Whatever Happened To Edward Furlong? (2023 Update) - Ned Hardy (2024)

In the early 1990s, Edward Furlong was poised to become one of the biggest young stars in Hollywood. After his breakthrough performance as John Connor in 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day at just 14 years old, Furlong quickly found more success with roles in films like American Heart, Pet Sematary Two, and Little Odessa. He seemed destined for a long, acclaimed acting career.

However, in the decades since, Furlong has virtually disappeared from the spotlight. Plagued by substance abuse issues and run-ins with the law, his once-promising career has severely faltered. He has starred in a string of low-budget, direct-to-video films that have failed to regain his former glory.

So what happened to Edward Furlong? How did this child star who showed so much talent early on fall so far? In this article, we’ll take a look at Furlong’s quick rise to fame, the troubles that derailed his career, and whether he stands a chance for a Hollywood comeback. We’ll examine the common pitfalls that have affected many child stars before him. Though his future in the industry remains uncertain, Furlong’s story is one that offers cautionary lessons for other young actors who find early success.

Background Information

Edward Furlong was born in Glendale, California, on August 2nd, 1997. He is of Mexican heritage and was the child of Eleanor Tafoya, a youth-center worker, and Heinrich Bruno Witting.

As a young teen, Edward Furlong had been bounced around into the custody of his mother’s sister Nancy Tafoya and half-brother Sean Furlong for a few years as his career began.

Edward Furlong’s career has had some very troubling moments, and he has been both the victim of and the cause of several legal entanglements.

He also has a traumatic history of substance abuse and cycles of addiction and relapse. In his career, he has earned awards for his early work and is one of the more iconic child actors of the late 20th century.

Early Career

Edward Furlong’s career famously started with his unusual casting in the blockbuster Terminator 2: Judgement Day.

He was scouted outside of the Pasadena Boys Club by casting director Mali Finn. Furlong had no interest in acting beforehand but was encouraged to audition by Finn.

Edward Furlong almost didn’t get the part, however. Furlong’s first audition was said by director James Cameron to be excellent, but the second audition was less so. However, Furlong nailed the third audition, and Cameron confirmed he had the role on the spot.

Acting Career

Edward Furlong’s career began with a bang as he was catapulted to fame at the tender age of 13 with his role as John Connor in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” His performance was lauded, and he quickly became a symbol of youthful rebellion in the early ’90s.

Following this meteoric rise, Furlong continued to work with top talents in both studio and independent films. His notable roles include starring opposite Jeff Bridges in “American Heart” (1992), for which he was nominated for an IFP Spirit award for best supporting actor, and appearing in “A Home of Our Own” (1993) with Kathy Bates, “Little Odessa” (1994) with Tim Roth, “The Grass Harp” (1995) with Walter Matthau, and Barbet Schroeder’s “Before and After” (1996).

Furlong’s career also included standout performances in “American History X” (1998) opposite Edward Norton, Beverly D’Angelo and Jennifer Lien.

He would also make appearences in the hit comedy “Pecker” (1998) and the prison drama “Animal Factory” (2000) directed by Steve Buscemi.

He also starred in Pupi Avati’s 13th-century tale, “The Knights of the Quest” (2001), and made an appearance in “Detroit Rock City” (1999).

However, in the late 1990s and 2000s, Furlong’s career took a downward turn as he struggled with substance abuse issues and legal troubles.

His unprofessional behavior made him difficult for studios to work with. While he continued acting, most of his roles went directly to video. He was unable to regain the critical acclaim of his early career.

In the 2010s, Furlong fell into obscurity, taking minor parts in low-budget horror films and other genre projects.

A former child star who showed so much potential, Furlong saw his career stall and fade over the years due to personal struggles. He went from being a rising talent to an actor working on the fringes of Hollywood.

Drug Addiction and Legal Troubles

While the focus of a nasty custody dispute in his youth and the predatory advances of a woman 13 years his senior, Edward Furlong has also been the subject of legal issues and severe bouts of drug addiction.

Edward mentioned that his drug use and addiction partly stems from his depression and his childhood. He also mentions that he got into drugs as a way to feel less socially awkward among his peers and that escalated into addiction.

He was known to have battled alcohol and drug addictions as a teenager and first entered rehab in October 2000.

He had been on and off hard drugs from 22 to 26, including heroin and cocaine. His first brush with rehabilitation would not last, however.

In 2009 he would have a restraining order filed against him during a divorce with actress Rachael Bella stemming from an alleged drug-fueled altercation involving a punch. In 2010 he received three-year probation for violating a protective order.

In October and November of 2012, he was arrested twice for felony violence and assault with his then-girlfriend Monica Keena.

He was arrested again for misdemeanor battery in January 2013 for an incident in December of the previous year.

In March of 2013, he was sentenced to 180 days of jail for another probation violation. In May of 2013, he was arrested again and avoided a prison sentence by agreeing to five years of probation.

He was also ordered to go to rehab for 90 days for his addiction and one year of domestic violence counseling.

Sobriety

(photo: Global Implant Dentistry)

Edward said he decided to get clean one day after looking in the mirror and not recognizing himself anymore. He also mentions that in the midst of his drug addiction, he saw what it was doing to his partner and he didn’t want to be that person anymore. He said it came down to a choice of wanting to continue down this road or be a positive person.

Edward says he occasionally attends AA meetings and has a home group. He says he doesn’t share often in meetings but he likes to hear stories from other people because often times it reflects what he is feeling inside.

As of July 2022, Edward Furlong has been sober for four years. In the depths of his drug addiction, he had become addicted to heroin and meth and had reconstructive dental surgery due to the rotting of his teeth.

(photo: Global Implant Dentistry)

What is Edward Furlong doing now?

After years of legal troubles and struggles with substance abuse, Furlong has reportedly been sober for over four years, a journey that has included a new set of teeth and a fresh outlook on life.

Furthermore, Furlong’s sobriety has led to what he calls a “second chance” with his life and career. In addition to his personal growth, Furlong has been busy with several acting projects.

He is currently involved in the pre-production of “Karma,” playing a role in “The Endless Whispers” as Matthew Jackman, and has been cast in “The Forest Hills” (2023) as Billy. He will also be seen as Troy in “Heart of a Champion” (2023).

Edward Furlong’s appearance did make it into the film Terminator: Dark Fate in 2019, but it was a computer generated appearance using reference material of his likeness. He was not on set for the appearance.

Furlong understood why they killed the character off given his personal struggles at the time, but he felt the controversial decision would not go over well with fans.

Conventions

One way Edward Furlong keeps in contact with fans and those who remember him from the movies is through frequent appearances at conventions. He has a reasonably active appearance schedule and travels throughout the United States.

Edward Furlong has several conventions scheduled for 2023. He will be appearing at Terror Con in Marlborough, MA from September 15-17. He is also set for Motor City Comic Con in Novi, MI on May 19-21 and Contropolis Pennsylvania in Oaks, PA on May 5-7. He was originally slated for Metrotham Con in Chattanooga, TN on May 12-14 but had to cancel th

Furlong considers himself a minimalist now after he lost his extensive film collection, which was all destroyed after being stored improperly during one of his rehab stints.

Relationships

Edward Furlong’s relationship history is complicated, and there was a great deal of publicity and reporting about his relationship with 28-year-old Jacqueline Domac when he was 15. The story is not as well known now, but it is one of the stranger chapters of his life.

The relationship resulted from a devastating custody battle between his mother, Eleanor, his aunt and uncle Nancy Tafoya and Sean Furlong, and his court-appointed lawyer Bruce Ross.

Though they were never married, the relationship between Edward Furlong and Jacqueline Domac took on a quasi-spousal characterization, with her eventually taking on a managerial role before the relationship imploded. Furlong would find himself in debt and spiral into addiction.

Furlong only married once to actress Rachael Bella from April 19th, 2006, to 2009. They had their only child shortly after getting married. Rachael Bella is best known for The Ring (2002), The Crucible (1996), and A Little Princess (1995). She retired from acting in 2007 after the release of Drive Thru.

Edward Furlong was in a relationship with actress Monica Keena. They met in 2009 on the set of Night of the Demons and have had quite a tumultuous relationship, with Edward being arrested on serveral occasions for domestic dispute.

Monica Keena was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 28th, 1979. She is best known for her roles in Freddy vs. Jason (2003), While You Were Sleeping (1995), and Dawson’s Creek, where she was cast from 1998 to 1999. She currently has three projects in development, including a pilot and two film projects.

Children

Edward Furlong has one child, a son named Ethan Page Furlong. Ethan Page Furlong was born on the 21st of September, 2006. His mother was Rachael Bella.

Ethan Page Furlong was born about five months after Edward and Rachael were married.

The pair would divorce by July 2009, and Rachael had filed a restraining order against Edward. She eventually dropped the restraining order.

Unfortunately, Edward Furlong’s troubles with drugs seemed to have a direct effect on his son.

When Ethan was six years old, a court order banned Edward from spending time alone with him due to Ethan testing positive for cocaine after being with his dad for a time.

(Rachael Bella and Ethan Furlong)

From 2012 on, Edward’s visits had to be supervised. Rachael eventually remarried in 2014 to web developer and CEO of Presshive Ron Zvagelsky.

It is unknown what Edward Furlong’s current relationship with his son Ethan Page is like.

Is Edward Furlong on social media?

Edward Furlong is on social media. He can be found on Instagram and Twitter. He has posted convention appearance information, snippets about his current career, and opinions on national events.