Ashley Johnson, who starred as Chrissy Seaver on the hit '90s sitcom "Growing Pains," has shared a harrowing account of a near-kidnapping that occurred on the show's set when she was a child. Johnson, now 42, recounted the incident during a recent appearance on the "Weird Kids" podcast.
Johnson, who was approximately six or seven years old at the time, was walking with her mother near the cast trailers when a man from the live studio audience reportedly grabbed her and began to run. "All I remember is there was security that somehow got on him after some time," Johnson said. "Security came out, they wrestle him down, and I remember just flying around the air."
Adding to the terror of the situation, Johnson revealed that the man had a gun. "He ended up clearly going to jail," she stated. "He had a gun. And, you know, they got him, and they saved me."
Johnson recalled being confused and upset during the ordeal, particularly because the man had taken one of her shoes.
The actress joined "Growing Pains" in its fourth season, playing the youngest daughter of Dr. Jason Seaver, portrayed by the late Alan Thicke, and his wife Maggie, played by Joanna Kerns. The ABC sitcom ran for seven seasons from 1985 to 1992. Johnson's on-screen siblings were Mike, Carol, and Ben, played by Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, and Jeremy Miller, respectively. Leonardo DiCaprio also appeared in the show's final season.
Beyond "Growing Pains," Johnson is recognized for her voice work as Gretchen Grundler on "Recess" and Gwen Tennyson in the "Ben 10" franchise, as well as her role on "Blindspot" and her acclaimed performance as Ellie in "The Last of Us" video games.
Alan Thicke passed away in December 2016. Johnson's "Growing Pains" co-stars attended his memorial service.