10 Child Stars Who Experienced Troubled Lives

10 Child Stars Who Experienced Troubled Lives

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be discussing 10 Child Stars Who Experienced Troubled Lives.

For this video, we’ll be looking at actors who were forced to overcome traumatic or tragic events at a young age.

Did any of these stories shock you? Let us know in the comments.

Macaulay Culkin

The terms “stage mother” or “stage father” often possess negative and controlling connotations. Unfortunately, Macaulay Culkin experienced the pressures of living with such a guardian early on. He divulged specific details during a 2020 interview with ABC News. Culkin revealed how his father, Kit, worked him relentlessly during his early years as a child actor. All night memorization sessions were the norm for the young actor. Additionally, Culkin’s father reportedly kept getting his son cast in more movies without asking what the young actor wanted. Macaulay Culkin eventually freed his finances from both of his parents. Eventually, his father disappeared from his life for a time after a custody battle.

Gary Coleman

The classic sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes” saw multiple young cast members grappling with personal struggles. Todd Bridges had to deal with addiction. And in 1999, Dana Plato tragically died due to an overdose. The cast member whose life fell under most scrutiny was Gary Coleman because he played breakout character “Arnold Jackson”. While in the spotlight, he had to manage the health issues that stunted his growth and necessitated multiple kidney transplants. Coleman was arrested for assault in 1998 and also struggled financially over the years. His marriage to Shannon Price was tumultuous. Specific details about their relationship were also aired on an episode of “Divorce Court.” Gary Coleman tragically died from an epidural hematoma in 2010 after suffering a fall at home.

Jennette McCurdy

Former Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy was tragically forced into a difficult career situation under her mother. The young actress was initially pushed into the acting profession by her mom. Allegedly, this was due to the matriarch’s own dreams of fame and stardom. McCurdy told People in 2021 that she developed disordered eating issues because of her mother’s obsession with weight. Additionally, the young actress was constantly monitored and wasn’t even allowed to bathe without her mother. McCurdy documented her familial struggles in a stage show and book entitled, “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” Through her candid works, she reported that she may still be dealing with various issues if her mother was still present in her everyday life.

Amanda Bynes

The mental health struggles of actress Amanda Bynes have been made very public through news outlets over the years. Her multiple arrests, including one in 2013 for reckless endangerment and a DUI violation in 2012 were both covered extensively. After a 72 hour hospital stay and mental health evaluation, her parents filed to enter Bynes into a conservatorship. The actress would later accuse and recant allegations that her father mistreated her when she was younger. After several years out of the spotlight, Bynes started to issue public statements about her past behavior. She also ended her conservatorship. While she made headlines again in 2023 after another public incident, she was quick to get assistance for her mental health.

Judith Barsi

This child star had an extremely promising career ahead of her. After being cast in a 1984 miniseries called “Fatal Vision”, she was consistently landing roles left and right. Barsi even voiced the memorable character Ducky in “The Land Before Time”. Unfortunately, her life outside of Hollywood was turbulent due to her father’s terrible behavior. He regularly mistreated Barsi and his mother with emotional and physical torment. The young actress started developing physical compulsions in the wake of the bad home environment. And in 1988, Barsi’s father tragically ended the lives of the actress and her mother before taking his own. “All Dogs Go to Heaven” was dedicated to the young performer.

Lindsay Lohan

The personal troubles in Lindsay Lohan’s life began at a young age. She lived in California by herself when she was working as a teen model and actress. At the same time, her substance issues and erratic behavior were consistently in the news. Tabloids were also constantly making sure to report her social life and every gaffe. She also dealt with issues around disordered eating. Additionally, Lohan was arrested multiple times on charges that included driving under the influence and possession of an illegal substance. She spent over eight years on probation for various offenses. As of 2023, the actress has only recently repaired a volatile relationship with her parents, Michael and Dina. Lohan also received praise for her 2022 “Falling for Christmas” role.

Drew Barrymore

While Drew Barrymore has gone through a major renaissance in the 2020s, that only came after a difficult upbringing. The talented actress and personality came from an acting family. At a young age, her father, John Drew Barrymore, abandoned the family. Her early acclaim with “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” was followed by a childhood always in the public eye. Barrymore also struggled with substance use at a young age. As a result of her behavior and mental health, she was sent to rehab on multiple occasions. Despite the obstacles, Barrymore was able to continue to thrive in Hollywood. Today, she hosts her own talk show where she is beloved by her legions of fans.

Judy Garland

Garland’s career as a child star dates all the way back to the Vaudeville era, before she eventually signed a motion picture deal with MGM. Her time at the studio was tumultuous. She was subject to constant criticisms about her weight. Additionally, Garland was given various substances to get her energized for work as well as sleeping pills. The studio also let her go while she was still working through her own personal issues. Years later, Garland’s ex-husband Sid Luft alleged that sexual harassment took place at both the studio and movie set levels, including on “The Wizard of Oz.” Judy Garland tragically died on June 22nd, 1969.

Corey Haim

Haim was undeniably one of the most naturally gifted child actors of the 1980s. Films like “Lucas” and “The Lost Boys” showcased just how great he was. While Haim was consistently working, he also had substance use disorder. Over time, he started getting less high profile roles due to his personal life. Haim’s decreased workload also caused him to face various financial issues as well. Multiple reports suggest that his mistreatment at a young age at the hands of an unnamed person contributed to his behaviors. Sadly, these stories were still being reported on after Haim passed away in 2010.

Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman has been very vocal about what he claims was done to both him and Corey Haim as child actors. He has discussed these allegations in his memoir, “Coreyography,” as well as in a reality show titled “The Two Coreys” and the documentary “My Truth,” released in 2012. Although some have questioned how accurate Feldman’s accounts are [1], the fact that the actor dealt with various difficulties was undeniable. He has been very open about his struggles with drugs and alcohol. Feldman was also legally emancipated from his parents when he was young, due to his allegations of abusive behaviors and financial mismanagement.