Drake Bell’s Unexpected Financial Struggles Despite Fame
Drake Bell, known for his starring role on Nickelodeon’s hit show Drake & Josh, openly admits he has struggled financially despite a decades-long career in the entertainment industry. At 39, Bell revealed on The Unplanned Podcast that he has had difficulty paying rent and has not seen the kind of wealth many assume comes from being a TV star. Contrary to popular belief, Bell explained that shows like those on Nickelodeon do not pay residuals to their actors, denying him ongoing income from reruns. This stark reality clashes with his early career success, where Drake & Josh premiered to 3.2 million viewers and became one of the most-watched children’s shows of its time. While co-star Josh Peck has landed major roles since, Bell’s earnings have not matched those early heights, illustrating how fame in childhood does not guarantee financial security.
Dustin Diamond’s Residuals Failings and Career Decline
Dustin Diamond, famous for playing Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers on Saved By The Bell, faced a similar financial fate despite the show’s enduring popularity. Although Saved By The Bell became a multi-generational hit with countless reruns, Diamond’s initial $2 million earnings were not supplemented by residual payments. The show’s poor residual deals meant Diamond and his castmates received no income from the extensive reruns, a significant financial blow. After the show ended, Diamond struggled to escape the shadow of his character, admitting in a 2013 Oprah interview that he found it hard to get work beyond ‘Screech-clone’ roles. He later turned to reality TV to earn a living, including a stint on Celebrity Big Brother UK. Tragically, Diamond passed away in 2021 at age 44, with an estimated net worth between $300, 000 and $500, 000—far less than one might expect given the show’s success.
Gary Coleman’s High Earnings and Financial Mismanagement
Gary Coleman, known for his role as Arnold Jackson on Diff’rent Strokes, earned a reported $100, 000 per episode at the show’s peak, making him one of the highest-paid child stars of the 1980s. Yet Coleman only saw a fraction of that income due to mismanagement by his adoptive parents and manager. In a 1989 lawsuit, a Beverly Hills Superior Court found they had wrongly taken $1.28 million from his earnings between 1982 and
1987. Though Coleman eventually settled for $1.3 million, it was a small consolation compared to what he lost. Further financial setbacks included a failed arcade business costing him $200, 000 and bankruptcy filings in
1999. Despite earning approximately $18 million during his career, Coleman’s net worth at his death in 2010 was estimated at just $75, 000, highlighting the devastating impact of financial exploitation and poor management.
Jack Wild’s
Jack Wild’s Early Success and Alcohol-Driven Decline. Jack Wild’s breakout role as Artful Dodger in the 1968 musical Oliver! earned him BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Academy Award nominations, with the film grossing over $40 million and winning six Oscars. Wild enjoyed lavish spending during the 1970s, with custom suits and chauffeur-driven cars, reflecting his early success. However, his career faltered in adulthood, and he descended into alcoholism. By 1980, he was taking small roles in low-budget productions and relying on unemployment benefits to support his drinking habit. Wild later blamed excessive alcohol use for his 2001 oral cancer diagnosis, which left him unable to speak after surgery. He died in 2006 at age 53, having lost much of his early fortune. Wild’s story underscores how early accolades and financial windfalls do not guarantee lifelong stability, especially when personal struggles intervene.
Amanda Bynes’ Career Peak and Mental Health Challenges
Amanda Bynes was one of the most prominent child stars of her generation, earning up to $3 million annually at her career peak. She rose to fame on Nickelodeon’s All That and later headlined The Amanda Show. However, Bynes’ life took a difficult turn with mounting mental health issues, hospitalizations, and the imposition of a strict conservatorship. These challenges severely impacted her ability to work and earn, effectively ending her acting career by
2025. Her story highlights the high stakes and pressures child actors face, where early success can be overshadowed by personal difficulties that drastically reduce earning potential over time.
Child Stars
Child Stars Often Face Financial Hardship Despite Popular Shows. The cases of Drake Bell, Dustin Diamond, Gary Coleman, Jack Wild, and Amanda Bynes reveal a common pattern among child actors: early fame and success often do not translate into lasting financial security. Key factors include poor residual deals, financial exploitation, typecasting, and personal struggles. For instance, Drake Bell’s lack of residual payments from Nickelodeon contrasts sharply with the millions of viewers his shows attracted. Similarly, Diamond’s lost residuals and Coleman’s misappropriated earnings illustrate systemic issues in child actor compensation. These stories serve as cautionary tales about the fragile nature of fame and the need for better protections and financial planning for young performers navigating the entertainment industry.
