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all grown up

Marley & Me child star looks unrecognisable 16 years after hit Jennifer Aniston film was released

Ben Hyland has starred in a number of hit TV shows since the movie

HE'S no longer the floppy-haired little boy that starred alongside Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson in Marley & Me.

Sixteen years on from the popular family film's release, Ben Hyland is all grown up and looks very different.

Ben Hyland was the youngster in hit film Marley & Me
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Ben Hyland was the youngster in hit film Marley & MeCredit: Alamy
Ben has starred in a number of hit TV shows and looks unrecognisable all grown up
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Ben has starred in a number of hit TV shows and looks unrecognisable all grown upCredit: IMDB
The Jennifer Aniston movie, which centred on a family's relationship with their Golden Retriever, was a success
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The Jennifer Aniston movie, which centred on a family's relationship with their Golden Retriever, was a successCredit: Alamy

The young actor was five when he played the role of Conor, the second child and youngest son of John and Jenny Grogan in the movie.

Friends icon Jennifer headed up the cast of the Hollywood blockbuster as the youngster's mum with Owen portraying journalist John in the flick.

Fast forward to the present day and Ben has cropped dark hair and sports a beard to accompany his cheeky grin.

The star was born in June 2002 on Long Island, New York and according to IMDb, Marley & Me was his first professional acting role.

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Since playing Conor in the movie, he has enjoyed a number of episodic roles across his varied career.

He has had guest roles in the shows Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Blue Bloods.

In 2013 he also appeared in Netflix's first ever original series House of Cards for three episodes as Kevin Russo.

His biggest role outside of Marley & Me is his appearance as Zach Goodweather in the series The Strain.

However, bosses decided to let Ben go after just one series and decided to re-cast based on upcoming storylines they had planned.

In a statemnt at the time, showrunner Carlton Cuse said: "We recast this part due to some specific story needs we have downstream.

"We are sad to see Ben go. He is a very talented actor and a wonderful person. We will all miss him and thank him for his great work."

He is no longer the fresh-faced child we once knew
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He is no longer the fresh-faced child we once knewCredit: Alamy
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