Watching the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon generation grow out of adolescence and into adulthood has shed some seriously harrowing light on the entertainment industry. There are those, like the Sprouse twins, Miley Cyrus and Raven Symoné, who go on to live relatively normal lives still in the spotlight following childhood fame. Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky when their money starts to run out and work becomes less readily available. That’s So Raven star Orlando Brown is a strong example of the adverse impacts of being a full-time Disney employee before he could legally vote or drink can have on a person.
Despite being one of the biggest names in youth television in the late 90s and early 2000s, by the mid-2010s, Brown found himself running into trouble with the law time and time again. It’s been a bumpy road for the 36-year-old, but from the looks of his wife’s Instagram page, they’ve both put in work to build their family and stabilize their mental health. It’s unclear what Orlando Brown’s plans for the future are, but fans hope to see him working as steadily as he was in his prime once again. If there’s one thing the California native knows how to do, it’s keep a crowd laughing!
Child Actor Was Booked and Busy in the Late 90s and Early 2000s
The entertainer’s first acting role came in 1995 on an episode of ABC’s Coach; that same year he made his feature film debut in Major Payne alongside Damon Wayans. Brown’s roles weren’t big, but they were enough to get his foot in the door and keep him working steadily through the late ’90s. In the House, The Parent ‘Hood, The Jamie Foxx Show and Moesha appearances all came in 1996, along with his first voice acting role on the short-lived Waynehead. Elsewhere, you might’ve seen Brown in Malcolm & Eddie, Sister, Sister and The Wayans Bros episodes, or acting with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in Two of a Kind.
To kick off the 2000s, the West Coast star showed off his baseball skills in Disney’s TV movie, Perfect Game. This was quickly followed by Lizzie McGuire, The Proud Family and Max Keeble’s Big Movie before Brown landed the titular voice acting role in Filmore! in 2002. When he was cast as Eddie Thomas in That’s So Raven, Brown knew it was the opportunity of a lifetime, and he made sure to play the lead character’s goofy best friend as memorably as possible. The show lasted until 2007, but since then, Orlando Brown’s acting resume has hardly grown.
Since 2016, Orlando Brown Has Been in and Out of Legal Trouble
In February of 2016, those who grew up watching the actor on the small screen were shocked to hear of his arrest in Torrance, California following a public altercation with his then-girlfriend. Brown was later charged with domestic battery, obstruction of justice and drug possession with intent to sell but failed to attend his court date in March, leading to another arrest. This came with new charges of domestic battery, resisting arrest and drug possession, but those weren’t enough to bring Brown in either.
Instead, he fled to Nevada where bounty hunters apprehended him. When the father of five was set free, he was caught by police again months later after exiting a hotel known for prostitution and illegal drug transactions. Authorities found meth and a pipe on Brown’s person when he refused to cooperate, and in September 2016 they took him in again for breaking into Legends Restaurant & Venue in Las Vegas after spending a brief stint in rehab.
In recent years, Brown has attempted to live a sober lifestyle, which his wife Danielle, seems to be supporting him through. He’s certainly come a long way since 2022, at which time the Disney icon was arrested on domestic violence charges in Lima, Ohio after allegedly threatening his brother with a knife and a hammer. Orlando was homeless at the time, and his sibling was trying to help keep him out of a shelter; instead, he wound up jailed in Allen County without bond.
What Is the Disney Channel Alum’s Net Worth Today?
Despite the tireless hours he poured into learning lines and perfecting his comedic timing, Orlando Brown’s estimated net worth doesn’t at all reflect his contributions to the culture. He’s valued at $2,000 as of April 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth, which (though sad) does align with reports of Brown’s struggles in recent years. Even if his bank account isn’t as abundant as some of his contemporaries, at least Brown has the support of his family and fans to fall back on!
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