Things have changed since the early 80’s in Hollywood, when child actors were literally thrown on the streets after they serve their purpose. Early into the 90’s Hollywood raised an awareness program for the protection of these child actors.
However, some stars never got the benefit. Here is a list of some of those lost children, now adults, compiled by the Enquirer tabloid:
Corey Feldman:
Corey Feldman started acting when he was 3, and by the time he was a teenager, he had earned respect in the film industry with roles in films such as Stand by Me and The Lost Boys. Just a few short years later, Corey was addicted to cocaine and heroin and was $150,000 in debt. He was arrested three times on drug charges and did numerous stints in rehab in the early '90s before getting clean and sober.
Gary Coleman:
Everyone loved Gary Coleman as adorable Arnold Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes. And the money Gary earned for the popular series should have made him set for life. But last year, the 4-foot-8 actor filed for bankruptcy in Los Angeles. His public ordeals include a bitter lawsuit that's divided his family, reports of erratic behavior and a civil suit in which a woman claimed the diminutive star punched her after she made a comment about his fading career. Gary pleaded no contest to the charge and received a 90-day suspended jail sentence. He was also put on probation, ordered to attend anger-management classes and received a fine.
Dana Plato:
She was America's sweetheart as Kimberly Drummond on Diff'rent Strokes, but her life began to spiral downward when she was forced to quit the series in 1984 because she was pregnant. She eventually landed in Las Vegas, where her problems grew worse. She got involved with soft-porn videos, drugs and was arrested for robbing a video store. She received 10 years' probation. A few years later, she was arrested again, this time for forging prescriptions for Valium. She spent 30 days in jail for that offense. Dana overdosed on Valium and the painkiller Loritab (reportedly a suicide) in May 1999.
Meanwhile, some actors of the same era were able to grow and nourish as actors through the right guidance and a lot of strength. Some of those names include Drew Barrymore and Alyssa Milano – Albawaba.com.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
