Daniel Curtis Lee Tried to Help a Homeless Former Child Star — What Happened to the Motel Room Shocked Everyone

A former Nickelodeon actor’s effort to help an old colleague who is living on the streets has turned into a painful lesson about the limits of goodwill.

Daniel Curtis Lee, known for playing Cookie on Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, recently spoke about trying to help Tylor Chase, another former child actor who has been homeless in Southern California. Lee decided to step in after seeing a TikTok video that spread quickly online.

The video showed Chase on the street, unkempt and struggling, while confirming his identity and his past work on a Nickelodeon show. The clip worried many viewers and quickly gained attention.

Former Nickelodeon child stars are having a rough one pic.twitter.com/qN95SrxOmJ

— 𓅃 (@FalconryFinance) December 21, 2025

After the video circulated, fans tried to help by raising money online. A GoFundMe campaign collected about $1,200 before it was stopped by Chase’s mother. She said giving her son cash would only make his situation worse because of ongoing mental illness and drug problems. According to the TikTok user who organized the fundraiser, the money was instead spent on food, clothes, and basic needs.

Lee said he contacted Chase directly and drove to meet him. Wanting to offer immediate help, Lee bought him food and paid for a motel room so Chase could stay inside during bad weather. Lee believed this would give Chase a chance to rest and be safe, even if only for a short time.

That plan quickly fell apart. Lee said motel workers reached out to him not long after Chase checked in. He was told the room had been badly damaged. According to Lee, the space was left in complete disorder, with furniture and appliances moved or overturned. Chase was gone by the time staff noticed the damage.

@danielcurtislee Happy Holidays. Difficult conversation about Tylor Chase and his recovery journey. #tylorchase #danielcurtislee #nedsdeclassified #shelter #epidemic ♬ original sound – Daniel Curtis Lee

Lee later spoke publicly about the incident. He said the outcome was heartbreaking but not shocking. He explained that Chase’s family had already warned him that similar situations had happened before. For Lee, the experience showed how hard it is to help someone who is dealing with serious mental illness and addiction without steady medical care and long-term support.

Others from the entertainment world also tried to help. Shaun Weiss, who played Greg Goldberg in The Mighty Ducks and has been open about his own recovery, offered Chase a place in a detox program and help getting into treatment. According to reports, Chase refused the offer.

Chase’s father, Joseph Mendez Jr., has said his son has struggled for many years with conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, along with substance abuse. Local officials have confirmed that outreach teams see Chase often and regularly offer shelter, mental health care, and addiction services. Each time, he has turned them down.

As of late December, Chase is still living on the streets in Southern California and continues to reject long-term help. Those trying to support him say they are running out of options and answers.

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