In a shocking and heartbreaking development that has resurfaced in late 2025, former Nickelodeon actor Tylor Chase, best known for his memorable role as Martin Qwerly (nicknamed “Coconut Head”) in the hit series Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, has been spotted living homeless on the streets of California. Viral videos circulating on social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) show the 36-year-old actor appearing unrecognizable, disheveled, and struggling with daily life in areas like Riverside and Los Angeles.
Chase rose to fame as a teenager in the mid-2000s, starring alongside Devon Werkheiser, Lindsey Shaw, and Daniel Curtis Lee in the beloved Nickelodeon comedy that aired from 2004 to 2007. The show, which followed the hilarious mishaps of middle school students, became a cultural staple for millennials and early Gen Z viewers. Chase’s quirky portrayal of the eccentric bully with the distinctive hairstyle made him a fan favorite, earning him recurring appearances across all three seasons.
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After his time on Nickelodeon, Chase continued acting sporadically. He appeared in an episode of Everybody Hates Chris in 2005, played a younger version of James Franco’s character in the 2007 film Good Time Max, and even voiced a role in the video game L.A. Noire in 2011. He also maintained a YouTube channel starting in 2014, where he shared poetry and personal reflections, with his last upload in October 2021. In older videos, Chase openly discussed his struggles with bipolar disorder, describing it in poetic terms as a force that chained him down.
The first major public sighting of Chase’s homelessness came in September 2025 when TikTok influencer Citlalli Wilson (known as @lethallalli) encountered him on the streets of Los Angeles. She recorded a conversation where Chase confirmed his identity and past on Nickelodeon, leading to the video garnering millions of views. Wilson launched a GoFundMe campaign that quickly raised over $1,200 for essentials like clothing and shoes. However, the fundraiser was shut down at the request of Chase’s mother, who revealed that her son suffers from bipolar disorder and ongoing financial difficulties, emphasizing that money alone wouldn’t solve deeper issues requiring professional medical and long-term support.
New videos emerged in December 2025, showing Chase still on the streets of Riverside, often in torn clothing and appearing disengaged. One clip features a passerby recognizing him and asking if he was on Disney Channel, to which Chase calmly replies, “Nickelodeon,” specifying his role on Ned’s Declassified. These videos have sparked widespread outrage and sadness online, with fans commenting, “This is heartbreaking” and questioning the long-term support for child actors in Hollywood.
Chase’s former co-stars have publicly addressed the situation on their Ned’s Declassified Podcast Survival Guide. Daniel Curtis Lee, who played Cookie, visited Chase and described the encounter as “scary,” urging fans to avoid quick fixes like cash donations and instead focus on sustained help for mental health and housing. Lindsey Shaw and Devon Werkheiser expressed feeling “powerless” but vowed to support their old friend, with Shaw saying, “I miss Tylor so much.”
This story highlights the darker side of child stardom, echoing cases of other former young actors facing mental health challenges, addiction, or instability after fame fades. California’s homelessness crisis, with thousands living on the streets amid high living costs and limited mental health resources, adds another layer to Chase’s plight. Fans and observers hope that renewed attention will lead to meaningful intervention, offering Chase the stability and care he needs to rebuild his life.
As of late 2025, locals report seeing him still navigating the streets, underscoring that this is an ongoing struggle rather than a resolved one. Chase’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities behind the glamour of early fame.
