Actor Cameron Boyce, who starred in the Disney Channel's television shows and series, has died at age 20. We've received your submission. 1. Matthew Garber: best known for his role in "Mary Poppins;" contracted hepatitis in India and died at age 21. Other child stars, like MacaulayCaulkin and the Jacksons, have also endured public meltdowns after reaching adulthood, but there seems to be a high proportion of ex-Disney stars to suffer the same fate. Michael Hutchence, lead singer of the INXS, died at the age of 37. However, a post-mortem examination showed hed actually had fatal levels of fentanyl in his system. And the theyre here line she delivers in the movie is so famous The American Film Institute included it on their list of top movie quotes from the last 100 years. Since he was a minor and it was his first offense, he was allowed to slide if he agreed to regularly test for drugs. A year beforeFamily Matterswent off the air (1997), Thomas was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer. The troubled model passed away from a combination of prescription drugs on February 8, 2007. Next: This child star could not escape her demons. 1:44. Celeb obsessed? Since he was deceased, he was never officially deemed a murderer, and his death was ruled accidental. Another law enforcement insider told the outlet that the 54-year-old actor died of a suspected drug overdose of fentanyl-laced heroin, and on Sept. 24, the New York City Medical Examiner's Office . As his acting career took off, Corey Haims personal life spiraled out of control. While filming, 12-hour days became the norm and, as a child, she developed anxiety attacks and nausea from the stresses of work. Next: An actress dies similarly to the way her character did on TV. While regular acting didnt pan out for her, she got a ton of work doing voiceovers for animated shows including as Jerry in the Tom and Jerry Movie. Amy Winehouse PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images. The day before her death, Plato appeared on "The Howard Stern Show." Plato had spoken before about having a drug addiction and on the show, she said she was sober. One of the sergeants on the case indicated that she likely didnt know the shooters, but other sources said she was dating an older man from a gang. He also played Jesse James on the short-lived show The Young Riders. In October 2011, Lewis was involved in a motorcycle crashand suffered head injuries. Death by a car crash is something we wouldnt wish on our worst enemy. Brad Renfro. The Russian-born actor started his career at 12 years old, starring inAlong Came a SpiderandHearts in Atlantisand appearing in some smaller TV roles. He also made appearances in Roseanne and Dave's World. He reprised his role as Brian OConner in fiveThe Fast and the Furious sequels, including 2015s blockbuster Furious 7. Although it's in no way suggested that Disney itself is responsible for what happened to the stars, the fact that many had early careers at the entertainment giant has led people to nickname it the 'Disney Curse'. She had a tumor removed and then landed a role on The Young and the Restless but fell ill during Thanksgiving 1998 when another cancer growth erupted inside of her. Marilyn Monroe was found dead from a barbituate overdose on August 5, 1962. In death, he became a . His death was ultimately ruled an accident. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner confirmed the star's cause of death. Young readers probably dont remember, but there were few stars hotter than Phoenix, who had starred in such movies as Stand By Me, The Mosquito Coast, Running on Empty, and My Own Private Idaho. Rapper Mac Miller died on 7 September 2018, as a result of an accidental overdose involving cocaine, fentanyl and alcohol, a coroner has concluded. The incident took place in her Los Angeles home and she is still widely talked about today. He was 19. Unfortunately, they did not discover their misdiagnosis until it was too late. As noted in Corey Feldmans memoir Coreyography, both actors used hard drugs at a young age. View our online Press Pack. Rich was 54 years old. The character was played by Carl Switzer, who although he had a steady career into the 1950s, never could escape the shadow of the iconic character. He was 79. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Looking at his resume of guest appearances in the '90s, its like a greatest hits list: LA Law, Empty Nest, Baywatch, Picket Fences, and Doogie Howser MD are just a few of his several dozen credits. Victoria died of a drug overdose in Sept. 22 . Rich was assumed to be dead for days before the manager of his LA-area apartment building found his lifeless body in the bathroom. And Demi is far from the former Disney child star to go off the rails in adulthood, withShia LaBeouf, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan (yes, that's where they really started) among the stars who struggled after finding fame with the network. However, Weybourne had no underlying health issues and I am content, after the findings of the autopsy, that his death was caused by fatal levels of fentanyl.. The poster girl for post-Disney transformations, the world was stunned to watch as Hannah Montana star Miley ditched her PC-persona in favour of a far more sexualised stage presence. English actor Rob Knox appeared to be on the cusp of a promising career after securing the role of Marcus Belby in the movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Pettiets first big role, which likely led to so many other gigs, was as one of the brothers in the cult classic Dont Tell Mom The Babysitters Dead with Christina Applegate. Others very close to her also urged her to seek professional help.". Philip Weybourne, the 40-year-old Middle East. On Nov. 30, 2013, Walker left a benefit event for his Reach Out Worldwide charity in a Porsche driven by a friend. Brandon deWilde: starred in "Those . Unfortunately, Renfros increasing drug use derailed his promising acting career. Next: A confrontation led to this rascals death. The TV star had faced addiction problems since his late teens Cory Monteith, star of the hit TV musical comedy Glee, died from a heroin and alcohol overdose, a coroner in British Columbia. Its takes a very, very strong person a warrior if you will to battle such illnesses.. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org. Stern pressured her to take a drug test. Young had been suffering from depression and bipolar disorder for some time before his death and was on medication for both conditions. According to the autopsy report obtained by CNN, Murphy had acute pneumonia and suffered from a chronic iron deficiency. The report also noted the presence of multiple cold medications in Murphys system, which may have contributed to the 32-year-olds death. She managed to stay clean for six years but revealed she had relapsed in recent weeks in a song called Sober, which has become particularly poignant now. Billie Holiday. This is one of those guys who, had he not had his issues with drugs, we think was just one more break away from having a really long career. Comedian Mitch Hedberg died from a heroin overdose on March 29, 2005, in Livingston, New Jersey. In late 2003, he hung himself in the hallway of his Los Angeles apartment building and died the next day in the hospital. After modelling as a child, Lindsay made her acting breakthrough in 1998 Disney film The Parent Trap, when she was just 12. The Glee star died from a mixture of heroin and champagne on July 13, 2013. Britney Spears is another famous Disney star who fell victim to the Disney curse. At the time, no one had reportedly heard from Rich for two days. As noted by The New York Times, the coroner found deadly levels of cocaine and morphine in his system. Next: This actor tragically died doing what he loved. 3. Just two years later, he was arrested and charged with attempted burglary of a pharmacy after smashing the window. The following year, he had a small role as a young Indiana Jones in Steven Spielbergs Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Something went wrong, please try again later. In 1988, Phoenix garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of a counterculture couples son in Sidney Lumets Running on Empty. Actor Corey Monteith, who played singing jock heartthrob Finn Hudson on Glee, was just 31 when he died of an accidental heroin and alcohol overdose on July 13, 2013. In 1989, Rich nearly died after overdosing on Valium. How the creator of Dilbert went from star to "train wreck" DeSantis signs law to put Disney district under Florida state control . When police were called to check on him in his LA apartment, he was found dead. He went out drinking alone after what his wife, Dorlyn, describedas a relaxing day drinking champagne during the best lunch, according to the Times of London on Sunday. Colemans health issues likely contributed to his early death at the age of 42. Law enforcement is investigating the death of Adam Rich, the star of Eight is Enough, as a potential overdose.. I mark that up to doing some extreme damage in my psyche as an adult person.. 1986: Basketball Star Len Bias Dies. "Toddlers & Tiaras" star Kailia Posey reportedly died by suicide. ET. The actor appeared in the "Descendants" films and the show "Jessie." Actor Cameron Boyce, known for his roles in the Disney Channel franchise "Descendants" and the TV show "Jessie," has died. Jason Davis, who voiced Michael 'Mikey' Blumberg in Disney Channel cartoon Recess, died at the age of just 35 in February. He was 27. It caused three strokes, a. Sadly, in October 1993, Phoenix collapsed outside of an LA nightclub in front of Rain and brother Joaquin. "And that is why we see young stars becoming hyper-sexualised - they want to be taken seriously as adults. Haim had gained a lot of weight, and while Feldman tried to look out for his best friend, Haim just never looked well on any of the episodes of the short-lived show. Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Anne Milgram has called it the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered., Fentanyl is everywhere. A British IT exec died from a fentanyl overdose during a trip to Disney World in Florida with his wife and young son, a UK court has heard. His death was caused by drug toxicity. Anna Nicole Smith died at 39. He reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A singer and actress who rose to fame as a star on the Disney Channel was hospitalized after what is believed to be a heroin overdose. The parents, whose main job it is to ensure mental and physical health of their kids, are also tasked with ensuring their kids work and make a lot of money. Thanks for contacting us. Despite her fame fromDiffrent Strokes, Plato found it difficult to find quality work. Next: Domestic violence ended this little girls life. Michele posted, "Today we remember the laughter and joy you brought into our lives every day. If youre watching shows from the 1990s in reruns, youre bound to keep seeing Christopher Pettiet pop up again and again. Feb. 13 2023, Published 5:48 p.m. Sources: Intouchweekly.com, imdb.com, eonline.com, wikipedia.org. Rest in peace, Cory Monteith. Rich appeared on-screen as Nicholas Bradshaw, the youngest son in the Bradford family, in the hit series Eight is Enough from 1977-1981. Real World Star and AIDS activist Sean Sasser dies at 44 of rare lung cancer. Tom Poston brought decades of sitcom experience to the role of Burt Sigurdson. We know it wont end well, but our craving for entertainment is bigger than our desire to do much about it. The Post has reached out to Richs representative for comment. The loss of Anton Yelchin in 2016 shook up Hollywood. Hollywood was shocked when 10-year-old child star Judith Barsi died at the hands of her suicidal father in 1988. Doctors surgically removed the tumor, before a second cancerous growth appeared in 1998. It was deemed self-defense because Switzer had a pen knife. In 2009, his attacker, Karl Bishop, was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 20 years. While there are groups dedicated to trying to help child actors when they get older, its one of those things, much like concussions for football players, that seems like a given. Who knows why that show was so snake bitten, but none of its three child actors went on to very happy stories once the show wrapped, with Platos probably being the most tragic. 1/19 Gus Ruelas/Corbis Cory Monteith The Glee singer and actor died at 31 in a Vancouver hotel as a result of an alcohol and heroin overdose. After a successful lawsuit, Coleman received $1.3 million, as reported by Jet magazine. 'Jeopardy!' After that, he appeared in a series of guest spots on shows likeThe Guardian,Smallville,andSouth Beach. He teamed with Corey Feldman (and the duo became known as The Coreys) for a series of films, but his is sadly one of the more typical stories of a kid getting caught up in his own fame, having people around him who were looking out for themselves and the eventual decline of a career due to drugs and alcohol. He had a morphine needle still in his arm. She became very ill in early 1987 but was misdiagnosed as having Crohns disease. The stigma is killing people. Once that changes, you dont have that same value and you feel it. Walkers greatest career success came as an adult when he played Brian OConner in 2001s The Fast and the Furious. He supposedly was in major debt and had recently broken up with a girlfriend and downward spiraled to the point of no return. May he rest in peace. He took his first role that moved him toward adulthood as a series regular on seaQuest DSV, which ran from 1993-96. The $50 was the reward money Switzer paid somebody who found the dog after Switzer had lost it. A source close to the matter told the outlet that Majors is. He, like many actors on this list, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in August 2013. 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Today, she has left the buzz-cut era well behind her and is aa happy and healthy star once again - as everyone hopes Demi Lovato will be. On May 8, 1999, her fianc found Plato in their Winnebago motorhome, dead of a drug overdose. An attempt to surgically remove the blockage led to septic shock, and she sufferedcardiac arrest. He played as a young Spock in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984). Several months before filming began, doctors misdiagnosed ORourke with Crohns disease. He routinely violated probation because of his substance problems, although he somewhat kept a career together all this time. He loved his friends and his family above all else. Next: This famous little face didnt live past 12 years old. With this list, we look at 16 people who were child actors but didnt make it very far into adulthood if they made it at all. She was one of very few actresses who could ham it up as well as Jaleel White, and her Myra Monkhouse will probably be the role shes most remembered for. Lenny Bruce was found with his clothes off, dead on his bathroom floor in Hollywood Hills, California on August 3, 1966. The Client and Ghost World star died of an overdose at the far too young age of 25. She went into cardiac arrest and doctors pronounced her dead. She was 29. Selena Gomez was one of Disneys most recognisable faces, starring in Wizards of Waverly Place and the Princess Protection Programme. On May 24, 2008, Knox was stabbed five times in the chest outside a bar in London as he tried to defend his brother fromanattacker, reported the BBC. He didnt leave a note, so there are only theories as to why he killed himself, with many suggesting that his lack of a career after the hit CBS show played into it, although it was almost a decade after the show had ended that he took his life in 2015. He kicked down the door of someone he felt owed him money. Sadly, Poltergeist III was the last film ORourke made. At age 66, a famous musician and actor, Tom Petty died from an accidental drug overdose. Although his portrayal of Belby in the sixth Harry Potter film is his most famous role, Knox had previous acting experience on multiple British TV shows, as well as a small part in the 2004 film King Arthur. A video which emerged of his racist rant at police officers at the time pushed the former Disney star to apologise on Twitter, where he described the incident as a "new low" and said he was newly committed to sobriety. Peaches Geldof, 25, died in April 7 at her home in Wrotham, England. Unless otherwise noted, all biographical details are courtesy ofBiography.com. Jason was found unresponsive in his bathroom on February 16. The show turned the diminutive actor into a pop culture phenomenon, thanks to his characters memorable catchphrase: Whatchu talkin bout, Willis?. Michelle Kapusta also contributed to this article. About a decade later, his career saw another boost when he landed a role on the TNT show Rizzoli & Isles, which opened him up to a new audience. When Ledger was found dead, a bottle of prescription pills was found near his body, and people thought he might have committed suicide, but the coroner reported a few weeks later he died of an accidental overdose by mixing pain killers, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medication. About six weeks after he passed away at home in Minnesota, it was confirmed that Prince died of an opiate overdose. Although hes best known for acting, this talented star also sang and played guitar for Alekas Attic, a band he formed with his sister, Rain. She was 47 years old. He was 38 years old at the time of his death on January 23, 2018. So, with a heavy heart, we look back at 16 Former Child Stars Who Died After Losing Their Fame. 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