Ashley Johnson Shares Childhood Kidnapping Attempt
Ashley Johnson recently opened up about a terrifying incident from her childhood, recalling how a fan attempted to kidnap her during a live taping of ‘Growing Pains’. This occurred when she was just seven years old.
During the podcast “Weird Children,” Johnson explained that a man, armed and threatening, surged through the audience at a live recording. The production had previously received warnings about someone possibly bringing a gun to the set. Johnson remembered feeling confused and scared.
“The first year I was on the show, I only did a couple of movie nights,” she recounted, reflecting on the time when security measures were not as strict as they are today. Johnson mentioned that cast members only had a modest trailer, quite different from the more glamorous ones seen now.
She described how, before filming, the cast would walk past the audience, allowing for close interaction. On that fateful day, an unsettling letter had warned of impending violence: a threat to come on set with a gun.
Recalling the incident, she stated, “I remember I was walking with my mom and a guy jumped out of the line and grabbed me… grabbed me and started booking.” Fortunately, security intervened quickly, and she was pushed to safety.
Johnson reflected on how, at that young age, the full gravity of the situation didn’t register with her. She poignantly remembered the chaos, describing being “flying through the air” as guards tackled the assailant.
In hindsight, she mentioned that she didn’t feel immediate fear, citing her polite nature at the time. Johnson joined the cast of ‘Growing Pains’ in 1990, playing Chrissy Seaver, and eventually became a notable figure in entertainment, especially recognized for her role in ‘The Last of Us’ series.
It’s strange to think back on that and realize how much life has changed, not just for her but for the industry as a whole. Security, celebrity culture, and even childhood experiences have evolved significantly over the years. Yet, some moments linger, hauntingly vivid in memory.
