TV Child Stars

Due to labor laws enacted to protect minors, TV child stars have different work restrictions than their adult counterparts. Similar to traditional child labor laws, laws in the entertainment industry are in place to protect the child star’s safety, personal well-being, and financial earnings. This is done through specific work permits, restrictive working hours, and the opening of a trust bank account, generally known as a Coogan Account.

Prior to performing, TV child stars and their parents must obtain a work permit. Although the specific requirements vary from state to state, some general paperwork and documentation is necessary. Due to the minor status of the child star, their parents are required to draft and sign a promissory note regarding their child’s eligibility to work in the entertainment industry. This is usually accompanied by a copy of the child’s birth certificate. The child must also prove good academic standing, accompanied by a signed letter from their school’s administration. Once all necessary documentation has been received, a work permit is issued.

TV child stars are only permitted to work certain hours, and these allowances depend on the school calendar. There are statutes in place to inhibit a minor from labor exhaustion, and these schedules vary depending on the location where the work is being performed. In California, a state that employs an exceptionally high number of child actors, those who are ages 12 and 13 can only work during school holidays and not before or after school hours. When school is not in session, those in this age group are permitted to work up to eight hours each day, with a maximum of forty hours per week. Older children, up to 17 years of age, must have completed the seventh grade in order to qualify for the eligibility of extended hours, both during the school year and summer.

The Coogan Law was created in 1938 to help protect the financial assets of child stars. This law was inspired by early 20th century child actor, Jacki Coogan. In 1919, after his father’s death, Coogan had no access to the fortune he had built. The original law had many flaws and was finally revised in 2000, stating that entertainment earnings were the property of the child and not the parents. The Coogan Law requires the opening of a “blocked” trust account where 15% of earnings are secured for the child’s future. Before the institution and revision of this law, many child actors earned substantial money, only to find that it had been spent unwisely by their parents.

Although it may seem that they live an independent and glamorous lifestyle, TV child stars are protected due to their minor status.