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Young Hollywood stars with domineering stage parents have often rebelled seeking emancipation from dear old mom and dad to get their due earnings plus peace of mind. Becoming an emancipated minor or divorcing one's parents allows young entertainers to become legal adults before the age of 18, which can often lead to success or disaster. From pop stars to small screen legends, these teens had more to worry about than missing curfew.
Ariel Winter
The 14-year-old teen star who plays Alex Dunphy on the wildly popular Modern Family recently made headlines with accusations of alleged physical and emotional abuse by her mother, Chrisoula (Chrystal) Workman. Allegedly a "terror on set," lawyers says Workman jeopardized her daughter's job, in addition to filing a police report against Winter's 18-year old boyfriend for sexual activity with a minor. With the case still pending, Winter is seeking guardianship under her sister, but still working with the cast's full support.
Drew Barrymore
Since her meteoric rise to fame in the 80's, Drew Barrymore has come a long way since her E.T and rehab days. Having been raised by her club-hopping mom, Jaid Barrymore, Drew developed a taste for drugs and alcohol and ended up in rehab by the age of 13. After being blacklisted by Hollywood agents for her partying ways, she gained legal emancipation from her parents at 15, cleaned up her act and is now one of the most powerful actresses in Hollywood.
Juliette Lewis
Despite persistent rumors, Juliette Lewis sought independence with the full support of her parents. Instead of dodging a dysfunctional family life, she emancipated herself so she could work full time and longer hours as an adult. After moving in with a family friend, Karen Black, she had a rocky start with drugs, but eventually landed a role a few years later on the Wonder Years and has worked steadily since.
Frances Bean Cobain
"Erratic" is an understatement when it comes to Courtney Love. After enduring her mom's pill-popping behavior and insane antics, Frances Bean Cobain obtained a restraining order and emancipation from Courtney when she was 17. A successful artist and model, Frances may have escaped her mother's roof, but she can't escape her mother's unhinged tweeting.
Jaime Pressly
Best known for her role on My Name is Earl, this blonde beauty got her start at the age of 15 as a model. In order to accept a modeling job in Japan, Pressly gained adult status so she could travel without a guardian when her parents couldn't make the trip. Her ambition paid off and she continues to grace the small and big screen alike.
Aaron Carter
Disney star, pop-sensation and little brother to Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, Aaron Carter was handling legal battles while his peers where just learning to drive. At 16, Carter filed for emancipation from his mother, saying she had taken $100,000 from his bank account without his permission. While no longer the pop sensation he once was, Carter later reconciled with his mother and withdrew the petition to become independent.
Gary Coleman
A precautionary tale to all child stars, Gary Coleman gained massive fame and fortune through his role on Diff'rent Strokes, only to be defrauded out of his millions by his parents and business advisor. When he was old enough to gain control over his trust at 21, Coleman sued to regain his assets and won the suit after four years, only to declare bankruptcy 10 years later. His career disappeared and he worked as a security guard while remaining estranged from his adoptive parents until his death in 2010.
Macaulay Culkin
As a cultural icon of the 90's and star of Home Alone, Macaulay Culkin is one of the most successful child actors of all time. At the age of 14, he legally emancipated himself from his parents, who were caught up in a custody battle over their seven children and Culkin's $17 million dollar earnings. After working for most of his childhood and gaining control over his assets, he quit acting, got married and divorced. He eventually returned to film in 2003 with the crime drama, Party Monster, quickly erasing his baby-faced image from the public's memory.
