Carl Steven Cause of Death: The Tragic Story of a Former Child Star

Carl Steven was a former child actor who had a promising career in the 1980s and 1990s. He appeared in several popular TV shows and movies, such as Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. However, his life took a dark turn when he became addicted to prescription drugs and later heroin. He died of a heroin overdose in 2011 while serving a 13-year prison sentence for armed robbery. This article will explore the life and death of Carl Steven, and how his addiction ruined his potential.

Early Life and Career

Carl Steven was born as Carlo Steven Krakoff on November 4, 1974, in Glendale, California. He was the middle of three boys born to Glenn and Cynthia Krakoff. He started acting at a young age, and made his debut on a 1981 episode of Little House on the Prairie. He soon landed more roles on TV shows such as Webster, Punky Brewster, Out of This World, and Weird Science. He also appeared in several TV movies and specials, such as The Hugga Bunch, Snoopy’s Getting Married, Charlie Brown, and Happily Ever After.

One of his most notable roles was playing young Spock in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock in 1984. He was the first actor other than Leonard Nimoy to portray the iconic character in a live action film. He also voiced Fred Jones on four seasons of the animated series A Pup Named Scooby-Doo from 1988 to 1991. He was the first actor besides Frank Welker to voice the character. He also had a minor role in Disney’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids in 1989, playing one of the neighborhood kids who gets shrunk by the inventor’s machine.

Carl Steven had a successful career as a child actor, and was praised for his talent and charisma. He seemed to have a bright future ahead of him in Hollywood.

Addiction and Crime

However, things changed for Carl Steven when he underwent a tonsillectomy in his late teens. He became addicted to prescription painkillers after the surgery, and later switched to heroin. His addiction spiraled out of control, and he started stealing to support his habit. He also lost interest in acting, and retired from the industry in 1996 after appearing in six episodes of Weird Science.

In 2009, Carl Steven was arrested for committing six armed robberies at several Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy stores. He used a toy gun to threaten the employees and demand drugs such as OxyContin and Vicodin. He was caught after one of the employees recognized him from his childhood roles. He pleaded guilty to six counts of armed robbery, and was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2010. He was scheduled to be released in 2023.

Death

Carl Steven died on July 31, 2011, at the age of 36, of a heroin overdose while in prison in Tucson, Arizona. He was found unresponsive in his cell by a guard, and pronounced dead at the scene. The autopsy revealed that he had injected heroin into his arm shortly before his death. It is unclear how he obtained the drug inside the prison.

Carl Steven’s death shocked his fans and former co-stars, who remembered him as a talented and kind person who had fallen victim to addiction. His family and friends mourned his loss, and expressed their sadness and regret over his wasted potential.

Conclusion

Carl Steven was a former child star who had a promising career in the entertainment industry. He appeared in several popular TV shows and movies, such as Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. However, he became addicted to prescription drugs and later heroin after a tonsillectomy in his late teens. His addiction led him to commit armed robberies at several pharmacies, for which he was sentenced to 13 years in prison. He died of a heroin overdose in prison in 2011 at the age of 36.

Carl Steven’s cause of death was a tragic result of his addiction, which ruined his life and career. His story serves as a cautionary tale for anyone who struggles with substance abuse or knows someone who does. Addiction is a serious disease that can affect anyone regardless of their background or status. It can destroy lives and families, and lead to fatal consequences. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, please seek help from a professional or a support group before it is too late.

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