This article contains mentions of addiction.
Not many child stars have had as significant an impact on an entire generation as Amanda Bynes.
But by the 2010s,tragic details about Amanda Bynes' lifestarted to unfold and fans began to worry.
As any fan will attest, Bynes' change has been dramatic and heartbreaking.
Here’s a closer look at the drastic transformation of Amanda Bynes.
Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, and Nick Cannon were among the other notable cast members.
Her co-stars were taken with her, too.
“She was an explosion of bright innocence and joy.
She was funny whether the cameras were rolling or not.
She was an old soul …
I connected with her because she was laser-focused like me,” Thompson wrote.
“She was adorable and had a ginormous range of talent.
She was the best.”
“I still can’t believe it.
It feels like it’s unreal.
I love doing what I’m doing.
“I know that some parents, I’m sure a lot of parents, don’t like it.
But I don’t know, it’s letting kids be kids and be the important ones for once.
It’s fun for them to watch.”
The show also served as the start ofAmanda Bynes' relationship with Drake Bell.
“That TV show was super fun.
I loved working with Jennie Garth and Leslie Grossman, Wesley Jonathan and Simon Rex.
Bynes' career wasn’t reliant on television, though.
Bothfilms bolstered Amanda Bynes' star power and net worth.
“I like ‘[The] Princess Bride.’
That’s one of my favorite movies.
I really like Christopher Guest.
I think he’s really talented and I like Jim Carrey and a lot of his movies.
I also liked ‘Big’ and ‘Clueless,’ Bynes said in an interview withBlackfilm.
In 2006, Bynes starred in the comedy film “She’s the Man” with Channing Tatum.
In 2007, she went on to play Penny Pingleton in the remake of “Hairspray.”
“If I don’t love something anymore, I stop doing it.
I don’t love acting anymore, so I’ve stopped doing it.
Bynes' early retirement shocked and saddened fans, and many didn’t take it seriously.
But the former actor stayed true to her word, and she left the entertainment industry behind.
Bynes didn’t stray too far from entertainment, though, as she remained in a creative field.
“Instructors love her,” the assistant dean of admissions Kathi Gilbert said of Bynes to Paper.
“She’s smart, she participates in class she’s an amazing student.”
Bynes discovered new talents and interests while at the school, too.
“I’m getting a 96 in it.”
In 2012, Bynes was arrested for a misdemeanor DUI in Los Angeles after a minor car accident.
Thanks to the plea deal, the DUI charges were dropped.
The former actor was charged with reckless endangerment and marijuana possession in 2013.
In 2014, those charges were also dropped.
During this time, Bynes made headlines for something else: her tweets.
Bynes later addressed the tweets and blamed them on substance use.
“The mixture of marijuana and whatever other drugs and sometimes drinking really messed up my brain.
It really made me a completely different person.
I actually am a nice person.
After this, she was placed under temporary conservatorship of her parents, giving them control over her finances.
Not long after that, Bynes shared that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
“It definitely isn’t fun when people diagnose you with what they think you are.
That was always really bothersome to me.
If you deny anything and tell them what it actually is, they don’t believe you.
In the interview, though, she also got real about her substance use.
“I started smoking marijuana when I was 16,” she revealed.
“Later on it progressed to doing molly and ecstasy.
[I tried] cocaine three times but I never got high from cocaine …
I definitely abused Adderall.”
Despite her past struggles, those close to her were praising her efforts in sobriety.
“She’s tasted the worst of the world and she’s come through it beautifully.
Positivity in Bynes' personal life continued.
“Amanda wishes to terminate her conservatorship.
“What’s up Instagram, Amanda Bynes here.
My court date is coming up in two weeks.
I want to thank you all for your love and support.
Peace out,” Bynes said, (viaCNN).
Bynes' parents were on board with the decision too and ended her conservatorship in March that year.
Soon after,plans for Amanda Bynes' life post-conservatorshipbegan to be speculated.
Unfortunately in 2023, things took a sour turn for the former actor.
Bynes checked out of the facility in July and reportedly had a care plan in place.
As Bynes told Paper in 2018, “I have no fear of the future.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available.
Visit theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration websiteor contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
