10 Child Stars Who Turned Out to Be Terrible People

Brian Bonsall

At just five years old, Bonsall joined the cast of “Family Ties” mid-series, taking on the role of the newest addition to the Keaton family, Andy. His performance was acclaimed for both his natural acting talents and adorable on-screen presence. After the series ended, Bonsall appeared in films like “Father Hood” and “Blank Check,” and even had his moment in the “Star Trek” universe. At 14, Bonsall was ready to retire from acting. After finishing out his teen years in relative normality, Bonsall started having run-ins with the law. From 2004 to 2010, he was arrested for a DUI and two incidents of assault. Bonsall has since gotten sober, and is now a husband and father.

Jamie Waylett

Though his role was small, fans of “Harry Potter” will easily recognize this actor as Vincent Crabbe, one of Draco Malfoy’s goonish sidekicks. “Harry Potter” is Waylett’s only acting credit, and he only appeared in six of the eight films. Prior to the two-part finale, he ran into some legal issues that likely led to his character being quietly cut. In 2009, Waylett was pulled over while carrying a knife and eight bags of cannabis. Police later found his growing operation at his mother’s house. Two years later, Waylett was arrested again, this time for his participation in the violent London riots. Waylett was sentenced to two years in prison for violent disorder, specifically relating to the Molotov cocktail he was pictured carrying.

Marcus T. Paulk

Known for his role as the mischievous younger brother Myles Mitchell on “Moesha,” Marcus T. Paulk had a successful run of film and TV roles in the late 90s and early 2000s. Then, in 2013, Paulk turned himself in after getting into a physical altercation with his girlfriend. The violent incident ultimately sent his girlfriend to the hospital with internal injuries. After pleading no contest to the crime, Paulk was ordered to attend a domestic violence treatment program. After a few quiet years, Paulk was arrested in Arizona for driving under the influence. Though still active in the entertainment industry, Paulk prefers work behind the scenes as a director, producer, and modeling agency owner.

Jeremy Jackson

This 90s teen heartthrob played Hobie Buchannon on “Baywatch,” a role which very nearly went to eventual Academy Award winner, Leonardo DiCaprio. After snagging the coveted role, Jackson appeared in 159 episodes of the beachside drama. Unfortunately, this achievement would ultimately lead to his downfall. Jackson credits his success on Baywatch as providing him with the money and celebrity lifestyle that would lead him down a path of substance abuse. After multiple attempts at rehab and even being ejected from the Celebrity Big Brother house, Jackson’s worst moments came in 2015. Jackson was arrested twice for stabbing two individuals, and was sentenced to 270 days in jail.

Adam Hicks

After his breakout role in “How to Eat Fried Worms,” Adam Hicks became a regular on Disney Channel. From “Lemonade Mouth” to “Zeke and Luther” and “Pair of Kings,” Hicks was a recognizable face from many childhood favorites. Though his career had quieted by 2017, Hicks was propelled back into the public eye when he was arrested for a string of armed robberies. At the time, Hicks had been struggling with a substance use disorder and was deemed unfit to stand trial. After becoming sober, Hicks realized the gravity of the situation and took full responsibility for his actions. Since his release from prison, Hicks has remained sober and has become an advocate for mental health and substance abuse recovery.

Danny Bonaduce

70s kids will remember this freckled face as the precocious child Danny Partridge of “The Partridge Family,” but his adult shenanigans were less TV-friendly. His first arrest was in 1990, when he was caught attempting to buy cocaine while in Florida to host an event for D.A.R.E. The following year, Bonaduce was arrested for the assault and robbery of a transgender sex worker. A controversial conservative radio host in his adulthood, Bonaduce has publicly called for the execution of liberal celebrities he considers traitors, including Jane Fonda and Rosie O’Donnell. Not what we expected from the mischievous but well-meaning Danny Partridge.

Ryan Grantham

Less of a child star and more of a working child actor, Canadian Ryan Grantham can be spotted in small roles in several well known films and television shows. Despite his modest success, his appearances in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Riverdale” were memorable enough for fans to notice his name making headlines in 2022. This was the year Grantham was sentenced to life in prison, after admitting to killing his mother in 2020. Grantham alleged he killed her to spare her from seeing the violence he would go on to commit. Traveling with guns, ammunition, and Molotov cocktails, Grantham intended to kill Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and commit acts of mass violence. Thankfully, he instead turned himself in before committing any further violent acts.

Orlando Brown

After making his acting debut as the adorable Tiger in “Major Payne”, Orlando Brown landed his most well-known role as Eddie on “That’s So Raven.” Brown starred opposite Raven-Symoné for four seasons of psychic-comedy gold, but when it came time for the show’s 2017 reboot, Brown apparently didn’t make the cut. This was likely due to recent legal troubles, and his strained relationship with his former co-star Raven. In 2016, Brown was arrested multiple times for various charges, including domestic violence, drug possession, and burglary. He’s also claimed he and Raven-Symoné had a sexual relationship during their time on Disney Channel. Undeterred by Raven’s refusal to acknowledge Brown or his claims, he went ahead and got her face tattooed on his neck anyways.

Shia LaBeouf

After starring in childhood favorites like “Even Stevens,” “Holes,” and “Surf’s Up,” Shia LaBeouf has gone from public figure to public nuisance. His first sign of things to come was his 2007 arrest, occurring in a Chicago Walgreens that LaBeouf refused to leave. Subsequent events included his obnoxious paper bag stunt, interrupting a performance of “Cabaret,” an outburst in a bowling alley bar, and a racist tirade against a black police officer. Multiple women have also spoken out, alleging they faced emotional and physical abuse from the actor. Though it seemed LaBeouf was set to be a megastar in his adulthood with hits like “Transformers,” his behind-the-scenes behavior has cost him major roles, including the lead in “Don’t Worry Darling.”

Robert Blake

With a film career that spanned a whopping seven decades, Robert Blake was a well-known name in Hollywood for generations. As a child he was known for his work in the “Our Gang” and “Red Ryder” film franchises of the 1940s. As an adult, Blake was widely acclaimed for his role as real-life murderer Perry Smith in the film adaptation of “In Cold Blood.” Then, in 2001, Blake’s wife Bonny Lee Bakley was found murdered while sitting in Blake’s car. After a year-long investigation, Blake was arrested and charged with the killing. Facing a possible death penalty, at his trial Blake was ultimately acquitted due to lack of evidence. Blake was found liable for her death in a civil case, but walked free until his death in 2023.

Which of these child stars shocked you the most when they grew up? Let us know in the comments!