Nearly Abducted After a 'Growing Pains' Tapings, Ashley Johnson Opens Up About the Scare

Ashley Johnson, the actress known for her roles in "The Last of Us" and as a child star on "Growing Pains," recently detailed a frightening close call from her early days on the sitcom. According to Variety, Johnson recounted on her podcast that after a live taping during her first season on the show, a fan nearly abducted her. The incident occurred when she was a child actor, and she described being approached by an audience member after a film night.

E! Online reported that the "Growing Pains" alum recalled the harrowing on-set experience. A fan attempted to kidnap her one day after filming, E! Online said, though it did not specify the exact location on the set. Johnson has not released further details about how she escaped or who intervened, but Bleeding Cool noted that the near-kidnapping was a traumatic moment from her childhood acting days.

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E! OnlineGrowing Pains’ Ashley Johnson Shares She Was Nearly Kidnapped on SetBleeding CoolAshley Johnson Recounts Narrowly Avoiding Kidnapping While Filming Growing Pains

"Ashley Johnson is reflecting on one of her painful memories from growing up."

Bleeding Cool framed the story by highlighting Johnson's broader career, mentioning her work with Critical Role and "The Last of Us," and emphasized that the near-miss occurred while she was filming "Growing Pains." The outlet noted that Johnson's early career beginnings included this unsettling experience.

Variety stressed that Johnson was nearly abducted by a fan, underscoring the risks child actors sometimes face. The incident clearly left a lasting impression, as Johnson chose to share it publicly years later, likely to raise awareness or simply to process a difficult memory.

All four outlets agreed on the core facts: Ashley Johnson, then a child star on "Growing Pains," was almost kidnapped by a fan after a taping. The unanimity of the reporting suggests that while details are sparse, the event itself is confirmed and significant enough for Johnson to recount on her own podcast.