He was a teen star with everything—fame, fortune, and a hit TV show. But just as his career reached new heights, he made a surprising decision. He stepped away from Hollywood, choosing a life path few had expected.
As a beloved child actor on “Growing Pains,” he became one of the most popular young stars of the 1980s. Teen magazines put him on their covers, and fans adored him. However, behind the fame, he struggled with the feeling that Hollywood wasn’t where he was meant to be.
At the height of his fame in the early 1990s, this actor made a choice that surprised many. He turned away from acting and embraced a life of faith. This decision didn’t just change his career; it changed his entire worldview. What happened to him after he left Hollywood?
From Childhood Dreams to Unexpected Stardom
As a child, he didn’t dream of becoming an actor. He wanted to be a doctor. But when his mother, urged by a friend, introduced him to acting, his career path shifted. That friend was the mother of Adam Rich, a famous child actor. She suggested his mother take him to an agent to try his luck with commercials.
Though he wasn’t eager, his mother followed the advice, and by age nine, he was landing small roles. One of his first jobs was a commercial for McDonald’s. Despite his early success, he didn’t enjoy acting much.
He once said, “I was always annoyed having to brush my hair and tuck my shirt in to go audition.” Still, his career took off, and he became famous for his role as Mike Seaver on Growing Pains. But despite the fame, he felt something was missing.
From Atheism to Christianity
He grew up in a non-religious household. “We didn’t go to church,” he said. He considered himself an atheist by his mid-teens, influenced by teachers who dismissed religion as a fairy tale. At the time, he was focused on his acting career and had no interest in faith.
However, his life took a turn when he attended church with a girl he liked. “I went to church not because I was interested in God, but because I was interested in the girl,” he admitted. That casual decision eventually led him to embrace Christianity.
Hollywood’s Response
By age 17, his newfound faith began to impact his work on Growing Pains. The show’s producers and cast grew concerned about how his religious beliefs might affect the show. His co-workers worried that his changing priorities could put the show’s future in jeopardy.
Reflecting on those years, he said, “I was trying to take the moral high road, but sometimes I didn’t handle it as gracefully as I should have.” His commitment to his faith, however, remained strong.
The Dark Side of Hollywood
As his faith deepened, he became more aware of unsettling behaviors in Hollywood. “The evil, the darkness of Hollywood has been going on for a long time,” he said. He described troubling experiences behind the scenes during his time on Growing Pains.
One shocking event involved his dialogue coach from the show, Brian Peck, who was later convicted of sexual abuse. These incidents solidified his decision to step away from the industry.
Life After Hollywood
At 20, he married his Growing Pains co-star, Chelsea Noble, and they built a family-focused life together. The couple adopted four of their six children, a cause close to both of their hearts. Noble herself was adopted, and they helped their children connect with their biological families when the time was right.
Cameron’s dedication to his family and his faith became evident during the filming of Fireproof in 2008. He refused to kiss anyone other than his wife in a scene, so the filmmakers dressed Noble as the female lead for the shot.
Leaving California
In 2021, Cameron decided to leave California. He shared on social media that Tennessee, Florida, and Texas were top suggestions for a new home. Ultimately, he chose Tennessee for its slower pace and “wholesome values.” Three of his children already lived there, making the move even more appealing.
In Tennessee, Cameron found a community of like-minded people, including others who had left Hollywood. He appreciated the “healthy freedom mindset” and found Tennessee to be a hub for Christian projects.
Becoming a Grandfather and New Projects
In July 2024, Cameron and Noble welcomed their first grandchild, Maya Jeanne Noble Bower. He shared the joyful news online, expressing his excitement for this new chapter as grandparents.
Cameron continued his work on faith-based projects, including the 2022 film Lifemark, which explores adoption and the value of life—a topic close to his heart as both a father of adopted children and the husband of an adopted woman.
Today, Cameron remains committed to creating media that reflects his beliefs. Though his teenage heartthrob days are behind him, his journey has brought him deep fulfillment and purpose.
Life Today of Nicollette Sheridan, Star of the Iconic Soap Opera ‘Knots Landing’
Nicollette Sheridan rose to stardom as Paige Matheson on the beloved soap opera Knots Landing and later became a fan-favorite for her portrayal of the mischievous Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives. However, beyond her on-screen fame, Sheridan’s life has been marked by a series of high-profile relationships and personal challenges. Let’s take a closer look at her journey and how she’s doing today.
From Soap Opera Star to Hollywood Icon
Sheridan captivated audiences in the 1980s with her role as Paige Matheson on Knots Landing, a spinoff of the legendary series Dallas. Introduced in 1986, Sheridan’s character became a standout for her beauty, cunning, and layered personality.
“Paige is different. She’s strong, she’s ambitious, she’s bright, she’s mischievous,” Sheridan explained, reflecting on her iconic role.
Her performance earned her the 1990 Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actress and a spot on People magazine’s list of “50 Most Beautiful People.”
A Hollywood Upbringing
Born in England, Sheridan moved to the United States at age 10. Growing up in Hollywood with her mother, actress Sally Adams, and her mother’s partner, Telly Savalas (best known as Blofeld in the James Bond films), Sheridan faced challenges adapting to her new environment. Her British accent initially made her stand out, and she worked hard to adopt an American accent to fit in.
“All the kids used to make fun of [my accent], and I hated it. So I practiced every day talking with an American accent and pretty much mastered it,” she shared in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times in 1988.
Tumultuous Relationships
Sheridan’s personal life has been as eventful as her career. Her first marriage was to actor Harry Hamlin in 1991, but the union lasted only 11 months. Controversy arose when Hamlin’s second wife, Lisa Rinna, alleged on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills that Sheridan had an affair with singer Michael Bolton during their marriage—a claim Sheridan has repeatedly denied.
Following her divorce, Sheridan did date Michael Bolton, with the couple engaging in an on-again, off-again relationship that spanned nearly two decades. They reunited in 2005, became engaged in 2006, but ended their relationship in 2008.
Sheridan’s second marriage, to actor Aaron Phypers, was equally short-lived, lasting just six months. Interestingly, both Hamlin and Phypers later married stars of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, with Hamlin marrying Lisa Rinna and Phypers tying the knot with Denise Richards.
Challenges on Desperate Housewives
Sheridan’s time on Desperate Housewives ended abruptly when her character, Edie Britt, was unexpectedly killed off.
Sheridan alleged that her dismissal stemmed from a confrontation with the show’s creator, Marc Cherry, whom she accused of physical assault. Sheridan also claimed Cherry fostered a toxic work environment, but her lawsuit against him was ultimately dismissed in 2017.
Edie Britt’s departure left fans devastated, with many arguing the show was never the same without her.
A Shift in Focus
After her high-profile exit from Desperate Housewives, Sheridan stepped away from the limelight, focusing on smaller projects. She appeared in several Hallmark Channel films and joined the Dynasty reboot in 2017 as the iconic Alexis Carrington. However, she left the show in 2019 to prioritize her family, particularly her ailing mother.
“Working on the Dynasty reboot and reprising the iconic role of Alexis has been thoroughly enjoyable, but the chance to spend precious time with my terminally ill mother is more important to me right now,” Sheridan told TV Line.
Where Is She Now?
Today, Nicollette Sheridan continues to embrace a quieter life away from Hollywood’s hustle and bustle, focusing on what matters most to her.
What do you think about Nicollette Sheridan’s journey? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this story with fans who’d love to catch up on her incredible life and career!
Leave a Reply