He was a teen star with everything going for him—fame, fortune, and a top-rated TV show. But just as his career was soaring, he made a decision that stunned many. Stepping away from Hollywood, he chose a path that few could have predicted.
As a beloved child actor in “Growing Pains,” he became one of the most popular young actors of the 1980s. Teen magazines featured him on their covers, and he was the go-to heartthrob for many fans. Yet, behind the scenes, he grappled with a growing sense that Hollywood wasn’t where he truly belonged.
The actor, circa 1982 | Source: Getty Images
By the early 1990s, at the peak of his fame, the star made a choice that would shock many in the industry. He turned away from acting and embraced a life of faith. This decision didn’t just alter his career; it transformed his entire worldview. How did his life unfold after he left Hollywood?
The actor poses for a portrait, circa 1980 | Source: Getty Images
From Childhood Aspirations to Accidental Stardom
He didn’t set out to become an actor. In fact, as a young boy, his sights were set on something completely different—he wanted to be a doctor. His dream was to become a surgeon, but his career path took an unexpected detour when his mother, encouraged by a friend, introduced him to acting.
That friend happened to be the mother of Adam Rich, a child actor famous for his role in “Eight is Enough.” She suggested that the boy’s mother take him to an agent and try his luck in commercials.
Reluctantly, his mother followed the advice, and before long, the nine-year-old was booking small roles. His first acting jobs included commercials, like the one for McDonald’s. Though he found himself working steadily, the young boy didn’t enjoy acting.
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 reflected on those early years. Despite his lack of enthusiasm, his acting career gained momentum, eventually leading to his breakout role as Mike Seaver in “Growing Pains.”
The “Growing Pains” cast, dated July 22, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
As his fame grew, so did his internal struggle. Hollywood had much to offer, but he began questioning if that was enough. What would eventually pull him in a completely new direction was something unexpected—his faith.
The “Growing Pains” cast in 1990 | Source: Getty Images
From Atheism to Christianity
Growing up, his family wasn’t religious, and there were never conversations about God in his home. “When I was growing up, we didn’t go to church,” he once shared.
“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 tv special, “The ABC All-Star Spectacular,” on September 12, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
His atheism was shaped by those around him, particularly his teachers. “I think I caught my atheism—it was by contagion,” he said, referring to the influence of his science and history teachers, who dismissed religion as “just a fairy tale.”
At that point in his life, he was fully immersed in his Hollywood career and had little interest in exploring faith or spirituality. Yet, despite his disinterest, a chance encounter would soon change the course of his beliefs.
Kirk Cameron with co-star Dana Plato on November 5, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
It wasn’t a deep theological conversation that first brought him to church. Drawn to a girl he liked, he accepted her invitation to attend church with her family. “I’ll be honest. It wasn’t because I was interested in God. I was interested in the girl,” he admitted.
Little did he know, this casual decision would spark a profound transformation in his life. As his faith deepened, it began to have a noticeable impact on his life and career, raising concerns among his colleagues in Hollywood.
The actor on November 20, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
Hollywood’s Reaction to His Faith
By the time he was 17, his commitment to his newfound beliefs had started to influence the way he approached his role in “Growing Pains.” This sudden shift did not go unnoticed by the show’s producers and cast members, who grew increasingly worried about how it might affect the series.
As one of the show’s key characters, his actions held significant weight. The show’s success—and everyone’s jobs—depended, in part, on him. The producers worried whether his deepening religious beliefs would take him in a direction that could jeopardize the show’s longevity.
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. He, however, was focused on trying to live out his faith, though he admits that at times, he didn’t handle it as gracefully 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 was clear, though, was that his priorities were shifting—and Hollywood wasn’t sure how to respond.
The actor on set with co-actor Jeremy Miller in the movie “Growing pains” on February 18, 1986 | Source: Getty Images
The Dark Side of Hollywood
As his faith grew stronger, he also became more aware of the troubling behaviors around him in Hollywood. Over time, he reportedly witnessed disturbing incidents that further distanced him from the industry.
“The evil, the darkness, the twisted sickness of Hollywood has been going on for a long time,” he said, reflecting on his years as a child actor. The former teen heartthrob, who began acting at nine, recalled being suspicious of the unsettling things happening behind the scenes during his time on “Growing Pains.”
One of the most shocking revelations involved his personal dialogue coach from the show, Brian Peck, who was later convicted of sexual abuse crimes. Peck’s name was highlighted in a recent documentary that uncovered the darker side of the entertainment industry.
The actor described how these revelations confirmed what he had suspected all along—that Hollywood was not the wholesome place it often appeared to be. For him, this environment, driven by power, pride, and ego, only reinforced his desire to move away from the spotlight.
The actor poses for a photo, circa 1987 | Source: Getty Images
He became even more committed to his faith and the values it provided, believing that the pursuit of fame and fortune often led people down dangerous paths. “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 stated.
His growing disillusionment with Hollywood solidified his decision to step back from acting. However, his life was about to take another meaningful turn that would see him focus more on family and faith.
Life After Hollywood
Kirk Cameron’s departure from Hollywood marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life. At just 20, he married his “Growing Pains” co-star, actress, Chelsea Noble, and the two started building a life together far from the entertainment industry. Together, they welcomed six children into their family, four of whom they adopted.
Kirk Cameron and Chelsea Noble in the movie “Growing pains,” dated October 18, 1989 | Source: Getty Images
Adoption was a cause close to both Cameron and Noble’s hearts, as Noble herself was adopted. They always ensured their children knew their origins and helped them reconnect with their biological families when the time came.
For Cameron, this focus on family became central to his life, as did his commitment to maintaining a strong moral foundation. One of the most striking examples of his dedication to family values came during the filming of his 2008 movie “Fireproof.”
In the film, Cameron plays a firefighter trying to save his marriage. However, when it came time to shoot a kissing scene with the actress playing his wife, Cameron refused to kiss anyone but his real-life spouse.
Kirk Cameron and Chelsea Noble at Westbury Hotel in New York City on June 28, 1996 | Source: Getty Images
To honor his marriage vows, the filmmakers worked around this by dressing Noble as the movie’s female lead and filming the scene in silhouette. Cameron later explained, “I have a commitment not to kiss any other woman,” showing how seriously he took his beliefs.
With Hollywood in the rearview mirror, Cameron’s life became less about fame and more about staying true to the values he cherished. But his journey wasn’t over—he soon made another major decision that would further change the course of his life.
Leaving California Behind
In recent years, Cameron made another bold life decision—leaving the place where he had spent most of his life building his career. In early 2021, Cameron took to social media to share his intention to leave 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 shared in a Facebook post. Ultimately, it was Tennessee that won his heart.
Kirk Cameron poses on September 7, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
In subsequent interviews, he revealed his reasons for the move. Cameron felt that California had become unsafe and longed for a place that embraced more of the “wholesome values” he held dear.
He was drawn to its lifestyle, but there was another significant reason for the move—three of his children now lived there. It offered the opportunity to be closer to family while also enjoying the slower pace and community that Tennessee provided.
Cameron also spoke of the “healthy freedom mindset” he found in Tennessee, a stark contrast to what he described as California’s growing restrictions. He also called Tennessee a “hub for Christian projects.”
In Tennessee, he discovered a community of like-minded individuals, including other creatives who had left Hollywood behind. The state, with its growing entertainment industry, has even drawn a number of California “refugees,” offering a fresh start for those seeking a more grounded lifestyle.
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With his move to Tennessee, Cameron found not only a new home but a place that aligned more closely with the values he had embraced. Yet, despite leaving Hollywood and California, his passion for family, faith, and storytelling has not wavered.
Becoming a Grandfather and New Projects
Cameron’s life has been full of milestones, but one of his most cherished moments came in July 2024, when he and Noble became grandparents. Cameron proudly shared the news on social media, posting 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.”
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, Cameron continued his passion for projects that align with his faith and values. In 2022, Cameron brought a deeply personal story to life with the release of his film “Lifemark,” a heartfelt exploration of the beauty of adoption and the priceless value of life.
For Cameron, the project was more than just a film—it was a reflection of his own life. As a proud father of four adopted children and a husband to someone with her own adoption story, the movie carried a profound significance for him.
Sharing his excitement, Cameron emphasized how the narrative resonated with his family’s journey and the importance of uplifting stories like these. The passion for adoption runs deep in the Cameron family, extending even to the next generation.
His son Luke, inspired by their personal experiences, founded the “Together as One Podcast.” This powerful platform sheds light on the incredible journeys of adoption, celebrating the families who transform lives through their commitment to love and care.
The podcast serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Through compelling stories and heartfelt conversations, it highlights the challenges and triumphs of adoptive families, offering valuable resources and support.
Their mission is to also ease the financial strain of adoption by providing grants, making the dream of family accessible to more people.
Although Cameron stepped away from the Hollywood mainstream long ago, he remains active in creating faith-based films and media that reflect his beliefs.
A photo of Kirk Cameron taken from a video posted on November 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram/kirkcameronofficial /iheartchm
His focus on positive, uplifting stories that celebrate family and faith has become the hallmark of his post-Hollywood career.
A photo of Kirk Cameron taken from a video posted on November 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram/kirkcameronofficial /iheartchm
Cameron doesn’t just tell inspiring stories; he lives them. In November 2024, he put his beliefs into action by lending a helping hand to hurricane relief efforts in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Sharing his experience on Instagram, Cameron posted photos of those affected alongside a heartfelt caption.
He recounted the efforts of the 700-strong Red Truck Men rescue squad, who brought chainsaws, axes, backhoes, and hot meals to the disaster zone. Fueled by their faith and love for humanity, these volunteers worked tirelessly to rescue, restore, and rebuild in the aftermath of the storm.
“The power of a hurricane to destroy left me in awe,” Cameron wrote, “but what left me in greater awe was the even more powerful force of a group of 700 volunteer men.”
With his words, Cameron also extended prayers to those affected by the tragedy, reminding his followers of the resilience and hope that shines brightest in the darkest times.
With a growing family and a steady stream of projects that align with his values, Cameron’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.
I Found Photos of Me with a Newborn, but I Don’t Remember Ever Being Pregnant
I opened a box of forgotten photos while cleaning the attic and found pictures of me holding a tiny newborn, my eyes brimming with love. But I’d never been pregnant, let alone given birth. I decided to investigate, unaware I must face a truth that would shatter me to the core.
A few weeks ago, I was cleaning the attic when I pulled an old box from the shelf. It was labeled “Photos – Keep” in my handwriting, though I had no memory of marking it. Dust motes danced in the bright light as I nervously opened the box.
An old box on the floor | Source: Midjourney
Inside, memories spilled out in glossy 4×6 prints: my college graduation with Mom and Dad beaming beside me, our wedding day with Daniel spinning me around the dance floor, and countless summer barbecues at the lake house.
Then, everything STOPPED.
There I was, in a hospital bed, cradling a newborn baby. My hair was plastered to my forehead with sweat, dark circles under my eyes, but my expression… I was gazing at that tiny bundle with such raw, pure love that it took my breath away.
A person holding a newborn baby | Source: Unsplash
More photos followed — me holding the baby against my chest, touching its impossibly small fingers, crying as I looked into its face. In another, I was feeding the baby, my finger trapped in its tiny fist.
But that was impossible. I’d never had a baby. Never been pregnant. NEVER. Then how was this possible?
I sank to the attic floor, surrounded by the scattered photos. My hands shook as I examined each one closely, searching for signs of manipulation or editing.
But they were real… the paper was aged and the corners slightly worn.
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
In one picture, a distinctive mustard-yellow chair sat in the corner of the hospital room, and the curtains had an odd geometric pattern I recognized.
It was St. Mary’s Hospital, the same hospital where we’d visited my aunt after her hip surgery last year.
Daniel was at work, and I was grateful for the solitude as I tried to make sense of what I was seeing. These photos showed a moment that should have been the most significant part of my life.
But I remembered nothing. Not a single second.
A mustard-yellow chair in a room | Source: Midjourney
My hands wouldn’t stop shaking as I gathered the photos and grabbed my car keys as soon as Daniel left for work the following morning.
I didn’t ask him anything as I wanted to find out about this mysterious baby on my own.
The hospital parking lot was nearly empty at 11 a.m. on that pleasant Tuesday. I sat in my car for five minutes, clutching the photos to my chest and trying to gather the courage to go inside.
A young mother walked past pushing a stroller, and my chest tightened with an emotion I couldn’t name.
A woman pushing a baby stroller | Source: Pexels
The reception area smelled of antiseptic and floor cleaner. A young woman with bright blue scrubs and a butterfly-shaped name tag looked up as I approached.
“Hi,” I said. “I need to access some old records of mine.”
“Look at this,” I then added, showing her the pictures. “Whose baby is this? Why am I holding it? I don’t remember anything. What’s happening?”
Without answering, she typed something on her phone and then frowned at her screen. Her fingers paused over the keypad.
“One moment, please!” she said, disappearing into a back office, whispering urgently to someone.
A hospital staff in scrubs | Source: Pexels
An older nurse emerged, her hair pulled back in a neat bun, her name tag reading “Nancy, Head Nurse.” Her eyes held a mix of concern and recognition that made my stomach twist.
“Miss, we do have records for you here, but we’ll need to contact your husband before we can discuss them.”
My stomach dropped. “What? Why?”
“Hospital policy, in cases like this. Please, let me call him now.”
A hospital staff holding documents | Source: Pexels
“No, these are my medical records. I have a right to know—”
But Nancy was already picking up the phone, her eyes never leaving my face. She dialed, and I heard the ring through the receiver.
“Sir? This is Nancy from St. Mary’s Hospital. Yes… your wife Angela is here requesting access to some medical records. Yes… I see… Could you come down right away? Yes, it’s about that… Thank you.”
A nurse holding a smartphone | Source: Pexels
My hands clenched into fists. “You know my husband? You have his number?”
“He’ll be here in 20 minutes. Would you like some water while you wait?”
“No. I want answers.”
I sank into a plastic chair, the photos clutched to my chest.
Every minute that ticked by on the waiting room clock felt like an eternity. When Daniel finally arrived, still in his work clothes, his face was ashen. He’d clearly driven here at full speed.
“Angela??”
A startled man in a hospital | Source: Midjourney
“What’s going on, Dan? Why do they have your number? Why won’t they talk to me without you?”
He turned to Nancy. “Is Dr. Peters available?”
The doctor’s office was small, with certificates covering one wall and a small window overlooking the parking lot. Dr. Peters was a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and worry lines around her mouth. She folded her hands on her desk as we sat down.
“Tell her,” Dr. Peters said. “Your wife deserves to know everything.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. “Know what? What’s going on?”
A doctor in her office | Source: Pexels
Daniel leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Six years ago, my sister Fiona came to us with a request. Do you remember how long she and Jack had been trying to have a baby?”
“Your sister? What does she have to do with this?”
“The fertility treatments weren’t working. The IVF failed three times,” he swallowed hard. “She asked if you would consider being her surrogate. And you said… yes.”
The world tilted sideways. “No. That’s not… I would remember that. A pregnancy? Being a surrogate? No, I wouldn’t—”
A shocked woman looking up | Source: Midjourney
“You were so determined to help her, Angel. You said it was the greatest gift you could give your sister-in-law. The pregnancy went perfectly. You were glowing and so happy to be helping them. But when the baby was was born—”
Dr. Peters spoke up. “You experienced a severe psychological break after delivery, Angela. The maternal hormones and bonding process were stronger than anyone anticipated. You refused to let go of the baby. When they tried to take him to Fiona, you became hysterical.”
I pressed my hands against my temples. “Stop. Please stop.”
Grayscale shot of a newborn baby | Source: Unsplash
“Your mind protected itself,” Dr. Peters explained gently. “It’s called dissociative amnesia. Your psyche built a wall around the memories to shield you from the trauma of the separation. In cases of severe emotional distress, the mind can—”
“You’re telling me I forgot an entire pregnancy? A whole baby? That’s not possible! I would know. My body would know. My heart would know.”
“Angel,” Daniel reached for my hand. But I jerked away so violently my chair scraped against the floor.
Portrait of a distressed man | Source: Midjourney
“Don’t touch me! You knew? All this time, you knew? Every time we talked about maybe having kids someday, every time we walked past a baby store… you knew I had carried a child? Given birth? And given him away like he was some freaking toy?”
“Where is he?” I demanded, my throat raw and eyes red-rimmed from crying.
“Fiona moved to the countryside shortly after. The doctors thought the distance would help you recover.”
A teary-eyed woman | Source: Unsplash
“So everyone just decided?” I laughed. “Everyone just chose to let me forget my own—” I couldn’t say the word. Couldn’t acknowledge what I’d lost. “Six years? Six birthdays, first steps, first words?”
“We thought we were protecting you.”
“By lying? By watching me live in ignorance? Did you all get together and plan this? Have meetings about how to keep me in the dark?”
“By letting you heal,” Dr. Peters interjected softly. “The mind can only handle so much pain, Angela. Your psyche chose this path for a reason.”
A frustrated woman | Source: Pexels
I dashed out of the hospital as fast as my legs could carry me. Daniel caught up, ushering me into the car. I was a total mess. My fragile heart was shattered beyond repair.
That night, I slept in our guest room, surrounded by the photos.
I studied each one until my eyes burned, trying to force my mind to remember. The way I touched his tiny face. The tears on my cheeks. The love in my eyes.
I pressed my hand against my stomach, trying to imagine him there, growing, moving, being part of me. But nothing came back. Nothing.
A sad woman sitting on the bed | Source: Pexels
“Can we see him?” I asked Daniel the next day.
“We should probably ask Fiona first,” he said, his voice uncertain. “But if you’re sure, I think she’ll be okay with it.”
It took a week to convince Fiona to let us visit. Seven days of negotiations through Daniel, because I couldn’t bear to speak to her directly. Not yet.
How do you talk to someone who has your child? Who took your child?
After countless phone calls and messages, Fiona finally agreed.
A man talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
The drive to the countryside was endless. I watched the landscape change through the window, each mile bringing me closer to a truth I wasn’t sure I could face.
Fields gave way to forests, forests to suburbs. All the while, my mind spun with questions.
Would he look like me? Would some part of him recognize me? Would I feel anything at all? Would he come running to me?
Aerial view of a car on the road | Source: Unsplash
Fiona’s house was everything I’d imagined during those sleepless nights. Perfect lawn, flowers in window boxes, a red bicycle leaning against the porch, and a tire swing. Wind chimes tinkled softly and the delicious smell of something cooking wafted in the air.
My legs shook so badly I could barely walk to the door.
Fiona stood there, just as I remembered her from the family pictures. But her eyes were cautious, teary, and guarded, like a watchful mother’s.
“Angela,” she said softly. “Come in.”
A teary-eyed woman looking at someone | Source: Pexels
My gaze swept across the room, searching for the little one who held the key to my forgotten past.
And there he was, peeking around the corner. Dark curls like mine and those familiar eyes. My heart squeezed so tight I couldn’t breathe.
My son! My baby! I longed to scream, to run to him, to hold him tight. But I stood rooted to the spot, numb with heartache.
“Tommy,” Fiona called, “come meet your Aunt Angela.”
A little boy wearing a hat | Source: Unsplash
He approached shyly, a toy dinosaur clutched in one hand. “Hello, Aunt Angela.”
“Hello, Tommy!” I said, his name feeling like a prayer on my tongue.
He studied me with those big, brown eyes, head tilted slightly. “Want to see my room? I have a bunk bed! And a T-Rex that roars when you push its belly.”
“I’d love that, sweetie.”
A woman with her eyes downcast | Source: Midjourney
As he led me upstairs, chattering about his dinosaur collection and his best friend Jake and how he could ride his bike without training wheels now, I felt it.
Not a memory exactly, but an echo. A ghost of what we might have been. Of all the moments I should have had.
Later that night, in our hotel room, I took out the photos one last time. The woman in them wasn’t a stranger anymore. I understood her joy, her pain, and her sacrifice even if I couldn’t remember feeling them myself.
A woman holding a newborn baby | Source: Unsplash
I touched the image of the baby, my finger tracing his tiny photostatic features.
“You okay?” Daniel asked from the doorway.
“No. But I think I will be.”
I slipped the photos back into an envelope. Some memories might stay lost and buried under years of protective fog. But now I had something more precious than memories: I had truth. And somehow, in that truth, I found the peace I didn’t know I’d been missing.
It would take time to fully come to terms with my truth, but this was a step in the right direction.
A woman holding an envelope | Source: Pexels
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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