Text size:

Child stars who've run into substance-abuse trouble

By Dwayne Steward | dwayne.steward@newsday.com

July 24, 2007

The proverbial "curse of the child star" is definitely alive and well, with Lindsey Lohan's arrest Tuesday for alleged DUI and cocaine possession. Here's a list of other former child stars who've run into substance-abuse trouble.

Danny Bonaduce, 48
Played Danny Partridge in "The Partridge Family"
Arrested in 1985 when the cops found 50 grams of coke in his car, arrested again in 1990 at a crack house in Daytona Beach, Fla., after police found cocaine on him. He was also arrested in 1991 for allegedly beating up a transvestite prostitute in Phoenix, Ariz. He checked himself into rehab in April 2005.

Dana Plato, died in 1999
Played Kimberly Drummond in "Different Strokes"
She was arrested in January 1992 for forging Valium prescriptions and was later cited for parole violation, for which she served 30 days in jail. The same year she entered rehab, which she fell in and out of until she committed suicide in 1999 by taking an overdose of painkillers at the age of 34.

Todd Bridges, 42
Played Willis Jackson in "Different Strokes"
He was arrested in 1993 in Burbank, Calif., after police found methamphetamine and a handgun in a car he was driving. He pled guilty to the charges and entered a court-ordered, one-year drug treatment program. In 1990, a jury acquitted him after he was accused of shooting a drug dealer in Los Angeles.

Jodie Sweetin, 25
Played Stephanie in "Full House"
In March 2005, after being taken to the emergency room suffering from the effects of alcohol and methamphetamine, she voluntarily checked herself into rehab.

Tatum O'Neal, 43
Youngest person to win an Academy Award, 1n 1973 at age 10, for her supporting role in Paper Moon
In early 2000, O'Neal revealed her story of long-time drug abuse. She began using drugs by age 14, going from marijuana to Quaaludes and cocaine to heroin. In 1992 lost custody of her three children because of drug abuse.

Leif Garrett, 45
'70s teen singing idol
Pleaded guilty in March 2005 to attempted possession of cocaine-based narcotics and was placed on probation. Arrested and charged Jan. 18, 2006 with possessing heroin after he was arrested for allegedly trying to ride the subway without paying. He failed several drug tests while in a drug diversion program and was sentenced in May 2006 to 90 days in jail and three years probation after opting out of another drug treatment program.

Drew Barrymore, 32
Played Gertie in "E.T."
Entered a rehab clinic at the age of 13 to fight drug and alcohol abuse. She hit rock bottom after stealing her mother's credit card and bought a plane ticket to the West Coast with the intention of going to Hawaii. She was apprehended by private investigators in Los Angeles and led back to rehab in handcuffs.

Haley Joel Osment, 19
Played Cole in "The Sixth Sense"
In October 2006, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of drunken driving and drug possession after an automobile crash in Los Angeles. He was put on three years probation, paid $1,500 in fines and was ordered to spend 60 hours in alcohol rehabilitation and attend Alcoholics Anonymous.

Corey Feldman, 36
'80s child star, played in "Gremlins", "The Goonies" and "Stand By Me"
Arrested in 1990 for heroin possession and was sentenced to community service.