12 Disney Child Stars Whose Legal Troubles Changed Their Careers Forever

12 Disney Child Stars Whose Legal Troubles Changed Their Careers Forever

Growing up in the spotlight is never easy, especially for Disney child stars who face enormous pressure at a young age. Fame, money, and constant scrutiny can create a perfect storm for trouble when these young actors transition to adulthood. From DUIs to theft charges, these once-beloved Disney faces saw their promising careers take dramatic turns after running into legal problems.

1. Orlando Brown

The lovable Eddie Thomas from ‘That’s So Raven’ became entangled in a web of arrests that devastated his once-promising career. Multiple charges for drug possession, domestic battery, and resisting arrest piled up as Brown struggled with substance abuse issues.

Public meltdowns and bizarre interviews further damaged his reputation in Hollywood. Fans watched in dismay as the talented young actor who made them laugh disappeared from major productions.

Despite occasional comeback attempts, Brown’s career never regained its Disney Channel momentum. His story serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly stardom can unravel when personal demons take control.

2. Adam Hicks

From skateboarding teen idol to prison inmate, Adam Hicks’ fall from Disney fame left fans stunned. The ‘Zeke & Luther’ and ‘Lemonade Mouth’ star’s 2018 arrest for armed robberies marked a shocking departure from his wholesome image.

Police reports claimed Hicks and his girlfriend targeted victims in the San Fernando Valley during a robbery spree. The actor subsequently served prison time for his crimes, effectively ending his Disney career.

Following his release on parole, Hicks has spoken about recovery and rehabilitation. However, the severe nature of his crimes created a permanent barrier between the actor and his former family-friendly audience.

3. Ronni Hawk

The young actress who portrayed bossy older sister Rachel Diaz on Disney’s ‘Stuck in the Middle’ saw her rising star dimmed by serious legal troubles. Hawk’s 2020 arrest on domestic violence charges created immediate backlash from her predominantly young fan base.

Police responded to a call and found her boyfriend with visible injuries, leading to her arrest. The controversy generated headlines that overshadowed her acting abilities and previous accomplishments.

While Hawk has maintained some acting roles since the incident, the negative publicity significantly impacted her career trajectory. Her case highlights how quickly personal conduct can affect a young performer’s professional opportunities.

4. Shia LaBeouf

The mischievous Louis Stevens from ‘Even Stevens’ transformed into Hollywood’s most unpredictable bad boy. LaBeouf’s multiple arrests for disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and assault created a stark contrast to his Disney beginnings.

His infamous paper bag incident declaring “I am not famous anymore” symbolized his complicated relationship with celebrity. Despite legal troubles and controversial behavior, LaBeouf managed to reinvent himself in indie films and experimental art projects.

Unlike some Disney stars, his talent allowed him to continue working despite reputation damage. However, recent abuse allegations from former partners have further complicated his standing in an industry increasingly concerned with personal conduct.

5. Lindsay Lohan

The freckle-faced charmer from ‘The Parent Trap’ and ‘Freaky Friday’ became tabloid royalty during her spectacular fall from grace. Lohan’s numerous arrests for DUIs, drug possession, and theft created a devastating career interruption just as she was transitioning to adult roles.

Courtroom appearances replaced movie premieres as she cycled through rehab stays and probation violations. Her once-bankable name became associated with unreliability, causing major studios to distance themselves.

After years in the wilderness, Lohan has recently attempted career rehabilitation with Netflix projects. Her story represents perhaps the most dramatic example of how legal troubles can derail even the most promising Disney alumni.

6. Lalaine

Fans of ‘Lizzie McGuire’ were shocked when Lalaine Vergara-Paras, who played Miranda Sanchez, was arrested for methamphetamine possession in 2007. The charges seemed wildly inconsistent with the actress’s innocent Disney Channel persona that millions of young viewers had grown to love.

Though she avoided significant jail time by completing a drug treatment program, the incident created a permanent mark on her public image. Her acting opportunities noticeably diminished following the arrest.

While she has made occasional appearances in small productions and maintained a music career, Lalaine never returned to the mainstream success she enjoyed as Miranda. Her case demonstrates how quickly a single legal incident can alter career trajectories.

7. Mitchel Musso

The actor who brought Oliver Oken to life on ‘Hannah Montana’ faced a sobering reality check when arrested for public intoxication and theft in 2023. Police found Musso allegedly intoxicated after he took a bag of chips from a hotel and refused to pay.

Though some charges were later dismissed, the incident generated embarrassing headlines for the former child star. Coming years after his Disney heyday, the arrest reminded fans of the challenges former child actors often face.

Musso’s career had already slowed significantly from his Disney peak before the incident. His case represents how even relatively minor legal troubles can reinforce negative stereotypes about former child stars and limit comeback opportunities.

8. Kirsten Storms

The star who brought space-traveling teen Zenon to life found herself facing earthbound troubles when pulled over in Los Angeles. Storms’ 2007 DUI arrest created unwelcome headlines for the actress who had successfully transitioned from Disney Channel films to soap opera success.

Unlike some Disney alumni, Storms managed the legal situation effectively by completing probation and alcohol education requirements. Her professional response helped minimize career damage.

Remarkably, Storms continued her role on ‘General Hospital’ despite the incident. Her case demonstrates how some performers can weather legal troubles with minimal long-term career impact when they address issues responsibly and maintain professional relationships.

9. Kelli Berglund

The ‘Lab Rats’ actress faced unexpected scrutiny when cited for using a fake ID at the Coachella music festival in 2016. Though relatively minor compared to other Disney stars’ legal issues, the incident created a publicity problem for the young actress still associated with family-friendly programming.

At just 20 years old, Berglund was caught in the awkward transition phase many Disney performers experience. The media attention briefly tarnished her squeaky-clean image among parents of her young fans.

Fortunately, Berglund rebounded professionally, securing more mature roles in subsequent years. Her experience highlights how even minor legal infractions can generate disproportionate attention when committed by former child stars.

10. David Henrie

Fans of ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ were stunned when Justin Russo actor David Henrie was arrested at LAX in 2018. The charge? Attempting to bring a loaded handgun through airport security—a serious federal offense that seemed wildly out of character.

Henrie quickly issued a public apology, claiming he had forgotten the weapon was in his bag. He ultimately pled no contest and received probation, avoiding jail time but not public scrutiny.

While he has continued working in entertainment, his roles became more limited following the incident. His case demonstrates how a single lapse in judgment can create lasting career consequences, even for stars with previously unblemished reputations.

11. Debby Ryan

The beloved star of ‘Jessie’ and ‘Radio Rebel’ shocked fans when arrested for DUI after causing a traffic collision in Los Angeles in 2016. Ryan’s blood alcohol level tested over the legal limit, creating immediate image problems for the actress still working with Disney at the time.

She later pled no contest to reckless driving and publicly apologized for her actions. The incident temporarily damaged her reputation as a role model for young viewers.

Despite the setback, Ryan successfully pivoted to more mature roles in Netflix productions. Her case illustrates how some Disney stars can effectively navigate legal troubles through appropriate public responses and strategic career moves to more adult-oriented platforms.

12. Britney Spears

The Mickey Mouse Club alum’s legal struggles differed dramatically from her Disney peers. Rather than criminal charges, Spears fought a nearly 14-year conservatorship battle that severely restricted her personal and financial freedom.

Following public behavior concerns in 2007-2008, courts placed her under a controversial arrangement that sparked the eventual #FreeBritney movement. Fans rallied behind the star as she fought to regain control of her life and career.

Though she ultimately won her legal fight in 2021, the prolonged battle fundamentally altered her relationship with the entertainment industry. Her case highlights how legal challenges can take many forms for former child stars, sometimes involving their very autonomy.