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Zero Hubbard, the ’80s child star best known for playing Fabian DeWitt on Hill Street Blues, passed away nearly nine months ago at age 54, but Hollywood barely noticed. His death, following complications from pneumonia and a rhinovirus infection, went largely unreported outside his family and close friends, leaving a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral costs.
From Hollywood Fame to Obscurity: The Tragic Life of Zero Hubbard
Zero Hubbard passed away in May 2025 at the age of 54, yet Hollywood largely remained unaware until now. Hubbard, who worked steadily from his teens through 2003, faced a “difficult life” once the roles stopped coming, with financial struggles and personal tragedy marking his later years.
Hubbard was hospitalized with breathing difficulties that quickly worsened into pneumonia and heart failure. His sister, Barbara Hubbard, revealed via Daily Mail that when doctors confirmed there was no chance of recovery, one of his sons made the heartbreaking decision to remove him from life support. Zero’s early life was marked by trauma: his mother was shot and killed in a liquor store dispute when he was just 16, a loss he reportedly carried with him until his death.
After his mother’s death, Hubbard was taken in by acting teacher Betty Bridges, Todd Bridges’ mother, who later became his Diff’rent Strokes co-star. Betty offered Hubbard free acting lessons and eventually adopted him, providing a lifeline that led to his role on Hill Street Blues.
Despite these early successes, Hubbard’s adult life was filled with challenges. After Hollywood turned away, he moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, managing a health and massage spa and navigating multiple marriages while raising ten children.
Fans Mourn the Hidden Struggles of Child Stars
Social media users have expressed heartbreak over most child stars’ stories, noting the vulnerability of child actors when adults fail to protect them. One fan recalled via Reddit, “I remember Jennette McCurdy recently discussing how toxic being on iCarly was for her mental health, leading her to an eating disorder and eventually quitting acting altogether.”
Another added, “Yes definitely. The key is to have the adults responsible for the child (ie parents or guardians) protect the child. I think some parents get sucked in with the sudden fame and money that they forget to protect their kids and just go with what the ‘powers that be’ tell them.”
Fans’ reactions underline a painful truth: child stars can be celebrated in the spotlight, yet abandoned when their fame fades, leaving lasting emotional and financial scars. Hubbard’s life and untimely death serve as a stark reminder of the hidden cost of early stardom.
