Amanda Bynes's Smart Approach to Life After Film

By Ben Widdicombe Posted Jun 23rd 2010 08:00PM

Amanda Bynes shocked her fans over the weekend by tweeting her retirement from acting. The 24-year-old starred in light but charming films like 'What A Girl Wants,' 'Sydney White' and 'She's The Man,' and appeared in the the ensemble hit 'Hairspray.'

But the actress told the world bluntly on Saturday: "I don't love acting anymore so I've stopped doing it."

Her measured remarks about leaving the business seem to put Bynes in a genus of the Hollywood animal that is not rare, but under-studied by scientists: the former teen-star who makes intelligent choices about her adult life, rather than going out in a blaze of drugs and parties.

The key to a successful transition, say many who have been in Bynes's position, is to understand that the glitz of fame is only one stage in a long life. Actors who get addicted to the limelight sometimes forget this, says Justine Bateman, who became internationally famous for her role as Mallory Keaton on the '80s sitcom 'Family Ties.' After a post-TV career as a fashion-designer, Bateman is now a partner in the production company FM78.

"I think many people in this country and around the world think that being on TV and being famous is the pinnacle of human existence, and it's really not," she told PopEater. "If [young actors] feel like that's the best thing that could ever happen in someone's life, then yeah, you're setting yourself up for a very upsetting future."

The media, drama queens that they are, naturally focus on celebrity train-wrecks. Recent child and teen stars who met untimely ends include Gary Coleman from 'Diff'rent Strokes,' '80s icon Corey Haim and 'Growing Pains' supporting actor Andrew Koenig. Then there's the original Teenage Drama Queen herself -- Lindsay Lohan, whose soap opera of drinks, drugs and DUIs keeps the media fixed on her like the Hubble Telescope watching an exploding star.

But what about the teen and child actors who make better choices about their post-fame lives?

Some stay in the business, like 'The Wonder Years' big brother Jason Hervey, who has made a career producing shows about youthful stars who have passed their prime. (He made 'Scott Baio is 45...and Single' and also 'Confessions of a Teen Idol,' which featured his good friend Baio along with a lineup including former 'Blue Lagoon' heartthrob Christopher Atkins and 'Baywatch' teen Jeremy Jackson.)

Hervey's 'Wonder Years' co-star Danica "Winnie" McKellar is also a notable post-fame success story, turning her aptitude for math into two popular books for girls: the best-selling 'Math Doesn't Suck' and later 'Kiss My Math.'

Other actors managed to avoid material temptation for a religious path. 'Growing Pains' star Kirk Cameron, turned away from Hollywood near the height of his fame, preferring a more modest Christian lifestyle. Lance Kerwin was once the mop-topped star of '70s staple 'James at 15'; he is now a chrome-domed Christian minister. And Lisa Welchel, who played the deliciously-spoiled Blair in 'The Facts of Life,' is herself a successful Christian author and an advocate of home-schooling.

In contrast is the post-showbiz career of Sheila Kuehl, who from 1959 to 1963 starred as a love-struck teen in 'The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.' In 1994, she made history as the first openly-gay person to be elected to the California State Assembly.

But what all these different actors have in common is an ability to see their temporary fame in the context of the bigger picture of their lives.

"It's important to keep evolving as a person and keep experiencing things that come my way in life, they're all of equal merit," says Bateman. (You can check out more of her thoughts on fame in this episode of 'Wake Up And Get Real,' an online talk-show she does with fashion PR and Bravo 'Kell On Earth' star Kelly Cutrone.)

"Many people, once they hit that presumed pinnacle of fame, think everything else is less-than," she says. "But I think it's important for quality of life and growth -- for anybody, regardless of whether they're involved in entertainment -- to recognize that different experiences are all equally important."

Tags: Amanda Bynes, Danica McKellar, justine bateman

Comments

(10)

Wednesday 23 June

By LARRY

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GO TO HELL WITH YOUR SPAM !

By falcon38a

Good for Amanda. I will miss her and her work. She seems to be a level headed young lady and I wish her well.

Thursday 24 June

By NotLance

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Lance Kerwin got popped for theft last May.

By Beaber

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I thought this was supposed to be an article on Amanda Bynes, not all of the other teens to adults and their mistakes/changes/adjustments.

Good luck Amanda! You were a wonderful actress!

By moonbeam

What Justine Bateman says makes a lot of sense. This article should be sent to all young actors and so-called "celebrities"(Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian etc). Better to walk away from the spot light than pathetically trying to hold on and make a fool of yourself.

By Nico Toscani

Retired= nobody is offering her any roles because she can't act and got pudgy.

Retired= Nobody is offering her any roles.

OOPS!

By sleepyhead

Sooooooooo, what's her agenda now, PORN STAR???? haaaaahaaaahahaha

It doesn't matter WHAT she does. There's Keenan, Drake & Josh That became HOTTER than HER from The "Amanda Bynes Show". so "Amanda PALEEEEEEZE"!!!!

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