Tag Archives: Child Stars

Brad Renfro Dead at 25

In the past, I have talked about the troubled lives of some child stars such as Danny Bonaduce, Dana Plato, and Jackie Earle Haley. Some recover to do well, like Haley, and some go on to pay the ultimate price, like actor Brad Renfro. Brad was found dead in his home yesterday at the young age of 25. The cause of death is not known, but an autopsy is being conducted today. What is known is that Brad fell into that pit of alcohol and drugs that many child stars fall into when they try to move from cute kid … Continue reading →

Jackie Earle Haley – Back Where He Belongs

I wanted to write this blog months ago when I read an article about Jackie Earle Haley in Entertainment Weekly, but it slipped my mind and besides, I wasn’t sure anyone would remember him. I remember him well – he was the cool kid from 1976’s Bad News Bears. Haley started doing commercials at the age of 5 and by 15, he was on the cover of teen magazines. At 17, he was in Breaking Away, a film nominated for five Oscars. Then he hit puberty and it all stopped. Well, it didn’t actually stop, it just dwindled down to … Continue reading →

Help Save Screech’s House

If you mention the name Dustin Diamond, few people recognized it. But, if you mention the name Screech, almost everyone immediately thinks of the nerdy character from the teen show “Saved by the Bell.” Dustin began playing the Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers character when he was only ten years old. As he played Screech over the years, America literally watched him grown up. He was so well-known, he is ranked #16 on the VH1 list of 100 Greatest Kid Stars. After “Saved by the Bell” ended its seven-year run, Dustin decided to become a stand up comedian. Leaving the Hollywood limelight, … Continue reading →