A former Nickelodeon child star, who was discovered living on the streets, has been given urgent shelter and support by a former co-star in a moving act of kindness.
A Distressing Discovery Goes Viral
Tylor Chase, best known for playing Martin Qwerly on the popular children's series Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, was found homeless in Riverside, California. Disturbing footage of the actor's situation circulated widely on TikTok earlier this week, prompting shock and concern from fans who grew up watching the show, which aired from 2004 to 2007.
The viral video showed Chase in a visibly troubled state, living rough. It quickly amassed thousands of views and sparked a wave of heartbreak online, with many commenters discussing the often devastating impact of early fame, mental health struggles, and addiction.
Former Co-Star Steps In to Help
Daniel Curtis Lee, who played Simon 'Cookie' Nelson-Cook alongside Chase, saw the footage and immediately took action. He located his former colleague and documented their reunion on Instagram. Lee first took Chase to a pizza restaurant to get a meal before checking him into a local hotel for the night.
"He trusted an old friend," Lee explained. "It’s rainy out and I just wanted him to have at least some basic accommodation. He wanted to stay local and this was the only one that was open."
In a heartfelt moment captured on video, Lee hugged Chase and offered words of encouragement, telling him, "I believe in you. We are gonna win. All we’ve got to do is stay with it and keep working." He also promised to return to continue helping him. Lee later assured fans that Chase was "well fed and safe from the rain."
Fan Reaction and a Halted Fundraiser
The online response to Chase's plight was a mixture of sadness and support. Many expressed their devastation, with one fan writing, "This made me so sad," while another stated, "Society failed him...his parents failed him. Sad to see." Some, however, questioned the ethics of filming the initial viral video.
In the aftermath, a GoFundMe page was set up to support Chase, raising over $1,200 (approximately £893) swiftly. However, the fundraiser was shut down by Chase's mother, who revealed her son battles bipolar disorder and has faced persistent financial difficulties.
Following his time on Ned's Declassified, Chase's acting career included minor roles. He appeared in an episode of Everybody Hates Chris in 2007 and played a younger version of a character in James Franco's film Good Time Max the same year. After a long break from the industry, his final on-screen credit was in L.A. Noire.
During his recent rescue, Chase was also given the chance to speak via FaceTime with another former co-star, Devon Werkheiser, who played the show's lead character, Ned Bigby. The incident has reignited conversations about the well-being of child stars long after the cameras stop rolling.
