Fans were left shocked and heartbroken after a former Nickelodeon actor was spotted living on the streets in a clip that quickly went viral online.
Tylor Chase, best known for playing Martin Qwerly on the hit show Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide from 2004 to 2007, was seen in a disheveled state on the streets of Riverside, California.
The video, which was originally posted in September, showed the 36-year-old being approached by a fan who didn't quite remember where she’d seen him.
“Nickelodeon,” Chase corrected after she asked if he was on Disney Channel.
He then confirmed he was on Ned’s Declassified.
“Oh yeah, you’re that kid on it,” the fan replied, prompting Chase to share his full name on camera.
Social media explodes with concern for Tylor Chase
Once the clip started making the rounds, social media users were quick to react with concern and criticism.
Many fans expressed sadness over seeing someone they grew up watching in such a difficult situation.
“This actually breaks my heart,” one person tweeted.
“This made me so sad,” another commented.
But it wasn’t just sympathy being shared.
Several users also called out the person who recorded the video, questioning their intentions.
“Why would you record him unless it’s to try and get him help? Shame on you,” one user wrote on X.
“Smh how you just gonna record him like that at his worst he probably didnt even wanna be seen like that no heart,” another said.
Family shuts down GoFundMe after brief fundraising attempt
In the wake of the viral clip, a GoFundMe campaign was reportedly launched to assist Chase.
The fundraiser managed to bring in over $1,200 before being shut down by his mother.
“Tylor needs medical attention not money. But he refuses it,” she reportedly explained.
“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.”
Chase’s former co-stars Devon Werkheiser, Lindsey Shaw, and Daniel Curtis Lee addressed the situation on the September 24 episode of their Ned’s Declassified Podcast Survival Guide.
“It was a lot to process for me,” said Lee, 34.
“When I first saw it, I was angry, because I was like why put a camera in someone’s face when they are on hard times?”
“But then, after I was angry at the people who were filming it, I was upset with myself in that I feel powerless. I feel like there’s not much I can do,” he added.
Lindsey Shaw, who has publicly shared her own struggles with addiction in the past, connected personally with Chase’s situation.
“I’ve been somebody like that,” she admitted.
The trio also expressed a shared desire to find ways to help their former co-star.
“Yeah, we’re all hoping we can get Tylor on a better path, we’ll see what we can do here,” Daniel said. “But he’s not coming on the podcast.”