Kirk Cameron, 52, is outspoken and unapologetic about his love for God and how his faith dictates the decisions he makes in his personal and professional life.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Kirk Cameron was born into a family that wasn't overtly religious. He identified himself as an atheist until, at 17 years of age, he found his faith in God in the unlikeliest of places: Hollywood.
As a child actor, Cameron made the rounds in commercials and minor parts on TV, but playing Mike Seaver on "Growing Pains" catapulted him into teen stardom. His life changed again when he found God and, in the same season of life, met his wife, Chelsea Noble.
Chelsea Noble & Kirk Cameron photographed at the Westbury Hotel in 1996 in New York City, New York. | Source: Getty Images/Derek Storm/FilmMagic)
Cameron's Life Changes
Kirk Cameron started acting at nine years old, which for years involved sleeping in the car as his mother ferried him between auditions and school. That changed in 1985 when he got a part in "Growing Pains," a family sitcom also starring Alan Thicke and Joanna Kerns." Speaking of the experience, Cameron said:
"By the time we were in the third season, it ["Growing Pains"] was at its apex, and we were like one in the top ten of all shows."
The success of "Growing Pains" thrust Cameron into an alternate reality where he was friends with other famous people and had access to resources. People on the street recognized him, and teenagers idolized him. But he longed for something more lasting than the superficial trappings of fame.
Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, Alan Thicke, Ashley Johnson , Joanna Kerns, Jeremy Miller in a "Growing Pains" cast photo in 1990. | Source: Getty Images/ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content
As he continued to search his soul, Kirk Cameron recalls the first time Chelsea Noble came on the set of "Growing Pains." He noticed the cross pendant on her necklace as she sat reading and thought she was beautiful. She would be playing Mike's love interest in upcoming episodes.
They waited six years after getting married to start a family. Since Noble was an adopted child, they decided to take that same route to expand their family.
Cameron was nervous about kissing Noble and kept putting it off throughout rehearsal. But when the day came to act out the scene before the live audience, he played a prank on her, smearing numbing cream on his lips before kissing her to diffuse the tension. That silly prank ended up changing both of their lives.
Not only did the kiss make for a great scene, but it also marked the beginning and became a special part of their relationship. On July 21, 1991, in Cheektowaga, New York, Kirk Cameron and Chelsea Noble said, "I do." Speaking of the promise he made at the altar, Cameron said:
"It is my great privilege to love and cherish, exclusively, my beautiful wife. I made a promise to my wife years ago that I would be honest and faithful and true to her."
He holds this belief so firmly that in his 2008 film "Fireproof," in the scene where Cameron's character, Caleb Holt, kisses his wife, Catherine Holt, Noble donned a wig and his co-star, Erin Bethea's costume. They shot the scene in silhouette to make the switch imperceptible.
Kirk Cameron and wife Chelsea, in a scene from "Fireproof". Source: YouTube/@JohnMaverick
Cameron's Real-Life Growing Pains
Kirk Cameron and his wife, Chelsea Noble, have been married for over 30 years. They waited six years after getting married to start a family. Since Noble was an adopted child, they decided to take that same route to expand their family. They adopted four children before having two biological children.
Cameron uses his platform to spread the message of the gospel and promote family-centered values in society.
Cameron believes that children are "gifts and treasures from heaven," and adoption allows families to receive this irreplaceable gift. Looking at their children, Jack, 26; Isabella, 25; Anna, 24; Luke, 22; Olivia, 21; and James, 19, they are proud of the people they are becoming.
Kirk Cameron and his wife feel privileged that their now-grown children choose to spend time with them. But their relationship as husband and wife has been central to the success of their family. Speaking about the importance of connecting as husband and wife, Noble said:
"We just try to find those pockets of time where we can, and a lot of that time is spent talking about the kids, but it doesn’t matter because it’s alone time.”
While in the trenches of raising kids and building successful careers, it's important to pray together. Conversations unrelated to parenting duties can also remind couples why they fell in love in the first place. Setting aside time to share a meal or going on date nights can help keep the embers alight.
Kirk Cameron and Chelsea Noble's shared faith also influences their professional world. They approach their working relationship as friends, allowing for each other's strengths and weaknesses.
This way, they know when to help or give the other person space. Cameron uses his platform to spread the message of the gospel and promote family-centered values in society through inspirational films, family events, and a TBN talk show called "Takeaways." He also wrote a children's book called "As You Grow."
Noble and Cameron's legacy of faith and service includes Camp Firefly. In this all-expenses-paid summer camp, seriously and terminally ill children and their families can forget about their struggles even for a few moments and have fun together.
Chelsea Noble and Kirk Cameron have raised more than a family together. Their children are not an extension of themselves but creative individuals in their own right. And they continue to do work that matters.
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