EXCLUSIVE: Former Child Star Ashley Johnson Recalls Terrifying Kidnapping Attempt on TV Set
Ashley Johnson recalls the terrifying kidnapping attempt that unfolded while she worked on a TV set.
Aug. 6 2026, Published 8:00 a.m. ET
Former child star Ashley Johnson candidly recounted the horrifying moment she was almost kidnapped by an armed man from the set of Growing Pains, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
Johnson, who turns 43 on Aug. 9, was just 7 when she joined the ABC sitcom to play precocious Chrissy Seaver in 1990 alongside Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Tracey Gold and Kirk Cameron.
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Ashley Johnson recalled facing limited security while filming 'Growing Pains' with Kirk Cameron.
During a recent episode of the podcast Weird Kids, she recalled there was little security in the studio during live tapings – and that someone had sent a frightening letter to the production promising to "bring a gun" and "murder some of the cast."
Johnson said of the set: "It was just a free-for-all, and we were just walking very close [to the public]. You know, you're within five feet of the audience when you're walking in, waving, saying, 'Hello. Thank you for coming. We're excited for you guys to watch the show.'"
But one day when the curly-haired cutie was strolling with her mom onto the set, a crazed stranger attempted to snatch her.
The Blindspot alum explained: "I just remember some guy hops out of the line, and he grabs me up and starts booking it. I just remember flying around in the air."
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An armed stranger allegedly grabbed the former child star and tried to flee the sitcom's set.
Johnson recalled: "I was such a polite kid at the time. I think he was running with me and running away. I was like, 'Who are you, sir? What is your name? I was very pleased to meet you.'"
Security guards promptly took down the would-be kidnapper, and she added: "I was clueless as to what was happening, but I was very upset."
Security Team Saved Johnson
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Security guards stopped the attempted kidnapping and protected Johnson from the attacker.
Johnson remembered worried people around her checked that she was OK, and she said of the offender: "He was packing [a gun]... He was high on something. It wasn't meth, but it was something – like, he was so strong."
She credited the show's guards with protecting her from the goon, who was later jailed, and said of the security team: "They got him – and they saved me."
