CULTURE


Child Stars Gone Bad

Match the '80s kid actor to his or her quarterlife crisis

By Cholntz E. McGee

It's no longer a phenomenon when child stars go bad. In fact, it's quite common. Why do you think I Love the '80s and E! True Hollywood Story episodes are so well-received? Because little Timmy Kidstar grew up to lead the perfect life?

With all the young actors that sprung to stardom in the '80s (and subsequently crashed to anonymity, death or, worse, reality TV), it can be tough to keep up. But we know you've all been studying. So here's a pop quiz: Can you match each of these 37 child stars to his or her quarterlife crisis? (Answers appear at bottom of page.)

1.
Sean Astin
A.
Whoa! Ranked one of TV Guide's greatest teen idols, he recently filed for divorce.
2.
Andrea Barber
B.
After her identity crisis, she just missed landing a role on Scrubs.
3.
Brice Beckham
C.
He didn't shoot his eye out, and now he calls the shots producing a hit TV show.
4.

Peter Billingsley

D.
Gave up pinchers of power to work as a stunt choreographer on films. Now he really screams when he sees a $50 bill.
5.
Todd Bridges
E.
Worked as porn star Crave because she was broke.
6.
Tiffany Brissette
F.
Still hangin' at The Max, wishing things went better with Kelly.
7.
Danny Cooksey
G.
Arrested for robbery, arrested for forgery, then got into porn, booze, porn, drugs, porn and eventually committed suicide.
8.
Macaulay Culkin
H.
Possibly selling women's shoes.
9.
Josie Davis
I.
Resurrected career by losing the "Y" from his name.
10.
David Faustino
J.
After befriending Leo, he did what anyone would do -- he decided to jump out of airplanes.
11.
Corey Feldman
K.
Whiz kid blew a lot of brain cells snortin' coke off a woman's ass while driving through the swamps of Jersey.
12.
Michael Fishman
L.
Token black character actor in teen/college stupid-humor genre
13.

Jamiee Foxworth

M.
Scrawny typecast nerd got buff and somehow lost his mojo.
14.
Soleil Moon Frye
N.
Won a few celebrity versions of game shows; posed in lingerie in magazine spread.
15.
Lecy Goranson
O.
Got beat up for his Jets jacket, went into hiding, then resurfaced as The Mole.
16.
Anthony Michael Hall
P.
Eagerly awaiting the return of Valerie.
17.
Neil Patrick Harris
Q.
She moved out of town, Mr. Arnold died, and it's been just too depressing trying to find her.
18.
Staci Keanan
R.
This little sleuth couldn't hardly wait to get into politics.
19.
Charlie Korsmo
S.
Academy Award nominee OD'ed way too young.
20.
Joey Lawrence
T.
Sources speculate she is still stalking overly happy families in the Bay Area.
21.
Mario Lopez
U.
Alleged to still be recovering from discovering the truth about her two dads.
22.
Ralph Macchio
V.
Traded bleach-blonde poof hair for black goth 'do, and formed a rock band with her brother. Those Young Republicans sure do have a wild side.
23.
Danica McKellar
W.
Classic underdog lead took sidekick roles as portly, furry-footed fella and lisp-riddled mesh-shirt guy.
24.
Jeremy Miller
X.
Bowl-head turned mullet-head fronted a heavy metal band, and is now pursuing voice work.
25.
Mary-Kate Olsen
Y.
After his parents screwed him out of money and he'd had enough of sleepovers with his "special friend," he married early and got busted with pot.
26.
River Phoenix
Z.
It's no small wonder this monotone actress hasn't been onscreen in years. Might wanna check the local drive-through.
27.
Danny Pintauro
AA.
Cult fans stand by his uber-successful blog.
28.
Dana Plato
BB.
Possibly in jail awaiting the arrival of his cousin Vinny.
29.
Danny Ponce
CC.
All that studying paved the way for roles in CSI and The Division.
30.
Keshia Knight Pulliam
DD.
Turns table on tabloids and outs himself, then stars in myriad stage productions.
31.
Jonathan Ke Quan
EE.
Possibly trapped in an abandoned fridge for some time.
32.
Deon Richmond
FF.
Years spent mimicking the British butler paid off when he began his serious theatre career.
33.
Fred Savage
GG.
Trying to count the number of zeroes on her bank statement, she got her herself in big trouble, mister, and turned to drugs before checking herself into rehab.
34.
Ricky Schroeder
HH.
Followed in his TV family's tradition and got married at 18.
35.
Wil Wheaton
II.
Possibly watching his collection of Crave adult films.
36.

Jaleel White

JJ.
On his 23rd hair color, he got married on a reality TV show.
37.
Tina Yothers
KK.
Acquitted of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder.


ANSWERS
1. W.
2. T.
3. FF.
4. C.
5. KK.
6. Z.
7. X.
8. Y.
9. CC.
10. H.
11. JJ.
12. HH.
13. E.
14. EE.
15. B.
16. M.
17. K.
18. U.
19. R.
20. A.
21. F.
22. BB.
23. Q.
24. J.
25. GG.
26. S.
27. DD.
28. G.
29. P.
30. N.
31. D.
32. L.
33. O.
34. I.
35. AA.
36. II.
37. V.








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