Everyone remembers the whisper. "I see dead people." It’s the kind of line that defines a career, but if you think Haley Joel Osment just vanished into a ghostly mist after the late '90s, you’ve been missing out on one of the weirdest and most delightful career pivots in modern television.
He didn't just stay the "Sixth Sense kid." Honestly, he became a character actor powerhouse.
From 90s sitcoms where he was basically the "it" child of the decade to modern, gritty satirical comedies, the landscape of haley joel osment tv shows is surprisingly vast. It's a mix of prestige drama, bizarre comedy, and even some voice work that you probably heard without even realizing it was him.
The Sitcom Era: Growing Up in the 90s
Long before he was getting Oscar nominations, Osment was a staple of the network sitcom machine. It's easy to forget that he was essentially the go-to kid for any show needing a blend of precocious charm and genuine acting chops.
His first real TV series was Thunder Alley back in 1994. He played Harry, the grandson of Edward Asner’s character. It was short-lived, sure, but it proved he could carry a scene with an industry legend. Shortly after, he landed a role as Jeff Foxworthy's son in The Jeff Foxworthy Show. If you dig through old clips, you’ll see him navigating that classic multicam format with a professional ease that most adult actors struggle to find.
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Then came the big one: Murphy Brown.
In the final season of the legendary series, Osment took over the role of Avery Brown, Murphy’s son. Replacing another actor is always a gamble, but he made it work. He brought a certain gravity to the role of a kid growing up under the microscope of a famous mother. It was arguably his most "adult" performance before the world actually saw him as an adult.
The Guest Star Streak: From Walker to Ally McBeal
You can basically track the history of 90s television through Osment’s guest appearances. He popped up in Walker, Texas Ranger, Touched by an Angel, and Chicago Hope.
One of his most memorable early guest spots was on The Pretender in 1998, where he played a child prodigy. But the real heart-breaker was his turn on Ally McBeal. He played a young boy with leukemia who wants to sue God. It was heavy stuff for a kid, and it signaled that he was ready for the dramatic heavy lifting that was about to come with his film career.
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The Modern Pivot: Getting Weird on Hulu and Amazon
This is where it gets interesting. After taking a break for school and theater, Osment returned to the screen with a very specific energy. He wasn't looking for leading man roles; he was looking for weird roles.
Take Silicon Valley, for instance. He played Keenan Feldspar, a VR entrepreneur who was basically a human golden retriever—overwhelmingly positive and slightly oblivious. It was a perfect piece of casting. Then he showed up in The Boys as Mesmer, a washed-up former child star who can read minds. The meta-commentary wasn't lost on anyone, and he played the desperation of that character beautifully.
The Cult Classics and Guest Gems
If you haven't seen his episode of What We Do in the Shadows, stop what you're doing. He plays Topher, a "familiar" who dies and is brought back as a very annoying, very enthusiastic zombie. It is peak comedy Osment.
- Future Man: He had a recurring role as Dr. Stu Camillo, a character that goes through some of the most bizarre transformations in a show already known for being insane.
- The Kominsky Method: He played Robby, the grandson of Sandy Kominsky (Michael Douglas). It’s a smaller role, but he fits right into that high-caliber ensemble.
- Comedy Bang! Bang!: His appearances as "Slow Joey" are legendary among fans of alternative comedy. It's proof he isn't afraid to look ridiculous for a laugh.
Voice Acting: The Secret Career
A huge chunk of the haley joel osment tv shows list is actually hidden behind a microphone. While gamers know him as Sora from Kingdom Hearts, his TV voice work is just as prolific.
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He’s lent his voice to Family Guy, American Dad!, and Star Trek: Lower Decks. Most recently, he’s been a regular in the Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous universe as Kash D. Langford. He also voiced Casey Jones in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie, bringing a gritty but fun energy to the fan-favorite character.
Why His TV Career Still Matters
A lot of child stars struggle to find a second act. They get stuck in the "where are they now" listicles. Osment avoided that by leaning into his talent as a character actor. He doesn't need to be the lead; he just needs to be the most interesting person in the room.
Whether he’s playing a tech bro, a zombie, or a voice in a cartoon, there’s a consistency to his work. He’s dependable. He understands the timing of a joke just as well as he understands the weight of a dramatic pause.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to catch up on the best of his television work, here is a quick roadmap of what to stream right now:
- For the Laughs: Watch What We Do in the Shadows (Season 2, Episode 1). Topher is a career highlight.
- For the Drama: Find his arc in The Boys (Season 1). It’s dark, meta, and incredibly well-acted.
- For the Nostalgia: Check out the final season of Murphy Brown to see him hold his own against Candice Bergen.
- For the Animation Fans: Listen for him in Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous or Star Trek: Lower Decks.
The reality is that Haley Joel Osment has one of the most diverse resumes in Hollywood. He’s moved from the "cute kid" phase to the "prestige drama" phase and settled comfortably into the "reliable comedy vet" phase. He’s still here, he’s still working, and honestly? He’s better than ever.