What Is Kirk Cameron's Net Worth?
Kirk Cameron is an American actor and producer with a net worth of $10 million. Best known for his role as Mike Seaver on the popular television show "Growing Pains," Cameron has become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry throughout his career. Today, he and his wife, Chelsea Noble, are also known for their evangelical Christian beliefs and activities, including founding The Firefly Foundation, which runs a summer camp for terminally ill children and their families.
Early Life
Kirk Thomas Cameron was born on October 12th, 1970, in Los Angeles, California. He was part of a family bound for the entertainment industry, with his sister Candace Cameron Bure starring as D.J. Tanner on "Full House." At age nine, Kirk landed his first role in a cereal commercial and quickly expanded his resume by age 13 with roles on shows like "Two Marriages."
Breakthrough with "Growing Pains"
At age 15, Cameron's career took a significant turn when he was cast as Mike Seaver on "Growing Pains." The role made him a cultural icon and teenage heartthrob of the '80s. His fame soared, leading to magazine covers and a Super Bowl Pepsi commercial. Cameron was earning $50,000 per week during this peak. He also starred in various films and TV shows during the late '80s. After "Growing Pains" ended in the early '90s, he focused on new projects like "Kirk" before deciding to step away from show business to prioritize family life.
Impact of Child Stardom
Cameron exemplifies the child star experience, balancing his acting career with education, even attending classes at Chatsworth High School during breaks from "Growing Pains." During this period, he met Chelsea Noble, who guest-starred on "Full House." The two began dating, and Noble appeared as his girlfriend in several "Growing Pains" episodes.
Conversion to Christianity
Once a staunch atheist, Cameron became a born-again Christian after landing his role on "Growing Pains." His conversion had a profound impact, leading him to push for changes to storylines he found inappropriate. After the show's end, he distanced himself from some of his castmates due to his new faith.
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Life After "Growing Pains"
Post "Growing Pains," Cameron took a significant break from the entertainment industry. His comeback began in 2000 with "The Growing Pains Movie," followed by its 2004 sequel, "Growing Pains: The Return of the Seavers." He also starred in the "Left Behind" film series, focusing on a fictional biblical rapture. This marked a turn towards films with Christian themes, such as 2008's "Fireproof," 2013's "Unstoppable," and 2014's "Saving Christmas." His film "Monumental" also received considerable coverage.
Evangelical Activities
Cameron remains an active figure in the Evangelical community. He hosts "The Way of the Master," a television show addressing Evangelical topics. Together with his wife, he founded The Firefly Foundation, offering terminally ill children and their parents a free week-long vacation.
Controversy
Cameron has faced various controversies tied to his Evangelical beliefs. He was criticized for distributing an altered version of Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of the Species" at U.S. colleges, which omitted key chapters in favor of a creationist viewpoint. During a CNN interview with Piers Morgan while promoting "Monumental," he described homosexuality as "unnatural" and "destructive to civilization," sparking backlash from gay rights groups and former "Growing Pains" castmates. Cameron also contested censorship by Facebook and YouTube around his film "Unstoppable," which the platforms claimed was mistakenly identified as malware or spam. In December 2020, amidst rising COVID-19 cases, Cameron faced criticism for organizing a maskless Christmas celebration in a local mall.
Personal Life
In 1991, Cameron married his "Growing Pains" co-star Chelsea Noble. The couple has six children, four of whom are adopted. As a devout Christian, Cameron is committed to his family. In the film "Fireproof," he refused to kiss his female co-star, instead kissing his wife for the scene, which was filmed in silhouette to maintain continuity.
Real Estate
In 1998, Cameron and Noble purchased a home in Agoura Hills, California, for $645,000. Today, comparable properties in this exclusive gated community are valued between $2-3 million.
