Tylor Chase reveals the truth about his life today

Once a familiar face to millions Nickelodeon viewers, Tyler Chase now lives a life far from televisions and studio lights.

At 36, the former child star opens up about his reality on the streets of California, sharing his thoughts, memories and contradictions with striking honesty.

His story is at once haunting, confusing and deeply human.

Tylor Chase was just 15 years old when he landed the role that defined his childhood. As Martin Qwerly on “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide,” he played the smart, quick-thinking student who became a staple of early 2000s Nickelodeon programming.

Chase appeared in all three seasons from 2004 to 2007, quickly becoming a recognizable face among young audiences.

But once the show was over, the momentum faded. Aside from a handful of small roles, his acting career has stalled. He eventually left the industry and moved to Georgia to live with his father and attempt to reinvent himself creatively.

In 2014, Chase began posting poetry videos to YouTube, revealing a darker inner world. A poem titled “Bipolar” illustrates the fragility he was grappling with at the time. “I am a leaf in a gutter with the inevitable fate of ending up in a sewer,” he says in the poem.

Another passage paints an even darker picture of how he views himself. It read: “I’m having a tough time in life. I know I can make it better, but right now I’m a magician who’s lost his top hat and his bunnies. No one comes to my shows anymore.”

The poem ended with words that now resonate painfully in light of his current situation. “I’m chained in my room by the severity of bipolar. Maybe I’m doomed. Maybe I didn’t do anything. Maybe I’m nothing,” Chase said.

After leaving Georgia, Tylor Chase moved to Riverside, California, where his mother works as a real estate agent. He told the Daily Mail he arrived there “about seven to nine years ago”.

During this time, he continued to chase artistic outlets, self-publishing two fantasy novels in 2020 under the pseudonym Shrine Tylor. The books follow a magical painter who defeats a vampire king and ascends to heaven, themes that reflect his own search for escape and meaning.

He also continued to upload poetry readings and narrate chapters from his books until the end of 2021. However, behind this creativity, instability was growing.

Over time, Chase began spending more of his life on the streets. Riverside County court records show 12 criminal cases against him since August 2023, including eight this year alone. His most recent arrests were for alleged shoplifting of items under $950 and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Arrest warrants have been issued in both cases, although police stress he is not wanted at this time.

Ryan Railsback, public information officer for the Riverside Police Department confirmed“During all of our interactions, he was cordial and cooperative with our officers.”

Railsback also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Chase’s living situation. “We don’t know how long he’s been homeless,” he said, explaining that officers contact him weekly and offer support services.

Despite these efforts, Chase refused his help. According to Railsback, outreach teams offered him shelter, drug treatment and mental health services, all of which he declined. “As far as the family is concerned, I am not aware of any attempt by officers to contact his relatives on his behalf,” he added.

When reporters found Chase behind a 7-Eleven in Riverside, he was digging in the dirt, wearing a torn purple jacket, an LA Raiders polo shirt and ill-fitting pants decorated with Rugrats characters. His hands were dirty and blistered, but he seemed optimistic and engaged.

“It’s not too bad,” Chase said. “Life is always better, keep your head up.”

Clutching discarded Christmas cards in his hands, he smiles at the thought that the holidays are approaching. “They’re very beautiful. I just like to cherish their idea, I would say,” he explained. “I’m excited, festive and joyful. It looks like it’s time to celebrate very soon.”

When he was recognized as a former Nickelodeon star, his demeanor changed instantly. “Have you heard about Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide? We started in 2004 and moved to the third season in 2007. After that, we had a wrap party, festivities, like a happy holiday,” he recalls with pride.

Despite his situation, Chase repeatedly insisted that he was not homeless. “It’s not really like that, I have friends and family. I stay here locally. My mother is here,” he said. “I have a lot of good people who help me.”

He continued: “It’s not too bad. A lot of people are helping. It goes a long way.”

Speaking of charity and faith, Chase added, “I have family and friends, and a housing assistance program. There’s a gracious charity coming from the grace of God’s family members. That’s a pretty relaxing part of it all. It’s a real privilege, obviously.”

When offered food, Chase refused and made a different request. “I could use maybe a joint or a bong. Do you smoke weed?” he asked.

Tylor Chase has openly discussed his substance use, telling reporters that he “likes to vape” and takes “Prozac, Adderall, Sudafed, Wellbutrin, Zoloft,” which he says were prescribed by a psychiatrist. He denied diagnosing mental health issues.

Looking ahead, he said he plans to leave California altogether.

“I’m not really an active homeless person right now, I think I’d like to go see my dad, relatively soon, in the state of Georgia,” he explained. “I have everything I need to stay there, a room there, hopefully… Probably a housing assistance program in Georgia most likely.”

His mother, Paula Moisio, strongly opposed public fundraising. After a GoFundMe raised $1,200 for Chase earlier this year, she requested it be removed. “Tylor needs medical care, not money. But he refuses it,” she wrote.

She added, “I appreciate your efforts. But the money would not be a benefit to him. I have bought him several phones, but he loses them within a day or two. He cannot manage the money for his medicines himself.”

Chase’s viral images sparked emotional reactions from his former “Ned’s Declassified” co-stars.