Falling Stars.

The article focuses on the exploitation of child actors in Hollywood, using Jackie Coogan's experience as a central example. Coogan, a successful child star in the 1920s, discovered upon reaching adulthood that his parents had squandered his earnings, leading to the creation of the California Child Actors' Bill, known as the Coogan Law, which mandated that 15 percent of a child actor's income be set aside in trust. Despite this law, many child actors continued to face financial exploitation due to loopholes, prompting further reforms in 2000 to clarify that children's earnings belong solely to them. The article also highlights the broader pattern of industry neglect and the lasting stereotype of the "washed-up Hollywood child star," while noting ongoing calls to update protections for modern child entertainers, including online influencers.