A former Nickelodeon child actor, once familiar to millions of viewers, has been found living on the streets of California, sparking widespread concern and a complex conversation about the aftermath of childhood fame. Tylor Chase, now 36 years old, who played Martin Qwerly on the popular series Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide from 2004 to 2007, was recently spotted in a homeless condition in Riverside, Los Angeles.
Viral Video Reveals Distressing Situation
The situation came to light in September 2025 when a video surfaced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The clip, which has since garnered over 10 million views, shows Chase wearing a worn-out Los Angeles Raiders polo shirt and holding up his jeans while speaking to the person recording. When asked if he was on Nickelodeon, Chase confirmed his role on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. The person filming recognised him, responding, "Oh yeah, you're that kid on it." The footage quickly went viral, drawing shocked and saddened reactions from users worldwide.
Public reaction on social media was swift and empathetic. One user commented on the potential trauma faced by former child stars, stating, "It's unfortunate but a common occurrence from people sexually abused as children like so many were." Another expressed profound sadness: "God only knows what these kids went through. So so so sad." A third user noted a pattern, saying, "It's always the kids from Nickelodeon. I honestly hope he pulls through this and comes out 10x better and stronger. Who knows what led to this?"
Mother's Intervention and Plea for Medical Care
In the wake of the viral video, a well-intentioned GoFundMe fundraiser was created in Chase's name, raising more than $1,200. However, the campaign was shortly removed by Chase's mother. She intervened to clarify that financial assistance was not the solution her son required at this moment.
Speaking to The Sun, his mother made an emotional appeal, explaining, "Tylor needs medical attention, not money. But he refuses it." She elaborated on the challenges, stating, "I appreciate your effort, but money would not be a benefit to him. I have gotten him several phones, but he loses them within a day or two. He can't manage money for his meds by himself." Her statements highlight a tragic and complex situation where the immediate need is professional healthcare intervention, which Chase is reportedly declining.
Former Co-Stars React with Concern
The distressing news reached Chase's former colleagues from Ned's Declassified. Devon Werkheiser, Lindsey Shaw, and Daniel Curtis Lee addressed the situation on an episode of their Ned's Declassified Podcast Survival Guide. Daniel Curtis Lee shared his raw reaction with Hello Magazine after seeing the viral video.
"There was some bad news that I received earlier this week about our dear friend Tylor Chase," Lee said. "It was a lot to process for me. When I first saw, I was angry, because I was like, why put a camera on someone's face in hard times?" His reaction underscores the ethical dilemma of filming individuals in vulnerable states and the personal pain felt by those who knew Chase during his time in the spotlight.
The case of Tylor Chase adds to a growing list of former child stars from the early 2000s who have faced significant personal struggles after their time in the limelight faded. It raises critical questions about the support systems—or lack thereof—for young actors transitioning to adulthood outside the industry and the long-term psychological impact of early fame. The public's desire to help through donations clashes with the reality described by his family, pointing to a deeper need for structured mental health and medical support for individuals in similar crises.
