Whatever happened to the girl from 'Orphan'?

She had a whole, bright future ahead of her: the child actress who portrayed the freakiest little character in the movie 'Orphan.' It's been over a decade since that movie premiered. What happened to the actress?

Her name is Isabelle Fuhrman and she was born on February 25, 1997 in Washington D.C. She rose to fame when she starred in the horror film 'Orphan' (2009) alongside Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgard.

Picture: Movie Still from 'Orphan'

In the film she gave life to the spooky character Esther. It was a great success for a girl of only 12 years old. However, it was not her first shoot. Isabelle had already begun her career at age 7.

'Orphan' is about a couple that adopts a supposedly innocent and helpless girl from an orphanage.

Spoiler alert!

Her innocence is only an appearance because the girl turns out to be a 33-year-old woman with mental problems who has murdered her previous adoptive parents.

Picture: Movies still from 'Orphan 2'

After the great success in 'Orphan', Isabelle continued her career in film, theater, and television. She's been in TV series, theater, and in several renowned action and horror movies.

In 2011, Isabelle appeared in the film 'Salvation Boulevard' where she stood side by side with Pierce Brosnan and Marisa Tomei. She also lent her voice to the video game 'Hitman: Absolution' (2012), in which she played Victoria.

Another successful project for her was the blockbuster 'The Hunger Games' (2012). Isabelle portrayed Clove, the female tribute of District 2 and a knife-throwing expert. In the movie, Clove attempts to kill the protagonist Katniss, played by Jennifer Lawrence.

Isabelle had originally auditioned to be Katniss. As she was only 14 at the time, the producers considered her too young for the role. Instead she was offered the role of Clove.

"Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss and she's perfect for this role," Isabelle concedes. "I mean she looks like Katniss. Every scene with her is like reading the book and I'm imagining it in my head."

Isabelle subsequently made films like 'Cell' (2016) with John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, and 'Dear Eleanor' (2016) with Josh Lucas and Liana Liberato.

At the same time, the actress also appeared in the series 'Masters of Sex' (2015-2016). This drama tells the story of the pioneers of scientific research in human sexuality. They say it initiated the sexual revolution.

Picture: Movie still from 'Masters of Sex'

With the film 'Down a Dark Hall' (2018), Fuhrman returned to the genre of horror. It tells the story of a group of boarding school students who confront their principal with supernatural powers.

One of the surprises in 2019 was that Isabelle joined the cast of the psychological horror film 'Escape Room 2.'

'Escape Room' is a psychological thriller about six strangers who find themselves in a place full of death traps and must use their wits to find clues and get out - or else they die.

Picture: Movie still from 'Escape Room 2'

In the sequel to 'Escape Room', Isabelle Fuhrman worked with the original cast members: Taylor Russell (as Zoey) and Logan Miller (as Ben). Sony Pictures released the movie in 2021.

Of course, her joining the cast made her fans very happy, as she excels in the genre of horror.

In 2019, Fuhrman also starred in 'Macbeth' in New York. In the photo, we can see her during rehearsals of the play.

In addition to focusing on her acting career, Isabelle has been interested in helping others. In 2012, she became involved in Save the Children's 'Caps for Good' project, in which she knitted hats for newborns in developing countries.

"When I was filming 'Orphan', I saw my colleague Vera Farmiga weave a lot on the set, and I really wanted to learn," she recalls. "During the summer, I went to a camp in North Carolina and was surprised when I saw that many girls knew how to knit. So, I asked a friend to teach me, and I've been knitting ever since. Now I can put it to good use and help people..."

"...One day I went to an event sponsored by Save the Children and learned what they were doing. I love both knitting and helping, and with them I can do both," Isabelle explains to Craft Weekly.

Another of her passions is running. She is always training; not only for exercise, but also to participate in races.

In fact, on her social media accounts it is common to see photographs of her running and exercising.

In 2018, Isabelle ran her first marathon in Chicago. The experience, she said, not only made her train daily, but also meant a lot of personal growth to her.

"It was devilishly difficult to run the marathon, but really satisfying," she said after finishing. "I can't stop crying of happiness..."

"...I will run another and another and another, because I know I can" she wrote in October 2018, "because life, like a marathon, is not easy and you just have to manage your pain and move on."

Isabelle has achieved many things through discipline, and on social media she always shares messages of optimism. She intends to inspire other women to grow and strive for their dreams. One of her inspirations is Shaman Durek, the shaman of Hollywood and partner of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway.

Isabelle Fuhrman also uses her energy to run a business. She has her own line of cosmetics.

And there's more! Isabelle is unstoppable. She has also been involved in directing video clips, such as the music videos 'Something Beautiful' and 'Fragile' for her sister, the singer Madeline Fuhrman.

As for her love life, not much is known. Several media reported in 2022 that she was single.

Nylon Magazine named Isabelle Fuhrman one of the 55 future faces of Hollywood. With 'Escape Room 2' and 'Orphan: First Kill' (2022), we will not have seen the last of this actress.