Former Child Actor Stars with Shocking Adult Scandals

Child stardom often leads to difficult transitions into adulthood under the glare of the public eye. Many young talents struggle to cope with the pressures of fame and find themselves facing serious legal issues later in life. This list explores male actors who started their careers young but eventually made headlines for controversial behavior and legal battles. These stories serve as cautionary tales about the dark side of early success in the entertainment industry.

Drake Bell

This former Nickelodeon star became a household name leading the sitcom ‘Drake & Josh’ during the early 2000s. His public image shattered when he was charged with attempted child endangerment involving a minor he met online. He eventually pleaded guilty to the charges and received a sentence of probation along with community service hours. The victim detailed years of inappropriate communication that occurred before the actor faced legal consequences. This legal battle significantly damaged his career and standing within the industry.

Shia LaBeouf

The actor rose to fame on the Disney Channel series ‘Even Stevens’ before becoming a massive box office draw in action franchises. His career momentum halted due to a string of arrests for public intoxication and disorderly conduct across multiple cities. A former partner filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual battery and relentless psychological abuse during their relationship. He later admitted to struggling with aggression and alcoholism while seeking inpatient treatment. These disturbing allegations turned him from a beloved child star into a polarizing Hollywood figure.

Dustin Diamond

Audiences knew him best as the lovable nerd Screech Powers in the hit series ‘Saved by the Bell’. His adult life took a chaotic turn that included releasing a self-produced sex tape in an attempt to regain relevance. He faced serious legal trouble after stabbing a man during a bar altercation in Wisconsin. The incident led to a conviction for carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct. He served time in jail and struggled to rebuild his reputation before his untimely death.

Orlando Brown

This actor gained fame playing Eddie Thomas on the popular Disney Channel supernatural sitcom ‘That’s So Raven’. His adult years have been plagued by a series of highly publicized arrests involving domestic battery and drug possession. He made several erratic television appearances that raised concerns about his mental health and stability. Friends and former co-stars attempted interventions as his mugshots frequently appeared in the news. His struggles highlighted the severe difficulties some child actors face when the show ends.

Edward Furlong

He exploded onto the scene as young John Connor in the massive blockbuster ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’. His promising career quickly derailed as he battled severe heroin and cocaine addiction for decades. He faced multiple arrests related to domestic violence and repeatedly violated probation orders. The actor lost several major roles due to his inability to stay sober and his legal entanglements. His mugshots and court appearances unfortunately overshadowed his early natural talent.

Todd Bridges

The actor portrayed the older brother Willis Jackson on the classic sitcom ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ alongside Gary Coleman. He fell into a deep spiral of crack cocaine addiction and began dealing drugs to support his habit. Prosecutors charged him with the attempted murder of a drug dealer at a crack house in Los Angeles. A jury eventually acquitted him of the most serious charges after a high-profile trial. He has since turned his life around to mentor others struggling with similar demons.

Robert Blake

He began his long career as a child actor in the iconic ‘Our Gang’ short films during the late 1930s. His legacy became permanently tarnished when authorities charged him with the murder of his wife Bonnie Lee Bakley. He was ultimately acquitted in criminal court but a civil jury later found him liable for her wrongful death. The scandalous trial ended his acting career and left him legally bankrupt. He spent his final years maintaining his innocence regarding the brutal crime.

Zachery Ty Bryan

This actor played the oldest son Brad Taylor on the long-running sitcom ‘Home Improvement’. He faced serious legal issues when police arrested him for strangling his girlfriend during a domestic dispute. He later pleaded guilty to menacing and assault charges while facing additional legal scrutiny for an alleged cryptocurrency scheme. The fraud accusations involved him tricking investors out of thousands of dollars using fake contracts. His repeated run-ins with the law completely dismantled his post-acting business ventures.

Shaun Weiss

Fans loved him as the goalie Goldberg in ‘The Mighty Ducks’ film franchise during the 1990s. His shocking mugshot went viral after police arrested him for burglary while he was under the influence of methamphetamine. The actor had broken into a garage and shattered a car window before officers found him in a dazed state. He suffered from severe dental problems and physical deterioration due to his heavy drug use. He has recently celebrated significant milestones in his recovery and sobriety.

Jeremy Jackson

He grew up on screen playing Hobie Buchannon on the international hit series ‘Baywatch’. His troubles began with a severe drug addiction that led him to leave the show before it concluded. He was later sentenced to jail for stabbing a man during an altercation in Westlake. Another incident involved him stabbing a woman while attempting to steal her car. These violent outbursts resulted in a prison sentence and mandatory anger management courses.

Brad Renfro

The young actor delivered a breakout performance in ‘The Client’ and seemed destined for a major film career. His life spiraled downward quickly due to heroin and methadone addiction that led to multiple arrests. He famously attempted to steal a yacht in Florida while shooting a film which resulted in probation. His legal troubles made him uninsurable for major studio productions despite his obvious acting gifts. He tragically died from an accidental heroin overdose at the age of twenty-five.

Brian Bonsall

He charmed audiences as the youngest child Andy Keaton on the sitcom ‘Family Ties’ during the 1980s. He retired from acting early and faced numerous legal battles involving assault and fugitive warrants. Police arrested him for hitting a friend in the head with a wooden stool during a bar fight. He violated his probation terms multiple times and struggled with substance abuse issues. His transition away from Hollywood resulted in a lengthy rap sheet rather than a private civilian life.

Adam Rich

He was known as “America’s Little Brother” for his role as Nicholas on the comedy-drama ‘Eight Is Enough’. His adult life was marred by drug addiction that led to a highly publicized arrest for breaking into a pharmacy. The actor later engaged in a bizarre hoax where he staged his own death for a magazine story. He struggled with substance abuse issues for years and faced charges for driving under the influence. His troubled path became a cliche example of the child star curse.

Mitchel Musso

Disney Channel viewers knew him well as Oliver Oken on the smash hit series ‘Hannah Montana’. His clean image suffered when he was arrested for driving under the influence at a young age. He faced legal trouble again years later for public intoxication and theft of a bag of potato chips. Police took him into custody after he refused to pay for the snack and became belligerent. The embarrassing incident marked a low point for the actor who once starred in top-rated children’s programming.

Ezra Miller

The actor started their career as a teenager in films like ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ before joining the DC universe. A chaotic string of arrests in Hawaii for disorderly conduct and harassment alarmed the public and studio executives. They faced burglary charges in Vermont for breaking into a home to steal alcohol. Additional accusations of grooming and inappropriate behavior with minors surfaced during this tumultuous period. The actor eventually issued a statement apologizing for their behavior and claiming to seek treatment for complex mental health issues.

Jussie Smollett

He began his career as a child actor in films like ‘The Mighty Ducks’ and ‘North’ before finding fame on ‘Empire’. He orchestrated a hate crime hoax by paying two brothers to stage a racist and homophobic attack against him. Police investigations revealed the deception and led to him being charged with multiple felony counts of disorderly conduct. A jury found him guilty of lying to police in a case that gripped the nation. The scandal effectively destroyed his career and resulted in a jail sentence.

Tell us which of these stories shocked you the most in the comments.