Once adored on television screens across the nation for his roles in popular series like “Eight Is Enough” and “Charles in Charge,” this iconic actor became a symbol of hope and happiness for many teenagers growing up during the ’70s and ’80s. However, behind the glamorous facade, he faced tumultuous times that tested his resilience. His journey from a high point of celebrity stardom to experiencing the harrowing depths of homelessness is both a heart-wrenching and uplifting story of redemption.

Embracing fame at a young age, he rode the waves of success with grace and talent. Yet, by the time he reached nineteen, everything seemed larger than life. In the book “Grace Is Enough,” he recalled those days saying, “I did my first commercial at nine, and by nineteen, I was making massive amounts of money—and spending it just as fast.”

Marriage brought both joy and challenges. In 1979, he wed Victoria Averbach, and together they welcomed a son named Christopher. But, like many Hollywood stories, this matrimony didn’t last. By 1984, the marriage ended, marking the onset of an incredibly challenging period in his life.

The collapse of his marriage coincided with professional decline, leaving him without a job, family, or financial security. “There was no job, no bank account, no wife, no child. I never dreamt it could happen that fast,” he lamented. With no safety net, he resorted to staying with friends, sleeping in parking garages, and at times, taking shelter under park bushes.

These experiences of desperation and longing took a severe toll. Reports surfaced of his struggles with suicidal thoughts, an acknowledgment he bravely faces today. Reflecting on those times, he admitted, “I gave people a lot of cause for concern and they acted on those concerns. I’m glad they did.” His journey also involved an arduous battle with addiction, a fight he candidly attributes to his own poor choices.

Faced with an uncertain future, he was presented a choice: continue on a downward spiral or take control of his life. He chose the latter. Adopting a variety of work roles, he learned new skills as a satellite installer and later as a crew member on a cruise ship.

While rebuilding his career, he encountered yet another personal change—his second marriage to Maylo McCaslin in 1986 eventually ended after more than two decades. During this period, he faced severe financial hardships, including bankruptcy. Yet, the story did not end in despair. He found strength, placed an ad on Craigslist, and gradually worked his way up, even when his fame posed hurdles.

Overcoming numerous rejections, he steadily worked his way into a new career as a financial advisor, a completely new path from his roots in the entertainment industry. His journey also paved the way for reconciliation with his daughter and a healthier relationship with his son, Chris, who never gave up on him.

Love blossomed anew when he reconnected with longtime pen pal Winnie Hung through social media. Their friendship, which had spanned several decades through letters, transformed into a deep romance, leading to their marriage in 2014. “I was never once thought it was even a possibility,” Winnie reflects on their union, highlighting how sincere connections can withstand the test of time.

In his own words, he considers his life “one of the greatest lives lived.” Turning adversity into a story of hope, he found happiness, lasting love, and even brought his tale to audiences through Hallmark’s “Love in the Limelight.” For this once-renowned teen idol, the journey from stardom to life’s simpler pleasures has forged a story worth telling and retelling, proving that redemption, love, and new beginnings can always be found—even in the darkest of times.

His inspiring journey is a powerful reminder that life’s most significant lessons often come from its most challenging experiences. Through determination, hope, and a lot of love, he turned his life around, showing that happiness can indeed follow even the hardest of life’s journeys.