Paul Peterson

[cablejockey]

Paul was on a show called Child Stars last night on A&E. I've seen him before on talk shows dealing with this subject and he always says he got into show biz "because my mom was bigger than me." He has an organization that tries to help people who were stars as kids but don't know where to turn now for help. Over the years other child performers have come forward to say their success caused them a lot of problems. Quite a few blame their parents for pushing them into it and then stealing the money that the kids made. Even now I wonder when I hear that a child's parent has given up their job to become the kids "manager". It seems like the parent can't wait to live off the child.

[Schmoopie]

I know this is a very old thread but it echoes my thoughts on this subject exactly. I saw Paul Peterson back in the late 80's or early 90's at a mall in Richardson, Texas and I remember him going on and on about how he was adamant about keeping kids out of show business. I think there were some other actors there, but I can't remember who. His appearance must have been advertised on Nick at Nite or something because I can't even remember how I found out about it. But his message must have gotten through because I still remember it.

Andrea