Report: Erin Moran Homeless

[RicoGregg]

Life can take some funny turns:

http://www.webpronews.com/erin-moran-homeless-after-getting-kicked-out-of-trailer-park-2012-09

Seems like some kind of jinx to have been on a sitcom as a teenager.

 

[Bob1370]

Paul Petersen, who founded the advocacy group "A Minor Consideration" to help juvenile actors in their later life and push for better standards for managing their childhood earnings, says while homelessness is rare, adulthood struggle is the norm. There are some exceptions (Oscar winners Jodie Foster, Helen Hunt and Ron Howard, all of whom achieved their greatest success after age 30, come to mind) but they're rare.

 

[Mark Giardina]

This is kind of an old story isn't it?

Besides I thought that Moran, and some other former co-stars of "Happy Days" were recently awarded a sizable amount of money resulting from legal action over revenues generated from merchandizing items featuring their likeness.

There were a number of articles written years ago claiming that Moran basically had nothing to do with her former "Happy Days" coworkers and that she was undergoing some personal problems. However, like many actors today, Moran still receives royalties from the reruns of not only "Happy Days" but the spin-off "Chachi loves Joanie".

It is not uncommon for a number of people, especially actors and athletes, going from making big bucks to end up being broke. There are occasions when unscrupulous agents or even family members are the root cause, but also it is the individuals themselves who spend money like there is no tomorrow. And when tomorrow finally comes they are emptying their piggy banks to pay their house mortgage or car loans.

Bob Smith mentioned former "Donna Reed" actor Paul Peterson's support group founded for former child actors. This group was created by Peterson following the suicide of child actor Rusty Hamer, who co-starred on the "Danny Thomas Show". One must remember that actors of that generation did not receive royalties after their shows ended and many of them were never able cross the gap between adolescent and adult entertainers.

There was a law passed in California many years ago named after the late actor Jackie Coogan. Coogan, who was a child star during the silent movie era, made millions of dollars only to discover when he became an adult that his parents squandered all of his money. I am no lawyer but I believe the law states that a certain percentage a child actor makes must be set aside in some sort of trust fund and can not be touched by anyone else. Only when the child star turns legal age can he/she use that money.

 

[Braves2005]

This is kind of an old story isn't it?

Besides I thought that Moran, and some other former co-stars of "Happy Days" were recently awarded a sizable amount of money resulting from legal action over revenues generated from merchandizing items featuring their likeness.

There were a number of articles written years ago claiming that Moran basically had nothing to do with her former "Happy Days" coworkers and that she was undergoing some personal problems. However, like many actors today, Moran still receives royalties from the reruns of not only "Happy Days" but the spin-off "Chachi loves Joanie".

It is not uncommon for a number of people, especially actors and athletes, going from making big bucks to end up being broke. There are occasions when unscrupulous agents or even family members are the root cause, but also it is the individuals themselves who spend money like there is no tomorrow. And when tomorrow finally comes they are emptying their piggy banks to pay their house mortgage or car loans.

Bob Smith mentioned former "Donna Reed" actor Paul Peterson's support group founded for former child actors. This group was created by Peterson following the suicide of child actor Rusty Hamer, who co-starred on the "Danny Thomas Show". One must remember that actors of that generation did not receive royalties after their shows ended and many of them were never able cross the gap between adolescent and adult entertainers.

There was a law passed in California many years ago named after the late actor Jackie Coogan. Coogan, who was a child star during the silent movie era, made millions of dollars only to discover when he became an adult that his parents squandered all of his money. I am no lawyer but I believe the law states that a certain percentage a child actor makes must be set aside in some sort of trust fund and can not be touched by anyone else. Only when the child star turns legal age can he/she use that money.

Not entirely old news since Erin and her husband and his mother are now homeless.

And depending on what you read in the tabloids (saw this in the National Enquirer last week about Erin's plights), she received $65,000 from that settlement from CBS/Paramount from the royalties from the DVD's and other merchandise and it also read that she is squandering that money. She went into a bar and treated everyone to drinks and everything like she was still a superstar. And it also read that her husband is working at the garden center at the Wal-Mart in the city where they're living at now.

And a picture of Erin now doesn't look like she's 51 at all, she looks like about 10 years older. She doesn't even look like herself now since her face is all puffy and looks unkempt with sloppy clothes and appearance/

 

[Mark Giardina]

Not entirely old news since Erin and her husband and his mother are now homeless.

And depending on what you read in the tabloids (saw this in the National Enquirer last week about Erin's plights), she received $65,000 from that settlement from CBS/Paramount from the royalties from the DVD's and other merchandise and it also read that she is squandering that money. She went into a bar and treated everyone to drinks and everything like she was still a superstar. And it also read that her husband is working at the garden center at the Wal-Mart in the city where they're living at now.

And a picture of Erin now doesn't look like she's 51 at all, she looks like about 10 years older. She doesn't even look like herself now since her face is all puffy and looks unkempt with sloppy clothes and appearance/

Here is a perfect example of what I meant about some people who squander their money. If Moran found herself in such financial dire straights does it make any sense to out and buy rounds of drinks for strangers at a local bar and then blow the rest of the $65 thousand dollars she received?

Sorry but I really have no pity for stupid people.

If I was about to lose my house that $65,000 would have gone to help keep a roof over my head instead of providing some "Bar Stool Commandos" with free booze.

 

[FreddyE1977]

There are some reports that Scott Baio had reached out to her, but then had
quickly determined that she was on such a self-destructive path that he could not help her.

 

[Carmine5]

This is so reminiscent of the Ted Williams story. As we know, when it was discovered that Ted had this great voice and was homeless, offers for free housing and jobs started pouring in. In the end, he squandered them all because it was discovered that Ted's problems went deeper then just being homeless and out of work. Now he's staying at a half-way house in Los Angeles trying to crack the VO business.

Same with Ms. Moran. I remember several years ago on the Howard Stern Show, Erin tearfully confessed to having been sexually abused as a child. If this is true, then no amount of money or the keys to a house is going to help. This woman needs serious and ongoing therapy. Sad thing is, Erin obviously has talent and could break into radio or perhaps a talk show. But she needs to cope with her personal demons first.

 

[DXDXDX]

What everybody is missing here is what I've read in many places...she was KICKED OUT of his mother's trailer because of constant partying. She was kicked out of numerous hotels/motels due to her partying and attitude problem.

So then, we are now supposed to feel sorry???????

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Here is a perfect example that some people can not handle money and or fame.

There have been numerous articles written over the years about Erin Moran and her self-destructive ways.

A number of her former co-stars and friends tried repeatedly to offer an intervention, but Moran reportedly wasn't interested. She also bad-mouthed the same people trying to help her plus distanced herself from any association, at least for a number of years, with her former "Happy Days" fellow actors.

I personally think the only reason she participated in the recent legal action against Viacom is because she needed the money to avoid eviction. But once she received a settlement what does she do? Spends the money on partying.

At 51 years of age Erin Moran should be grown up enough to be responsible for her own life.

 

[Tim L]

I'm 54 years old myself, and finances have never been easy for me (that is, having enough money to go beyond meeting needs, with an occasional treat, vacation, etc. along the way)..It is sad to see people like Erin that obviously have had talent, and can make at worst, a decent living with it, just throw it all away..What I could do with $65,000 right now..

 

[KeithE4]

I'm 54 years old myself, and finances have never been easy for me (that is, having enough money to go beyond meeting needs, with an occasional treat, vacation, etc. along the way)..It is sad to see people like Erin that obviously have had talent, and can make at worst, a decent living with it, just throw it all away..What I could do with $65,000 right now..

Unfortunately, it sounds like there is more than a little bit wrong "upstairs." I hope she gets the help she needs.

 

[Stanislav]

I'm 54 years old myself, and finances have never been easy for me (that is, having enough money to go beyond meeting needs, with an occasional treat, vacation, etc. along the way)..It is sad to see people like Erin that obviously have had talent, and can make at worst, a decent living with it, just throw it all away..What I could do with $65,000 right now..

I could have written your exact post, right down to the age (maybe you're my long-lost twin).

Some people just don't have the smarts to handle money responsibly, especially a windfall. If $65K were to drop into my lap, sure, I might take a couple thou to treat myself to a vacation (haven't had one in 20 years, so I deserve it, dammit), but the rest would go into savings, with small amounts withdrawn as needed to supplement my meager, irregular income, deal with emergencies, etc.

It's sad watching cute little Joanie on Happy Days reruns and thinking about what a screwed-up adulthood she has had.

 

[Silkie]

There was a time when Hollywood took care of its own, right down to the best financial planners. Of course there was also a time when Hollywood had class and set the example, unlike today when Hollywood is trash and still sets the example.

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

There was a time when Hollywood took care of its own, right down to the best financial planners. Of course there was also a time when Hollywood had class and set the example, unlike today when Hollywood is trash and still sets the example.

You nailed it about the Hollywood culture, yesterday's and today's. Still, Erin Moran needs our prayers. Celebrity can be cruel, but Erin is old enough to make wiser life-decisions than she' making now. Much like the Todd Bridges of the '90s, she is obviously angry.

Her disclosure of sexual molestation could turn into a breakthrough moment, if only she would navigate this swampy mess through therapy.

 

[Carmine5]

At 51 years of age Erin Moran should be grown up enough to be responsible for her own life.

The problem here, is that you're thinking rationally. There is absolutely nothing in anything Erin has said or done that tells me she's a rational person. Age is immaterial here. I suspect Ms. Moran is just sane enough to keep herself from being institutionalized but not to deal with the day-to-day responsibilities of life. She needs therapy and an understanding "handler."

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Oh Boo Hoo Hoo!

I am not trying to be heartless here but there are people who never had the chance to make the money or obtain the notoriety Erin Moran had during her acting career, yet these individuals manage to pull themselves up by the bootstraps despite adversity.

I’m pretty certain that Ms. Moran was not paid minimum wage during her years on “Happy Days”. Is it society’s problem that she was incapable of handling her finances to where she is now living out of motel rooms? I don’t think so!

 

[MCarney]

Actually she probably didn't make a killing on "Happy Days". She was a contract player, not the star of the show, and was not in a position to demand big bucks. This may have changed when "Joanie Loves Chachi" came along, but that didn't last long. Had she made a stink they would have either recast the role (especially early on) or sent Joanie to visit Chuck up in the attic. As for residuals, she probably got the minimum on that as well.

I agree that she needs help, but the first step to change is admitting you have a problem. She doesn't seem to be at that point and may never get there.

 

[LKellerIII]

There was a time when Hollywood took care of its own, right down to the best financial planners. Of course there was also a time when Hollywood had class and set the example, unlike today when Hollywood is trash and still sets the example.

And what time was that, exactly? Certainly not the 1950s and 60s when TV actors didn't even receive residuals. That changed at some point in the late 60s, so actors like Moran actually received income from their shows well after the first run. If you look at the history of child TV actors, you'll find that many more were exploited and damaged emotionally in the early days of TV, than in the 70s (Moran's era) or since then.

Are you talking about the contract film actors of the 30s and 40s? Yes - their lives were more controlled by the studios, but it was pretty oppressive. Actors had to do and say what they were told to a much greater degree. Unless they were big stars, they didn't make much money.
And once their contract was up, if an actor was no longer any use to them, they were cut loose to fend for themselves, just like today.

If one is looking for job stability, acting in the film and TV industry won't cut it. Emotionally stable and mature actors know that - they put money aside for the many "rainy days" they will experience, and invest wisely. Some actors - like Erin Moran, apparently - do not.

 

[Mark Giardina]

I wonder what else she's giving besides backrubs?

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainmen...-homeless-motel-parking-lots/?intcmp=features

 

[landtuna]

There was a time when Hollywood took care of its own, right down to the best financial planners. Of course there was also a time when Hollywood had class and set the example, unlike today when Hollywood is trash and still sets the example.

Hollywood has never had "class". Except for a very few early producers (Hal Roach is an example) most studio heads took what they could get from their contract talent and kicked them to the curb as soon as their popularity dwindled. Sometimes it was just the hint of scandal that got them booted (see Fatty Arbuckle for one example). Eventually there were organizations like the Film Actors Guild that established a union of sorts that provided some social services such as the Retired Actors Home but most actors were left to their own devices once their careers began falling.

The Great Depression was also a factor since actors of that era, particularly child actors, were frequently the only breadwinners for their families. Therefore the family took the child's earnings just to survive and left the kid with nothing. More actors than not ended up with nothing from their acting careers.

Child actors in general have always had problems growing into adult parts. Even the most popular of them all, Shirley Temple, was only mildly successful as a young adult actor. Most had to look to other careers or work in a non-camera role as has Ron Howard.

The Studio System was both positive and negative for acting talent. It meant a guaranteed income for actors but they had little or no say in their roles and it killed the careers of a number of actors who were lent to less important studios for roles in 'B' pictures.

Acting has always been an unstable vocation and Hollywood a dangerous place to practice the trade.