10 Child Stars Who Experienced Troubled Lives

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Growing up sadly wasn't easy for these former child stars. For this video, we’ll be looking at actors who were forced to overcome traumatic or tragic events at a young age.

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00:00 I like horror comics.
00:01 You'll like this one, Mr. Phoenix.
00:03 Boy, it could save your life.
00:05 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today, we'll be discussing 10 child stars who experienced
00:11 troubled lives.
00:12 Oh, don't feel bad.
00:13 Here, go buy yourself a bagel.
00:17 For this video, we'll be looking at actors who were forced to overcome traumatic or tragic
00:23 events at a young age.
00:24 Did any of these stories shock you?
00:26 Let us know in the comments.
00:29 Macaulay Culkin
00:31 The terms "stage mother" or "stage father" often possess negative and controlling connotations.
00:37 No wonder you're my prized pupil.
00:38 What about you, Thomas Jay?
00:41 I haven't started yet.
00:42 Better get on his case, Veda.
00:44 Unfortunately, Macaulay Culkin experienced the pressures of living with such a guardian
00:48 early on.
00:49 He divulged specific details in a 2020 interview with ABC News.
00:54 Culkin revealed how his father, Kit, worked him relentlessly during his early years as
00:58 a child actor.
01:00 All-night memorization sessions were the norm for the young actor.
01:03 Are you my dad's brother?
01:04 What's your record for consecutive questions asked?
01:06 38.
01:07 I'm your dad's brother, all right.
01:09 You have much more hair on your nose than my dad.
01:11 How nice of you to notice.
01:12 I'm a kid.
01:13 That's my job.
01:13 Additionally, Culkin's father reportedly kept getting his son cast in more movies without
01:18 asking what the young actor wanted.
01:20 Macaulay Culkin eventually freed his finances from both of his parents.
01:23 Eventually, his father disappeared from his life for a time after a custody battle.
01:28 You have to trust me, Henry.
01:29 No.
01:30 No, I can't.
01:32 You just want to send me away, don't you?
01:37 Gary Coleman
01:37 The classic sitcom Different Strokes saw multiple young cast members grappling with personal
01:43 struggles.
01:44 Todd Bridges has dealt with substance use disorder, and in 1999, Dana Plato tragically died due
01:50 to an overdose.
01:51 The cast member whose life fell under the most scrutiny was Gary Coleman because he
01:55 played the breakout character Arnold Jackson.
01:57 What you talking about, Willis?
01:59 While in the spotlight, he had to manage the health issues that stunted his growth and
02:06 necessitated multiple kidney transplants.
02:08 Coleman was arrested for assault in 1998 and also struggled financially over the years.
02:13 His marriage to Shannon Price was tumultuous.
02:17 Specific details about their relationship were also aired on an episode of Divorce Court.
02:21 Gary Coleman tragically died from an epidural hematoma in 2010 after suffering a fall at
02:27 home.
02:27 Former Nickelodeon star Jeanette McCurdy was tragically forced into a difficult career
02:41 situation under her mother.
02:43 Your mom encouraged you to start acting at six and you didn't enjoy it at all, you hated
02:47 it.
02:48 And I was terrible at it.
02:49 I was like so stiff, I was like jello jigglers like I didn't know how to do.
02:53 The young actress was initially pushed into the acting profession by her mom.
02:58 Allegedly, this was due to the matriarch's own dreams of fame and stardom.
03:03 McCurdy told People in 2021 that she developed disordered eating issues because of her mother's
03:08 obsession with weight.
03:09 Additionally, the young actress was constantly monitored and wasn't even allowed to bathe
03:14 without her mother.
03:15 McCurdy documented her familial struggles in a stage show and book, entitled I'm Glad
03:19 My Mom Died.
03:20 I was telling her kind of stories of my relationship with my mom.
03:23 She said, "Hey, what you're expressing is abuse.
03:26 Are you aware of that?
03:28 I broke down, I quit therapy that night."
03:31 Through her candid works, she reported that she still may be dealing with various issues
03:35 if her mother was still present in her everyday life.
03:38 Amanda Bynes
03:39 The mental health struggles of actress Amanda Bynes have been made very public through news
03:43 outlets over the years.
03:45 Her multiple arrests, including one in 2013 for reckless endangerment and a DUI violation
03:50 in 2012, were both covered extensively.
03:54 After a 72-hour hospital stay and mental health evaluation, her parents filed to enter Bynes
03:59 into a conservatorship.
04:00 The actress would later accuse and recant allegations that her father mistreated her
04:04 when she was younger.
04:05 After several years out of the spotlight, Bynes started to issue public statements about
04:10 her past behavior.
04:10 She also ended her conservatorship.
04:22 While she made headlines again in 2023 after another public incident, she was quick to
04:26 get assistance for her mental health.
04:28 Judith Barcy
04:35 This child star had an extremely promising career ahead of her.
04:38 After being cast in a 1984 miniseries called Fatal Vision, she was consistently landing
04:48 roles left and right.
04:50 Barcy even voiced the memorable character Ducky in The Land Before Time.
05:04 Unfortunately, her life outside of Hollywood was turbulent due to her father's terrible
05:08 behavior.
05:09 He regularly mistreated Barcy and her mother with emotional and physical torment.
05:14 The young actress started developing physical compulsions in the wake of the bad home environment.
05:18 And in 1988, Barcy's father tragically ended the lives of the actress and her mother before
05:23 taking his own.
05:25 All Dogs Go to Heaven was dedicated to the young performer.
05:28 All I have is a picture in my mind how it would be
05:34 The personal troubles in Lindsay Lohan's life began at a young age.
05:40 She lived in California by herself when she was working as a teen model and actress.
05:52 At the same time, her substance issues and erratic behavior were consistently in the
05:56 news.
05:57 Tabloids were also constantly making sure to report her social life and every gaffe.
06:01 She also dealt with issues around disordered eating.
06:04 Additionally, Lohan was arrested multiple times on charges that included driving under
06:09 the influence and possession of an illegal substance.
06:11 She spent over eight years on probation for various offenses.
06:23 As of 2023, the actress has only recently repaired a volatile relationship with her
06:28 parents, Michael and Dina.
06:29 Lohan also received praise for her 2022 Falling for Christmas role.
06:39 While Drew Barrymore has gone through a major renaissance in the 2020s that only came after
06:45 a difficult upbringing.
06:47 I was voracious and went after you like a crazy person wanting to have a conversation
06:54 with you because of the things I went through in my life and with my mom.
06:59 The talented actress and personality came from an acting family.
07:03 At a young age, her father, John Drew Barrymore, abandoned the family.
07:07 Her early acclaim with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was followed by a childhood always in the
07:12 public eye.
07:16 Barrymore also struggled with substance use at a young age.
07:19 As a result of her behavior and mental health, she was sent to rehab on multiple occasions.
07:24 Despite the obstacles, Barrymore was able to continue to thrive in Hollywood.
07:28 Today, she hosts her own talk show where she is beloved by her legions of fans.
07:43 Garland's career as a child star dates all the way back to the vaudeville era,
07:47 before she eventually signed a motion picture deal with MGM.
07:50 Her time at the studio was tumultuous.
08:04 She was subject to constant criticisms about her weight.
08:07 Additionally, Garland was given various substances to get her energized for work
08:11 as well as sleeping pills.
08:12 The studio also let her go while she was still working through her own personal issues.
08:17 Years later, Garland's ex-husband, Sid Luft, alleged that sexual harassment took place
08:22 at both the studio and movie set levels, including on The Wizard of Oz.
08:26 Judy Garland tragically died on June 22, 1969.
08:30 Who's had the greatest influence on your career?
08:32 Uh...
08:33 Your entire life?
08:34 On my career?
08:36 Yeah.
08:36 MGM?
08:37 No.
08:39 No, I would imagine so.
08:41 And vaudeville before that.
08:43 Corey Haim.
08:44 Haim was undeniably one of the most naturally gifted child actors of the 1980s.
08:49 Like being a workaholic.
08:50 Like being caught in the system.
08:52 Both of my parents completely caught in the system.
08:54 Parties and social status.
08:56 That's bad.
08:57 Superficial.
08:57 That's terrible.
08:58 Films like Lucas and The Lost Boys showcased just how great he was.
09:03 Where the hell are you from?
09:04 Krypton?
09:05 Phoenix, actually.
09:06 But lucky me.
09:08 We moved...
09:08 here.
09:10 While Haim was consistently working, he also had substance use disorder.
09:14 Over time, he started getting less high-profile roles due to his personal life.
09:19 Haim's decreased workload also caused him to face various financial issues as well.
09:23 Multiple reports suggest that his mistreatment at a young age at the hands of an unnamed
09:28 person contributed to his behaviors.
09:30 Think of it more as a survival manual.
09:32 There's a number on the back.
09:34 And pray that you never need to call us.
09:38 Sadly, these stories were still being reported on after Haim passed away in 2010.
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09:57 Corey Feldman
10:00 Corey Feldman has been very vocal about what he claims was done to both him and Corey Haim
10:05 as child actors.
10:06 I'm sorry if I'm spoiling everybody's good time.
10:12 Yeah.
10:12 He has discussed these allegations in his memoir, Choreography, as well as in a reality
10:17 show titled The Two Corys and the documentary My Truth, released in 2020.
10:23 Although some have questioned how accurate Feldman's accounts are, the fact that the
10:26 actor dealt with various difficulties was undeniable.
10:29 The last thing I wanted to do was give up that tour and go make this documentary.
10:33 But in the end, that's what happened.
10:35 He has been very open about his struggles with drugs and alcohol.
10:39 Feldman was also legally emancipated from his parents when he was young due to his
10:43 allegations of abusive behaviors and financial mismanagement.
10:46 Hey, Chris.
10:47 No hard feelings, okay?
10:50 No way, man.
10:53 [Music]