Even Stevens Star Alleges Termination Over Reporting Suspected Predator

Even Stevens cast member Steven Anthony Lawrence has spoken out regarding the alleged termination of his position at Universal Studios Hollywood, claiming it stemmed from reporting a “suspected predator.”

Lawrence, 35, shared via Instagram on Saturday, January 3, that he had initially hesitated to discuss his departure from the theme park but now felt compelled to make the information public.

“I delayed sharing this for roughly a month because I was hoping we could reach some sort of agreeable resolution as I genuinely enjoyed performing and dancing with all of you wonderful people,” the actor explained via Instagram. “It is with a heavy heart I must announce that my time with Universal Studios has ended.”

Lawrence — who portrayed Bernard “Beans” Aranguren on Even Stevens — alleged that he lost his job for reporting a “suspected predator around children.” He did not offer any specific evidence to support his accusation.

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“While I will truly miss my job I cannot be associated with an organization or individuals who don’t prioritize performer or guest safety while numerous people continue to experience harm,” he claimed.

The actor concluded his post with a warning for theme park enthusiasts, writing: “With what I am aware of, I WILL NEVER ALLOW MY CHILD TO VISIT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD. Please be cautious everyone.”

Universal Studios released a statement to Us Weekly concerning Lawrence’s assertions.

“We have investigated and reviewed the concerns presented by this former employee and they were determined to be inaccurate and without merit,” a spokesperson for the film studio stated in a statement. “We take all employee concerns seriously and have established procedures for raising any concerns without fear of reprisal.”

Alongside his post, Lawrence included a photograph of his Universal Studios Hollywood name badge resting against a Super Mario Bros Toad hat.

Lawrence received support from his Even Stevens colleague Christy Carlson Romano for sharing his warning.

“Good for you Steven,” Carlson Romano, 41, responded to her former castmate.

Other Instagram users praised Lawrence for attempting to “protect the community” and standing up against “injustice” within the theme park environment.

Lawrence had a successful career as a child actor, notably appearing alongside Mike Myers in the 2003 live-action adaptation of The Cat in the Hat and in Will Ferrell’s 2005 soccer comedy Kicking & Screaming.

He was approximately 9-years-old when Disney Channel producers approached him to audition for the role of the Stevens family’s quirky next-door neighbor Bernard “Beans” Aranguren on Even Stevens.

“I had a habit when I was a kid: I would always tell a joke at the end of an audition,” Lawrence told Vice in 2021. “So, I told the Even Stevens producer a joke, and when I received the audition sides for the next callback, my joke was included in the script. I was thinking, ‘Oh God, I hope I get the part because it will be awkward if my joke’s in here and I’m not.’”

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Lawrence recalled that Beans was initially intended to appear in just one episode of Even Stevens but was “written into the subsequent episode and the following episode” because the creative team appreciated his character.

“I would occasionally go and spend time with [the writers] so they would recognize me, and perhaps, hopefully, get back into it,” he said.

After Even Stevens, Lawrence appeared in Cheaper by the Dozen and Weeds before pausing his acting career when his father was diagnosed with cancer. (His mother and father both succumbed to the disease, according to Vice.)

“You’re being a caregiver, you’ve got to be there to change diapers. And you can’t do that when you’re on auditions,” he told the publication in 2021. “That’s physically impossible. It simply wouldn’t work.”

In recent years, Lawrence has resumed acting in independent films and co-hosted the “Even More Stevens Podcast” alongside Romano and their costar Nick Spano in 2023.