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What Happened To

Investigative journalism exploring the lives and careers of forgotten actors, child stars, and overlooked performers from classic American cinema. From 1960s icons who vanished from Hollywood to 1990s stars who stepped away at their peak, we track down the untold stories behind the disappearances. Where are they now? What happened after the spotlight faded? Rigorously researched profiles that respect the subjects while satisfying reader curiosity.

What Happened To Martha Smith? The Animal House Star Who Built Five Careers and Never Apologised

What Happened To Martha Smith? The Animal House Star Who Built Five Careers and Never Apologised

She bet wrong on the comedy that made $141 million. She married Hollywood royalty. She walked away at her peak. Then she rebuilt—again and again. This is the story of the actress who refused to let one industry define her worth.

What Happened To Vestron Pictures? The Studio That Saved Dirty Dancing

What Happened To Vestron Pictures? The Studio That Saved Dirty Dancing

In 1987, a tiny video company in Stamford, Connecticut took a chance on a script every major studio had rejected. Vestron Pictures made Dirty Dancing for $5 million. It earned $214.6 million worldwide and became a cultural phenomenon. Then it destroyed the company that saved it.

What Happened To Helen Slater? The Supergirl Who Refused to Disappear

What Happened To Helen Slater? The Supergirl Who Refused to Disappear

Helen Slater was 20 when Supergirl bombed, nearly destroying her career. She rebuilt with Ruthless People and The Secret of My Success, chose family over fame, earned a PhD, then returned to play Supergirl's mother for seven seasons. She saved herself.

What Happened To Michele Carey? The El Dorado Star Who Shot John Wayne, Kissed Elvis, and Vanished

What Happened To Michele Carey? The El Dorado Star Who Shot John Wayne, Kissed Elvis, and Vanished

At 13, Michele Carey won gold performing at Soldier Field. At 24, she shot John Wayne in El Dorado. At 28, Wayne personally called about True Grit. At 44, she disappeared from Hollywood. For 32 years nobody knew where she went or why she left.

What Happened to Brad Renfro? The Child Star Who Left Behind a Secret Son

What Happened to Brad Renfro? The Child Star Who Left Behind a Secret Son

The public didn't know Brad Renfro had a son until after he was dead. Days before his 2008 overdose, he spent time with his 5-year-old boy in Japan. The son wasn't mentioned in his obituary. In 2025, Yamato Renfro is 22—and nobody's asked him a single question.

The Man Who Launched the Superhero Era Then Vanished: What Happened to Stephen Norrington?

The Man Who Launched the Superhero Era Then Vanished: What Happened to Stephen Norrington?

The director who proved superhero films could be successful vanished after a tumultuous 2003 movie. Not much is known about Norrington these days, until now. We catch up and get all the "skinny" from the man himself.

What Happened To Jerry Supiran? 13 Years After the Homeless Headlines

What Happened To Jerry Supiran? 13 Years After the Homeless Headlines

In May 2012, headlines exploded: "Small Wonder Star Homeless, Sleeping Under Bridges." Jerry Supiran's story dominated entertainment news for weeks. Did he survive, or did Hollywood claim another victim?