'Growing Pains' Star Ashley Johnson Reveals Attempted Kidnapping on Set: A Shocking '90s Safety Story

In July 2026, actress Ashley Johnson opened up about a harrowing incident from her childhood on the set of ABC’s‘Growing Pains.’When she was only six or seven years old, a man grabbed her while she was walking with her mother near the studio and attempted to abduct her. Security personnel intervened quickly, wrestling the armed attacker to the ground and preventing what could have been a tragedy. What made the situation even more alarming was that the show’s production had previously received threatening letters from this same individual stating his intention to murder cast members. Despite knowing about the threat, security protocols at the time were minimal by today’s standards, with live studio audiences standing just five feet away from actors as they exited their trailers.

Ashley’s recollection of the incident reveals the vulnerability of child actors during that era. Rather than understanding the severity of the attack, the young Ashley was more focused on losing her shoe during the commotion. She described watching security tackle the man without fully grasping the danger she’d been in. The attacker was armed with a gun and was arrested following the incident, ensuring he couldn’t pose further threats. Today, more than three decades later, Ashley has become known for her voice work in popular franchises like‘Recess,’‘Ben 10,’and‘The Last of Us’video games, but this early trauma remained largely private until now.

This revelation sparked important conversations about how the entertainment industry has evolved in protecting its talent and their families. The contrast between security measures in the 1990s and today is striking, with sets now implementing much stricter access controls and threat assessment protocols. The story also raises questions about why it took Ashley so long to publicly discuss such a pivotal moment in her life. What do you think prevents survivors from sharing traumatic experiences, and how do you think this story should influence how we approach celebrity and child safety today?