniture store with his parents. Within months, he had landed a small but memorable role as Tom Hanks' son in Forrest Gump and a starring role as Edward Asner's grandson on the TV series Thunder Alley. His comedy skills were manifest very young, and he followed Thunder Alley with two more sitcoms. Norman Jewison gave him his first leading role on the big screen in Bogus, and he proved completely at ease in this dramatic role. However, it took the smash hit The Sixth Sense to brand the young actor on the public consciousness. His devastating performance as the haunted Cole Sear brought him an Oscar nomination at age 11 and a memorable tribute at the awards from winner Michael Caine: "Once I learned of your nomination and saw your performance, I knew for sure you would win". Since then, he has given an equally powerful performance in Pay It Forward. Along with the bravura performances, he has developed an equal reputation in the industry for unspoiled professionalism. His younger sister, Emily Osment, has made several impressive film and television appearances as well.
Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001): $2,000,000
Pay It Forward (2000): $1,000,000
The Sixth Sense (1999): $150,000

Older brother of Emily Osment Auditioned for Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, but didn't get a callback. Son of Eugene Osment Became the eighth-youngest nominee for a competitive Academy Award in 2000. He's a big lover of lizards. He owns two leopard geckos from Pakistan as pets and, as a favorite past time, likes to catch and release lizards in his backyard or on vacations. He is a straight-A student Hopes to go to Yale University. His favorite cuisine is Chinese, and he eats it constantly. Started acting at age 4. Runs cross country for Flintridge Prep. Favorite authors: J.R.R. Tolkien and Edgar Allan Poe Favorite music / bands: R.E.M., Coldplay, Radiohead, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. His father, Eugene Osment, frequently makes cameo appearances in his movies. Was wanted by Steven Spielberg to play Harry Potter when Spielberg was considered to direct Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Though he is now a well-known actor, what many people don't know is that Forrest Gump, a very popular contemporary classic, is one of his first films. It is not surprising, since his screen time was only about 2 minutes, despite playing the son of the title character. It was another 5 years before he became famous with The Sixth Sense, another popular contemporary classic. Though he took a 2 years break from filming after Artificial Intelligence: AI, before making a brief comeback with Secondhand Lions, he had plenty of commitments during those 2 years of absence from the screen. His works include making promotional tours for A.I. during the summer holiday in 2001, making TV appearances, and doing voice-over work. Although gossiped to be Steven Spielberg's favorite to play the title role in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, had Spielberg directed the film as once planned, Osment himself denied this and was vehemently against the series even being made into films lest the magic of the novels be ruined. He donated many items to Rocky Stone to be given to less fortunate kids as part of the Toy Mountain Campaign. Was ranked #7 in E's 50 most cutest child stars all grown-up.(2005) Fractured his right rib, right shoulder and received lacerations to his body when he lost control of his car and crashed into a brick mailbox. [July 2006]