The 13th Youth in Film Awards ceremony (now known as the Young Artist Awards), presented by the Youth in Film Association, honored outstanding youth performers under the age of 21 in the fields of film and television for the 1990–1991 season, and took place on December 1, 1991, at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood, California.
Established in 1978 by long-standing Hollywood Foreign Press Association member, Maureen Dragone, the Youth in Film Association was the first organization to establish an awards ceremony specifically set to recognize and award the contributions of performers under the age of 21 in the fields of film, television, theater and music.
Categories ★ Bold indicates the winner in each category.
Best Young Performer in a Motion Picture
Best Young Actor Starring in a Motion Picture ★ Ethan Randall Embry – Dutch (20th Century Fox) as Doyle Standish Jonathan Brandis – The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (Warner Bros) as Bastian Balthazar Bux Balthazar Getty – My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (Samuel-Goldwyn) as Jud Meadows Lukas Haas – Rambling Rose (Seven Arts Pictures) as Willcox "Buddy" Hillyer Stian Smestad – Shipwrecked (Walt Disney) as Haakon Haakonson Robert J. Steinmiller Jr. – Bingo (TriStar) as Chuckie Devlin Elijah Wood – Paradise (Buena Vista) as Willard Young
Best Young Actress Starring in a Motion Picture ★ Thora Birch – Paradise (Buena Vista) as Billie Pike Mikki Allen – Regarding Henry (Paramount) as Rachel Turner Angela Goethals – V.I. Warshawki (Buena Vista) as Katherine "Kat" Grafalk Milla Jovovich – Return to the Blue Lagoon (Columbia) as Lilli Hargrave Heather Graham – Shout (Universal) as Sara Benedict Reese Witherspoon – The Man in the Moon (MGM) as Danielle "Dani" Trant
Best Young Actor Co-Starring in a Motion Picture ★ Daniel Newman – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Warner Bros) as Wulf Michael Bacall – Shout (Universal) as Big Boy Kenny Blank – The Super (20th Century Fox) as Tito Danny Cooksey – Terminator 2: Judgment Day (TriStar) as Tim Gregor Hesse – Dead Again (Paramount) as Frankie Kenny Morrison – The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (Warner Bros) as Atreyu Ernie Reyes, Jr. – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (New Line Cinema) as Keno
Best Young Actress Co-Starring in a Motion Picture ★ Sheila Rosenthal – Not Without My Daughter (MGM) as Mahtob Mahmoody Louisa Haigh – Shipwrecked (Walt Disney) as Mary Lisa Jakub – Rambling Rose (Seven Arts Pictures) as Frances "Dolly" Hillyer Danielle Harris – Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (Warner Bros) as Melissa Crandell Ivyann Schwan – Problem Child 2 (Universal) as Trixie Young Emily Warfield – The Man in the Moon (MGM) as Maureen Trant
Best Young Performer in a TV Movie or Special
Best Young Actor Starring in a television film ★ Lukas Haas – The Perfect Tribute (ABC) as Benjamin Blair Lane Davis – Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story (CBS) as Ryan Blankenship Matthew Lawrence – The Summer My Father Grew Up (NBC) as Timmy Ryan Todd – Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love (CBS) as Jared Lambert
Best Young Actress Starring in a TV Movie ★ Ariana Richards – Switched at Birth (NBC) as Kimberly Mays (Age 9-11) Kimberly Cullum – The Sitter (FOX) as Melissa Jones Erika Flores – Switched at Birth (NBC) as Arlena Twigg (Age 9) Jenny Lewis – Runaway Father (CBS) as Marcia
Best Young Actor Starring in a Cable Special ★ Eugene Byrd – Perfect Harmony (Disney Channel) as Landy Allen Joey Lawrence – Chains of Gold as Tommy Burke Jared Rushton – A Cry in the Wild (PBS) as Brian Robeson Justin Whalin – Perfect Harmony (Disney Channel) as Taylor Bradshaw
Best Young Actress Starring in a Cable Special ★ Sarah Sawatsky – The Girl from Mars (Atlantic Films) as Deedee Puttman Olivia Burnette – Final Verdict (TNT) as Nora Rogers Nicki Vannice – Sapphire Man as Dix Juliet Sorcey – Never Forget (TNT) as Edie Mermelstein
Best Young Performer in a Television Series
Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series ★ Neil Patrick Harris – Doogie Howser, M.D. (ABC) as Dr. Douglas "Doogie" Howser Jay R. Ferguson – Evening Shade (CBS) as Taylor Newton Johnny Galecki – American Dreamer (NBC) as Danny Nash Omri Katz – Eerie, Indiana (NBC) as Marshall Teller Corin Nemec – Parker Lewis Can't Lose (FOX) as Parker Lloyd Lewis Scott Weinger – The Family Man (CBS) as Steve Taylor
Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series ★ Kellie Martin – Life Goes On (ABC) as Rebecca "Becca" Thatcher Maia Brewton – Parker Lewis Can't Lose (FOX) as Shelly Ann Lewis Shannen Doherty – Beverly Hills, 90210 (FOX) as Brenda Walsh Candace Hutson – Evening Shade (CBS) as Molly Newton Marisa Ryan – Major Dad (CBS) as Elizabeth Cooper MacGillis
Outstanding Young Comedian in a Television Series ★ Adam Jeffries – True Colors (FOX) as Lester Freeman David Faustino – Married... with Children (FOX) as Bud Bundy Seth Green – Good & Evil (ABC) as David Sandler
Outstanding Young Comedienne in a Television Series ★ Sara Gilbert – Roseanne (ABC) as Darlene Conner Tatyana M. Ali – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (NBC) as Ashley Banks Kellie Shanygne Williams – Family Matters (CBS) as Laura Lee Winslow
Best Young Actor Starring in a New Television Series ★ Trevor Bullock – Davis Rules (ABC) as Robbie Davis Brandon Call – Step by Step (CBS) as John Thomas "J.T." Lambert Danny Gerard – Brooklyn Bridge (CBS) as Alan Silver Joey Lawrence – Blossom (NBC) as Joseph "Joey" Russo Larenz Tate – The Royal Family (CBS) as Curtis Winston
Best Young Actress Starring in a New Television Series ★ Sylver Gregory – The Royal Family (CBS) as Kim Winston Meghan Andrews – Flesh 'n' Blood (NBC) as Beauty Weed Mayim Bialik – Blossom (NBC) as Blossom Ruby Russo Olivia Burnette – The Torkelsons (NBC) as Dorothy Jane Torkelson Staci Keanan – Step by Step (CBS) as Dana Foster Ashlee Levitch – I'll Fly Away (NBC) as Francie Bedford
Best Young Actor Starring in an Off-Prime Time or Cable Series ★ Richard Ian Cox – The Adventures of the Black Stallion (Family Channel) as Alec Ramsey Robert Gavin – Land of the Lost (ABC) as Kevin Porter Mark-Paul Gosselaar – Saved by the Bell (NBC) as Zachary "Zack" Morris Mario Lopez – Saved by the Bell (NBC) as Albert Clifford "A.C." Slater Will Nipper – The New Lassie (KCOP) as Will McCullough Sean O'Neal – Clarissa Explains It All (Nickelodeon) as Samuel "Sam" Anders Jaimz Woolvett – Dog House (TV series) (Accolade Releasing) as Richard Underwood
Best Young Actress Starring in an Off-Prime Time or Cable Series ★ Melissa Joan Hart – Clarissa Explains It All (Nickelodeon) as Clarissa Marie Darling Elizabeth Berkley – Saved by the Bell (NBC) as Jessica "Jessie" Spano Wendy Cox – The New Lassie (KCOP) as Megan McCullough Jenny Drugan – Land of the Lost (ABC) as Anamarie "Annie" Porter Carol Ann Plante – Harry and the Hendersons (FOX) as Sarah Henderson Tiffani-Amber Thiessen – Saved by the Bell (NBC) as Kelly Kapowski Lark Voorhies – Saved by the Bell (NBC) as Lisa Turtle
Best Young Actor Co-Starring in a Television Series ★ Brian Austin Green – Beverly Hills 90210 (FOX) as David Silver Dustin Berkovitz – Sisters (NBC) as Evan Whitsig Leonardo DiCaprio – Growing Pains (ABC) as Luke Brower Jeremy Jackson – Baywatch (Syndication) as Hobie Buchannon Rigoberto Jimenez – Davis Rules (ABC) as Rigo Cordona Christopher Pettiet – The Young Riders (ABC) as Jesse James Justin Shenkarow – Eerie, Indiana (NBC) as Simon Holmes
Best Young Actress Co-Starring in a Television Series ★ Jennie Garth – Beverly Hills, 90210 (FOX) as Kelly Taylor Andrea Barber – Full House (ABC) as Kimmy Gibbler Danica McKellar – The Wonder Years (ABC) as Gwendolyn "Winnie" Cooper Lisa Rieffel – The Trials of Rosie O'Neill (CBS) as Kim Ginty Lisa Dean Ryan – Doogie Howser, M.D. (ABC) as Wanda Plenn Tori Spelling – Beverly Hills, 90210 (FOX) as Donna Martin Jenna von Oÿ – Blossom (NBC) as Six Dorothy LeMeure
Best Young Actor Co-Starring in an Off-Prime Time or Cable Series ★ Zachary Bostrom – Harry and the Hendersons (FOX) as Ernie Henderson Andrew Bednarski – Rin Tin Tin K-9 Cops (CTV) as Steve Katts Jordan Christopher Michael – Sessions Kevin Osgood – The Mickey Mouse Club (Disney Channel) Avi Phillips – Maniac Mansion (Family Channel) as Ike Edison Josiah Trager – Big Brother Jake (Family Channel) as Loomis "Lou" Washington Jason Zimbler – Clarissa Explains It All (Nickelodeon) as Ferguson W. Darling
Best Young Actress Co-Starring in an Off-Prime Time or Cable Series ★ Gabrielle Carmouche – Big Brother Jake (Family Channel) as Katerie Monroe Valentina Cardinalli – Dog House (Accolade Releasing) as Annabelle Underwood Jennifer Crystal – Sessions Kathleen Robertson – Maniac Mansion (Family Channel) as Tina Edison
Best Young Actor Guest-Starring or Recurring Role in a TV Series ★ Brandon Crane – The Wonder Years (ABC) as Doug Porter Brandon Quintin Adams – Drexell's Class (FOX) as Oscar Tevin Campbell – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (NBC) as Little T Grant Gelt – Northern Exposure (CBS) as Kid Joel John Christian Graas – The New Zorro (Family Channel) as Pepe Jason Marsden – Anything But Love (ABC) Michael Oliver – Drexell's Class (FOX) as Mitchell Justin Whalin – Blossom (NBC) as Jimmy
Best Young Actress Guest-Starring or Recurring Role in a TV Series ★ Robin Lynn Heath – Davis Rules (ABC) as Debbie Kessler Erika Flores – The Owl (Lorimar) as Lisa Ami Foster – Empty Nest (NBC) as Wanda Sue Lisa Gerber – The Wonder Years (ABC) as Cara Crystal McKellar – The Wonder Years (ABC) as Becky Slater Alisan Porter – The Golden Girls (NBC) as Melissa Jodi Peterson – The New Lassie (KCOP) as Tracy Tori Spelling – Saved by the Bell (NBC) as Violet Bickerstaff
Best Young Actor in a Daytime Series ★ Scott Groff – Days of Our Lives (NBC) as Shawn Douglas-Brady Bryan Buffinton – Guiding Light (CBS) as Billy Lewis III Brandon Farmer – Santa Barbara (NBC) as Chip Castillo Glenn Walker Harris Jr. – General Hospital (ABC) as Sly Eckert Tommy Michaels – All My Children (ABC) as Timmy Hunter
Best Young Actress in a Daytime Series ★ Rachel Miner – Guiding Light (CBS) as Michelle Bauer Suzanne Ekerling – General Hospital (ABC) as Jody Irene Ng – All My Children (ABC) as An Li Chen Bodine #1 Ashley Peldon – Guiding Light (CBS) as Marah Lewis Vicki Wauchope – Santa Barbara (NBC) as Young Eden
Outstanding Voice-Over in an Animation Series ★ Joshua Wiener – Back to the Future: The Animated Series (CBS) as Jules Brown Chris Allport – Peter Pan and the Pirates (FOX) as Tootles Anndi McAfee – Dink, the Little Dinosaur (CBS) as Amber Jason Marsden – Peter Pan and the Pirates (FOX) as Peter Pan Janna Michaels – TaleSpin (Disney Channel) as Molly Elizabeth Cunningham R.J. Williams – TaleSpin (Disney Channel) as Kit Cloudkicker
Best Young Performer Under 10 Years of Age
Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor Under 10 ★ Taran Noah Smith – Home Improvement (ABC) as Mark Taylor John Aaron Bennett – I'll Fly Away (NBC) as John Morgan Bedford Tahj Mowry – Full House (ABC) as Teddy Lee Norris – The Torkelsons (NBC) as Chuckie Lee Torkelson Jacob Parker – Evening Shade (CBS) as Will Newton Matthew Louis Seigel – Brooklyn Bridge (CBS) as Nathaniel Silver
Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress Under 10 ★ Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen – Full House (ABC) as Michelle Tanner Rachel Duncan – The Torkelsons (NBC) as Mary Sue Torkelson Ashley Johnson – Growing Pains (ABC) as Christine Ellen "Chrissy" Seaver Amber Rose Kelly – The Girl Who Came Between Them (NBC) as Amanda Huntoon Bethany Richards – Switched at Birth (NBC) as Kim Mays (Age 4-6) Naya Rivera – The Royal Family (CBS) as Hillary Winston
Best Young Ensemble Performance
Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture