After “Breaking Point” Disney Cast Member Steals Over $20,000

Disney cast members are part of what makes a trip to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort so magical. Many go above and beyond to ensure your vacation is memorable.

But at the end of the day, they are just regular people like everyone else. As such, they face many of the same challenges as ordinary people.

Disney Cast Member Story

One former Disney cast member (Taron Sargsyan) shared his unique and tragic experience with Business Insider.

His career as a cast member began in 2014 with a professional internship. Although he described it as one of the best summers of his life, he was also struggling with a meth addiction.

Related: Failed Disney World Wedding Proposal Shocks Cast Members

He cites the stress and isolation of coming out as gay to his family as part of what sent him down that path. As time went on, his addiction deepened, forcing him to steal from The Walt Disney Company to pay for his habit.

Disney employee gets second chance after blowing $24K on drugs with corporate card https://t.co/niR0vKN8x3 pic.twitter.com/KHjpmdVl1m

— New York Post (@nypost) November 28, 2023

Cast Member Steals $24,000

With access to a corporate credit card, Sargsyan racked up $24,000 of debt. He was 22 years old and had landed his dream job as an Engineer within the Disney PhotoPass system.

“I eventually reached a breaking point,” he shared with Insider. A stranger advised him to admit his problems to his manager. Although Sargsyan had reservations that he might not only lose his job but go to jail, he confessed his addiction and theft to his boss.

Related: Disney Cast Member Gets Perfect Revenge at Magic Kingdom

To his astonishment, The Walt Disney Company offered to keep him on the team under the agreement that he would pay back all the money he had stolen.

“Had it not been for Disney’s impact on my life, I may not have healed from my addiction or my relationship with my family. I’m glad I didn’t miss out on a life filled with joy, love, and kindness.” Sargsyan said.

Rehab Struggles

Despite this incredible second chance, Sargsyan said that he failed another six times while in rehab.

“I entered treatment centers multiple times, but various factors, including fear of losing my job, undiagnosed mental health issues, cultural insensitivity, and personal safety concerns, led to failure. I didn’t know what to do anymore.” Sargsyan said.

Related: Guests Debate if Disney Cast Members Have Become ‘Unfriendly’

His family gave him a loan to pay the money back, and, for the next year, he worked to repay them.

“Disney fully believed in my capacity to change and offered me everything I needed to succeed. I spent six months healing through various modalities of therapy. After a year into my sobriety, I quit my job and moved back in with my family to heal the damage I caused them during my active addiction. I also wanted to give my family the chance to make their amends to me and get to know their son.”

In 2018, Sargsyan found himself stranded with no gas, no money, and ten days left to return to work from another medical leave of absence. After this fall off the wagon, he checked himself into rehab.

Disney Inspiration

Although Disney had nothing to do with his rehab, he cites the second chance they gave him as part of his inspiration.

Related: Stitch Causes Chaos at Disney Park, Innocent Cast Member Caught in the Middle

Sargsyan said the compassion Disney showed him allowed him to transform his attitude.

“I extended the same gesture of compassion and forgiveness towards my family that Disney extended towards me at the lowest point of my life.”

Related: Disney Star Arrested For Public Intoxication, Theft

Sargsyan said he hopes to help inspire change for others struggling with similar personal challenges in life.

“If we want our loved ones to heal and find their way back to their families, we need to approach addiction with more compassion and understanding. That’s exactly what Disney did for me, and it changed my life. How many people can say that Disney saved them from addiction and brought their family back together? It’s pretty mind-blowing. If it wasn’t for Disney’s profound impact on my life, I wouldn’t have the confidence to share my message and make a difference.”