Avid Disney Channel viewers who grew up in the early 2000s probably have a soft spot in their hearts for “That’s So Raven.” The series, which follows the high school antics of a teen psychic (Raven-Symoné) and her besties, Chelsea Daniels (Anneliese van der Pol) and Eddie Thomas (Orlando Brown), aired on the network from 2003 through 2007. On “That’s So Raven,” Eddie is oftentimes the comedic relief of the show, from his “Black Velvet” self-portrait to his impromptu rap performances. But off-screen, once the series wrapped up in 2007, the life of Brown became anything but funny.
Post-Disney, he regularly made headlines thanks to his numerous arrests for drug possession, assault, and all-around unhinged behavior, like trespassing on someone’s property while barefoot and carrying a box of Franzia. Though he’s made attempts to continue his career in entertainment, both as an actor and musician, the controversies surrounding Brown — including his accusations of the evils of Hollywood — have overshadowed any positive moves he’s made. Let’s take a look at the tragic story of Brown and where he’s at today.
An active child star
Undoubtedly, Orlando Brown is best recognized for his 100-episode run Eddie Thomas from “That’s So Raven.” However, despite landing the prominent role as a teenager, Brown already amassed plenty of experience in front of the cameras. The actor’s filmography rewinds all the way back to 1995, when he portrayed a young cadet in the Damon Wayans-led comedy film “Major Payne.”
Following his movie debut, Brown appeared in an assortment of television sitcoms, including “Coach,” “Sister, Sister,” and “The Jamie Foxx Show.” It did not take the budding performer long to establish a successful career. By the end of the ’90s, Brown joined the main cast of the popular CBS sitcom “Family Matters” and had a leading role beside Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in their post-“Full House” series, “Two of a Kind.” He had an equally successful voice acting career before landing his Disney Channel hit, adding character voices to cartoons such as “The Proud Family” and “Fillmore!” (Both of which made our list of the best kids’ shows of the 2000s, alongside “That’s So Raven.”) Regardless of his flourishing acting career, Brown opted to spend more time focused on his music career following the cancellation of his most prominent show.
He was arrested after That’s So Raven
“That’s So Raven” was a groundbreaking achievement for Disney Channel. It holds many records and distinctions, including being the network’s first series to hit 100 episodes and giving birth to Disney Channel’s first spin-off series “Cory in the House.” However, as the series was posed with the question of what to do with the characters post-high school, the network opted to pull the plug in 2006, with the final episodes airing through 2007.
Sadly, it did not take Orlando Brown long post-Disney to find himself in trouble with the law, and his career quickly tanked. In April 2007, the actor was arrested for cannabis possession after being pulled over for driving without headlights on in Houston. Quick to deny that the illicit drugs belonged to him, Brown also claimed that the vehicle was lent to him by a friend. “I didn’t know what was in the car. That’s not what I do. I consider myself a youth activist,” Brown stated at the time (per the Houston Chronicle). Charged with a misdemeanor and released on bail, Brown seemed to know the impact the arrest would have on his career. “I don’t want this lingering over my head,” he said. “I love what I do. Why jeopardize what I built?”
He went missing in 2008
The next time that Orlando Brown popped up in the news, it was for far more concerning reasons. In April 2008, the actor made a late-morning trip to a local convenience store and mysteriously disappeared. With a full slate of appointments for the day, the abrupt absence was undoubtedly worrisome for Brown’s family and friends. Brown’s manager, Ricky Romance, put out multiple calls to action, and the news spread quickly of the peculiar disappearance.
Thankfully, the then-20-year-old Brown reemerged the following day, reportedly calling into a radio station to confirm he was okay. The reason for his absence: The actor “felt a little lost and needed to get away,” he said in a statement (via TV Guide). Markedly, the striving musician was in a contemplative mood following a highly criticized live performance the evening prior to his disappearance. Brown apologized for causing distress, saying, “It was wrong for me not to inform my manager about my whereabouts, especially when I am usually so routine and big on communication.”
