The Most Hated Child Stars-Turned-Adults

Growing up in the spotlight can be incredibly difficult for young actors, and sometimes it leads to problems with their public image. Although many child stars manage to handle the pressures of fame, others struggle with legal issues, public arguments, or personal scandals that cause fans to turn away. These actors often face harsh judgment when their adult lives or career choices don’t match the innocent image they built as children. The following is a look at former child stars who have faced significant public criticism and damaged their reputations as adults.

Jake Lloyd

Jake Lloyd became well-known worldwide for playing young Anakin Skywalker in ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’. After the movie came out, he experienced severe bullying and criticism from fans who were unhappy with the film. In 2015, he was arrested following a car chase and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia. Lloyd’s story is often used as a warning about the damaging effects of early fame and negative reactions from fans.

Taran Noah Smith

Taran Noah Smith became famous for his role as Mark Taylor, the youngest child, on the popular TV show ‘Home Improvement’. Later in life, he made headlines when he took legal action against his parents to manage his $1.5 million trust fund. In 2012, he also dealt with legal troubles involving drug possession and driving under the influence. Eventually, Smith stepped away from acting to pursue a career in vegan food and creating art installations.

Lark Voorhies

Lark Voorhies became well-known for her role as Lisa Turtle on the hit TV show ‘Saved by the Bell’. As an adult, fans grew worried about her behavior and unusual posts on social media. Her family later revealed she was living with bipolar disorder, though she initially disagreed with the diagnosis. The media has frequently reported on her personal life, and some of her interviews have been quite unconventional, leading to ongoing public attention and scrutiny.

Jaimee Foxworth

Jaimee Foxworth is best known for playing Judy Winslow on the TV show ‘Family Matters’. After her character suddenly disappeared from the show, she had trouble finding consistent work as an actress. She later began performing in adult films under a different name, which surprised many who remembered her from the family-friendly series. In the years that followed, she appeared on reality shows like ‘Celebrity Rehab’, where she openly discussed her struggles with addiction and the challenges of growing up as a child star.

Adam Rich

Adam Rich, known as “America’s little brother” for his role as Nicholas Bradford on ‘Eight Is Enough,’ faced a difficult adulthood. He had several run-ins with the law, including a 1991 arrest for allegedly breaking into a pharmacy, and struggled with drug addiction, attending multiple rehab facilities. While he tried to revive his career, his past legal issues often overshadowed his success as a child actor.

Brian Bonsall

Brian Bonsall, best known as Andy Keaton from the later seasons of ‘Family Ties,’ left acting in the mid-1990s and unfortunately became more recognized for legal troubles. He faced several charges in Colorado, including assault and drug-related offenses. While he later pursued a career in music, he’s still largely remembered for the difficulties he experienced with the law as a young man.

Mackenzie Phillips

I remember when Mackenzie Phillips first came onto the scene – she was amazing in ‘American Graffiti’ and I absolutely loved her on ‘One Day at a Time’! It was heartbreaking to watch her struggle with addiction and see her career suffer because of it, being let go from her show not once, but twice. But what really shocked everyone was when she bravely shared her story in her memoir, revealing a deeply disturbing relationship with her own father, John Phillips. It was incredibly difficult to process, and it sparked a huge conversation – people were really divided and the entertainment world was buzzing about it.

Danny Bonaduce

Danny Bonaduce first became well-known as Danny Partridge in the popular 1970s TV show ‘The Partridge Family’. As an adult, his life played out publicly on reality television, where he often struggled with addiction and displayed a quick temper. Shows like ‘Breaking Bonaduce’ openly documented his difficult relationships and personal struggles. Despite achieving success as a radio personality, he’s been known for his unpredictable behavior for many years.

Todd Bridges

Todd Bridges is best known for his role as Willis Jackson on the TV show ‘Diff’rent Strokes’. However, throughout the 1980s and 90s, he faced many public struggles, including arrests related to drugs and a very public attempted murder trial, where he was ultimately found not guilty. Bridges has openly discussed how the challenges of fame and a difficult childhood contributed to these problems. While he eventually overcame his struggles with addiction and continued acting, he became a well-known example of the difficulties faced by many child stars.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman became a household name as a child star on ‘Diff’rent Strokes,’ known for his memorable catchphrase and small size. Unfortunately, his life took a difficult turn as an adult. He struggled with money problems and famously sued his parents, claiming they mismanaged his earnings. He also had several run-ins with the law, including arrests for causing disturbances and getting into fights. Coleman passed away in 2010 after years of legal battles and health issues.

Dana Plato

Dana Plato, best known for her role as Kimberly Drummond on ‘Diff’rent Strokes,’ was one of the first child stars to experience a very public downfall. After leaving the show, she had difficulty finding work and was arrested in 1991 for robbing a video store. Further legal troubles followed, including charges for illegally obtaining the drug Valium, damaging her reputation. Sadly, she died in 1999, just a day after appearing on the Howard Stern show where she discussed her life.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus famously changed her image from the innocent character she played on ‘Hannah Montana’ to a more adult and rebellious persona with her ‘Bangerz’ album. Her performance at the 2013 VMAs and the use of drug references in her music caused a lot of controversy and upset many parents. Although she’s changed her image again since then, some of her original Disney fans felt distanced by her dramatic transformation. She continues to be a divisive celebrity, and her actions are often closely watched for potential shock value.

Justin Bieber

I remember when Justin Bieber first burst onto the scene – he was an instant teen idol! But as he grew up, things got really tough for him, and he made a lot of mistakes. There was all that trouble with the egging incident, his DUI arrest, and some issues with the paparazzi. Honestly, the public really turned on him, and he started to seem arrogant and unprofessional on tour. It’s been great to see him try to turn things around though, with sincere apologies and music that shows how much he’s matured. He’s really worked hard to rebuild his image.

Mischa Barton

Mischa Barton first became well-known as a child actress, but she rose to huge fame playing Marissa Cooper on the popular TV show ‘The O.C.’. After leaving the show, she faced public struggles, including a DUI arrest and a period of psychiatric care, both of which received a lot of media attention. Stories about her being challenging to work with on set and behaving unprofessionally also hurt her career. While Barton has talked about the intense pressures of Hollywood, she’s unfortunately become known as a difficult actress to work with.

Taylor Momsen

Taylor Momsen started her career with a memorable role as Cindy Lou Who in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ and gained further recognition on ‘Gossip Girl’. However, she faced criticism when she adopted a bolder, Gothic style and openly disliked acting. During her time on ‘Gossip Girl’, reports described her behavior as unpredictable and unprofessional, ultimately leading to her exit from the show. She then decided to leave acting altogether and pursue music as the lead singer of the rock band ‘The Pretty Reckless’, a move that continues to divide fans of her earlier television work.

Edward Furlong

Edward Furlong quickly rose to fame playing John Connor in ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’. However, his life after that was marked by struggles with addiction – specifically heroin and methamphetamine – and multiple arrests for domestic violence. These issues caused him to lose his role in future ‘Terminator’ films and other major acting opportunities. As a result, Furlong’s career has primarily focused on smaller, lower-budget projects, and his past legal troubles continue to affect his reputation.

Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman was a popular child actor in the 1980s, known for films like ‘The Goonies’ and ‘The Lost Boys’. Later in life, he’s often been the target of jokes due to his unusual music and public behavior. He’s also publicly accused people in Hollywood of being involved in a child exploitation ring, which has been met with doubt and discussion in the media. While he still appears on reality TV, he’s usually known for causing controversy rather than receiving praise.

LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes burst onto the country music scene as a young talent, scoring her first hit at just thirteen years old. However, her public image suffered in 2009 when news broke of an affair with actor Eddie Cibrian, while they were both married to others. The resulting media frenzy and public disagreements with Cibrian’s ex-wife, Brandi Glanville, led many fans to view Rimes negatively. Although she’s a gifted singer, her personal life has often drawn more attention than her music.

Amanda Bynes

Amanda Bynes quickly became a comedy star with ‘The Amanda Show’ and movies like ‘Hairspray’. However, starting in 2012, her public life began to fall apart due to arrests for driving incidents and unusual behavior online. After a series of public struggles with her mental health, she was placed under a legal conservatorship. Although many people felt sorry for her, the way her life unraveled often made her the subject of harsh media coverage.

Stacey Dash

Stacey Dash started her career with popular roles like the one in ‘Clueless’ when she was younger. More recently, she’s received a lot of criticism for sharing her political opinions on channels like Fox News. Statements she made about ending Black History Month and the BET Awards upset many of the people who used to admire her. This change from a well-liked actress to a controversial political figure has made her a very divisive person.

Aaron Carter

Aaron Carter rose to fame as a teen pop star in the late 1990s with songs like “I Want Candy.” Later in life, he was known for public disagreements, especially with his brother Nick, and other family members. He often shared troubled moments on social media and openly discussed his battles with addiction and mental health. Sadly, he passed away in 2022 after years of legal troubles and growing worries about his health.

Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne first became well-known as a young actress on the Disney Channel show ‘Shake It Up’. Later, as an adult, she caused a stir by joining OnlyFans. This led to accusations that she changed the platform’s payment system in a way that hurt other content creators. She also faced criticism for how she promoted her content and for a very public event that appeared to be a staged wedding. Thorne intentionally moved away from her family-friendly Disney image, embracing a more daring persona, which has resulted in both praise and strong negative reactions online.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan quickly became a popular young actress in Hollywood with roles in films like ‘The Parent Trap’ and ‘Mean Girls’. However, her career suffered due to years of legal issues, including arrests for driving under the influence, time in jail, and periods of rehab. Frequent reports of her being unreliable and difficult to work with made it hard for her to get insurance for big film projects. Eventually, Lohan moved overseas to get away from the constant attention of the media, but she’s still often cited as an example of a child star whose career went off track.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf first gained fame on the Disney Channel show ‘Even Stevens’ and then starred in big-budget films like ‘Transformers’. However, his public image began to decline after multiple arrests for disruptive behavior and being drunk in public. He also faced backlash for copying someone else’s work and later, serious allegations of sexual abuse and assault from his ex-partner, FKA Twigs. His unusual performance art and unpredictable actions have made him a controversial and often divisive figure in the film industry.

Chris Brown

Chris Brown first became famous as a young singer and actor, appearing in movies like ‘Stomp the Yard’. However, his career was dramatically impacted in 2009 when he admitted to assaulting his girlfriend, Rihanna. He’s faced further legal issues since then, including accusations of battery and hit-and-run incidents. Despite continuing to sell records and perform, he remains a controversial figure in the entertainment world.

JoJo Siwa

Jojo Siwa became famous as a young dancer on the show ‘Dance Moms’ and built a huge brand aimed at kids. Later, she tried to change her image, adopting a more edgy and provocative style. This attempt received a lot of online criticism, with many questioning if this new persona was genuine. Her reputation also suffered when accusations arose about how she treated members of her girl group.

Kirk Cameron

Kirk Cameron rose to fame as a popular teen idol on the TV show ‘Growing Pains’. While acting on the show, he experienced a strong religious awakening, which caused disagreements with his co-stars about certain story lines he considered inappropriate. As an adult, he’s become known for his strong opinions on religion and politics, especially concerning LGBTQ+ rights. These views have frequently sparked public backlash, boycotts, and criticism from both former colleagues and the public.

Orlando Brown

Orlando Brown, famous for playing Eddie Thomas on Disney Channel’s ‘That’s So Raven,’ has faced numerous legal issues as an adult, including arrests for domestic violence, drug possession, and resisting the police. He’s also gained notoriety for unusual interviews where he made unproven accusations against his former colleagues and Disney staff. This unpredictable behavior has caused many to worry and has negatively impacted his career.

Dustin Diamond

Dustin Diamond was best known for his role as Screech on ‘Saved by the Bell,’ but his career was later overshadowed by controversy. He damaged relationships with his former co-stars and disappointed fans with a tell-all book that contained many untrue stories. He also had legal issues, including a 2014 arrest for stabbing someone in a bar, which led to a four-month prison sentence. These troubles largely defined his public image until he passed away from cancer in 2021.

Jamie Lynn Spears

Jamie Lynn Spears became famous as a young actress in the popular show ‘Zoey 101,’ but her career was disrupted when she became pregnant as a teenager. More recently, she received a lot of criticism during her sister Britney Spears’ fight to end her legal conservatorship. Many of Britney’s fans accused Jamie Lynn of helping to enable the situation and benefiting from the family’s difficulties. When Jamie Lynn released her memoir, and Britney publicly spoke out against it, her unfavorable image with many people was reinforced.

Ezra Miller

Ezra Miller first gained recognition in critically praised movies such as ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ and later became known for playing ‘The Flash’ in the ‘Justice League’ films. However, their public image suffered greatly after multiple arrests in Hawaii for disruptive behavior and harassment. They were also accused of inappropriate behavior towards a minor, burglary, and creating unsafe living conditions for a family on a Vermont farm. Despite these serious legal troubles, the release of their major superhero movie went forward, causing widespread public criticism.

Drake Bell

Drake Bell, known and loved for his role on the Nickelodeon show ‘Drake & Josh’, faced serious consequences in 2021. He pleaded guilty to felony charges for trying to put a child in danger, and a lesser charge related to sharing harmful material with a minor. The case involved inappropriate online communication with a young person, and a statement was read in court detailing the impact on the victim. After the conviction, many fans and people he’d worked with chose to no longer associate with him.

Allison Mack

I remember Allison Mack as Chloe on ‘Smallville’ – she was great! It was shocking to learn she became deeply involved with the NXIVM cult. Apparently, she wasn’t just a follower; she was a key recruiter, bringing women into this secret, manipulative group. Things got really dark, with members being psychologically controlled and even branded. Ultimately, she admitted to her role in the whole scheme, pleaded guilty, and ended up serving time in prison. It’s a really sad story, seeing someone go from a popular TV show to being involved in something so damaging.

Please share your thoughts on these controversial transitions in the comments.

2026-01-15 17:49