Meredith Salenger, now 55, was once one of Hollywood’s most charming and recognizable faces, captivating audiences as a young actress three decades ago.

Hailing from Malibu, Salenger’s career took off at an early age. Her breakthrough came with a significant role in Disney’s 1985 film, “The Journey Of Natty Gann,” marking her entrance into the industry.

Her talent continued to shine through as she shared the screen with notable actors like River Phoenix and Matthew Perry in the 1988 film, “The Night In The Life Of Jimmy Reardon.”

Salenger’s momentum in the film industry didn’t stop there. She continued to secure roles in films such as “The Kiss” alongside Joanna Pacula in 1988, and the following year, she appeared in “Dream A Little Dream,” featuring Corey Feldman and Corey Haim.

Despite her flourishing acting career, Salenger chose to step back briefly to pursue her education at Harvard University. After completing her studies, she returned to Hollywood, embracing new opportunities in the entertainment world.

The star has also popped up on Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Dawson’s Creek as well as the series Cold Case. 

The thespian has worked less since marrying The Goldbergs star Patton Oswalt in 2017. See what this childhood friend of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck looks like now. 

Meredith Salenger, 55, was one of the cutest actresses in Hollywood movies 30 years ago. And the Malibu native started her career at a young age

Here is her pretty head shot from the 1990s

The actress was seen in a Harvard T-shirt and sweatpants when running errands in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon.

The former child star was makeup free and wore her dark hair up in a messy bun as she held on to a purse. 

Though she took time award to go to college at Harvard while in her 20s, Salenger made plenty of movies after graduating.

She retuned to the big screen with 1991’s Edge Of Honor.

The artist then worked on 1994’s Dead Beat, 1995’s Village of the Damned, 1995’s Venus Rising, 1997’s Sparkle And Charm, 1998’s Sour Grapes, 1998’s No Code Of Conduct, 1998’s Bug Buster, and 1999’s Matters of Consequence.

That same year she played Deputy Sharon Gare opposite Bridget Fonda and Bill Pullman in the hit chiller film Lake Placid, about a massive and vicious reptile eager to devour anything in its path.

She took two years off before she appeared in 2001’s Good Advice and My Best Friend’s Wife.

In 2002 she popped up in The Third Wheel with Ben Affleck, Luke Wilson and Denise Richards.

In 2006 she was in The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided then two years later she was in My Apocalypse.

The brunette beauty costarred with River Phoenix in 1988’s The Night In The Life Of Jimmy Reardon

Matthew Perry, far left, was also in the film with Salenger and Phoenix

A cast shot of the seminal movie

Several movies followed like Race to Witch Mountain, The Lamp, Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drain, An American Dog Story Daniella, The Second Coming of Christ Dr. Clea, Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies,  The Secret Life of Pets 2, Jelly Bean and The Prank.

The Star Wars fan worked on the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars. And Salenger voiced a Nightsister ghost in a season three episode of Star Wars Rebels.

She also appeared as Lisa Sanders in the drama series Hollywood Heights which lasted 80 episodes.

Her love life has been interesting.

She hung out with Jason Bateman in 1986, romanced Donovan Leitch Jr that same year and wed comedian Patton Oswalt in 2017.

In 2019 Oswalt admitted there was ‘some weirdness’ when he married Salenger so soon after his wife’s death, according to People.

In 1986 the actress spent time with Jason Bateman; seen at the Achievement Awards Dinner at Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills

Also in 1986 the star dated actor Donovan Leitch; seen in December 1986 dine at Tail o’ the Pup Restaurant in West Hollywood

Matt Damon is a childhood friends of hers, left. In 2002 she popped up in The Third Wheel with Ben Affleck, right

She shared a look at her wild youth in this photo posted on Instagram

H.U.D. (l-r) Salenger as Mason Noble and Steve Carell as himself 

Salenger at the premiere of Northfork at the Arclight Cinema on July 10, 2003 in Hollywood

With friend Sarah Michelle Gellar whom she made Buffy The Vampire Slayer with

Rob Reiner was a longtime friend of hers. Her husband Patton Oswalt is photo bombing them

Salenger and Oswalt looked happy on the blue carpet for the premiere of season two of the hit TV series Ted Lasso in 2021

He was wed to Michelle McNamara, an American true crime author. 

She was the author of the true crime book I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer, and helped coin the moniker Golden State Killer of the serial killer who was identified after her death as Joseph James DeAngelo/

Oswalt and McNamara tied the knot in 2005 and they had a child together, Alice Rigney Oswalt, now 16.

Then the author died unexpectedly in her sleep in April 2016 at age 46 from an undiagnosed heart condition combined with prescription medication. 

Oswalt announced his engagement to Salenger in July 2017 and the two tied the knot a few months later in November.

At the time, his daughter Alice was eight years old.

After the couple went public with their romance, they faced some criticism on social media, with some questioning how Oswalt could move on so quickly after the death of his wife.

The actress was seen in a Harvard T-shirt and jeans when running errands in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon

The former child star was makeup free and wore her dark hair up in a messy bun

Salenger responded, explaining that they had the support of McNamara’s family and friends.

She added: ‘I think for Patton, having met and found love after over a year of intense therapy and openly grieving and dealing with his pain…

‘I am grateful to be the one who helps him climb out of the depths of grief and find some joy again. And most of all… Alice is happy and feels loved.’

Salenger continued: ‘I have waited 47 years to find true love. Creating our family unit while honoring the brilliant gift Michelle has given me will be my life’s goal and happiness. 

‘I am deeply in love with both Patton and Alice and very much looking forward to a beautiful happy life having adventures together.’