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Still Growing: An Autobiography

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I missed out on the Growing Pains phenomenon. Because my family had no television while I was growing up, the Seaver family largely passed me by. I caught occasional glimpses of the program but little more than that. It was only recently that I even learned that the show had propelled Leonardo DiCaprio's illustrious career. The truth is I know more about Cameron's post-sitcom career than the years he spent as Mike Seaver, one of television's best known and most loved characters. And it was those years that was my primary interest as I read Still Growing, Cameron's newly published autobiography.

Of course I couldn't help but enjoy reading about his early life, and the Growing Pains years in particular. While I may not have known much about Cameron in my younger years, I do know that I would have given just about all I had to trade places with him. What boy wouldn't want to be the teenage heartthrob whose face graced the cover of dozens of teen magazines? What boy wouldn't dream of the fame, the fortune and the attention that were Cameron's? He spent his life in a strange bubble where even adults hustled to grant his every desire and where his whim was the command for countless grown-ups. He received 10,000 fan letters every week and was the center of attention wherever he went.

Here is how he describes his life at the pinnacle of his fame:

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I received 10,000 letters per week, mostly from girls who wanted to meet me, touch me, marry me. I had a fan club that sent out a variety of keepsakes--photos, Tshirts, buttons, even a pillowcase with my picture just the right size for girls to kiss my fabric-y likeness as they drifted off to sleep. Weird.

Wherever I went people catered to me. Limousines carted me off to the next gig. Waiters comped my meals. Flight attendants whispered, "Mr. Cameron, why don't you come with me?" and escorted me to first class. Once off the plane, people laid down a red carpet and greeted me on the tarmac with military-like fanfare.

When I arrived at a party, everyone sat up and took notice. The room buzzed with not-so-quiet whispers: "Isn't that Kirk Cameron?" The adoration was obvious in the body language, facial expressions and eagerness of those around me. All of it baffled me beyond belief. I was in the midst of a phenomenon I felt I had no hand in creating.

I had everything the rest of the world craved--money, fame, fortune, any girl I wanted. I admit, I liked that part. What 16-year-old guy didn't want girls to melt when he walked in the room? And I certainly wasn't complaining when Domino's Pizza offered me a million bucks to be their ad boy.

If I didn't have something, it was only because I didn't want it. I was a devout atheist, livin' large, hanging out with the beautiful people.

Years later when people asked about that time in my life, I defined it like this: Imagine a world where whatever you want is given to you as quickly as possible. When you walk into a room, all the adults smile at you, talk nicely and say, "What do you want? Okay, I'll give that to you."

Everything in your life is carefully placed with the intent to make you happy. If you aren't happy, no expense is too great in order to fix the situation. As far as you can tell, you are the center of the universe. Everything revolves around you, your schedule, your dreams and wishes. You are more important to adults than other kids are. "Why is that?" your little mind asks. And the only answer you can come up with is that you are very, very unique.

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But the reality was far different from the boyhood fantasy. He was noticed everywhere he went, unable to enjoy peace outside of his home; he had to grow accustomed to strangers blurting out that his pimply teenage skin was far worse in real life than on television; he was stalked by a demented pedophile; though girls swooned in his presence, he was lonely and sometimes despaired. Life in the public eye was not the dream it may have seemed.

You know, of course, that Cameron became a Christian. At the age of seventeen he came to know Christ through the family of his first girlfriend (and the only girlfriend he had before meeting his wife, Chelsea, who was a guest actress on the show). Here is how he describes that experience:

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A month after my first visit to her church, I dropped my friend off at her acting class in the San Fernando Valley. As I pulled away, something flashed through my mind: I'm part of the ultimate statistic: 10 out of 10 people die. I'm going to die one day. If it were to happen in the next 10 minutes--if I were to get in a car accident and die--what would happen to me? The thought overwhelmed me. I felt smaller than a speck of sand.

I pulled over to the curb and turned off the engine. If there is a God and a heaven, there's no reason He should let me in, I told myself. I had gotten past the intellectual barrier to God, but I knew there was a bigger stumbling block that stood between me and my Maker. It was not intellectual, but moral.

I knew that because of my prideful attitude and the way I had intentionally ignored--even denied God--especially in light of the good things He had given me, I wouldn't go to heaven. Instead of loving God, I had mocked the Giver of all that was precious to me. Deep in my gut, I knew my arrogance and selfishness were an offense to God. Without ever having read the Bible, I intuitively knew that I was a walking violation of the first and greatest commandment: I had failed to give the Creator due honor and respect.

I was sure that if I died on Van Nuys Boulevard that day, God would be perfectly justified to exclude me from heaven and instead give me whatever I deserved.

I wanted to pray, but didn't know how. Closing my eyes--hoping no one was watching--I muttered, "God, if You're there, will You please show me? If You're real, I need to know. And would You please forgive me for the things I've done that are wrong? I don't want to join a religious cult or believe in a fairy tale, but if You're there ... I want You to change me into the person You want me to be."

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Cameron now lives in life after the spotlight. He is known as one of those actors who found God, condemned Hollywood, and fled for the hills. The reality, he explains is different. He speaks honestly about the mistakes he made in the weeks and years immediately following his conversion to Christianity--decisions that ultimately threw up a wall of separation between himself and the rest of the cast members and between himself and the producers of Growing Pains. Since he left the show he has returned for two reunion shows and has asked forgiveness from those he wronged.

Life after Growing Pains has been good. Cameron is now the father of six children (four of whom he and his wife adopted) and he hosts a television show on TBN. He has acted in a handful of movies and will star in a forthcoming film by the producers of Facing the Giants. He and Chelsea are actively involved in Camp Firefly, a camp for the families of disabled children. He works closely with Ray Comfort and appears often on the Way of the Master radio program. Though he has a lower profile, he continues to have a full schedule. He has experienced many blessings.

I can't say it's likely that Still Growing is destined to become a classic spiritual memoir, yet it should still find an audience beyond people who still wear "I Heart Mike Seaver" t-shirts and treasure their signed glossies. Though I knew little about Cameron before cracking the cover of this biography, I feel as if I know him much better now. This is a personal, intimate look at his life, though not one that is exhibitionist. He maintains that balance of sharing the joys and triumphs of life without delving into gossip and ugly detail. I still don't heart Mike Seaver, but I've certainly come to respect Kirk Cameron. Here's hoping this is only the first chapter of a life lived for the glory of God.

The curse of the child star and the teen heart throb, to be corrupted by Hollywood at such a young age. "Still Growing" is Kirk Cameron, former star of the hit sitcom 'Growing Pains', story of his life. He discusses his time on a show becoming someone he now despises and hates, someone who would do something as cold as firing his mother. When the stardom started to fade, only then did he learn what he did. "Still Growing" is Cameron's tale of correcting past mistakes and becoming a better person through finding God, sure to inspire readers everywhere.

I was not a big "Growing Pains" fan when growing up. I did watch the show on occasion and thought it was good, but did not watch frequently. I have seen Kirk Cameron in a few of his other rolls and he is a good actor. I am not the type to give Hollywood actors much thought, but in his case, I will make an exception. Having met him on the set of his latest movie "Fireproof", I can say that he is the Real Deal. He is a very kind person, will take time to talk to kids, and is unashamedly Christian. He shares all these qualities in this book. This book will appeal to both the Kirk Cameron "Hollywood Actor" fan as well as the rest of us who just like the story of a good life lived on moral grounds.

I liked reading Still Growing by Kirk Cameron because I liked him on the sit com, "Growing Pains," and also know he is a Christian. I was curious to find out more about his personal life. I was surprised to find out he had an atheist belief through is teens until he became a believer at age 19. In his autobiography he shares how he got into acting, how he was used to having anything he wanted, how he began to ask the questions about life, how his beliefs changed and how they affected his career and decisions.

I found it interesting that he is one of few actors who has only been married once to an actress and has six children and has been married 17 years as of when the book was written. It was so refreshing to read about his love for his wife and family. Another thing that I found very interesting was the fact that after he married, he vowed he would not kiss any other woman, even if acting. This has been something I've wondered about myself, how actors and actresses who are married can take those parts where they kiss in the shows. Kirk shared that when he agreed to do a movie produced by the creators of "Facing the Giants" that these producers respected this and for the big kiss at the end, let Kirk's real wife step in and did a silhouette shot.

An Appendix is included as well sharing some about his religious beliefs and books he highly recommends to the reader. I liked Kirk Cameron before reading his autobiography and after reading it, I even have more respect for him.

I, like many teenagers in the 80's, was in "love" with Kirk Cameron. I had the posters, and never missed an episode of Growing Pains - The Complete First Season. I read Bop magazine, and soaked up as much information as I could, in hope that one day I would meet Kirk. I was crushed when he married Chelsea! All of this is now slighly embarassing. Oh, the teenage years! I have followed his career in the many years since Growing Pains, and as a fellow Christian, I am proud of the man he has become. If you were a fan in the 80's, I think you will enjoy this book. Kirk seems to have a great since of humor about life, and some of the things that have happened in his past. I most enjoyed reading the chapters with both he and Chelsea telling their story. They are truly an amazing couple. I admire the fact that Kirk has turned down many high profile jobs because they would require him to kiss another woman. That speaks volumes to the love of his wife and 6 kids. I think that Kirk has done a great job in getting the gospel of Jesus Christ more into the mainstream. His book pulls no punches with it. He does not sugar coat it. He tells it like it is. I would also suggest reading his Mom's book, A Full House of Growing Pains,for more insight into the family dynamic. Overall, Kirk has written an informative book, with humor and grace.

This is an interesting and inspirational read for Christians and I should think non-Christians alike, especially for those who came of age in the 80s and grew up watching "surrogate family" shows like Growing Pains. Whether you are a believer or not, this is a man who illustrates the joy and reward of living Life guided by a strong sense of values and a refusal to compromise faith - a lesson that would be well advised for us all.

Kirk Cameron appears to be a thoughtful and introspective man who strives in this book to be candid in all things; this is further illustrated by the fact that he allows others in his life to share their personal thoughts and feelings about his growth experience. In a day and age where everyone tries desperately to be trendy and liked, to only portray what they think the world wants to see or hear, Mister Cameron's honesty - about both his strengths and weaknesses - is commendable.

What I LIKE the most in reading his story, is the way he admits straight up that he is still growing and struggling with the challenges of Life - as a man, as a father, as a friend, as a Christian... aren't we all? This is a tie that binds our reality with his. But what I RESPECT the most in reading his story, is the fact that he insists on interpreting every facet of Life with his faith at the forefront. I do so admire the fact that he refuses to take off his wedding band or kiss any woman on stage other than his wife, and that he places his faith, his family and his moral compass ahead of everything else, every time, bar none.

I read this book at the speed of light. At the end of the day, it is truly refreshing and encouraging to find a Hollywood actor who is not afraid or ashamed to "walk the walk" for his belief in Christ. If he can do it, there is no compelling reason why any of us should be hesitant to stand up and live our faith out loud.

Thank you, Kirk, for sharing your story; we'll be watching and waiting for more great things from you!

I loved it! Super interesting if you are a "behind the scenes" kind of person. I would like to have known a little more current information or more info about his adoptions as that is interesting to me. Overall, pretty good book that I enjoyed reading.

I really admire Kirk Cameron and his passion for the Lord. I just had to read his book and learn about his journey with coming to Christ and I really enjoyed it! He doesnt get preachy or make any feel bad, he is very honest about himself and his life...it is very good to read! I highly recommend this book to anyone who just wants hope in knowing its never too late to come to Christ

I really enjoyed reading this book. I do agree with some of the reviewers that mentioned that Kirk seems like a private person. I still felt that he did open up in many areas of his life & gave us a glimpse of his heart. From what I have read of the reviews of his mothers book, it sounds like she delves more into their personal life during Kirk's childhood. I look forward to reading her book as well. I enjoyed the conversational tone of his writing & it had me laughing in quite a few parts. The appendix section was wonderful also. If you are thinking of reading this book, I highly recommend it. :)

Wonderful to read about an actor who is not striving to be more outrageaous than the rest just for notariety. He is just being himself, like any nomal everyday person. A very quick and uplifting read from start to finish. I couldn't put it down!