Kirk Thomas Cameron (born October 12, 1970) is an American actor and evangelist. He first gained fame as a teen actor playing Mike Seaver on the ABC sitcom '' Growing Pains'' (1985–1992), a role for which he was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards.
Cameron made several other television and film appearances through the 1980s and 1990s, including the films '' Like Father Like Son'' (1987) and '' Listen to Me'' (1989). In the 2000s, he portrayed Cameron "Buck" Williams in the ''Left Behind'' film series and Caleb Holt in the drama film '' Fireproof'' (2008). His 2014 film, '' Saving Christmas'', was panned by critics and made the
IMDb
IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, p ...
Bottom 100 List within one month of its theatrical release.
Cameron is an Evangelical Christian who partners with Ray Comfort in the evangelical ministry The Way of the Master and co-founded The Firefly Foundation with his wife, actress
Chelsea Noble
Chelsea Noble is an American actress. She is known for her role as Kate McDonnell on the television sitcom '' Growing Pains'' (1989–1992). She is married to her former ''Growing Pains'' co-star, Kirk Cameron. She is the sister-in-law of forme ...
.
Early life
Cameron was born in Panorama City, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. His parents are Barbara (née Bausmith) and Robert Cameron, a retired schoolteacher. He has three sisters: Bridgette, Melissa, and actress Candace Cameron Bure, who is most notable for her role as D.J. Tanner on the television sitcom '' Full House''. He went to school on the set of ''Growing Pains'', as opposed to a "normal" public or private school with many other students. However, he went to some classes during production breaks and graduated with the class of 1988 at Chatsworth High School with honors.
Acting career
Early career
Cameron began acting at age nine, and his first job was in an advertisement for a breakfast cereal. His first starring role was at age 13, in the television series ''Two Marriages''. At this age, he appeared in several television shows and films. He became famous in 1985 after being cast as Mike Seaver in the ABC television
sitcom
A sitcom, a Portmanteau, portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troup ...
'' Growing Pains''. In the series, Mike would eventually have a girlfriend named Kate MacDonald, played by
Chelsea Noble
Chelsea Noble is an American actress. She is known for her role as Kate McDonnell on the television sitcom '' Growing Pains'' (1989–1992). She is married to her former ''Growing Pains'' co-star, Kirk Cameron. She is the sister-in-law of forme ...
, Cameron's future wife."End of the line Saturday winds up the week with series winding up their runs". Kogan, Rick, September 20, 1991, ''Chicago Tribune''."'Growing Pains' Pair A Couple Once Again". Slewinski, Christy, May 27, 1996, ''Chicago Tribune''. Cameron subsequently became a teen heartthrob in the late 1980s, while appearing on the covers of several teen magazines, including '' Tiger Beat'', ''
Teen Beat
''Teen Beat'' is an American magazine geared towards teenaged readers, published from 1967–c. 2007.
Over its history, the magazine had multiple teen idols on its cover, including John Travolta, David Cassidy, Leif Garrett, Menudo, Michael J. ...
'', '' 16'' and others. At the time, he was making $50,000 a week. He was also in a 60-second
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by PepsiCo. Originally created and developed in 1893 by Caleb Bradham and introduced as Brad's Drink, it was renamed as Pepsi-Cola in 1898, and then shortened to Pepsi in 1961.
History
Pepsi was ...
commercial during
Super Bowl XXIV
Super Bowl XXIV was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion San Francisco 49ers and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Denver Broncos to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion fo ...
.
Cameron also guest-starred in the 1988 '' Full House'' episode "Just One of the Guys", in which he played the cousin of D.J. Tanner, the role played by Cameron's sister,
Candace
Kandake, kadake or kentake ( Meroitic: 𐦲𐦷𐦲𐦡 ''kdke''),Kirsty
Rowan"Revising the Sound Value of Meroitic D: A Phonological Approach,"''Beitrage zur Sudanforschung'' 10 (2009). often Latinised as Candace ( grc, Κανδάκη, ''Kandak� ...
.
Cameron went on to star in many films, including 1987's '' Like Father Like Son'' (a body-switch comedy with Dudley Moore), which was a box office success. His next theatrical film, 1989's '' Listen to Me'', performed poorly at the box office. When ''Growing Pains'' ended in 1992, Cameron went on to star in
The WB
The WB Television Network (for Warner Bros., or the "Frog Network", for its former mascot, Michigan J. Frog) was an American television network launched on terrestrial television, broadcast television on January 11, 1995, as a joint venture be ...
sitcom ''
Kirk
Kirk is a Scottish and former Northern English word meaning "church". It is often used specifically of the Church of Scotland. Many place names and personal names are also derived from it.
Basic meaning and etymology
As a common noun, ''kirk' ...
'' which premiered in 1995 and ended two years later. In ''Kirk'', Cameron played Kirk Hartman, a 24-year-old who has to raise his siblings. Cameron and Noble also worked together on ''Kirk''.
2000–2010
Cameron mostly left mainstream film and television, though a decade after ''Growing Pains'' ended, he starred in a television reunion film, '' The Growing Pains Movie'', in 2000, and another one, '' Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers'', in 2004. Cameron reunited with the cast of ''Growing Pains'' for a CNN '' Larry King Live'' interview which aired on February 7, 2006, in conjunction with the Warner Bros. release of the complete first season of ''Growing Pains'' on DVD. Aside from this, Cameron has often worked in Christian-themed productions, among them the post- Rapture films '' Left Behind: The Movie'', '' Left Behind II: Tribulation Force'', and '' Left Behind: World at War'', in which he plays Cameron "Buck" Williams. Cameron's wife Noble also starred in the film series, playing Hattie Durham. Cameron has worked with Cloud Ten Pictures, a company which produces Christian-themed films, and has starred in several of their films, including '' The Miracle of the Cards''.
He also appeared in the 2008 drama film, '' Fireproof'', which was produced by Sherwood Pictures. The film was created on a budget of $500,000, with Cameron as the lead actor, portraying Captain Caleb Holt. Though it was a low-budget film, the film grossed $33,415,129 and was a box office success. It was the highest grossing
independent film
An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...
of 2008.
2010–present
In 2012, Cameron was the narrator and host of the
documentary film
A documentary film or documentary is a non-fictional motion-picture intended to "document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record". Bill Nichols has characterized the documentary in te ...
'' Monumental: In Search of America's National Treasure''. On its opening day, March 27, 2012, ''Monumental'' grossed $28,340. The film stayed in theaters until May 20, 2012, grossing a total of $1.23 million.
In 2013, Cameron announced he would be the host of the film '' Unstoppable'' slated to premiere September 24, 2013. A trailer for the film was blocked on
Facebook
Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with fellow Harvard College students and roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin ...
, with Cameron speculating that it was due to the film's religious content. Facebook subsequently removed the block, stating it was the result of a mistake by an automated system and a spam site previously registered at the same web address.
Cameron starred in and produced the 2014 family film ''Mercy Rule'', in which he plays a father who tries to save his small business from lobbyists, while supporting his son, who dreams of being a pitcher, in
direct-to-video
Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy wa ...
and via digital download.
Also in 2014, Cameron starred in the Christian-themed comedy film '' Saving Christmas''. The film was panned by critics, winning the 2014 Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay. Cameron also won the award for Worst Actor and Worst Screen Combo, which he won with "his ego".Grinberg, Emanuella (February 22, 2015) "Kirk Cameron sweeps the Razzies for 'Saving Christmas'" CNN.
Cameron starred in ''Extraordinary'', a 2017 film made by Liberty University students that was the first such film to be released nationally (for one night in September 2017). The film follows the dream of a marathon running Liberty professor whose cross-country trek strains his body and marriage.
In the 2018 documentary film ''Connect'', Cameron helps parents with navigating the dangers of technology, including
social media
Social media are interactive media technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks. While challenges to the definition of ''social me ...
, for their children.
In 2019, he appeared in an episode of '' Fuller House'', the Netflix sequel to '' Full House''.
Conversion to Christianity
Cameron was an
atheist
Atheism, in the broadest sense, is an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly, atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist. In an even narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there no ...
in his early teens. When he was 17, during the height of his career on ''Growing Pains'', he became a born-again Christian.
After converting to Protestant Christianity, he began to insist that storylines be edited to remove anything he thought too adult or inappropriate in ''Growing Pains''.
After the series was cancelled, Cameron did not maintain contact with his former co-stars, and did not speak to Tracey Gold for eight years. Cameron has stated that this was not due to any animosity on his part toward any of his former cast-members, but an outgrowth of his desire to start a new life away from the entertainment industry, and the life he had been in for the previous seven years.
Prior to the premiere of '' The Growing Pains Movie'' in 2000, for which the entire main cast reunited, Cameron described his regrets over how his relationship with his castmates changed after his religious conversion during production of the series, saying, "I definitely kind of made an about-face, going toward another aspect of my life. I shifted my focus from 100% on the show, to 100% on y new life and left 0% on the show—and even the friendships that were a part of that show. 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."
Evangelistic ministry
Cameron partnered with fellow evangelist Ray Comfort to teach evangelism methods through the ministry they founded, The Way of the Master, and the television show of the same name that Cameron co-hosts. It won the National Religious Broadcasters' Best Program Award for two consecutive years. It also formerly featured a radio show known as '' The Way of the Master Radio'' with talk show host Todd Friel. The radio show was later canceled, and replaced with ''Wretched Radio'', hosted by Friel. Cameron, along with his wife, founded ''The Firefly Foundation'', which runs '' Camp Firefly'', a
summer camp
A summer camp or sleepaway camp is a supervised program for children conducted during the summer summer vacation, months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as ''campers''. Summer school is usually a part ...
that gives terminally ill children and their families a free week's vacation.
Cameron and Comfort participated in a televised debate with atheists Brian Sapient and Kelly O'Conner of the Rational Response Squad, at
Calvary Baptist Church
Calvary ( la, Calvariae or ) or Golgotha ( grc-gre, Γολγοθᾶ, ''Golgothâ'') was a site immediately outside Jerusalem's walls where Jesus was said to have been crucified according to the canonical Gospels. Since at least the early mediev ...
, in
Manhattan
Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the List of co ...
, on May 5, 2007. It was moderated by ABC's Martin Bashir and parts of it were aired on '' Nightline''. At issue was the existence of God, which Comfort stated he could prove scientifically, without relying on faith or the Bible. The audience was composed of both theists and atheists. Points of discussion included atheism and
evolution
Evolution is change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. These characteristics are the expressions of genes, which are passed on from parent to offspring during reproduction. Variation ...
. While Sapient contended during his arguments that Comfort violated the rules by talking about the Ten Commandments, Cameron later stated on ''The Way of the Master'' radio show that the rules of the debate did not say that the Bible could never be referenced, but rather that Comfort simply had to come up with one argument that did not reference the Bible or faith. During the debate, Cameron referred to the absence of a crocoduck to dispute the theory of evolution, which then became a meme to highlight misconceptions about the theory.
In November 2009, Cameron and others distributed free copies of an altered version of
Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin ( ; 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English natural history#Before 1900, naturalist, geologist, and biologist, widely known for his contributions to evolutionary biology. His proposition that all speci ...
's '' On the Origin of Species'' on college campuses in the United States. The book consisted of Darwin's text with chapters of the book removed, and with an added introduction by Ray Comfort reiterating common creationist assertions about Darwin and evolution. The book was criticized by scientists and Darwin biographers who criticized the omission of key chapters of the book, and who stated that its introduction contains misinformation about Darwin, and long-refuted creationist arguments about the science of evolution, such as the linking of Nazi racial theories to Darwinist ideas. Comfort later said that the four chapters were chosen at random to be omitted in order to make the book small enough to be affordable as a giveaway, with the absent chapters available for download, but that the missing chapters were included in the second edition, which had a smaller text size that made printing the entire book as a giveaway affordable. The second edition still lacks Darwin's preface and glossary of terms.The National Center for Science Education arranged a campaign to distribute an analysis of the Comfort introduction and a banana bookmark at colleges across the U.S., a reference to Comfort's presentation of the banana as evidence for the existence of God.
On March 2, 2012, Cameron stated on CNN's '' Piers Morgan Tonight'', when asked about homosexuality, that it is "unnatural, it's detrimental and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization". Cameron's comments received criticism from GLAAD,Fowler, Brandi (March 4, 2011) "Kirk Cameron: Homosexuality Is 'Detrimental and Destructive'; GLAAD Says 'He's Out of Step E!. and provoked a backlash from gay rights activists and Hollywood celebrities, including Roseanne Barr, Craig Ferguson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, as well as ''Growing Pains'' co-stars Tracey Gold and Alan Thicke. Piers Morgan stated that Cameron was brave for expressing his opinion, "however antiquated his beliefs may be". He, however, received "thousands of emails and comments" from supporters.Johnson, Zach (March 5, 2012) "Update: Tracey Gold, More Stars Slam Kirk Cameron for Anti-Gay Remarks" Us Weekly.Rosie O'Donnell invited him to discuss his views on her talk show, but he declined and suggested a private dinner to discuss this topic personally.
On April 11, 2012, Cameron was honored by Indiana Wesleyan University, and inducted into their Society of World Changers during a ceremony in which he spoke on IWU's campus."Cameron Selected as latest IWU World Changer" . Indiana Wesleyan University. March 1, 2012.
Politics
Cameron is an outspoken social conservative. He supported
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of ...
in the
2016 presidential election
This national electoral calendar for 2016 lists the national/federal elections held in 2016 in all sovereign states and their dependent territories. By-elections are excluded, though national referendums are included.
January
*7 January: Kirib ...
, saying, "There are clearly enemies of Christian principles and Christianity ndI don't think Trump is one of them."
COVID-19 views
In 2020, Cameron questioned the
origins of COVID-19
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been efforts by scientists, governments, and others to determine the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most scientists agree that, as with many other pandemics in human history, the virus i ...
, saying, "Something doesn't seem quite right about all of this. There's something else going on ore thanjust there's a really bad virus out there. I don't know who all the players are and how all of that works." He also opposed public health restrictions implemented to slow the spread of
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identified ...
, saying, "Socialism and communism are knocking on our doors...disguised in the costumes of public health and social justice."
As record breaking levels of COVID-19 infections in late December 2020 overwhelmed hospitals, Cameron organized at least two gatherings of dozens of people for maskless Christmas caroling protests against enhanced restrictions to combat the second wave of the pandemic. The events were held outside, in venues such as a mall parking lot in Ventura County, part of the Southern California Region, a group of counties under a state-mandated stay-home order triggered by low ICU capacity. Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Public Health Director, denounced Cameron's decision to hold large gatherings as "very irresponsible and very dangerous."
Cameron also held an outdoor maskless New Year's Eve song/prayer event in Malibu, despite a request by state senator Henry Stern that he stay home.
Personal life
Cameron and his wife, fellow ''Growing Pains'' star
Chelsea Noble
Chelsea Noble is an American actress. She is known for her role as Kate McDonnell on the television sitcom '' Growing Pains'' (1989–1992). She is married to her former ''Growing Pains'' co-star, Kirk Cameron. She is the sister-in-law of forme ...
, were married on July 21, 1991. They have six children, four of whom were adopted: Jack (born 1996), Isabella (born 1997), Anna (born 1998), and Luke (born 2000); and two biological: Olivia (born 2001) and James (born 2003).
Filmography
Television
Film
Video games
Awards and nominations
Books
* ''Still Growing: An Autobiography'' (with
Lissa Halls Johnson __NOTOC__
Lissa may refer to:
Places
* the old Venetian name for the Adriatic island of Vis
* the German name for the town of Leszno in Poland
* the German name for the town of Lysá nad Labem in the Czech Republic
* a little town in Germany, in e ...