Child Stars Who Made Fortunes and Lost It All: From Hollywood’s Highest-Paid Teen to the $200M Teenage Singer

Drake Bell’s Financial Struggles Highlight Plight of Former Child Stars

Drake Bell, famed for his role in Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh, recently revealed he struggles to pay rent despite his early fame. Now 39, Bell explained on The Unplanned Podcast that child actors often don’t receive residuals, leaving him far from the “mansion in Hollywood” people assume he owns. While his co-star Josh Peck transitioned to major films like Oppenheimer, Bell’s post-Nickelodeon career dwindled. [Image: Drake Bell and Josh Peck on Drake & Josh]

Other Child Stars Who Faced Financial Hardships

1. Dustin Diamond (“Screech” in Saved by the Bell)
   Diamond became iconic as the nerdy Samuel “Screech” Powers, but poor residual deals left him with little despite the show’s endless reruns. He later turned to reality TV (Celebrity Big Brother) and small roles. Diagnosed with cancer in 2021, he died with a net worth under $500,000. [Image: Dustin Diamond as Screech]

2. Gary Coleman (Diff’rent Strokes)
   Coleman’s catchphrase “What’choo talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” made him a star, but his parents mismanaged his $18M earnings. He sued them, won $1.3M, but filed bankruptcy in 1999. Coleman died in 2010, worth just $75,000. [Image: Gary Coleman on set]

3. Jack Wild (Oliver!)
   Wild earned an Oscar nomination at 16 for Oliver!, but fame led to reckless spending and alcoholism. By the 1980s, he relied on welfare. After battling oral cancer, he died in 2006, reflecting, “I wish I’d invested the money.” [Image: Jack Wild as Artful Dodger]

4. Amanda Bynes (The Amanda Show)
   Bynes starred in hits like Hairspray but faced mental health crises and legal issues. Her parents’ conservatorship revealed she’d squandered millions. Now 38, she’s pivoted to OnlyFans, hoping to revive her career. [Image: Bynes in Hairspray]

5. Aaron Carter
   The pop sensation earned $200M by 18 but faced a $3.5M tax debt and substance abuse. He blamed family mismanagement, claiming he received only $2M of his earnings. Carter drowned accidentally in 2022, leaving an insolvent estate. [Image: Aaron Carter performing]

Conclusion
From Drake Bell to Aaron Carter, child stardom often masks financial instability, mismanagement, and personal struggles. Without residuals or savvy financial planning, many face adulthood in crisis—a stark reminder of the dark side of early fame.