Child Stars Whose Lives and Careers Were Ruined in the Blink of an Eye

It's no secret that the entertainment industry is incredibly unforgiving. Unfortunately, many talented young stars found their lives ruined in the blink of an eye. From Macaulay Culkin to Lindsay Lohan, several child stars struggled to navigate life after their meteoric rise to fame.

Child stardom can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, child actors, singers, and dancers can live out their dreams and go down in the history books. On the other hand, the pressures of fame and fortune can be too much for young minds to handle.

This is evident in the stories of seven well-known celebrities who proved that the glamour and riches of being a famous child star are not always worth the risks it carries. The consequences of a life in the spotlight can be devastating and long-lasting.

1. Shaun Weiss

Shaun Weiss made a name for himself thanks to the famous movie "Mighty Ducks," but that's not what most fans remember about him. His role as the beloved ice hockey goalie Greg Goldberg set him up for stardom, but struggles in his personal life derailed his career.

The actor was booked into rehab on multiple occasions, and a mug shot from his 2020 arrest left the public speechless. He looked nothing like the character they once knew. The star even lost teeth and became a shadow of the person he once was.

In 2018, revealing he was checking into rehab, Weiss shared a heartfelt message with his fans, thanking them for their love and support. He said their smiles inspired him and urged him to keep going, adding:

"In the midst of my most challenging times, your support is giving me the strength I need to embark down the long road to recovery. In closing, I AM going to recover. I'm determined to return to my old self. My mind is set on health and well-being."

2. Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin became a household name when he was still a child after the movie "Home Alone" became a Christmas film for the ages.

His acting skills and natural charisma made him a likable actor who had the world at his feet. However, the star faced many challenges trying to find his place in Hollywood, and there was no shortage of drama as he grew up.

His legal battles, arrests, and substance problems tainted his once-shining legacy. At one point, the actor was photographed looking frail and sickly, leading many onlookers to fear the worst.

Culkin emancipated himself from his parents when he was 15, with millions of dollars at his disposal. He had many unhealthy habits and didn't look like the adorable blonde-haired boy everyone had come to know and love.

It seemed as if the star from "Richie Rich" and "My Girl" was stuck in a neverending downward spiral, but he turned his life around and cleaned up his act.

Culkin also took on new and exciting projects before finding love with another child star, Brenda Song, who gave birth to their son in 2021. The actress couldn't stop gushing about Culkin, stating:

"You can’t be around him and not be happy."

3. Dustin Diamond

Dustin Diamond gained immense fame after his stint on the 90s sitcom "Saved By the Bell." His rise to stardom led to many other roles in the likes of "American Pie" and "Big Fat Liar." The actor's life worsened after he was involved in a bar fight in 2014, which resulted in a three-month arrest.

Mugshots from his time in prison gave the star a bad reputation, and he looked nothing like the innocent child star who once graced television screens across America.

Diamond didn't give up and improved his life after his release from jail. Sadly, things went south again in 2020. He received the shocking news that he had cancer, and the diagnosis was not hopeful. The actor tragically passed away in February 2021—he was only 44.

4. Edward Furlong

The actor Edward Furlong starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Terminator 2" and was set for a prosperous career in Hollywood.

He was discovered by chance when a casting director saw him in Pasadena, California, and landed him the role of a lifetime. He worked with heavyweights in the industry, but things didn't stay golden for long.

A series of run-ins with the law and personal struggles kept the actor from reaching his full potential. While the celebrity has continued working in the industry, his stints in jail and rehab could not be overlooked by everyone.

5. Lindsay Lohan

Who could forget the lively and adorable red-hed Lindsay Lohan? She stole hearts across the globe, thanks to her phenomenal acting skills and passion. She gained acclaim starring in movies like "The Parent Trap" and "Mean Girls," but she had an unexpected fall from grace.

Lohan struggled with the pressures of stardom and turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms. The actress rebelled and spent over 250 days in a rehabilitation facility. Lohan was also caught shoplifting, and the drama seemed unending.

However, the beloved icon did something brave after she prioritized her health. She chose to rise above her past choices and cleaned up her act. Lohan returned to the red carpet looking dazzling, ready for a new adventure.

Lohan had an unforgettable comeback to the acting scene and landed a fantastic Netflix deal, displaying her exceptional skills for fans worldwide once again.

Fans applauded her performance in "Falling For Christmas" and couldn't wait to see what she would do next. She also found love with Bader Shammas and felt lucky to have rebuilt her life. In an Instagram post, the glowing star wrote:

"I am the luckiest woman in the world. You found me and knew that I wanted to find happiness and grace all at the same time. I am stunned that you are my husband. My life and my everything. Every woman should feel like this every day."

6. Amanda Bynes

Amanda Bynes was everyone's golden girl. She took the entertainment industry by storm and showed no signs of disarray. Her career was filled with leading roles in hit pop movies like "She's The Man" and "Sydney White," but her life was far from teenage bliss.

The former Nickelodeon star won awards from an early age, but something changed drastically in 2010. The celebrity announced she was quitting acting because she lost her love for it. Next came the substance abuse issues, legal dramas, and inappropriate Twitter rants that confused fans.

The actress changed her appearance drastically, wearing wigs and dark sunglasses. The preppy star was gone, and in her place stood a troubled Bynes.

After years of turmoil, the celebrity decided to fight her demons, returning to the public eye in 2018. She appeared on the cover of Paper Magazine and looked happier and healthier.

The actress also revealed she was engaged and apologized for her past actions, noting:

"I’m really ashamed and embarrassed with the things I said. I can’t turn back time but if I could, I would."

7. Tatum O'Neal

Tatum O'Neal reached icon status in Hollywood after she became the youngest star ever to win an Academy Award. Her Oscar win in 1974 cemented her status as an actress, but like many child stars, her life was not easy.

She went from starring in movies like "Paper Moon," and "Bad News Bears," to a season on Nickelodeon with a smile on her face.

However, she faced many personal and family struggles. Despite winning the hearts of audiences, her childhood and home reality were painful.

O'Neal survived many battles but was at the end of her rope after a nasty divorce and losing custody of her kids. The actress also struggled to land roles, and her star status dwindled.

She faced more turmoil after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a painful condition that limited her acting abilities.

The Hollywood legend undoubtedly had a lot of promise, but life's many curveballs prevented her from all the glory and joy she deserved.

These former child stars display the importance of remembering that stardom isn't only glamour and glitz. Children deserve the chance to enjoy their youth without the pressure of performing in an industry with many pitfalls.

Thankfully, a few icons have turned their lives around and are now focussing on rebuilding their careers. Which celebrity's rise and fall from fame surprised you most?