The actor as a child, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
As a cherished child star on “Growing Pains,” he became one of the most prominent young actors of the 1980s. His face graced the covers of teen magazines, cementing his status as a heartthrob for countless fans. Yet, behind the spotlight, he struggled with an increasing realization that Hollywood might not be his ultimate calling.
The actor, circa 1982 | Source: Getty Images
In the early 1990s, when he was at the height of his fame, the star made a decision that surprised many in the entertainment world. He stepped away from acting to dedicate himself to a life of faith. This choice not only shifted the course of his career but also fundamentally changed his perspective on life. What path did he take after leaving Hollywood behind?
The actor poses for a portrait, circa 1980 | Source: Getty Images
From Childhood Aspirations to Accidental Stardom
Acting wasn’t his original ambition. As a young boy, he dreamed of becoming a doctor, with aspirations of pursuing a career as a surgeon. However, his path took an unexpected turn when his mother, prompted by a friend, guided him toward the world of acting.
That friend was none other than the mother of Adam Rich, the child actor renowned for his role in “Eight is Enough.” She encouraged the boy’s mother to take him to an agent and explore opportunities in commercials.
Although hesitant, his mother took the advice, and soon the nine-year-old began landing small roles. His early jobs included commercials, such as one he did for McDonald’s. Despite working consistently at such a young age, acting failed to spark joy for the boy.
The actor poses for a photograph on September 22, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
“I was always annoyed having to brush my hair and tuck my shirt in to go drive an hour in traffic to audition,” he once recalled about his early experiences. Despite his initial disinterest, his acting career continued to progress, ultimately landing him the breakout and iconic role of Mike Seaver in “Growing Pains.”
The "Growing Pains" cast, dated July 22, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
As his popularity soared, so did his inner conflict. While Hollywood presented countless opportunities, he started to question whether it truly fulfilled him. Ultimately, it was something unforeseen, his faith, that steered him toward an entirely different path.
The "Growing Pains" cast in 1990 | Source: Getty Images
From Atheism to Christianity
During his upbringing, religion wasn’t a part of his family’s life, and discussions about God were absent from his home. “When I was growing up, we didn’t go to church,” he once said. “If you had asked me, I would have said I would be in the category of an atheist at 16 years old, 17 years old,” he added.
The actor appears on "The ABC All-Star Spectacular," on September 12, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
His atheism was largely influenced by the people around him, especially his teachers. “I think I caught my atheism—it was by contagion,” he explained, pointing to his science and history teachers, who dismissed religion as “just a fairy tale.”
At that stage in his life, he was deeply entrenched in his Hollywood career and had little inclination to explore matters of faith or spirituality. However, an unexpected encounter was about to profoundly alter his beliefs.
Kirk Cameron with co-star Dana Plato on November 5, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
It wasn’t an intense theological discussion that led him to church for the first time. Instead, it was his interest in a girl he liked that prompted him to accept her invitation to join her family at church. “I’ll be honest. It wasn’t because I was interested in God. I was interested in the girl,” he confessed.
What he didn’t anticipate was that this seemingly casual decision would ignite a life-changing transformation. As his faith grew stronger, it began to visibly influence both his personal life and his career, leading to concern among his Hollywood peers.
The actor on November 20, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
Hollywood’s Reaction to His Faith
By the age of 17, his dedication to his newfound faith began shaping how he approached his role in “Growing Pains.” This abrupt change caught the attention of the show’s producers and cast, who became increasingly concerned about the potential impact on the series.
As one of the central characters, his choices carried substantial influence. The success of the show, and the livelihoods of those involved, partly depended on him. Producers grew uneasy, questioning whether his deepening religious convictions might lead to decisions that could threaten the show’s future.
The actor on set with a co-actor on October 21, 1986 | Source: Getty Images
“Is he getting into something that’s really gonna take him into Looney Town? And if it is, we need to stop that,” he recalled their concerns. Despite this, his focus was on living out his faith, though he acknowledged that he didn’t always approach it with as much grace as he could have.
“I was trying to take the moral high road. I wanted to please God genuinely, and I think sometimes that got misunderstood,” he explained. What became increasingly evident, however, was that his priorities were changing, leaving Hollywood uncertain about how to react.
The actor on set with co-star Jeremy Miller in "Growing Pains" on February 18, 1986 | Source: Getty Images
The Dark Side of Hollywood
As his faith deepened, he began to take notice of the troubling behaviors prevalent in Hollywood. Over time, he reportedly encountered disturbing events that pushed him even further away from the industry.
Reflecting on his experiences as a child actor, he remarked, “The evil, the darkness, the twisted sickness of Hollywood has been going on for a long time.” He also recalled feeling wary of the unsettling activities he observed behind the scenes during his time on “Growing Pains.”
One of the most startling revelations involved Brian Peck, his personal dialogue coach on the show, who was later convicted of sexual abuse. Peck’s name surfaced in a recent documentary that exposed some of the darker aspects of the entertainment industry.
The actor shared how these revelations validated his long-standing suspicions that Hollywood was far from the wholesome image it often projected. For him, the industry’s environment, driven by power, pride, and ego, only solidified his resolve to step away from the spotlight.
The actor poses for a photo, circa 1987 | Source: Getty Images
He grew increasingly devoted to his faith and the principles it offered, convinced that the relentless pursuit of fame and fortune often led people astray. “When that becomes your God, rather than the God who laid down His life on a cross 2,000 years ago, you’re in for a world of hurt,” he remarked.
His deepening disillusionment with Hollywood cemented his choice to step away from acting. However, his journey was about to take another significant turn, leading him to prioritize family and faith even more.
Life After Hollywood
Kirk Cameron‘s departure from Hollywood signaled the start of a fresh chapter in his life. At the age of 20, he married Chelsea Noble, his co-star from “Growing Pains,” and the couple began creating a life together away from the spotlight. Together, they became parents to six children, including four adopted.
Kirk Cameron and Chelsea Noble in the movie "Growing pains," dated October 18, 1989 | Source: Getty Images
Adoption held a special place in both Cameron and Noble’s hearts, especially since the latter is adopted. They made it a priority to ensure their children understood their origins and supported them in reconnecting with their biological families when the opportunity arose.
For Cameron, prioritizing his family became a cornerstone of his life, alongside his commitment to upholding strong moral values. One of the most notable demonstrations of his dedication to these principles occurred during the production of his 2008 film “Fireproof.”
In the movie, Cameron portrayed a firefighter working to repair his marriage. However, when a scene required him to kiss the actress playing his on-screen wife, he insisted on kissing only Noble.
Kirk Cameron and Chelsea Noble at Westbury Hotel in New York City on June 28, 1996 | Source: Getty Images
To respect his marriage vows, the filmmakers devised a creative solution: they dressed Noble as the movie’s female lead and filmed the kissing scene in silhouette. Explaining his decision, Cameron stated, “I have a commitment not to kiss any other woman,” underscoring the seriousness of his convictions.
With Hollywood behind him, Cameron shifted his focus from pursuing fame to living in alignment with the values he deeply cherished. However, his journey was far from complete, as he soon made another pivotal decision that would profoundly shape the next chapter of his life.
Leaving California Behind
In recent years, Cameron made another significant life choice, deciding to leave the state where he had spent much of his life and built his career. In early 2021, he announced on social media his plans to move away from California.
“I asked on social media what states people recommend for a Californian looking to relocate, and the top responses were Tennessee, Florida, and Texas,” he revealed in a Facebook post. In the end, Tennessee captured his heart and became his choice.
Kirk Cameron poses on September 7, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
In later interviews, the star shared the motivations behind his decision to relocate. He expressed concerns about California’s safety and a desire to live in a place that aligned more closely with the “wholesome values” he cherished.
While he appreciated Tennessee’s lifestyle and sense of community, another major factor influenced his choice, three of his children had already moved there. The relocation allowed him to be closer to his family while embracing the slower pace and tighter-knit community that Tennessee offered.
Cameron also highlighted the “healthy freedom mindset” he experienced in Tennessee, which he saw as a sharp contrast to California’s increasing restrictions. He also referred to Tennessee as a “hub for Christian projects,” further reinforcing his reasons for the move.
In the new state, he found a community of like-minded individuals, including fellow creatives who had also stepped away from Hollywood. The state, with its expanding entertainment industry, has become a haven for many former Californian “refugees” seeking a fresh start and a more grounded way of life.
Cameron’s move to Tennessee provided him with more than just a new home, it offered a community and lifestyle that aligned with the values he held dear. Despite leaving behind Hollywood and California, his dedication to family, faith, and storytelling has remained as strong as ever.
Becoming a Grandfather and New Projects
Cameron’s life has been filled with significant milestones, but one of the most meaningful came in July 2024, when he and Noble became grandparents. The proud grandfather announced the joyous news on social media, sharing a heartfelt message about the arrival of their granddaughter, Maya Jeanne Noble Bower.
“Our hearts are filled to overflowing,” he wrote. “Our beautiful baby girl just had a beautiful baby girl, and we can hardly wait to spend every minute with her and shower her with love.”
Kirk Cameron in a video uploaded on October 29, 2024 | Source: Instagram/kirkcameronofficial | iheartchm
For Cameron, this new chapter as a grandparent brings even more joy and meaning to his family-centered life.
In addition to celebrating his growing family, the celebrity continued his passion for projects that align with his faith and values.
Kirk Cameron in a video uploaded on October 29, 2024 | Source: Instagram/kirkcameronofficial | iheartchm
In 2022, he released the film “Lifemark,” which explores the beauty of adoption and the value of life.
The movie was particularly meaningful to him, given his personal connection to adoption as a father of four adopted children and his wife’s own adoption story.
Cameron expressed his excitement for the film, emphasizing how close the story was to his heart.
Although the star stepped away from the Hollywood mainstream long ago, he remains active in creating faith-based films and media that reflect his beliefs. His focus on positive, uplifting stories that celebrate family and faith has become the hallmark of his post-Hollywood career.
In this vein, in July 2024, the 54-year-old revealed that he was releasing his book, “Born to be Brave.” The book features stories about real-life people who acted bravely for the benefit of themselves, God, and others.
A few months later, in October, he shared a new show he is involved with the launch of the trailer for the “Adventures with Iggy and Mr. Kirk.”
Kirk Cameron and Iggy at the "Adventures of Iggy and Mr. Kirk" premiere on November 14, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images
He explained what the show was about, saying, “This is the show you’ve been waiting for—faith, fun, and values all wrapped into one.”
Earlier that month he appeared on the Duck Call Room podcast where he opened up about his beard.
Christine Yeargin and her children with Kirk Cameron at the "Adventures of Iggy and Mr. Kirk" premiere on November 14, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images
He explained how the hosts and other duck hunters influenced him to grow a beard without being aware that for them it is a sort of camouflage.
Besides that, his beard is also good at keeping him warm. The trio also discussed the curly mullet the star once sported as a child, with the hosts hilariously pulling up an old picture to illustrate their point.
The star’s fans got a further glimpse into his personal life when he uploaded several Instagram photos showing what his first fall in Tennessee looked like on November 4, 2024. Alongside pictures of the woods during the fall and his family, he wrote, “So thankful for our first fall in Tennessee.”
A few days later, Cameron uploaded images of people gathered in North Carolina’s Black Mountain. He said he spent a few days there and saw how a hurricane can destroy things.
Alexis Tonkin, Kirk Cameron, Iggy, John Kennedy, and Leigh-Allyn Baker at the "Adventures of Iggy And Mr. Kirk" premiere on November 14, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images
The star joined 700 volunteers who served as a relief squad. They brought breakfast and tools to help in their mission to restore, rescue, and rebuild.
With a growing family and a steady stream of projects that align with his values, the celebrity’s life today is a far cry from his teenage days as a heartthrob on “Growing Pains.” But for Kirk Cameron, the path he has chosen has brought him a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose.
