Former Nickelodeon child actor Tylor Chase, whose appearance in a viral street video revealed he was living without housing in Southern California, has been placed in a hotel after fellow actors and friends mobilized to help him during the Christmas season.
Chase, 36, who played Martin Qwerly on Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide from 2004 to 2007, was reunited this week with Daniel Curtis Lee, a former co-star who portrayed Simon “Cookie” Nelson-Cook on the Nickelodeon series. Lee said he arranged temporary lodging for Chase and spent time reconnecting with him after learning of his situation through social media.
In video footage obtained by the Daily Mail, the two former child actors embraced during an emotional reunion as Lee escorted Chase to a clean, warm place to stay. Lee later described the encounter in an Instagram reel, explaining that the effort was driven by concern rather than publicity.
“Love is all we can really give people some time,” Lee said in the video. “I’m happy he was able to reconnect with his pops.” Lee said he helped Tylor Chase speak by phone with his father during the visit, adding that the conversation lifted Chase’s spirits and opened the door to broader discussions about his future.
Lee said Chase appeared receptive to conversations about recovery and stability and that the two even shared a brief prayer. He added that he had also spoken with Chase’s mother, who cautioned against giving him cash directly, warning it could be harmful. Lee said he respected her wishes and instead focused on shelter and connection.
The update came as Riverside police confirmed that Chase remains unhoused and that officers have had regular contact with him. Riverside Police Department public information officer Ryan Railsback told the Daily Mail that authorities do not know how long Chase has been living on the streets but described his interactions with police as cooperative and respectful.
Railsback said officers from the department’s Public Safety Engagement Team check on Chase at least once a week and routinely offer assistance, including temporary shelter options and access to services. He said police have not contacted Chase’s relatives on his behalf and noted that Chase has repeatedly declined shelter placements, substance abuse treatment and mental health services when offered by outreach teams, a point Railsback previously confirmed to TMZ.
As news of Chase’s situation spread, additional figures from the entertainment industry stepped in. Shaun Weiss, who starred in The Mighty Ducks films and has publicly spoken about his own past struggles with homelessness and addiction, said efforts were underway to connect Chase with treatment and support.
Weiss told the Daily Mail that businessman Jake Harris played a central role in locating Chase and building trust. Harris later said on Instagram that he helped Tylor Chase speak with several former colleagues who expressed concern and encouraged him to seek help. Harris said Chase was placed in a hotel to give him time and space to make decisions about treatment.
“It can be tricky considering the state that Tyler’s in,” Weiss said, adding that Chase appeared open to detox and professional help. Lee publicly thanked Harris for initiating the outreach, writing in a comment thread, “Thanks for getting the ball rolling for his treatment.”
Chase’s situation has reignited broader conversations about the long-term welfare of former child performers, many of whom transition out of the industry without financial security or sustained support systems. Advocates say viral moments often bring short-term relief but highlight deeper gaps in mental health care, addiction services and housing access, particularly for individuals whose early fame masks later vulnerability.
For Lee and others involved, the immediate goal is stability rather than spectacle. “I really believe we can get Tylor back on his feet,” Lee said, noting that the timing of the holidays made the effort feel especially urgent.
