"Different Strokes" was a popular television sitcom in the 70's and 80's. The show boasted an interracial family. Two black boys adopted into a middle class white family in the suburbs. Actors Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges and Dana Plato were the stars of the show and after the show stopped production after 8 seasons, the lives of these child stars took a turn for the worse.

Gary Coleman's famous punchline, "WHATCHOOO TALKIN' BOUT WILLIS???"

Gary Coleman, who suffered from kidney failure and thus stunted his growth into adulthood really had a rough time maturing into an adult. Coleman's problems were most likely surrounding his finances. His adoptive parents were in control of his money until he was 18 years old. By the end of the disputes and litigation surrounding the fortune he had earned during his run on "Different Strokes" the actor was left with $200,000. He went form the highest paid actor, earning about $100,000 per program to filing for bankruptcy in 1999. Coleman was also cited for domestic disputes with his wife, as well as she against him. Coleman could not catch a break and make a comeback in the entertainment industry. He passed away at the age of 42 when his wife decided to remove him from life support. 

Dana Plato pictured in the mugshot photo here played the sister in the show "Different Strokes." She began her acting career at age 9. Tried out for various movie rolls but didn't reach stardom until her role on the sitcom. She became a self confessed alcoholic in the 80's. After the shows run she worked as a dry cleaner and was very unhappy with her way of life. Plato then posed for Playboy to earn some extra money because her job just was not paying the bills. Soon after she began gambling and stealing. Was arrested for a hold up at a video store. She sought to make a comeback with her entertainment career but it was short-lived. She overdosed in 1999 on painkillers. 

Actor Todd Bridges pictured here in court 

Actor Todd Bridges admittedly battled cocaine addiction for several years concluding the show "Different Strokes." His first legal issues arose when he was charged with attempted murder of a drug dealer while on a drug binge. He pleaded not guilty. He was represented by high profile lawyer Johnny Cochran. Cochron successfully argued that Todd was an abused minor who had been driven to substance abuse by an exploitative entertainment industry and was now being unfairly framed for a crime that he did not commit. A witness later testified that Todd was not present at the time of the shooting and he was acquitted of all charges by a jury. 

Todd has been able to somewhat salvage his career through making guest appearances on other TV shows and writing memoirs on his life and experiences in the entertainment industry. 

An inherent issue I see with the stars of this TV show is lack of guidance and sound advice from those around them. Too much money, too much fame, and not enough guidance can led to a troubling end for two of these stars. Thank God Todd was able to turn his life around and not fall victim to the substance abuse he struggled with. Rest in peace to Gary Coleman and Dana Plato

                              

The comical and talented Amanda Bynes is the next child star that I will cover. She has been the most recent to encounter legal woes. Amanda Bynes rose to fame on the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series "All That." in the mid 1990's. She went on to star in her own sketch comedy series "The Amanda Show," She also starred in hit movies like "She's The Man."  Her first reported run in with the law came in 2012 when she was given a three-year probation sentence in Los Angeles for driving with a license that had been suspended. She has also faced several hit-and-run allegations in the past along with an arrest in an on going DUI case. 

Here is a skit from the Amanda Show, where Amanda is performing a parody of Judge Judy.

This year, Bynes was arrested at her New York City apartment after she allegedly tossed a marijuana bong out of her window. She was also accused of smoking marijuana in the building's lobby.Her charges go on with being cited for reckless endangerment, attempting to tamper with evidence and illegal possession of marijuana. 

Here is Amanda in court, looking very undone appearing before a Judge on her most recent charges.

It saddens me to see her like this. She was actually someone who I enjoyed watching on TV growing up. She was very funny and talented. Her sketches on "All That" were absolutely hilarious! As a result of that she earned her own self titled show. But yet again, the pressures of fame and the transition into adulthood, while trying to maintain a career started in one's youth is especially difficult. I don't think she is a criminal, she has just been making bad decisions as of late due to poor judgment because of substance abuse. 

Next up, is Lindsay Lohan. Although she does not have a well known music career she has had a good run in films. Lindsay began her career as a child fashion model at three years old. Her big break came when she starred in the remake of The Parent Trap, in 1998. From there, she made a number of TV movies before her next major motion pictureFreaky Friday in 2003. After Mean Girls in 2004, Lindsay became a household name. Unfortunately, with the fame came constant attention from the paparazzi and the media. Lindsay released her debut album, Speak, in 2004, and it went platinum.

In 2007, two driving under the influence incidents led to Lindsay being put on probation. With three subsequent visits to rehab, Lindsay lost several movie deals due to her frequent visits to the courthouse on various charges. She is known as one of the most troubled of the child stars. I think for most they just have a hard time transitioning into adulthood. For the most part the "fresh face" and adorable smile that got them roles in their youth is no longer their selling point. I believe the transition into an adult star is most difficult for these folks. 

So as you can see here she was given a wake up call. Her behavior may go unnoticed by the "yes men" and enablers around her, but the Judge in this video was not having it. She was ordered to attend classes in order to avoid jail time. When it was relayed to the Judge that she had not been doing as the court ordered she was then ordered to jail. Thankfully her lawyer was able to get her 2 weeks to prepare herself until her surrender date. 

Here is Lohan for a sit down interview with Oprah on her show "Next Chapter."

Michael Jackson! I consider him to be the King of Music, but also arguably was one of the most troubled child stars. He literally grew up on the stage. He was a world renowned performer before he was even a teenager. His career began as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 but his biggest successes would come after he became a solo artist. "Thriller" is still and always will be the greatest selling album of all time. With all of his success, awards, and accolades there was still something Michael Jackson longed for; childhood. Michael often mentioned in interviews that his childhood was non-existent due to the hectic tour schedule, recording sessions, and promotional events that came along with super stardom.

International super stardom began to take it's toll on Michael Jackson when accusations of child molestation arose. I, personally, never believed the rumors, I believed Michael Jackson. The accusations caused Michael a lot of emotional pain. He loved children and sought to make sure less fortunate children had a sense of childhood, due to the one he had lost. The media hype kept circulating the negative press and tabloid images to try and damage Michael's public image. and career.

There were also reports of drug abuse and excessive use of painkillers and sleeping aids. Michael Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50. He was gearing up to go on a world tour that year and he passed before he was able to do so. His personal doctor was charged with murder for administering a lethal dose of the drug propofal.

Michael Jackson's music and contribution to the world will far outlive the false allegations that were brought us against him to defame him. He is truly "Gone Too Soon."

Here is grammy award winning singer/songwriter Chris Brown being sentenced to rehab after a recent altercation in Washington DC.

Chris Brown burst onto the music scene in 2005 with his #1 smash hit "Run It." Has since then released many highly anticipated albums and starred in box office hit movies as well. many would say he has had a pretty illustrious and successful career.

The most serious and infamous incident that he is known for was a domestic violence case that occurred in 2008, when Brown plead guilty to assaulting his then girlfriend Rihanna. This incident alone tarnished his career for years. As a result of the guilty plea he was sentenced to community service and 5 years probation. He also lost many endorsements and his image in the media was no longer a very positive one.

The Breaking News report of Chris Brown's Domestic violence incident

Chris's fans (of which I am one, and have been since 2005) stuck by his side. He is a very talented artist, musician, and performer. In spite of his "Run ins" with the Law and media frenzy surrounding his personal and professional life, he has consistently released hit after hit record.

So, what is the problem? Many ask. Why can't this superstar stay out of trouble? I blame it on the fact that he has to live out his life in front of the world. Fortune and Fame (also two of his album titles) have their downsides. Lack of privacy and constant media scrutiny come with the territory. Some times when you have the world in the palm of your hand at such a young age proper discipline and accountability for one's actions can be compromised.

Like I said before I am a big Chris Brown fan and I keep him in prayer in hopes that he will see the error in his ways and realize that the talent that he has is truly a gift from God and should be valued as such. If you refuse to exhibit positive behavior and the law will certainly step in and hold you accountable for your actions.

Here is one of my favorite songs from Chris Brown's album tilted "Fortune" Enjoy!

Hi! I am an aspiring Judge and soon to be college graduate. I will be earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. I hope to begin Law School in the Fall of 2013. My concentration will be in the area of family law. Specifically, cases concerning Juvenile and Domestic Relations. I am passionate about helping children and being a positive role model for them. The Legal system is a great way for me to give back and have a hand in remedying issues concerning children. The adult criminals of today were the "juvenile delinquents" of yesterday who simply did not receive the proper instruction and guidance for their lives.

Law is my calling but music is my passion. I grew up singing and performing in the church since I was a little girl. Though I grew up singing, performing and acting I only achieved levels of stardom that were local. Music and the arts will always be a part of my life but just as a hobby and something that I do on the side.

Being that law is my calling and music is my passion, I couldn't help but to realize that an astounding number of child stars end up with some sort of criminal record as they mature into adulthood. The pressures of fame and growing up in the public eye certainly can have a negative effect on the developmental process. My blog will highlight the legal woes of those who grew up on the world's stage and their run ins with the law.