A fan spotted a former Nickelodeon actor on the streets and started recording, now the internet is divided on what happened next

Tylor Chase, who played Martin Qwerly on Nickelodeon’s Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, was recently seen living homeless on the streets of Riverside, California. A video showing the 36-year-old actor went viral back in September, leaving fans shocked and concerned.

In the clip, Chase looked extremely disheveled when a fan approached him with a camera. The person filming mistakenly asked if he was on Disney Channel, but Chase corrected them and said he was on Nickelodeon. He confirmed his role on Ned’s Declassified, which aired from 2004 to 2007.

After the video spread online, fans immediately tried to help by launching a GoFundMe page. The fundraiser raised over $1,200, but it was shut down almost right away by Chase’s mother. His mother revealed that Tylor desperately needs medical attention, but he refuses to accept it. She explained that giving him money wouldn’t actually help his situation. According to her, Chase can’t manage money for his medications by himself, and he loses phones within a day or two of receiving them.

Chase’s mother explains why he needs medical help, not money

The viral footage caused a major split among viewers online. Many fans expressed sadness, with some calling the Hollywood industry “sick” for letting this happen. However, others criticized the person who filmed Chase during such a difficult moment in his life. This isn’t the first time California has seen viral moments involving public incidents, like when a Waymo robotaxi experienced a meltdown.

One viewer on X wrote, “Hey, so instead of filming him for a video, maybe ask how you can help him or just do anything other than this.”

“The help might come from someone watching this video. How many people would know if this video was not circulating? This might be the best thing she can do so that he can receive the attention he needs,” another argued. 

Chase’s former co-stars from Ned’s Declassified also spoke about the situation on their podcast. Daniel Curtis Lee, Lindsey Shaw, and Devon Werkheiser discussed the video on the September 24 episode of their Ned’s Declassified Podcast Survival Guide. Lee, 34, said his first reaction was anger, wondering why someone would put a camera in Chase’s face during hard times.

Shaw, who has been open about her own past struggles with drug addiction, shared that she’s been in similar situations before. The three co-stars promised to help Chase in any way they can, though Lee confirmed that the former Martin actor won’t be appearing on the podcast anytime soon. The situation has drawn attention to how California handles viral content, similar to the Governor’s office recent social media mishap.