Actress Ashley Johnson recently shared a harrowing experience from her early career, recounting an attempted abduction by an armed fan during a live taping of the popular sitcom "Growing Pains" when she was just seven years old.
The incident occurred during the show's initial year, after production staff had received a specific threat stating that an individual intended to bring a firearm to the set with the aim of harming cast members. Despite this warning, a man reportedly armed, emerged from the audience queue, seized the young actress, and attempted to flee with her.
A Chilling Threat to Production
Speaking on the "Weird Kids" podcast, Johnson elaborated on the context of the event. She noted it took place early in her tenure on the show, during its first year, when security protocols were considerably more relaxed than contemporary standards. She described the cast's trailers as "old camper trailers," a contrast to today's more elaborate setups.
Crucially, cast members routinely passed through the audience path when moving from their trailers to the soundstage. "We would exit our trailers before the shoot and the audience that would be walking in, you would walk by the audience before you would walk into the studio," she detailed.
Johnson recounted the chilling detail of the threat received by the production team:
"somebody had written in and said that ‘I am coming to set, and I am going to bring a gun … I am going to murder some of the cast.’"
The Moment of Abduction
Given the close proximity, with audience members often "within five feet" of the cast, the danger was immediate. As she walked with her mother, a man abruptly "hops out of the line, and he grabs me … grabs me up and starts booking it," Johnson stated. She recalled security eventually apprehending him.
At such a tender age, Johnson explained she didn't fully comprehend the gravity of the situation. She remembered the sensation of "flying around in the air" as security personnel subdued the assailant. "I was clueless as to what was happening, but I was very upset," she shared, recalling the aftermath when she was asked if she was alright. Her primary concern at the time was, "I just think I'm going to be in trouble."
She confirmed the man was armed, adding, "He was packing. They got him." Johnson also noted his immense strength, attributing it to being "high on something. It wasn't meth, but it was something." Reflecting on her initial lack of fear, she concluded, "I was such a polite kid at the time."
A Child's Perspective and Lasting Career
Ashley Johnson joined the cast of "Growing Pains" in 1990, portraying Chrissy Seaver. She was the youngest member of the onscreen family, which included stars like Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, and Jeremy Miller. Leonardo DiCaprio also became part of the ensemble before the series concluded in 1992.
Johnson has since forged a distinguished career spanning decades in both live-action and voice acting. She garnered significant recognition for her role as Ellie in "The Last of Us" video game series, later appearing in HBO's acclaimed television adaptation as Anna, Ellie's mother.
