If you grew up in the early 2000s, you definitely remember the kid next door who wouldn't leave the Stevens family alone. Bernard "Beans" Aranguren. He was the bacon-obsessed, high-pitched neighbor who basically lived in Louis Stevens’ room. But honestly, the internet has a weird habit of treating Steven Anthony Lawrence like a walking meme or a "where are they now" tragedy.
The reality of Steven Anthony Lawrence and his life as Beans from Even Stevens now is actually way more complicated—and recently, much more controversial—than a simple "he works at a mall" headline.
The Universal Studios Bombshell
Just a few days ago, in early January 2026, Lawrence went viral for a reason that had nothing to do with Disney nostalgia. He posted a photo of his Universal Studios Hollywood ID badge propped up against a costume. He wasn't there as a guest. He had been working there, performing and dancing for the crowds.
Then came the kicker.
He claimed he was fired in retaliation for reporting what he described as a "suspected pedophile" near children at the park. It was a heavy, serious allegation. He even told his followers he’d never let his own kid go to Universal Studios Hollywood.
Of course, the story didn't stay one-sided for long. Universal Studios fired back pretty quickly, telling People and Entertainment Weekly that they investigated his claims and found them "inaccurate and without merit." Then things got messy in the comments. People claiming to be his former coworkers started calling him a "menace to work with" and "problematic."
It’s a classic "he said, they said" situation that has left fans of the show feeling kinda conflicted.
Life After the Bacon Obsession
Being Beans was a blessing and a curse. Did you know Steven Anthony Lawrence started losing his hair at 14? Yeah, 14. He has talked openly about how male pattern baldness basically killed his chances of booking "teen heartthrob" roles. While his co-star Shia LaBeouf was becoming a massive movie star, Lawrence was dealing with the harsh reality of being a character actor whose "look" had changed too fast for Hollywood.
He didn't just disappear, though. He’s been in a bunch of stuff you probably saw but didn't realize it was him:
- The Cat in the Hat: He played Dumb Donald.
- Kicking & Screaming: He was the kid on Will Ferrell’s soccer team.
- Cheaper by the Dozen: Another classic 2000s appearance.
- Music Videos: He’s popped up in videos for Everclear and even a Marshmello & Lil Peep collab.
But acting hasn't always paid the bills. Lawrence has been incredibly candid about the fact that Even Stevens didn't make him rich. He lived in Fresno during filming and his dad had to drive him three and a half hours each way to Los Angeles. Most of his Disney money went straight into gas and motel rooms.
The "Santa’s Helper" Era
Back in 2015, a photo of Lawrence working as a Santa’s helper at a mall in Concord, California, went viral. People were mean about it. They assumed he’d "fallen off."
The truth was actually kinda sweet and sad. His dad, who was a huge Christmas fan, had passed away from cancer. Working at the mall was Lawrence’s way of feeling close to his father during the holidays. He wasn't broke; he was just doing something that made him feel good.
He’s also spent a lot of time teaching acting classes. He’s always been big on "paying it forward" to kids who want to get into the industry. Honestly, for a guy who dealt with the craziness of child stardom, he’s stayed remarkably grounded.
What He’s Doing in 2026
Aside from the recent Universal Studios drama, Lawrence has been trying to keep his creative juices flowing. He co-hosted a podcast called Even More Stevens with his old castmates Christy Carlson Romano and Nick Spano. It was a hit for a while, though it’s been on a weird hiatus for a bit.
He also runs a YouTube channel called The Rice and Beans Show. It’s a bipartisan political talk show, which is... definitely a choice. It shows he’s more than just the "bacon kid." He’s a guy with opinions on the world, even if people still just want to shout "Beans!" at him in the grocery store.
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Key Takeaways for Fans:
- Don't believe every "down and out" headline: He’s had his struggles, but he’s been working consistently in various jobs for years.
- The Universal situation is ongoing: We probably haven't heard the end of those allegations or the pushback from his former coworkers.
- He’s still acting: He might not be in blockbusters, but he’s still taking roles in indie projects and shorts.
- He’s a teacher now: If you’re in LA, you can literally take acting lessons from him.
If you want to keep up with what’s actually happening, your best bet is following his Instagram (@findmychin). Just be prepared—it’s not all Disney nostalgia. It’s a real, messy, adult life. You should probably check out his recent podcast episodes if you want the "behind the scenes" on what filming Even Stevens was actually like for him.