Growing up is difficult enough, but fame complicates things. At the same time, many child actors are exposed to trauma or tragic events at a young age. The following 10 child stars all battled a tumultuous upbringing.
10. Macaulay Culkin
The term “stage mother” or “stage father” describes parents who micromanage children who work in entertainment. Culkin has revealed how his father worked him relentlessly during his early years as a child actor. They also overbooked him. He finally was able to free his finances from both of his parents.
9. Gary Coleman
Every child star of the late 70s-80s sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes” – Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges, and Dana Plato – dealt with difficult personal struggles early on in life. Coleman had to deal with health issues that stunted his growth and necessitated multiple kidney transplants. After the show, he struggled financially over the years. He was arrested for assault in 1998.
8. Jennette McCurdy
After authoring a best-selling book entitled I’m Glad My Mom Died, it’s clear former Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy had a troubled childhood. Allegedly, her mom pushed her into show business over her own dreams of fame and stardom. She blamed her eating disorders on her mother’s obsession with weight. McCurdy was so micromanaged she couldn’t even bathe without her mother.
7. Amanda Bynes
Actress Amanda Bynes had her mental health struggles made public by news outlets over the years. Bynes was under a conservatorship that’s now over. She’s had multiple arrests, including a DUI in 2012 and reckless endangerment in 2013. Bynes alleges her father mistreated her in her youth. She had another headline incident in 2023 and quickly sought mental health assistance.
6. Judith Barsi
Actress Judith Barsi was discovered at a skating rink at age 5 and appeared in somewhere between 50-100 commercials, several TV series, and three major motion pictures. However, her father’s terrible behavior led to mistreatment in a turbulent life. Barsi and her mother were killed by her father in a tragic murder-suicide.
5. Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan began as a Ford model at age 3. She lived alone as a teen working as a model and actress. She developed substance abuse issues, an eating disorder, and erratic behavior that kept her in the news. Lohan was arrested multiple times, including for DUI and possession. She only recently repaired a volatile relationship with her parents.
4. Drew Barrymore
At a young age, Drew Barrymore’s father abandoned the family. Following her appearance in E.T. The Extraterrestrial at age 6, she was in the public eye constantly. She struggled with substance abuse early on. Barrymore was sent to rehab on multiple occasions. However, she overcame these difficulties to thrive in Hollywood and now hosts her own highly successful talk show.
3. Judy Garland
Judy Garland was a child star in the vaudeville era. Her time as a child actor with MGM was tumultuous. She received constant criticisms about her weight. Garland was given stimulants and sleeping pills. Her ex-husband alleged sexual harassment took place at the studio and movie sets, including on “The Wizard of Oz.”
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2. Corey Haim
Corey Haim was one of the most undeniably gifted child actors of the 1980s. While consistently working, he developed a substance abuse disorder. His tumultuous personal life led to him getting less high-profile roles and created financial issues. Multiple reports say an unnamed person mistreated Haim at a young age which contributed to his behaviors.
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1. Corey Feldman
Corey Feldman has been vocal about his and fellow actor Corey Haim’s treatment as children in the business. He claims the “2 Coreys” were sexually abused as children. Some question the accuracy of his accounts, but it’s undeniable he dealt with various difficulties. Feldman was legally emancipated from his parents at age 15. He has struggled with alcohol and drugs.
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