Key Takeaways
- Ashley Johnson nearly kidnapped on the set of ‘Growing Pains.’
- The incident involved a man with a gun.
- Johnson was only 6 or 7 years old at the time.
- Security intervened quickly, preventing a tragedy.
A Shocking Experience
Ashley Johnson, known for her role as Chrissy Seaver on the classic sitcom ‘Growing Pains,’ recently recounted a frightening experience from her childhood. During an appearance on the ‘Weird Kids’ podcast, she revealed that she was almost kidnapped by a man armed with a gun while filming the show.
The Incident
At the time of the incident, Johnson was just 6 or 7 years old. She was walking on set with her mother when a man from the live studio audience suddenly grabbed her and began to run. Johnson described the chaos, stating that security quickly responded and managed to apprehend the man. “I just remember some guy hops out of the line, and he grabs me, and grabs me up and starts booking it,” she recalled.
Security’s Quick Response
Johnson noted that security was able to wrestle the man down, which prevented what could have been a tragic situation. She expressed her confusion during the ordeal, saying she was upset because the kidnapper had taken one of her shoes. “He ended up clearly going to jail,” she said, confirming that the man was indeed armed.
Background on ‘Growing Pains’
Johnson joined ‘Growing Pains’ in its fourth season, portraying the youngest child of Dr. Jason Seaver, played by the late Alan Thicke. The show aired from 1985 to 1992 and featured a cast that included Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, and Jeremy Miller. Johnson’s character was introduced in 1990, and the incident occurred during her first year on the show.
Johnson’s Career Beyond the Sitcom
Outside of her role on ‘Growing Pains,’ Johnson has lent her voice to various animated characters, including Gretchen Grundler on ‘Recess’ and Gwen Tennyson in the ‘Ben 10’ series. She also starred in ‘Blindspot’ and provided the voice and motion capture for Ellie in the acclaimed video game ‘The Last of Us.’