Cheryl JChild Actors - The Waste and the Wasted Part 1
April 3rd 2008 06:53
These are just a few of the names you may remember from their childhood acting careers whose lives took a huge downward spiral, some of whom didn’t just lose their careers but their lives. Some went off the rails and are successfully turning their lives around. Some never seemed to stray from their paths. I’m not sure how much of this is because of parental or family influence or that maybe some are just luckier and more resilient than others. Here are a few examples of the seedier side of child fame.
The two Coreys, Haim and Feldman starred in many popular and successful movies both individually and together. They had major comedic chemistry together and became the highest paid child actors of the 80s. Of the two I have to say that I think Feldman was by far the most talented with his stand out roles in Stand By Me and The Goonies but I loved them both in The Lost Boys, one of my favourite movies of the 80s. Corey Haim fans, don’t shoot me for this it’s just a personal preference.
Both Coreys went famously off the rails and into an abyss of drugs and excess with Haim sinking to an especially low low selling his molar on ebay! If you have never seen his famous rambling drug fucked video on youtube, go look it up, it is truly tragic. He was labeled a pariah and casting agents couldn’t get far enough away from him. He was arrested and charged in 1993 with pulling a replica handgun during a dispute with his business manager and finally checked into rehab in 2001.
Feldman battled with drugs and was finally arrested in 1990 for heroin possession but he has been reportedly sober ever since although he never could get his career back on track. He went on to star in the reality show A Surreal Life which culminated in him marrying Susie Sprague on camera in the last episode. He is an award winning animal rights activist and noted vegetarian. He has spoken publicly about his opposition to child stardom.
In 1997 both men got together to make the show The Two Coreys playing fictional characters similar to The Odd Couple.
I love them because they both take the piss out of themselves on Robot Chicken (one of my three all-time favourite shows – the other two are Dexter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Although neither have been able to regain their former success Feldman seems to be happy with his life now. Haim is still trying to get his life back on track.
Remember Diff’rent Strokes? All three child stars from this show had arrests or drug addictions. And while it seems that both Todd Bridges and Gary Coleman overcame their demons to some extent, Dana Plato died of an overdose that was ruled suicide on Mother’s Day in 1999 the day after appearing on the Howard Stern Show stating she had never considered suicide.
Her drug and alcohol problems began at the age of 14 and after leaving the show she struggled to find work as a serious actor. First arrested in Las Vegas in 1991 and then again for forging prescriptions in 1992. And as is the case with many child stars was ripped off by someone she trusted, her accountant, who took off with her money as she was struggling with the death of her mother, a marriage breakdown and the loss of custody of her child.
Todd Bridges' trouble with the law began in the early 1990s, including being charged for attempted murder in 1990, convicted for drug possession in 1993, and another arrest for assault with a deadly weapon in 1997. Todd has reportedly been clean and sober for a number of years now and is using his own experiences to help others with the Todd Bridges Youth Foundation providing counseling, food and mentorship to troubled youth in South Central, Los Angeles.
Gary Coleman who suffers from a congenital kidney disease which stunted his growth has undergone two transplants and still requires daily dialysis. Coleman was convicted of punching a woman in 1999. Although he didn’t succumb to drugs as did his co-stars – possibly because of his ill-health, he too had to sue people he trusted for misappropriation of his wealth – his own parents squandering his fortune. Although he one the case he filed for bankruptcy a short time later. Coleman also unsuccessfully ran for Governor of California in 2003, worked as a security guard – I’m sorry I have trouble picturing that one – and has made a few cameo appearances. He recently married his 22 year old girlfriend.
Because it's a long post I've broken it into Parts 1 and 2.
The two Coreys, Haim and Feldman starred in many popular and successful movies both individually and together. They had major comedic chemistry together and became the highest paid child actors of the 80s. Of the two I have to say that I think Feldman was by far the most talented with his stand out roles in Stand By Me and The Goonies but I loved them both in The Lost Boys, one of my favourite movies of the 80s. Corey Haim fans, don’t shoot me for this it’s just a personal preference.
Photo fresnobeehive.com
Both Coreys went famously off the rails and into an abyss of drugs and excess with Haim sinking to an especially low low selling his molar on ebay! If you have never seen his famous rambling drug fucked video on youtube, go look it up, it is truly tragic. He was labeled a pariah and casting agents couldn’t get far enough away from him. He was arrested and charged in 1993 with pulling a replica handgun during a dispute with his business manager and finally checked into rehab in 2001.
Feldman battled with drugs and was finally arrested in 1990 for heroin possession but he has been reportedly sober ever since although he never could get his career back on track. He went on to star in the reality show A Surreal Life which culminated in him marrying Susie Sprague on camera in the last episode. He is an award winning animal rights activist and noted vegetarian. He has spoken publicly about his opposition to child stardom.
In 1997 both men got together to make the show The Two Coreys playing fictional characters similar to The Odd Couple.
Photo entertainmentopia
I love them because they both take the piss out of themselves on Robot Chicken (one of my three all-time favourite shows – the other two are Dexter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Although neither have been able to regain their former success Feldman seems to be happy with his life now. Haim is still trying to get his life back on track.
Photo defamer.com
Remember Diff’rent Strokes? All three child stars from this show had arrests or drug addictions. And while it seems that both Todd Bridges and Gary Coleman overcame their demons to some extent, Dana Plato died of an overdose that was ruled suicide on Mother’s Day in 1999 the day after appearing on the Howard Stern Show stating she had never considered suicide.
Photo mortystv.com
Her drug and alcohol problems began at the age of 14 and after leaving the show she struggled to find work as a serious actor. First arrested in Las Vegas in 1991 and then again for forging prescriptions in 1992. And as is the case with many child stars was ripped off by someone she trusted, her accountant, who took off with her money as she was struggling with the death of her mother, a marriage breakdown and the loss of custody of her child.
Todd Bridges' trouble with the law began in the early 1990s, including being charged for attempted murder in 1990, convicted for drug possession in 1993, and another arrest for assault with a deadly weapon in 1997. Todd has reportedly been clean and sober for a number of years now and is using his own experiences to help others with the Todd Bridges Youth Foundation providing counseling, food and mentorship to troubled youth in South Central, Los Angeles.
Gary Coleman who suffers from a congenital kidney disease which stunted his growth has undergone two transplants and still requires daily dialysis. Coleman was convicted of punching a woman in 1999. Although he didn’t succumb to drugs as did his co-stars – possibly because of his ill-health, he too had to sue people he trusted for misappropriation of his wealth – his own parents squandering his fortune. Although he one the case he filed for bankruptcy a short time later. Coleman also unsuccessfully ran for Governor of California in 2003, worked as a security guard – I’m sorry I have trouble picturing that one – and has made a few cameo appearances. He recently married his 22 year old girlfriend.
Photos Yahoo Movies, crime.about.com and NY Post.
Because it's a long post I've broken it into Parts 1 and 2.
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