Bailee Madison
A former child star who gracefully navigated the transition to mature roles, becoming a familiar and versatile presence in family dramas and chilling horror films.
Born 1999 (age 27)·American actress·Birthday: October 15·Generation Z
Biography
Bailee Madison didn't just act as a child; she commanded the screen with a preternatural calm that belied her age. Discovered at age two weeks for a diaper commercial, she was a veteran by the time she stole scenes as the younger version of Dakota Fanning's character in 'Bridge to Terabithia.' Her early career was defined by wholesome, heart-tugging roles in films like 'Brothers' and 'Just Go with It,' earning her a shelf of Young Artist Awards. But Madison was determined not to be frozen in time. As she grew, she strategically shifted gears, embracing the demanding world of television with a lead role in the fantasy series 'The Wizards of Waverly Place' spinoff and the long-running family drama 'Good Witch.' Most notably, she carved a niche in the horror genre, delivering nuanced performances in films like 'The Strangers: Prey at Night' and 'Don't Hang Up,' proving her range extended far beyond the sunny dispositions of her youth. Now a producer as well, she has managed the rare feat of a sustained career built on steady work and smart choices, evolving in the public eye without losing her grounded appeal.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Bailee was born in 1999, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bailee Was Born
The biggest hits of 1999
#1 Movie
Star Wars: Episode I
Best Picture
American Beauty
#1 TV Show
ER
Bailee's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1999Born
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2004Started school
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2012Became a teenager
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Could drive
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2017Could vote
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2020Turned 21
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 27 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won three Young Artist Awards for her performances as a child actress in films like 'Brothers' and 'Conviction.'
- Starred as the lead, Grace Russell, in the Hallmark Channel series 'Good Witch' for several seasons, becoming a network staple.
- Successfully transitioned to horror, receiving positive reviews for her role as Kinsey in the 2018 thriller 'The Strangers: Prey at Night.'
- Voiced the character of Sofia in the Disney Junior animated series 'Sofia the First' for multiple seasons.
- Executive produced and starred in the 2023 holiday film 'A Cowgirl's Song,' expanding her role behind the camera.
Did You Know?
She is the older sister of actor Kaitlin Vilasuso, and they have appeared in projects together.
Madison is an ambassador for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and is actively involved in children's hospital charity work.
She was homeschooled throughout her childhood to accommodate her acting schedule.
She is a trained singer and released a charity single, 'Kinda Perfect,' in 2014.
“I'm not a little girl anymore; I'm an actress who happens to be young.”
