If you spent any time watching movies in the early 2010s, you definitely remember that face. You know the one—the wide-eyed, impossibly charming kid who played Rosie Mee in We Bought a Zoo. She was the one who famously told Matt Damon that the family "bought a zoo" with more conviction than most adults have about their mortgage. That was Maggie Elizabeth Jones, and for a few years, she was everywhere.
She wasn't just another child actor. She had this weirdly natural, unforced screen presence that made her stand out next to heavyweights like Scarlett Johansson and Jason Bateman. But then, things got quiet.
Really quiet.
If you're wondering about Maggie Elizabeth Jones now, the answer isn't a tragic "child star gone wrong" story. It’s actually the opposite. It’s a story about a kid who did the work, made her mark, and then decided she wanted a normal life more than a red carpet.
From Rosie Mee to Auburn University
Honestly, Hollywood is a grind, even for kids. Maggie started young—like, seven years old young. After her breakout in 2011, she booked a lead role in the Fox sitcom Ben and Kate alongside Dakota Johnson. She was essentially the emotional anchor of that show, playing Maddie Fox with a level of dry wit that felt way beyond her years.
But as she hit her teens, the credits started to slow down. Her last major credit was around 2016 with the American Girl movie Lea to the Rescue.
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So, where did she go?
She went back to Georgia. Specifically, she headed to Fairburn to attend Landmark Christian School. She wasn't just hiding out; she was living. She ran varsity cross country. She did the whole high school experience without the cameras following her. By the time she graduated in 2022, she had transitioned from "famous child actor" to "regular college student."
As of early 2026, Maggie is finishing up her time at Auburn University. She’s a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. If you saw her on campus today, you probably wouldn't even recognize her as the little girl who stole scenes from Matt Damon. She’s 22 now. She has a life that revolves around exams, football games, and sorority events rather than call times and script readings.
Why She Walked Away (For Now)
People always assume that when a child actor stops working, something bad happened. "Oh, she must have been blacklisted," or "Her parents must have been difficult."
That doesn't seem to be the case here at all.
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Maggie comes from an acting family—her sisters Mary-Charles and Lillian Ellen are also in the industry. Her sister Mary-Charles actually had a long run on Kevin Can Wait. It seems the Jones family treated acting like a choice, not a life sentence. Maggie chose to prioritize her education and a "normal" upbringing over the constant hustle of Los Angeles.
There’s a specific kind of bravery in walking away when you're at the top of your game. She had the momentum. She had the talent. She just didn't want the lifestyle.
The Career That Was
To understand why people are still searching for her, you have to look at the sheer volume of high-profile projects she tackled in such a short window:
- Footloose (2011): She played Amy Warnicker.
- We Bought a Zoo (2011): The role that made her a household name.
- The First Time (2012): A cult-favorite teen rom-com.
- Identity Thief (2013): Playing Jessie Patterson.
- Ben and Kate (2012-2013): A critically acclaimed (though short-lived) sitcom.
She was working at a pace that would burn out most adults. By the time she hit middle school, she’d already accomplished more than most actors do in a lifetime.
Is an Acting Comeback Possible?
Never say never.
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In the world of 2026, we’ve seen a massive wave of "re-discoveries." Actors who left the industry in their teens often find their way back in their 20s with a fresh perspective. Think of it like the "Ke Huy Quan effect," but for the Gen Z set. Maggie still has an active presence on social media, though she keeps things pretty low-key and focused on her personal life.
She hasn't officially "retired" in a formal, press-release kind of way. She’s just... being Maggie.
What You Can Learn from Maggie’s Path
Most people obsessed with child stars are looking for drama. With Maggie, the "drama" is just a well-adjusted young woman making smart choices. It’s a reminder that fame isn't the end-all-be-all.
If you're a fan looking to keep up with her, here’s the reality: she isn't chasing the spotlight right now. She’s focused on her degree at Auburn and her life in the South.
How to Support Former Child Actors Like Maggie
- Respect the Pivot: Understand that a career change at 18 is normal, even if you were famous at 8.
- Avoid the "Where Are They Now" Tropes: Not every story has to be a "downfall" or a "triumphant return." Sometimes it's just a transition.
- Watch the Old Stuff: If you miss her acting, Ben and Kate is still a hidden gem worth a rewatch on streaming platforms. It holds up surprisingly well.
Maggie Elizabeth Jones represents a rare success story in Hollywood. She got in, did incredible work, and got out with her sanity and a clear plan for the future. Whether she ever steps back in front of a camera or chooses a career in a completely different field, she’s already proven she knows how to handle the pressure.
For those looking for her latest work, you won't find it on IMDb. You’ll find it in the real world, where she’s busy being a college senior and figuring out her next chapter on her own terms.
Practical Next Steps:
If you want to revisit her best work, start with We Bought a Zoo for the nostalgia, then track down episodes of Ben and Kate. It’s some of the most charming television of the 2010s and shows exactly why she was such a big deal. Keep an eye on her social media if you’re curious about her post-grad plans, but don't expect a movie announcement anytime soon—she’s currently busy being an Auburn Tiger.