Growing Pains’ Ashley Johnson Shares She Was Nearly Kidnapped on Set

Growing Pains’ Ashley Johnson Shares She Was Nearly Kidnapped on Set

Ashley Johnson is reflecting on one of her painful memories from growing up.

The Growing Pains alum recalled a harrowing on-set experience when a fan attempted to kidnap her one day after filming the sitcom in the ‘90s.

“It was in the first year I was on, and we had only done a couple of film nights,” Johnson said on the July 7 episode of her Weird Kids podcast. “So, I hadn’t done that many yet and at that time, all of the cast sort of had trailers and they were like old camper trailers. They’re not like the fancy trailers that they are now.”

Given the setup, the 42-year-old said the cast would be “within five feet” of the live studio audience when walking to the set.

“So, I’m walking with my mom and then I just remember some guy hops out of the line and he grabs me and grabs me up and starts booking it,” she continued. “All I remember is there was security that somehow got on him after some time.”

As guards began to apprehend the offender and “wrestle him down,” Johnson said all she remembers is “flying around in the air.”

“I was clueless as to what was happening, but I was very upset,” she explained. “They were talking to me about it after and they were like, ‘Are you OK?’ And I just said, ‘I just think I’m gonna be in trouble.’ And they were like, ‘What are you gonna get in trouble for?’ And I was like, ‘He took one of my shoes.’”

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Johnson said police discovered the man had a gun during the ordeal, leading him to spend time in jail. What’s more harrowing was that, before the incident, a fan had written a letter to the show, saying, “I am coming to set and I am going to bring a gun and I am going to murder some of the cast.”

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However, the studio security team’s quick action made all the difference.

“They got him,” Johnson said, “and they saved me.”

While Johnson is using her podcast to reflect on her experience as a young actor, read on to see what other child stars are up to today.

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