Ashley Johnson’s ‘Growing Pains’ Abduction Scare: An Armed Fan’s Attempt

Child star Ashley Johnson, best known for her role as Chrissy Seaver on the hit sitcom ‘Growing Pains,’ has recounted a harrowing incident from her early career where an armed fan attempted to abduct her from the show’s set. The terrifying event occurred during a live taping when Johnson was just seven years old.

A Threat Looms Over the Set

The ‘Growing Pains’ set, like many television productions of the era, had less stringent security measures compared to today’s standards. Johnson explained on the ‘Weird Kids’ podcast that during the show’s first year, cast members would often walk directly past audience members on their way from their trailers to the studio. These trailers were described as more akin to old camper vans than the luxurious dressing rooms common on sets now.

Adding to the vulnerability, the production had received a disturbing threat. An anonymous individual had written in, vowing to bring a gun to the set with the intent to harm cast members. Despite this warning, the audience members were still positioned just a few feet away from the cast as they entered the studio.

The Abduction Attempt

It was during this tense atmosphere that the incident unfolded. Johnson recalled walking with her mother when a man suddenly broke away from the audience line. He lunged, grabbed the young actress, and began to run with her. “All I remember is like, there was security that somehow got on him after some time,” Johnson stated, describing the chaotic moments.

At seven years old, Johnson didn’t fully grasp the severity of the situation. Her immediate reaction was confusion and a child’s concern about potential trouble. “I was clueless as to what was happening, but I was very upset, and they were talking to me about it after. And they were like, ‘Are you okay?’… And I just said, ‘I just think I’m going to be in trouble.'”

She later learned the man was armed and under the influence of a substance that made him unusually strong. “But he was packing. They got him. This was the thing. He was high on something. It wasn’t meth, but it was something — like, he was so strong,” she recounted.

A Polite Child’s Perspective

Johnson reflected that her polite nature as a child might have contributed to her initial lack of fear. While security intervened and apprehended the assailant, the experience was undoubtedly traumatic. She remembered being lifted into the air as security personnel subdued the man.

‘Growing Pains’ and Beyond

Ashley Johnson joined the ‘Growing Pains’ cast in 1990, portraying Chrissy Seaver, the daughter of Mike Seaver (Kirk Cameron) and Carol Seaver (Tracey Gold). She became the youngest member of the ensemble, which also included Alan Thicke and Joanna Kerns. Leonardo DiCaprio also joined the cast in later seasons before the show concluded in 1992.

Following her time on the popular sitcom, Johnson embarked on a successful and diverse career in acting. She gained significant acclaim for her voice work in video games, most notably as Ellie in ‘The Last of Us’ franchise. Her performance as Ellie was so impactful that she reprised the role in the critically acclaimed HBO television adaptation, playing Anna, Ellie’s mother.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers faced by young performers, even in seemingly controlled environments, and highlights the evolution of security protocols in the entertainment industry.