A Life on the Screen

From Growing Pains to Fireproof, Kirk Cameron has matured as both an actor and a Christian.

It seems like Kirk Cameron was destined for a career in television and film. He was only 9 when he started acting, first in commercials and then on TV shows. He was even named after his dad’s favorite TV character, Capt. Kirk of Star Trek, when he was born in 1970 in Panorama City, Calif. Today he’s an award-winning actor who most recently starred in the evangelistic movie Fireproof (2008). Here’s a look at his life onscreen:

TELEVISION

•1981 Bret Maverick (boy #1)

•1982 Disneyland (boy)

•1982 Herbie the Matchmaker (young boy)

•1983 Two Marriages
(“Eric Armstrong”)

•1983 ABC Afterschool Specials (“Jeff”)

•1984 Children in the Crossfire (“Mickey Chandler”)

•1984 More Than Murder (“Bobby”)

•1985-92 Growing Pains
(“Mike Seaver”)

•1988 Full House (“Cousin Steve”)

•1991 A Little Piece of  Heaven (“Will Loomis”)

•1993 The Horde (“Chauncey”)

•1994 Star Struck (“Runner”)

•1995 The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (“Dexter Riley”)

•1995-96 Kirk (“Kirk Hartman”)

•2002 Family Law (“Mitchell Stark”)

•2001 Touched by an Angel (“Chuck Parker”)

•2003-present The Way of the Master (himself)

•2005 Night of Joy (host)

•2009 18 Kids and Counting (himself)

FILM

•1981 Goliath Awaits (“Liam”)

•1982 Beyond Witch Mountain (boy)

•1983 Starflight: The Plane That Couldn’t Land (“Gary”)

•1986 The Best of Times (“Teddy”)

•1987 Like Father, Like Son (“Chris Hammond”)

•1989 Listen to Me (“Tucker Muldowney”)

•1991 A Little Piece of Heaven (“Will Loomis”)

•1998 You Lucky Dog (“Jack Morgan”)

•2000 The Growing Pains Movie (“Mike Seaver”)

•2000 Left Behind (“Buck Williams”)

•2001 The Miracle of the Cards (“Josh”)

•2002 Left Behind II: Tribulation Force (“Buck Williams”)

•2004 Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers (“Mike Seaver”)

•2005 Left Behind: World at War (“Buck Williams”)

•2008 Fireproof (“Caleb Holt”)

AWARDS

Young Artist Award

•1986 for TV series Growing Pains (won)

•1987 Best Young Male Superstar:
Growing Pains (won)

•1987 Exceptional Performance by a
Young Actor: Growing Pains (won) 

•1989 for film Listen to Me (nominated)

Saturn Award

•1987 for film Like Father, Like Son (won)

Golden Globe Award

•1987 for Growing Pains (nominated)

•1989 for Growing Pains (nominated)

People’s Choice Award

•1988 Favorite Young TV
Performer (won)

•1989 Favorite Young TV
Performer (won)

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award

•1990 Favorite TV Actor:
Growing Pains (Won)