The Shimmy That Built a Fortune and a Car Crash That Stole It All

Hollywood Stars and Secrets · Oct 26, 2026 · 14m

A child star earns millions in Hollywood, but a tragic car crash leaves him with nothing. How does a six-year-old's fortune vanish?

The Shimmy That Built a Fortune and a Car Crash That Stole It All

This episode explores the extraordinary life of Jackie Coogan, once the most famous child in the world, and the events that led to his entire fortune disappearing. It examines how a child who captivated audiences ended up with nothing but a lawsuit.

Person: Jackie Coogan

Date: October 1917

Location: Los Angeles

Earnings: Between three and four million dollars

Event: Car crash

- Jackie Coogan began…