Personally, even though I'll give him credit for seemingly trying to point out a considerable amount failing morale and responsibility in what's produced in show business (he did reportedly once accuse some executives of being "pornographers") you still can't deny that it ultimately hampered his career in return. I say this because one can get rather picky (not to mention pretty whipped if he has to have his wife join up in virtually every project that he's involved in) and restrained from pushing the "boundries" when necessarily. If it isn't that, then I would say that this is an case of bad karma (e.g. helping get Julie McCullough fired and not inviting his co-stars to his wedding). To add insult to injury, Leonardo DiCaprio, who was introduced on the show as seemingly a last ditch attempt to keep Growing Pains going, has reached greater hights of stardom than the supposed young "breakout star" Cameron has or will in his entire lifetime!

http://www.geocities.com/tmc_132000/From_Nurse_to_Worse.html

I thik his religious values have greatly heur his career.
The "E True Hollywood Story" abut "Growing Pains" greatly inferred that his new religious values alienated the cast and the executives. Julie McCollugh blames him for getting her thrown off the show becasue she posed for Playboy.
He tried to get the writers to change his character from a "bad boy" who always schemed and got into trouble into a more righteous person, which is okay if you want to be a good role model to young viewers, but being the bad boy were the traits that made the character popular!
You can't just expect an entire show to change overnight.

I think his religious views have hurt his and his wife's careers.

I admire Kirk's moral convictions, but they definitely hurt his acting career. He was supposed to be a "teen idol", but he refused to do any of the standard things - love scenes or even appearing shirtless. He never used his good looks or killer physique to his advantage. As a result while all teen idols ultimately fade away, Kirk dropped off the radar screen completely when GP went off the air. Too bad!

At first, I was about to say "Hell no" but I didn't know half the stuff I read in this thread. I think that if he made them change the format overnight then yes in the sense of Growing Pains, but wasn't the show suppose to be a family show anyway?

We are also forgetting that Kirk was in "Like Father, Like Son" with Dudley Moore and there didn't seem like there was any too-religiousness going on then. He was excellent in Left Behind, where the mideast is going against all of Israel and the Rapture happens leaving many missing (a dissappearance) which he finds that he is left behind and has to somehow overcome the power of the man who brings a 7 year peace treaty (later revealed as the Antichrist).

Where was I going with this? Well, I think it has and it hasn't. Look at Lisa Welchel. She was a Christian when she was doing "The Facts of Life" and she barely refused her scripts. She did refuse when the producers wanted her character to loose her virginity, but she wanted to remain the proper role model.

If I recall correctly Kirk Cameron plays the role of journalist
Buck Williams in the Left Behind movie,since they are supposedly
going to turn all of the novels into movies it looks like it will be
a regular job for him as Buck is one of the main characters.
As far as his faith hurting his career,I really don't think so.
After all having a strong Christian faith never hurt Roy Rogers
and Dale Evans or Jimmy Stewart.

It may have hurt his career here but he;ll be a star in Heaven. For me personaly, i like him better now than when he was on Growing pains because of his faith.

God bless you Kirk

You are absolutely right Beaver, In fact he will also reap many rewards for what he is doing by trying to win souls for Christ.

...but it ****es me off when someone's 'religion' or beliefs have such a profound effect on someone elses life!

OK...so the lady posed for Playboy! Big frickin' deal! Does that mean...that because you're opposed to that kinda behavior because of your 'religious beliefs', you have the right to play 'puppet-master' with someone else!

What did he think...he'd get eternal salvation for exposing the 'little hussie'? Sorry, but all it did IMO was make him look like real moron!

Here's one for you Kirk! :p

pontoon :cool:

In understand what you're saying and how you feel, but you are wording it all wrong. Religion is usually connected with evil in the bible and belief makes it as though God is unreal in reality and real only to certain individual people. If there wasn't a God, B.C. wouldn't be used in the calender, the building of the 3rd temple in Jerusalem would never be talked about, Christmas wouldn't exist, Easter would be a day off because of a rabbit, and that is just the simple petty stuff. That is what a belief is. I know, because I had the same argument with my sister (lol).

Anyway aside from the above, I understand how you feel. I actually never heard about that. He didn't have to like the fact that she appeared in Playboy. He could have expressed his concern to her, but if she didn't want to listen to it, she didn't have to. That is why God gives everyone free choice.

I don't think he hurt his career so much as much as he choose another career. He is awsome in the ministry, I have heard him preach and he really has found his calling. He says himself he made mistakes when he was younger in understanding the values of his religion, and thats partly what his ministry deals with is how to live your faith and share it in a way that is comfortable for people. If you ever get the chance to see him in person, put aside your personal beliefs and go have a listen.

He did act like a prima-donna getting Julie McCoullegh fired for Playboy and though I don't agree with her decision to do that, Kirk had no right to fire her and when he snubbed the cast and crew was not right at all unless he wanted only family and relatives and it hasn't hurt his career in the Hollywood where religions like Buddhism, Christian Scientology or Scientology just without the Christian, and/or Judiasm hasn't hurt celebrities careers. But I applaud Kirk for standing up to his Christian beliefs!!

I really don't think he got that Julie girl fired, The producers said have said as much in interviews- like on the Entertainment tonight special. So I don't think he really had anything to do with it. And besides thats a risk you take when you pose in playboy. How in the world did she not thinkl that if she really wanted a respectable career that posing in playboy was not going to hurt her? I think Kirk's religion thing was a good and convient way for her to get some attention.

I have no problem with being christian. I think what Kirk did was use his beliefs in an unchristian way while on the show. He was judgmental and unkind to all in his dealings on the show. All his castmates and the crew were hurt by his snubbing and behind the scenes actions and that isn't the way the teachings in the Bible state. I am sure Kirk must feel bad or embarrassed but it doesnt sound if he's appologized to anyone.:(

BTW, he snubbed the cast and crew at his 1991 wedding to Chelsea Noble and that really hurt the cast and crew they said on the E True Hollywood Story

I have said all of this another post anyway...I think you are being very judgemental none of us have all the facts about what happened back then. But if you know anything at all what Kirk does now in his ministry maybe you wouldn't be so quick to judge. The focus is about helping new Christians to understand how to live in thier faith and how to not offend people who are not christian. Kirk is very appoligetic about and honest about what happened back then, I think he has a lot of courage to admit he was wrong. The cast is currently making another t.v movie do you think they would do that if they hated each other? As for the wedding thing - if they hated him so much why did they want to go so badly? If he was that much of jerk I wouldn't have wanted to go, but they did so ...sometimes the past is the past and people forgive and forget...

I'm very glad for everything that Kirk Cameron did. He stood up for decency, and I believe he did the right thing. It's kind of funny that I read this thread because I was just going to start one saying that I watched a show with him on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network).

I couldn't agree more combsisthebest, how great it is to see someone stand up for values. I really admire him for this.

Originally posted by newlife
I don't think he hurt his career so much as much as he choose another career. He is awsome in the ministry, I have heard him preach and he really has found his calling. He says himself he made mistakes when he was younger in understanding the values of his religion, and thats partly what his ministry deals with is how to live your faith and share it in a way that is comfortable for people. If you ever get the chance to see him in person, put aside your personal beliefs and go have a listen. Yes, I agree. I think after GP Kirk started to steer away from acting. It may have hurt his career a little, but I think he was destined for greater things, called by God to witness, and he realized that and chose that path. I think when Kirk first became a born again Christian, during the run of GP he took his faith to an extreme. What I mean by that is he thought that you had to be almost perfect. That is why he started accusing the producers and co stars (Julie) of different things. I understand where he was coming from. He wanted to be a good role model for others, and wanted to fix everything so their was little sin on the GP set. I think that is great that he wanted to be a role model! After he grew in Christianity I think he found more of a balance. It makes me mad how if you are an actor and Christian you are critized for your faith, yet if you are an actor and let's say Buhdist (I am not saying anything negative about their faith so don't get me wrong) people just ignore it. How ocme the Christians are so strongly persacuted?

Also, is Kirk's whole family Christians? Did they go to church before he became a born again Christian?

Kirk apologized to his fellow castmates when they reunited in the first movie! Hasnt anybody here seen the article The Rebirth Of Kirk Cameron!!!!! The article said he had apologized, GET OVER IT PEOPLE, I think turning in to God was much more important than a sitcom, Kirk did the right thing! Kirk became a born again christian when a girl he liked brought him to church. Yes, i think his whole family were christians.

Kirk's strong religious values played a very large role in hurting his career.

Look at him side by side with Michael J. Fox, who starred in a similar sitcom at the same time.
Fox became one of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Kirk Cameron?? Ohh, he's that kid from Growing Pains.

It may have hurt his career here but he;ll be a star in Heaven. For me personaly, i like him better now than when he was on Growing pains because of his faith.

God bless you Kirk
I don't think that it has hurt his career either. I liked him on Growing Pains because he was cute, but I am a christian and I don't think that it has hurt his career. God Bless.

Yes, I agree. I think after GP Kirk started to steer away from acting. It may have hurt his career a little, but I think he was destined for greater things, called by God to witness, and he realized that and chose that path. I think when Kirk first became a born again Christian, during the run of GP he took his faith to an extreme. What I mean by that is he thought that you had to be almost perfect. That is why he started accusing the producers and co stars (Julie) of different things. I understand where he was coming from. He wanted to be a good role model for others, and wanted to fix everything so their was little sin on the GP set. I think that is great that he wanted to be a role model! After he grew in Christianity I think he found more of a balance. It makes me mad how if you are an actor and Christian you are critized for your faith, yet if you are an actor and let's say Buhdist (I am not saying anything negative about their faith so don't get me wrong) people just ignore it. How ocme the Christians are so strongly persacuted?

Also, is Kirk's whole family Christians? Did they go to church before he became a born again Christian?
I don't know if his whole family is, but Candace Cameron is because in her biography it said that they weren't really much of a church going family, but when she was 12 a friend asked them to come to church with them and she excepted Jesus into her heart.

Kirk's strong religious values played a very large role in hurting his career.

Look at him side by side with Michael J. Fox, who starred in a similar sitcom at the same time.
Fox became one of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Kirk Cameron?? Ohh, he's that kid from Growing Pains.

I think that Matthew 16:26 sums it up.

For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Kirk Cameron is ministering. On the TBN Christian network, he and preacher Ray Comfort have a thought provoking show called "Way of the Master."

One episode had Ray and Kirk trying to get a monkey to ride with them on an airplane. Since evolutionists believe that humans evolved from apes, they decided to call airlines to see if they could accomodate their "cousin." It must have been "discrimination" because the airlines would not let the monkey ride on the airplane.

I don't think that Kirk's faith has killed him. Jane Fonda came to Christ in 2001 or 2002, and Ted Turner filed for divorce because of it.

Patricia Heaton from Everybody Loves Raymond pleaded for the life of Terry Shiavo, took a stand for George Bush, and made a pro-life statement against Barbra Streisand when she said something like I am not going to have to answer to Streisand on Judgment day. There are Christians in Hollywood, but some of them do not speak up because acting is an industry and Christians, no matter what field they are in, are involved in working for their industries.

I think Kirk is very satisfied with his choice to put religion and his family above his career, and that's far more important than what he's achieved or not achieved in the entertainment industry. His latest entry on his monthly column at his website described the experience he had filming Left Behind III and he sounded very happy about it. Good for him. :)

he couldn't be a teen idol any more but he became a possitive role model most people from sitcoms don't go on much further after their shows end
so maybe it hurt a little but did you ever see that show (kirk) it was mike seaver trying a different part but it was the same.

Did it hurt his career?
Absolutely.

Did it hurt his life?
Absolutely not.

It's a CHARACTER, Kirk. Julie played a CHARACTER on the show.

I thought Christ was all about loving the "sinners". :confused:

Why not have Christians like Kirk Cameron only play CHRISTIAN characters on the show and involve themselves in "Christian" situations (whatever that means).

I Will say this I rather see him living a clean life and family then out:cool: on the street, drug addicted, jail or suicidal. Look at many child stars who end up messed up> if it hurt his career like Lisa (Blair on FOL) then perhaps he has a different meaning toward life. k

Personally, even though I'll give him credit for seemingly trying to point out a considerable amount failing morale and responsibility in what's produced in show business (he did reportedly once accuse some executives of being "pornographers") you still can't deny that it ultimately hampered his career in return. I say this because one can get rather picky (not to mention pretty whipped if he has to have his wife join up in virtually every project that he's involved in) and restrained from pushing the "boundries" when necessarily. If it isn't that, then I would say that this is an case of bad karma (e.g. helping get Julie McCullough fired and not inviting his co-stars to his wedding). To add insult to injury, Leonardo DiCaprio, who was introduced on the show as seemingly a last ditch attempt to keep Growing Pains going, has reached greater hights of stardom than the supposed young "breakout star" Cameron has or will in his entire lifetime!

http://www.geocities.com/tmc_132000/From_Nurse_to_Worse.html
I think Kirk Cameron could care less abt his career. His feelings and faith regarding his religion are the only thing that matter to him and his family. He may not be an "actor" anymore, but he has something better, he has God in his life and nothing can compare to God.

I Will say this I rather see him living a clean life and family then out:cool: on the street, drug addicted, jail or suicidal. Look at many child stars who end up messed up> if it hurt his career like Lisa (Blair on FOL) then perhaps he has a different meaning toward life. kFunny, I didn't know Lisa Whelchel's Christianity ended up hurting her career.

I would just like to add some perspectives on this whole topic:


I have no issues with christians or Kirk's christianity. However, there is a thing called respect. If you look down on someone, make them feel bad or just ignore them, I have a problem with that. Kirk's behaviour on the set of Growing Pains was atrocious and take it from me, my dad was a camera operator on the set. One time, my father told me, Kirk brought in 20 bibles, gave them to various crew members and told them if they didn't read it and discuss it with him, then they WERE NOT allowed to talk to him anymore. This is very EXTREME behaviour on anyone. Kirk isolated himself from the cast and crew and made it very clear how he felt about certain people. It is one thing to have firm beliefs but when you try to impose them on other people, or you go out of your way to make them feel unwelcome, then I have a problem. Kirk was mean spirited, judgmental and (downright) cruel to some people on the set and if there is such a thing called karma, his career nosedived. I have no idea what he's like now, hopefully he has learned from mistakes and no longer acts like he's better than most people. I find it sad that some people on here find excuses for him or make comments like "he'll be a star in heaven"..perhaps but would Jesus EVER treat other human beings like Kirk did? As far as Julie goes, he did get her fired. He was adamant about not appearing in any scenes with her, refusing to even leave his dressing room until they did. What were the producers to do? Would people keep watching this show without Kirk? Whether the producers admit it or not, it's all water under the bridge.

This is not intended as an argument.

Kirk used to be an atheist when he was younger. He said his family wasnt into church and that he had a girl friend who took him to church when he was 17 and he found God.

Also I think he has matured since the whole falling out with the cast. I just watched the Smores N More reunion on the Growing Pains DVD set and he didnt talk about religion at all. Also in the recent Larry King reunion show he said that he doesnt consider himself 'religious'

Here is an excerpt from the transcript of the show

KING: You're very religious right?

CAMERON: No, I'm not religious. I'm a Christian but I'm not big on religion but I do produce a television program right now called "The Way of the Master" and that basically is -- it's a Christian reality program where we kind of unmask the -- the hypocrisy of a lot of modern religion that you see today.

And then we go out on the streets and confront people with what is it that you believe about stuff like heaven and hell and God and how to make peace with God? And then we talk with them about how they can find eternal life.

He will always be 'Mike' to me!

Kirk used to be an atheist when he was younger. He said his family wasnt into church and that he had a girl friend who took him to church when he was 17 and he found God.

Also I think he has matured since the whole falling out with the cast. I just watched the Smores N More reunion on the Growing Pains DVD set and he didnt talk about religion at all. Also in the recent Larry King reunion show he said that he doesnt consider himself 'religious'

Here is an excerpt from the transcript of the show

KING: You're very religious right?

CAMERON: No, I'm not religious. I'm a Christian but I'm not big on religion but I do produce a television program right now called "The Way of the Master" and that basically is -- it's a Christian reality program where we kind of unmask the -- the hypocrisy of a lot of modern religion that you see today.

And then we go out on the streets and confront people with what is it that you believe about stuff like heaven and hell and God and how to make peace with God? And then we talk with them about how they can find eternal life.

He will always be 'Mike' to me!I know how many born-again Christians say they're not "religious", but they don't mean it in the way a non-churched Saturday night *pagan* weekend warrior would mean it. Many Christians like to say that Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. They say they're not about external rules, not about polishing dusty haloes in church, doing the holier-than-thou bit, but when you really get them to a certain point, they will insist that it is about many cultural do's-and-don'ts such as what your hair length is, whether you smoke or drink, go to movies, play cards, buy lotto tickets, who did you vote for, what kind of music you listen to and all that--THEN they start saying these are red-letter issues as to what your faith is based on and whether or not God will bless you if you participate in them. Then when a non-Christian rags on these religious, legalistic deals and blows off what it (supposedly) means to be "born again" under these conditions, a Christian will get mad and treat that person like they're a "God-hater" or something like that.

Personally, as a Christian, if I were on the show and my role required to kiss Julie McCullough, I would!!!!!!! :grineyes: Jesus hung with the "sinners", right? :D Besides, she was hot!!!

I prefer to think that Kirk's strong religious values shifted his career. He could have stayed on the path, but he decided to go in another direction. Which direction is the right one? It depends on your point of view.

Kirk's Faith in Christ helped alter his career focus from acting to teaching. He's now a very successful servant of God and his ministry will be long remembered after his success in Growing Pains and movies fades away.

*As for his supposed actions during the later years of Growing Pains. I wasn't there, so I can't judge his alledged actions. I can say from experience though, that when someone gives their heart and life to Jesus, they are filled with such a passion for God, but it's sometimes hard to express it. It's like when a baby first realizes they can walk. They fall alot. They are eager to walk and keep trying, but they often make mistakes as they go.
Kirk is a much more mature Christian today and I'm sure he's much different, like we all are. Each day is an opportunity to grow in love.

I belive Kirk Cameron has a show om TBN but I am not sure what time The Show airs

Kirk's strong religious values played a very large role in hurting his career.

Look at him side by side with Michael J. Fox, who starred in a similar sitcom at the same time.
Fox became one of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Kirk Cameron?? Ohh, he's that kid from Growing Pains.
I think that Matthew 16:26 sums it up.

For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

As a fan of Michael J Fox, I feel that I should say something in his defense. He has always been a very sweet and kind person. In fact, he was even the one to warn Kirk Cameron to not let fame get to his head. I don't know too much about MJF's beliefs - but, from what I understand, he does have a strong faith in God - but he's not into all the dogmas, rituals, and creeds of organized religion. Anyway, let's not forget that MJF has Parkinson's disease, now - so not everything is going fine for him. He still maintains a very positive attitude towards life, though.

Kirk shouldnt of become a christion until after growing pains

Kirk shouldnt of become a christion until after growing painsSo what if the show went on for over ten seasons? How does one "wait" to make personal decisions about one's faith? As much as I am very put off as to how he practiced his faith and mistreated others, I am not against his becoming a Christian in the first place. When you are confronted by certain things in regards to belief and how it may affect your life, you have to strike while the iron is hot, because you may never have that desire later on. Becoming a Christian is not a "career choice", it's a matter of committing yourself to something greater than yourself. People gave Jesus excuses as to why they would "wait" before becoming His disciples. The excuses weren't good enough for Him. It just only showed Him
where they really at.

Would he have become a big star if he hadn't gone crazy? (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0131647/board/flat/235676394?d=236093306#236093306)

Too bad Kirk was such a *****…lol…I had a huge crush on him too during his GP years. He still looks mighty hot. Some guy needs to tap him so he knows how it really feels instead of hating…lol

Too bad Kirk was such a *****…lol…I had a huge crush on him too during his GP years. He still looks mighty hot. Some guy needs to tap him so he knows how it really feels instead of hating…lol

I think a big part of Kirk's problem in regards to his beliefs is that he lacks self-awareness (http://www.chud.com/community/t/151480/kirk-cameron-s-saving-christmas-from-atheists-pre-release-thread/100). When his film Saving Christmas got horrible review after horrible review, he blamed it all on "haters and atheists (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/12/08/kirk-cameron-says-kirk-camerons-saving-christmas-is-the-target-of-an-atheist-conspiracy/)" and not that the movie itself just plain sucked (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Horrible/Film), period.

Kurt Cameron's religious views destroyed his career, and blacklisted him from Hollywood. I can understand him finding God, but the sad thing about Cameron, is that he either never read about what Jesus Christ taught, or disregarded it completely. People who follow teachings of Christ do not try to get their coworkers kicked off the show for past sins years ago. Something that Kirk Cameron would ahve known, if he bothered to read the New Testament.

So yes, Cameron was not well liked in Hollywood. It had nothing to do with being a Christian, but shoving down his version of Christianity on everyone else.

Kurt Cameron's religious views destroyed his career, and blacklisted him from Hollywood. I can understand him finding God, but the sad thing about Cameron, is that he either never read about what Jesus Christ taught, or disregarded it completely. People who follow teachings of Christ do not try to get their coworkers kicked off the show for past sins years ago. Something that Kirk Cameron would ahve known, if he bothered to read the New Testament.

So yes, Cameron was not well liked in Hollywood. It had nothing to do with being a Christian, but shoving down his version of Christianity on everyone else.

http://www.nickiswift.com/77659/whatever-happened-kirk-cameron/

Thanks to the success of the ABC sitcom Growing Pains, Kirk Cameron became a teen heartthrob. He even landed a Pepsi commercial during Super Bowl XXIV. But after seven seasons, Growing Pains was canceled in 1992. It was a blessing for Cameron, who was eager to chart a new path for his career and answer to a higher calling, even if he had to burn some bridges along the way. What happened to him after he left the limelight? Stay tuned.

He converted to Christianity

At the height of his fame, Cameron converted to Christianity and allegedly became an absolute nightmare to deal with on the set of Growing Pains. According to E! True Hollywood Story (via the Orlando Sentinel), Cameron wielded his star power to make sure the show portrayed themes and storylines that were in line with his new religious beliefs, and he wasn't afraid to go straight to network brass to get what he wanted. Several producers reportedly quit the show, and the ratings for Growing Pains plummeted in Season 7, prompting ABC to pull the plug.

By the time the smoke cleared, Cameron had alienated himself from the cast.*"I definitely kind of made an about-face, going toward another aspect of my life," he told the Los Angeles Times in 2000. "I shifted my focus from 100% on the show, to 100% on [my new life], and left 0% on the show—and even the friendships that were a part of that show."

He allegedly had an actress fired because she posed for Playboy

Atress Julie McCullough joined the cast of Growing Pains as nanny Julie Costello in 1989. Despite being cast as a love interest for Cameron's Mike Seaver, McCullough was written off the show by 1990. According to Hollywood legend, when Cameron found out the actress had posed for Playboy*in the past, he was*furious with producers. He allegedly went so far as to call them "pornographers."

Cameron has denied having McCullough fired, asserting she was never meant to have a long-term role in the show, reported*Us Weekly.*

There's also an uncorroborated internet rumor*that alleges Cameron had Friends star Matthew Perry terminated from Growing Pains because he believed Perry was "satan." While that sounds pretty far-fetched to us, Cameron's faith and his professional life were certainly on their way to becoming one and the same.

He won't kiss anyone but his wife

With McCullough gone, Cameron used his influence to have his real-life girlfriend, Chelsea Noble, cast as Seaver's new TV girlfriend, Kate McDonald. The two married in real life during a summer hiatus from Growing Pains, which reportedly drove a wedge between Cameron and his TV family, who was not invited to the wedding.*

To his credit, Cameron regretted the decision in later years, telling the*Los Angeles Times, "If I could go back, I think I could make decisions that were less inadvertently hurtful to the cast—like talking and explaining to them why I just wanted to have my family at my wedding."*

Cameron's relationship with Noble catalyzed another strict stipulation for the rest of Cameron's acting career. He would not kiss anyone but her. Even while filming Christian movies with other Christian actors, Cameron would reportedly make the cast and crew swap in his wife as a kissing double."

He tried another sitcom after Growing Pains

Despite the behind-the-scenes dramas on Growing Pains, Cameron managed to land a new sitcom, Kirk, on The WB. The family-friendly show featured an older brother raising his three younger siblings while chasing his dream of becoming a comic book artist. At the time, squeaky clean sitcoms were no longer the ratings draw they used to be, but The WB took a chance on Cameron, according to the Los Angeles Times.*

If none of this sounds familiar, it's probably because Kirk barely lasted two seasons and failed to make its mark on '90s television.*

He pivoted to only making Christian movies

With the exception of The Growing Pains Movie*(2000), Cameron faded away from traditional Hollywood fare and turned his focus to making faith-based films. One of his most popular projects was the*film adaptation of the hugely popular Christian book series Left Behind. Cameron signed on for three films that depicted the biblical end of days.*

They were not exactly the best movies. In fact, Left Behind author Tim LaHaye hated the first one so much that he sued to get the rights back, according to The Christian Post. However, the films did do well with Christian audiences, who have proved to be a profitable demographic.*

In 2008, Cameron promoted the film*Fireproof*by incorporating it into teaching kits on marriage and marketing it to churches. It earned $33 million at the box office, which was huge considering the film's next-to-nothing budget. Fireproof became the highest grossing independent film of 2008*and made Cameron a prominent figure in Christian circles.

He launched a crusade against Charles Darwin

After the success of Fireproof, Cameron and his ministry partner, Ray Comfort, declared war on the theory of evolution and set out blanketing college campuses with their version of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. Their campaign made several controversial claims, including blaming Darwin for Nazi Germany.*

Needless to say, this did not go over well everyone, and many folks*had a field day with Comfort and Cameron's claim that the banana proves God's existence. According to a now-infamous YouTube video, the banana's shape and design makes it easy to eat, so clearly it was created by a higher power. That's their big argument.

Except there's one small problem. The bright, yellow, easy-to-peel bananas that we know today are the result of human intervention and genetic modification. Sorry, guys.

He tried to go up against Stephen Hawking

Despite facing ridicule for his attempts to discredit evolution, Cameron decided it would be a good idea to throw shade at world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, who had referred to heaven as a "fairy tale story for people afraid of the dark."

"Professor Hawking is heralded as 'the genius of Britain,' yet he believes in the scientific impossibility that nothing created everything and that life sprang from non-life." Cameron told TMZ. "Why should anyone believe Mr. Hawking's writings if he cannot provide evidence for his unscientific belief that out of nothing, everything came?"

For the record, Hawking is considered to be one of the most brilliant scientific minds in the world, while Cameron rose to fame because he was cast in a hit sitcom, despite the show's creators supposedly concluding that "he may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer" after his audition. We'll leave it up to you to decide who you'd rather believe.

He called homosexuality unnatural

In 2012, Cameron continued his habit of making controversial statements by telling Piers Morgan that homosexuality is "unnatural." Many in Hollywood were quick to denounce the former Growing Pains star, including his former TV dad, Alan Thicke, who'd reportedly had enough of Cameron's polarizing stances. "I'm getting him some new books," Thicke said in a statement (via the*Advocate). "The Old Testament simply can't be expected to explain everything."*

Cameron's own sister, former Full House star and born-again Christian Candace Cameron-Bure, made a point to somewhat distance herself from her brother's public statements, telling The Christian Post that they have a "different way of saying the same things."

He accused Facebook of censorship

While promoting his 2013 movie Unstoppable, Cameron discovered that links to the film's website were allegedly being blocked by Facebook, which he attributed to an attack on Christianity.*

However, there was apparently a simple explanation: the address Cameron purchased for the movie used to be a spam site, which set off Facebook's filters. It was an honest mistake, and in a show of good faith, Facebook worked quickly with Cameron's team to reverse the block and issued a statement to The Christian Post to explain the kerfuffle.

Cameron continued to paint the situation as an act of a persecution. In a since-deleted follow-up post on Facebook he wrote (via The Hollywood Reporter,) "Victory!! Friends, you did it! People tried to stop 'Unstoppable' on Facebook, and because millions of us joined together as one voice, Facebook has apologized and welcomed us back! You all just demonstrated to the press (they are all calling me to talk about your amazing response!) that the communities of faith, hope, and love are, well…unstoppable."

He released the worst movie of all time

Despite finding financial success with Fireproof, Cameron earned the wrong kind of accolades with his 2014 holiday feature Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas.*With a zero percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film was voted the "worst movie ever" by IMDb users. It even cleaned up at the Razzies where, according to*CNN, it scoured "four wins in the categories of worst picture, screenplay, actor and screen combo, which went to Cameron and 'his ego.'" Ouch.

He gave questionable marriage advice

After the crash and burn of Saving Christmas, Cameron turned his attention to speaking tours with his "Love Worth Fighting For" marriage ministry, but he found himself in hot water in 2016 when the press pounced on some questionable and arguably outdated advice.

"Wives are to honor and respect and follow their husband's lead, not to tell their husband how he ought to be a better husband," Cameron told The Christian Post. "When each person gets their part right, regardless of how their spouse is treating them, there is hope for real change in their marriage."

Cameron faced fierce*backlash on social media for his remarks. Hey, what works for one marriage might not work for another. That's all we'll say about that.

Cameron is still keeping the faith

After enduring years of high-profile criticism for not shying away from the controversial views of his faith, Cameron is still soldiering on with his marriage seminars and has a movie due out in 2017. Even if you don't agree with his stances, you can't deny that Cameron sticks to his principles and won't change who he is to fit the Hollywood mold. He played that game in the '80s, and now the former sitcom star is forging his own path down a very bumpy road. Best of luck.

Read More: http://www.nickiswift.com/77659/whatever-happened-kirk-cameron/?utm_campaign=clip

^I do like Kirk Cameron's short-lived sitcom Kirk...I don't think his Christianity destroyed his career...but I wish he made better films.

I wonder if there'll be One-year-wonder Warner Bros. sitcoms on Hulu?

https://t.co/c5RJVQJUGH

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJOXcqFW4AARV8k.jpg

http://people.com/celebrity/kirk-cameron-says-god-sent-hurricanes/?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&xid=socialflow_twitter_peoplemag

The former Growing Pains star and evangelical Christian has taken to Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/kirkcameron/videos/10155676291413735/) to post a finger-wagging message that assumes God sent the incredibly destructive and devastating Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma as divine punishment for our collective sins and to teach us “humility.”

“This is a spectacular display of God’s immense power,” Cameron says in a video, which has more than 250,000 views. “When he puts his power on display, it’s never without reason. There’s a purpose. And we may not always understand what that purpose is, but we know it’s not random, and we know that weather is sent to cause us to respond to God in humility, awe and repentance … Maybe share that with your kids when they ask why this is happening.”

He quoted The Bible’s Old Testament to note that God “causes [storms] to happen for punishment, or to water his land to demonstrate his faithful love.”

Continues Cameron: “How should we look at two giant hurricanes coming back to back like this? Do we write them off as coincidence? Do we write it off as a statistical anomaly? Wow! Who would’ve thought? Is it just Mother Nature in a bad mood?”

Actually, many scientists would agree with Cameron’s sarcasm and note there is indeed something that increases the likelihood of anomalous and extreme weather events such as hurricanes — even, say, that Harvey and Irma are probably stronger because of it — and have only been pointing it out with increasing concern for decades now. :rolleyes:

Why is Kirk so obsessed with religion all of a sudden?

He had so many opportunities but he blew it. It was his choice.

https://t.co/c5RJVQJUGH

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJOXcqFW4AARV8k.jpg

:rolleyes:
Bible thumping, religious weirdo. :crazy:

So sad that Kirk is only 46 years old, yet he looks like he's in his mid fifties. I can't believe he's only one year older than me. Damn, he looks so haggard

Why is Kirk so obsessed with religion all of a sudden?

He's not "obsessed." He's just expressing his views.

I've seen 46 year olds look way worse than him, BTW.:wave:

He's not "obsessed." He's just expressing his views.

I've seen 46 year olds look way worse than him, BTW.:wave:

He expresses his views a lot lately though.

He expresses his views a lot lately though.

Well, we ARE allowed to publicly express our opinions, aren't we?

Well, we ARE allowed to publicly express our opinions, aren't we?

Yes.

Why is Kirk so obsessed with religion all of a sudden?

All of a sudden? He has been for years.

Well, we ARE allowed to publicly express our opinions, aren't we?

But his opinions that he's publicly expressing aren't helping the cause any. Saying that God sends hurricanes on purpose as a form of punishment makes him sound like a God I don't want to serve.

I see a lot of the time when a celebrity talks politics, usually a liberal, and conservatives will say "Shut up and act!" And I can't help but think that actors have opinions too, and should be allowed to express it. Besides a lot of people (non-celebrities) post their political opinions on Facebook and wherever else they can. It's just that with celebrities, they have a wider forum in which to express their opinions. So I can fully agree he has the right to tell us his opinion, whether we care what he has to say or not. I just don't see why he thinks it's a wise thing to say this. And this happens whenever there's a natural disaster. It can never be just because that's the way the Earth is, it's always gotta be God punishing us for something. And anytime anyone says that, I always think what a fool they are.

I'm still able to watch reruns of Growing Pains and enjoy Kirk's work on that show, but outside of that show, I don't like him. It's one thing to be religious. It's another to be obnoxious with your religion.

I always found it telling that, regardless of how 'religious' Mr. Cameron became offstage, he seemed to have no problems portraying Mike as a jerk!

It's one thing to be religious. It's another to be obnoxious with your religion.

Well said. I have no problem with someone talking about his/her religion. But Kirk Cameron has gotten people fired because they were "sinners", and has blamed hurricanes on God's wrath at "sinners". He rejects the New Testament teachings such as Luke 7:36-50 and John 7:53-8:11.

Well said. I have no problem with someone talking about his/her religion. But Kirk Cameron has gotten people fired because they were "sinners", and has blamed hurricanes on God's wrath at "sinners". He rejects the New Testament teachings such as Luke 7:36-50 and John 7:53-8:11.

He would probably think the girls at Eastland are heathens for not going to church:

Blair: "That's what's so great about Sundays, Mrs. Garrett. You don't have to do anything!"

He would probably think the girls at Eastland are heathens for not going to church:

Blair: "That's what's so great about Sundays, Mrs. Garrett. You don't have to do anything!"

Haha! Well, Lisa Whelchel had no problem saying that line, despite her religious convictions.

See, that is the difference between Lisa Whelchel and Kirk Cameron: Lisa just quietly declined to appear in an episode she felt uncomfortable doing. Kirk Cameron insisted the producers fire Julie McCullough. It is one thing to take your beliefs seriously. It is quite another to cause harm to someone else, and in fact cause harm to the show by calling the producers "pornographers".

I know Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Julie Anne Haddock, Nancy McKeon, and Julie Piekarski are all Christians. Yet they never publicly denounced the producers for any of the controversial episodes on the show.

I think even Candace Cameron understands something her brother just does not.

Haha!

;)

Well, Lisa Whelchel had no problem saying that line, despite her religious convictions.

True, though that bothers me to a degree, but not nearly to the degree of Kirk. I agree with Mindy Cohn when she was discussing the sex episode of FOL, in response to Lisa's refusal to do the story line: "Okay, there's you as a person, but then there's you as an actor." It's your job to do what the scripts call for the characters which the writers have created. What really stuns me is why Lisa didn't appear in the episode opposing premarital sex, which is what the producers offered to do for Blair. She didn't like the message that episode was sending young girls, so you'd think she would welcome the opportunity to decry it and really show, in her beliefs, why it is wrong.


I know Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Julie Anne Haddock, Nancy McKeon, and Julie Piekarski are all Christians. Yet they never publicly denounced the producers for any of the controversial episodes on the show.

Thank goodness! And it made for a largely more relaxed show behind the scenes, as far as this topic is concerned.

True, though that bothers me to a degree, but not nearly to the degree of Kirk. I agree with Mindy Cohn when she was discussing the sex episode of FOL, in response to Lisa's refusal to do the story line: "Okay, there's you as a person, but then there's you as an actor." It's your job to do what the scripts call for the characters which the writers have created. What really stuns me is why Lisa didn't appear in the episode opposing premarital sex, which is what the producers offered to do for Blair. She didn't like the message that episode was sending young girls, so you'd think she would welcome the opportunity to decry it and really show, in her beliefs, why it is wrong.

Maybe she felt like her character wouldn't denounce pre-marital sex. After all, Blair Warner is not the Christian girl Lisa Whelchel was/is, and as early as the first season, Blair Warner was presumably skinny-dipping with boys, etc. I'm not sure Blair would have been concerned with Natalie's sex life; it doesn't seem true to the character. And so I support just not having Blair in that episode. And since all the girls missed at least one episode (and some of them many episodes), it really was no big deal that Lisa didn't appear one time. If she had boycotted the whole season, that would have been a problem.


Thank goodness! And it made for a largely more relaxed show behind the scenes, as far as this topic is concerned.

Yeah, I know the cast and crew of Growing Pains have stated that Kirk Cameron's proselytizing really hurt the show, them personally, or both.

Maybe she felt like her character wouldn't denounce pre-marital sex. After all, Blair Warner is not the Christian girl Lisa Whelchel was/is, and as early as the first season, Blair Warner was presumably skinny-dipping with boys, etc. I'm not sure Blair would have been concerned with Natalie's sex life; it doesn't seem true to the character. And so I support just not having Blair in that episode. And since all the girls missed at least one episode (and some of them many episodes), it really was no big deal that Lisa didn't appear one time. If she had boycotted the whole season, that would have been a problem.

I can see where you're coming from, but Blair got prissier as the show went on, and had all these dates and boys that seemed so G-rated, lol. Because of that I can see her criticizing Natalie for not waiting until marriage to have sex as being true to her character. Even though Blair wasn't a church goer she just had that air of "a coy beauty, but at arm's length", seeming so sterile in relationships, that I could see her being against sex before marriage. If she was as upset as she was over Cliff taking his shirt off and dancing (to pay his way through school, no less---she rubs me the wrong way as way overreacting there) I can see her just as upset over Natalie if she offered her opinion; maybe she would have walked in on Natalie and Jo's confrontational scene and gotten into the conversation that way; that would have been interesting!

Maybe Kirk Cameron would have had a bigger career if he actually wanted one (he doesn’t what to do anything but Evangelical stuff now) and didn’t take himself too seriously, unlike his sister. He won’t even kiss someone that’s not his wife.

Maybe she felt like her character wouldn't denounce pre-marital sex. After all, Blair Warner is not the Christian girl Lisa Whelchel was/is, and as early as the first season, Blair Warner was presumably skinny-dipping with boys, etc. I'm not sure Blair would have been concerned with Natalie's sex life; it doesn't seem true to the character. And so I support just not having Blair in that episode. And since all the girls missed at least one episode (and some of them many episodes), it really was no big deal that Lisa didn't appear one time. If she had boycotted the whole season, that would have been a problem.



Yeah, I know the cast and crew of Growing Pains have stated that Kirk Cameron's proselytizing really hurt the show, them personally, or both.

Yes that's true but during the first reunion movie Kirk had admitted his behavior was wrong and inappropriate, he was a kid and new to his beliefs and didn't completely understand what it was to be a true Christian. He apologized to his castmates about his behavior back then and asked for forgiveness. They forgave him and moved on. I know Kirk took Alan's death really hard and considered him like a second father . Alan was always there to listen and to give advice and be supportive. Alan was such a class act because despite the fact that he didn't agree with everything Kirk believed, he still respected him and admired him. He was happy that Kirk chose a religious, spiritual life and not drugs or alcohol. He was glad that he chose God and to be a good Christian man. If Kirk had to choose anything, he was glad it was that. Is it any wonder why people miss that man so much? :(
Kirk, Tracey and Jeremy miss Alan so much that they want to reboot the show to honor Alan's memory. I feel Alan's death brought them closer. :)

Yes that's true but during the first reunion movie Kirk had admitted his behavior was wrong and inappropriate, he was a kid and new to his beliefs and didn't completely understand what it was to be a true Christian. He apologized to his castmates about his behavior back then and asked for forgiveness. They forgave him and moved on. I know Kirk took Alan's death really hard and considered him like a second father . Alan was always there to listen and to give advice and be supportive. Alan was such a class act because despite the fact that he didn't agree with everything Kirk believed, he still respected him and admired him. He was happy that Kirk chose a religious, spiritual life and not drugs or alcohol. He was glad that he chose God and to be a good Christian man. If Kirk had to choose anything, he was glad it was that. Is it any wonder why people miss that man so much? :(
Kirk, Tracey and Jeremy miss Alan so much that they want to reboot the show to honor Alan's memory. I feel Alan's death brought them closer. :)

I would watch a Growing Pains reboot or revival. I loved the show.

But Kirk is a total jerk when it comes to his religion, and I know he hurt many of the people he worked with, because of his religion. I remember his castmates being very hurt when he didn't invite the "sinners" to his wedding. Julie McCullough stated she was fired because of Kirk's demands. Many of Kirk's comments on social media are deplorable. He's not even following the Bible he says he believes in.

I would watch a Growing Pains reboot or revival. I loved the show.

But Kirk is a total jerk when it comes to his religion, and I know he hurt many of the people he worked with, because of his religion. I remember his castmates being very hurt when he didn't invite the "sinners" to his wedding. Julie McCullough stated she was fired because of Kirk's demands. Many of Kirk's comments on social media are deplorable. He's not even following the Bible he says he believes in.

He apologized to them many years later. They forgave him. He didn't get Julie Mc Cullough fired. Let's just agree to disagree.

Even if Kirk Cameron did get Julie McCullough fired, there’s no evidence to suggest that hurt her career. Just speculation of “what might have been”.

I can only imagine what the writers' room was like on Growing Pains. It's difficult, if not downright impossible, to write good material when people with agendas (such as Kirk Cameron and his sanctimoniousness) like his are breathing down one's neck.

I can only imagine what the writers' room was like on Growing Pains. It's difficult, if not downright impossible, to write good material when people with agendas (such as Kirk Cameron and his sanctimoniousness) like his are breathing down one's neck.

I could understand not wanting to do certain scenes. But recasting characters because of indiscretions you already knew about? :eek:

Being a total ***** hurt his career.

Well Kirk Cameron essentially walked away from Hollywood, it was his decision. And if he's happy with how his life is now who is anybody else to say his career has been hurt or a failure? Although I seem to remember seeing a reunion interview of the cast of Growing Pains a few years before Alan Thicke died, and Alan Thicke said he told Kirk Cameron something along the lines of after he became a Christian if he wasn't happy with how things were on Growing Pains he should quit, I'm paraphrasing from memory and that might not be it exactly but I think it's close to it, and I think I agree with Alan Thick that it might've been better for Kirk Cameron to just quit when he wasn't comfortable with the show anymore. But he didn't and it is what it is.

Ed.

Bible thumping, religious weirdo. :crazy:

The fool has said in his heart there is no God.

Ed.

I don't come from a religious background but I sort have come to the conclusion that there's a lot of stuff written in the bible that most people don't take literally and in his case once he turned his life over to God instead of realizing and accepting most of the world and the TV industry didn't follow his ridged ways, he went out of his way to try to convince everyone to follow him and what he believed how people should live their lives and follow God judging by what I've read here.


He probably should have quit the show once his contract was up.

Wonder if his sister Candance is as rigid concerning her religious beliefs and Kirk is?

Wonder if his sister Candance is as rigid concerning her religious beliefs and Kirk is?

Candace seems to wear her faith a lot more lightly.

Wonder if his sister Candance is as rigid concerning her religious beliefs and Kirk is?

She definitely is not. I really appreciate the fact that she won't take the Lord's name in vain; that's why she always says "Oh Mylanta" instead of "Oh my God". That worked its way into her character, DJ, on Full House/Fuller House. It was a simple, easy way the producers could work with her and still allow her to express her faith. I bet thousands of viewers saw this, and realized "Hey, I can do the same thing, too." She is such a positive example of Christianity.

She definitely is not. I really appreciate the fact that she won't take the Lord's name in vain; that's why she always says "Oh Mylanta" instead of "Oh my God". That worked its way into her character, DJ, on Full House/Fuller House. It was a simple, easy way the producers could work with her and still allow her to express her faith. I bet thousands of viewers saw this, and realized "Hey, I can do the same thing, too." She is such a positive example of Christianity.

Candace is the good cop to Kirk’s bad cop?

Does Kirk Cameron have any regrets for passing on Hollywood's fame to pursue his faith? (https://twitter.com/WhitlockJason/status/1717988068538351995)

Ep 555 | ‘Growing Pains’ Star Kirk Cameron Trades Hollywood Fame for Faith, Preaches Love to Enemies (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/175-fearless-with-jason-whitlo-83738276/episode/ep-555-growing-pains-star-126815282/?cmp=ios_share&sc=ios_social_share&pr=false)

October 27, 2023

For seven seasons, Kirk Cameron (https://www.marikayrucknesswrites.com/post/the-problem-with-kirk-cameron?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=blog.post-promoter&utm_campaign=ad9e45b1-0ec0-42b2-98a1-fa33d0924b6c) starred as Mike Seaver on ABC’s smash sitcom “Growing Pains.” At the height of his television stardom, Cameron, once an atheist, found faith. As his faith journey progressed, the trail of biblical obedience led the actor away from mainstream Hollywood. Kirk joins “Fearless” to share his testimony and discuss how he lives by faith today. Are there any regrets from leaving a life of fame and money? How does a Christian living in California find hope? Plus, Kirk shares his unique story of being a child star and explains how he escaped the fate of other young actors. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment, or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism.​​Today's Sponsors: Tired of someone else telling you where to go when you have a medical need? Are you ready to take control of your health care? Samaritan Ministries could be the solution you’re looking for. They connect hundreds of thousands of Christians across the nation who come together through prayer, encouragement, and financial support when a medical need arises. That’s what Biblical health care sharing looks like. Check it out today at https://SamaritanMinistries.com/fearless. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $10 off your yearly subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No. Kirk Cameron walked away from Hollywood and he's doing in his career what he wants to glorify God and to show people that Jesus is the only way to a happy and fulfilling life.

Ed.

^I do like Kirk Cameron's short-lived sitcom Kirk...I don't think his Christianity destroyed his career...but I wish he made better films.

I wonder if there'll be One-year-wonder Warner Bros. sitcoms on Hulu?

Speaking of which, I was recently listening to this discussion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JkfmcNXACI) (language warning) about (https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/last-exit-to/1989s-listen-to-me-starring-pC2twe_s5ZM/) his (https://lebeauleblog.com/2015/12/03/golden-raspberry-awards-1989/) 1989 (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/ListenToMe) feature film (https://www.reddit.com/r/Debate/comments/g948yn/listen_to_me_1989_the_bestworst_debate_movie_is/), Listen to Me (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listen_to_Me_(film)). That movie (https://lebeauleblog.com/2020/01/28/what-the-hell-happened-to-christopher-atkins/) seemed to mark the end (https://hornsection.blogspot.com/2006/11/film-review-listen-to-me-1989.html) of Kirk Cameron's career (https://www.pajiba.com/seriously_random_lists/mindhole-blowers-20-facts-about-kirk-cameron-that-might-give-you-seaver-fever.php) in mainstream secular roles outside of Growing Pains.