New kids on the block Christina Ricci

The Addams Family featured a bevy of big names, but it was this tiny, dark-haired dynamo who stole the show. And 14-year-old Christina Ricci is set to snatch the spotlight again with a starring role in Casper, the big-screen adaptation of the much-loved family tale. "It's about a little boy who is a ghost and I am going to be his friend," she reveals.

Unlike many child stars, Ricci is far from your stereotyped miserable youngster, prodded into the spotlight by pushy parents. The down-to-earth actress loves her showbusiness career, which began when she was discovered in a school play at age eight. "I had to go to the bathroom really bad," she recalls. "I was onstage juggling around and the conductor waved me off. I caught someone's eye and she referred me to a manager." She quickly scored roles in a series of television commercials and won a bit part in The Hard Way opposite Michael J Fox, before stealing hearts with her portrial of Cher's youngest daughter in Mermaids. But it's her appearances in the two The Addams Family films that have grabbed the most attention. Playing Wednesday, the wacky family's gloomy daughter, she won some of the film's best reviews, eclipsing established stars including Anjelica Huston and Christopher Lloyd.

Ricci now stands on the brink of making that tricky transition from child to adult actress, but she remains unfazed by the hype. "I hear this change is pretty difficult, but I don't know yet," she says. "I suppose it might be. I will just keep working on it and choosing good quality roles."

© 1995 Movie Magazine