If you are a fan of the Disney Channel of the 2000s or even a fan of TV, then there is a great chance that you know the name, Orlando Brown. With quite a remarkable time both behind the screens and behind the microphone, Orlando Brown was such a rare gem.
Even after severing all ties with Disney in 2007, His tracks still made an appearance in the 2003 teen drama “Thirteen” which starred Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed.
Born December 4, 1987, in Los Angeles, California, Orlando Brown is an American actor, singer, and rapper. Orlando Brown is best known for his roles as Cadet Kevin ‘Tiger’ Dunne in the 1995 American military comedy film Major Payne, 3J Winslow in Family Matters, and Max in Two of a Kind.
Orlando was also the title protagonist in the animated TV series The Waynehead (as Damey Wayne) and Fillmore! (as Cornelius Fillmore). Orlando Brown also played the role of “Sticky Webb” in the animated TV series “The Proud Family” and Eddie Thomas in That’s So Raven.
Brown also stars in the Zeus Network Reality Series Bad Boys: Texas. Orlando Brown debuted in acting in the year 1995 as Cadet Kevin ‘Tiger’ Dunne in Major Payne. Three years after, in 1998, Orlando co-starred with Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen in Two of a Kind.
However, despite being such a promising act in his earliest days of acting and music, Orlando has been cruising down the wrong paths ever since. He seems a bit troubled and has gotten many people asking, “What happened to Orlando Brown?”
It can be quite hard to point out exactly what happened to Orlando. But the truth is that since his first arrest in 2016, Orlando has been constantly in the news for the wrong reasons. Some concerned people and colleague even suggested he gets some professional help.
It all started on February 28, 2016, in Torrance, California. Orlando Brown was arrested and later charged with domestic battery, drug possession with intent to sell, obstruction of justice, and possession of contraband in jail, following a public altercation with his then-girlfriend.
In this article, we will take a closer and deeper look into the past and present life of this very talented entertainer who was once very promising in all ramifications.
Table of Contents
Who Really is Orlando Brown?
Orlando Brown is a multi-talented entertainer who has worked in the industries of acting and music, and doing voice-overs. Like many Disney stars, he began his career as a child actor, making his debut in the 1995 film “Major Payne.”
His natural talent and charisma quickly caught the attention of casting directors, leading to roles in popular TV shows like “Family Matters” and “Two of a Kind.“
However, the role that launched him into fame was the one as Eddie Thomas in the Disney Channel series “That’s So Raven.” His portrayal of the lovable best friend character resonated with audiences, making him a well-known name among Disney Channel viewers.
He also lent his voice to the animated series “The Proud Family” and “Fillmore!,” further showcasing his skills as a voice-over artist.
In addition to his acting career, Brown has also “made some noise” in the music industry. In 2006, he released his debut album “Trade It All,” in which he presented himself as a rapper/singer.
His music is often featured in the shows he starred in, further consolidating his status as a multi-talented entertainer.
Despite his personal struggles, Brown’s impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable. His performances have brought joy to audiences worldwide, and his music continues to be streamed by his listeners and fans.
Here is a table showing some of his works:
| Year | Work | Role | Type |
| 1995 | Major Payne | Tiger Dunne | Film |
| 1998 | Family Matters | 3J Winslow | TV Show |
| 1998 | Two of a Kind | Max | TV Show |
| 2001 | The Proud Family | Sticky Webb | Animated TV Show |
| 2002 | That’s So Raven | Eddie Thomas | TV Show |
| 2002 | Fillmore! | Cornelius Fillmore | Animated TV Show |
| 2006 | Trade It All | Music Album |
What Happened to Orlando Brown?
Orlando Brown’s departure from the public eye and his subsequent struggles have been a topic of concern for many. His journey from a beloved child actor to a figure frequently in the news for legal issues has been marked by a series of unfortunate events and personal challenges.
Brown’s troubles began to surface publicly around 2016 when he was arrested in Torrance, California, following a public altercation with his then-girlfriend.
Some say he started experimenting with drugs at that time, which corresponds with the accusations he received back then, including charges of domestic violence, drug possession, obstruction of justice and more.
These legal troubles seemed to coincide with a decline in Brown’s career. He began to appear less frequently on screen and his music releases became sporadic. His behaviour in public and during interviews also raised concerns.
For instance, in a YouTube interview with Breakbeat Media, Brown’s erratic behaviour and unusual statements raised eyebrows and led to further questions about his well-being.
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when things started going south for Brown. However, it’s clear that his struggles with the law and possible substance abuse issues have played a significant role in his departure from the public eye.
His story serves as a reminder of the pressures and pitfalls that can accompany fame, particularly for child actors. He’s definitely not the first and last actor to struggle with these “demons,” as you may well know. If you’d like to watch a video about his journey, click here.
Despite his issues, it’s important to remember the talent and joy that Brown brought to his roles.
As a matter of fact, he explains that his career in acting began precisely because of his energetic presence, which led his step-father to introduce him to Sharon Berg and that’s how it all began.
His performances in shows like “That’s So Raven” and “The Proud Family” brought laughter and entertainment to audiences around the world.
His story is a complex one, marked by both notable achievements and significant dark moments. Great gifts come with a heavy burden sometimes, as we’ve seen in the lives of many artists.
Orlando Brown’s Legal Issues
As we mentioned before, in February 2016, he was arrested and charged with domestic violence, obstruction of justice, and drug possession. That’s when it all started. He was also charged with possession and sale of contraband within prison limits. In June of the same year, Orlando Brown found himself in legal trouble once more. He was apprehended as he was leaving a hotel notorious for illicit drug activity and prostitution.
Upon his arrest, authorities discovered methamphetamine and a pipe in his possession. This incident led to his third arrest that year, with charges including possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest.
However, Brown’s legal troubles did not end there. Over the years, he has had multiple run-ins with the law, leading to several arrests. These incidents have often involved the pretty dark theme of domestic violence.
For instance, he was arrested in Lima, Ohio, following a family dispute. Brown was taken into custody and held on a $25,000 bond. He later pleaded not guilty to misdemeanour assault charges stemming from this alleged altercation.
Brown’s legal issues have not only resulted in arrests but also court appearances and charges. Despite these challenges, Brown has maintained his innocence in several cases.
His legal troubles have been a significant part of his life in recent years, contributing to his departure from TV and raising concerns about his mental well-being.
As one would expect, these incidents have had a significant impact on Brown’s life and career. They have also raised questions about the support systems available for child actors and the challenges they face transitioning to adulthood.
Sometimes we are not aware of the pressure that celebrities deal with, and if they don’t learn to handle it the healthy way, they might face the(se) consequences.
Orlando Brown Net Worth – How Rich was Orlando Brown?
Regardless of the legal conflicts Orlando has been tied to, in June 2023, according to multiple internet sources, he currently holds a net worth of approximately $1 million dollars, which is not bad.
Consider that over the past two decades, he has amassed over $3 million from his professional work. Besides considering taxes, normal expenses and living costs, his financial management has been less than optimal, with the majority of his earnings being spent.
As we all have to do, if he doesn’t adopt a more responsible approach to his finances and stay out of conflict, he risks losing more money, and given his current reputation, getting an audition for a film or a TV show might not be easy.
Let’s hope he stays out of trouble and that he can connect back with his best audience, that way he might get back on track to make quality entertainment.
Orlando Brown’s Enrollment in A Residential Program and His Homelessness
Orlando Brown’s personal life took a significant turn when he found himself without a stable home. The former Disney star was reportedly homeless and living in a house being renovated by a man named Matthew Sanders.
Sanders had allowed Brown to stay in the house out of kindness, but things took a turn for the worse when Brown allegedly began acting erratically. He accused Sanders of assaulting his wife and attempted to attack him with a broken knife blade and a hammer.
This incident led to Brown’s arrest on a misdemeanour domestic violence charge in Ohio. Here’s a video of him being caught on camera, allegedly homeless (the video might be a little offensive for some people so watch with discretion).
It’d be fair to give Orlando a chance to explain his version, and here’s a video where he actually does that. You can draw your own conclusions. Following this incident, Brown was offered help in the form of a residential program.
He appeared on an episode of the Dr. Phil show in December 2018, where he admitted to struggling with addiction, homelessness, and mental health issues. Brown later revealed that he had smoked marijuana before the appearance and that he had entered a rehabilitation facility after leaving the show.
Despite his initial resentment towards Dr Phil for what he felt was an ambush, Brown later expressed gratitude for the intervention. It is known that Brown’s journey towards recovery has been far from smooth.
Orlando Brown’s Mental Health
Orlando Brown’s struggles with mental health have been a notable part of his journey. He has been open about his battles with addiction and mental health issues. His struggles became more apparent after he left Disney in 2007 to pursue a music career.
Despite these challenges, Brown seemed to be on a path to recovery in 2020. He was in a relationship with a woman named Danielle Brown, with whom he shares a son, Frankie. He credited her for helping him find God and turn his back on drugs.
He spoke about his transformation, saying, “I went through a lot. I experimented with crystal meth, with weed. I didn’t know what I was doing. I was addicted to the internet, all kinds of stuff. My fiance told me about this place, and when I came, it was amazing. I had a blast. These brothers accepted me for who I am.”
In many cases, we might ask ourselves, what came first? The drug issues or the mental health problems? Since they are tightly related to each other. Although we never know, it is fair to think that drugs are usually abused to fill a space, a void, to deal with uncomfortable emotions and situations that people have a hard time processing.
Nevertheless, Brown’s mental health continues to be a topic of concern. His startling comments and erratic behaviour have called the attention of many and caused worry among fans and audiences worldwide.
Despite these concerns, Brown is set to appear as Detective Brown in the 2022 film “Bloody Hands.” His journey underscores the importance of mental health support, particularly for individuals navigating the pressures of fame and the entertainment industry.
Conclusion
Despite the controversies surrounding Brown, he has consistently maintained that many of the stories circulating about him are exaggerated or entirely false.
He has urged his fans and the public to look beyond the media’s portrayal and seek a more comprehensive understanding of his life story.
The thing is that videos are usually very revealing, and one can’t unsee some of the content out there, so even though it’d be nice to give him credit and give his version of the facts a chance, the videos speak for themselves.
We are not here to judge though, we can understand that every person has their own challenges and struggles to overcome.
The special thing about Orlando is that he was an example and a very popular figure amongst children, so it’s kind of shocking and sad to see him hit rock bottom and become a not-so-nice example to follow.
At the end of the day, we really hope he can get well and get back to his acting and music, where he can actually make people laugh and have a great time!
![Hi-Z vs Lo-Z [PRACTICAL Case Scenarios Covered]](https://performerlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/microphone-211x150.jpg)
