What ever happened to The Saddle Club star Lara Jean Marshall? Former child actor unveils surprising new career after failing to crack Hollywood
Once one of Australia’s most recognizable child stars, she rose to fame at the age of 12 after being cast in the iconic series The Saddle Club.
But life looks very different for Lara Jean Marshall these days.
In an essay published by SBSthe former child star, 35, revealed she had given up on her Hollywood dreams in recent years and is now pursuing a career in journalism.
Shortly after finishing filming The Saddle Club in 2003, Lara moved from Australia to Hollywood in hopes of spreading her local fame on the international stage.
Unfortunately, making a career as an actor was not as easy as she had hoped.
The Saddle Club star Lara Jean Marshall, 35, has written a heartfelt essay for SBS revealing why she turned her back on Hollywood after spending a decade trying to make it as an actor
“I worked jobs that gave me the flexibility to act and tried my best to make it, but I got little in return,” she lamented.
Lara said she became exhausted by the many difficulties of living abroad, and blamed “red tape and other obstacles” for why she couldn’t break into the industry.
‘It got to the point where the lifestyle was negatively impacting my mental health and causing me financial stress. “I decided to quit acting because I was tired of being powerless over my own life,” she said.
Shortly after finishing filming The Saddle Club in 2003, Lara moved from Australia to Hollywood in hopes of spreading her local fame on the international stage. (Pictured on The Saddle Club)
After turning her back on acting, Lara returned to Australia and enrolled in a journalism course. In November 2022, she was announced as the new co-host of Power FM Ballarat’s breakfast show
The brunette said giving up her dream “really hurt” and described her efforts as “a huge loss.”
After turning her back on acting, Lara returned to Australia and enrolled in a journalism course.
In November 2022, she was announced as the new co-host of Power FM Ballarat’s breakfast show.
“My new career allows me to connect with the local community through on-air competitions and giveaways, play the latest hits, joke with listeners and empathize with the personal issues they may be having,” she enthuses.
“My new career allows me to connect with the local community through on-air competitions and giveaways, play the latest hits, joke with listeners and empathize with the personal issues they may be having,” she enthuses.
Lara’s last acting performance was in the 2019 science fiction short film Remarkable, in which she played a supporting role.
She will also appear in the upcoming TV series We Were Tomorrow, opposite Underbelly star Gyton Grantley, which she filmed in 2019.
Lara appeared in 52 episodes of The Saddle Club as Lisa Atwood, and also released five albums with her co-stars Sophie Bennett and Keenan Macwilliam.
Speak with Ten In 2019, Lara revealed that she was still in touch with Sophie and Keenan, confirming that they had “remained very close” after filming.
Lara appeared in 52 episodes of The Saddle Club as Lisa Atwood, and also released five albums with her co-stars Sophie Bennett (left) and Keenan Macwilliam (right)