He Was ‘Every Teenage Girl’s Dream’ in the ’90s — Now He’s a Psychologist Living a Quiet Life

The former teen idol once graced the covers of every major magazine, was one of the most recognizable young faces on television.

Before retreating from the spotlight, this actor and producer spent much of his childhood working on set. He starred in several popular series that made him a household name and a fixture in American living rooms. Today, he has built his life on a completely different career path and thrives in it.

The child star on "The Nightmare Man" on January 4, 1985 | Source: Getty Images

The teen idol practically grew up on camera, balancing schoolwork with long shooting days across five television series. Among them were "Our House" and "My Two Dads," where he shared the screen with Paul Reiser.

"My recollections are this: I played pretend, and I was good at playing pretend and enjoyed it for a lot of reasons, and all of a sudden people were making a lot of money, and I didn't want to do it anymore," he narrated.

The child star and Emmanuel Lewis on "Big Problems" on October 4, 1985 | Source: Getty Images

His first acting job came when he was just eight years old, playing an autistic child on the medical drama "St. Elsewhere". Before filming, his mother tried to help him understand the role, explaining that autistic children often live in their own world.

"And I understood that. I would sit there and have this whole world going on in my head. I'd be following the patterns on the wall, and in my head there was an imaginary war going on between the shapes. So I felt like I knew what I was doing," he noted.

The child star, circa 1985 | Source: Getty Images

Looking back, the movie star said, "I was a child actor but never a child star, except, of course, in my own mind. And I really was happiest when I was performing." However, acting came at a cost. Growing up on set left little room for normal childhood experiences, as he had no playground friendships or carefree days.

Though his career took off early, he later admitted that the industry can be too unpredictable and consuming for children. For that reason, he said he'd never want his own kids to grow up in that environment, where it's almost impossible to just be a kid among other kids.

Granville Van Dusen, Cheryl Ladd, the child star, Joshua Harris, Jennie Gassman, and extras appearing in the ABC TV movie "A Death in California" on May 12, 1985 | Source: Getty Images

As fame grew, so did the machinery around him — publicists, photoshoots, interviews, and fan mail. The actor became the charming, clean-cut heartthrob everyone adored.

However, behind that polished image, he found himself wondering who that person on the magazine covers truly was. "He was very well put together, and I wanted to get to know him," the movie star said.

The child star, circa 1986 | Source: Getty Images

Much of that persona was carefully shaped by others. Raised in a strict Catholic household and spending most of his youth on television sets, he reached a point where he longed for normalcy. At 16, he made the decision to step back from acting to attend high school.

"I wanted to play sports and date and do all those things. But I made the mistake of getting involved in the drama department. It was basically for the rejects, the gay kids, very uncool," he recalled.

The child star and Emmanuel Lewis on Hello, I Must Be Going" on January 10, 1986 | Source: Getty Images

In the theater program, the actor found himself rediscovering the joy of performance. Though he resisted identifying as an actor again, he was captivated by the sense of belonging and artistic freedom that theater offered. "I discovered that I liked the world of the theater, which was so different from the world of the teen star," he said.

The teen star at the 9th Annual Youth in Film Awards in Hollywood Palladium on December 5, 1987 | Source: Getty Images

The Catholic environment he grew up in and attending Catholic school for 12 years ensured the former child star grew up with a strong sense of faith, discipline, and community. Yet, it wasn't until he confronted his struggles with addiction that he discovered a deeper meaning in service.

Through his recovery journey, he learned that helping others was not just fulfilling — it was essential to his healing. He credits his commitment to being useful as a cornerstone of his sobriety. This sense of purpose ultimately helped him rebuild his life and remain clean.

The teen star, Chad Lowe, and Danny Cooksey at the "Hollywood Stars Night" at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, on August 29, 1987 | Source: Getty Images

Despite his Catholic upbringing the the actor's relationship with religion became complicated over time. He once described himself as deeply spiritual rather than religious.

The actor noted that while his faith in God began early, his experiences with the Church left him questioning its teachings. This led him on a lifelong search for spiritual truth, exploring Buddhism, Hindu philosophy, and Native American beliefs.

The teen star at the "Hollywood Stars Night" at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1988 | Source: Getty Images

Over the years, he formed a personal spiritual outlook that values love and unity. "My greatest hope is that when we die, we get to experience God and let go of all judgments and preconceived notions and ideas of separation. I think anything that comes with fear attached or judgment attached, it can't be of God," he reasoned.

The teen star at the "Hollywood Stars Night" at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1988 | Source: Getty Images

The actor in this piece is Chad Allen, and he's proud of where he is today. He noted that he felt content with his life, having attained sobriety. Allen also made a comeback since his child star days.

He appeared in several edgy, independent films — including a role as a junkie hustler in "Downtown." This Allen was far removed from the teen idol whose face graced countless glossy magazines in the '80s.

Chad Allen in Los Angeles, California in 1990 | Source: Getty Images

He was deeply involved in live theater and supported emerging companies in Los Angeles and New York. The actor was not the same Allen who, in his early twenties, struggled with drug and alcohol abuse.

In his younger years, the movie star became known for his wild lifestyle, often associated with drugs and late-night parties. Allen described himself as someone who constantly pushed boundaries, seeking to heighten every feeling and experience to its peak.

Chad Allen at the premiere of "The Basketball Diaries" at Mann Festival Theatre in Westwood on April 19, 1995 | Source: Getty Images

This pursuit led him through the rave and underground scenes of New York and Los Angeles, as well as the circuit party culture popular among gay men at the time.

"At the end of the day, I was alone, and I couldn't stop drinking, and it wasn't a happy place. It was Chad sitting by himself in a condo in Malibu with nobody else around, on the brink of death," he narrated.

Charlie Sheen and Chad Allen attend the grand opening of Planet Hollywood at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 24, 1995 | Source: Getty Images

Eventually, a close friend, Heather Tom, decided to distance herself from him. Tom refused to watch Allen self-destruct, and this became a wake-up call as he recognized what he stood to lose. "When she walked away from me, I realized I was losing my family," noted Allen.

Tom's stance prompted him to begin an intensive recovery program. Several years later, he continues to stay active in his sobriety journey, grateful for the second chance it gave him.

Chad Allen at the Grand Opening of Planet Hollywood at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas on July 24, 1994 | Source: Getty Images

Allen also had to navigate his sexuality. At 21, while working on a family-oriented TV series, he was unexpectedly outed as a gay man under extraordinary circumstances. A partner he was seeing sold photos of them kissing in a swimming pool to a tabloid magazine.

The magazine planned to publish the images alongside false claims, including accusations of involvement with a prostitute. Hence, Allen faced intense public scrutiny at a young age. "So I was scared. Just scared," he recalled.

Chad Allen attends the premiere of "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" held at the Mann Village Theatre in Los Angeles, California, November 9, 1994 | Source: Getty Images

Suddenly, Allen found himself surrounded by lawyers, agents, managers, and network publicists, all debating how to handle the revelation of his sexuality. In his early twenties, he felt trapped, unable to openly discuss who he was.

Allen did not want to appear on a magazine cover, but he also refused to lie about himself. While others pushed for him to take a specific stance, he resisted being part of anyone's agenda, insisting on staying true to himself.

Chad Allen during 16th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, on April 30, 2005 | Source: Getty Images

Amid the pressure, his primary concern became his family — particularly his mother — while his father's opinion mattered less at that moment. He eventually had to confront his parents in person. During that conversation, he gave a lengthy explanation of what had happened and what was about to be made public.

His mother, unsure how to respond, attempted to cry and then remarked that she had always thought he was too cute not to have a girlfriend. Allen revealed that, at first, his father struggled to accept his sexuality and rejected him, adding another layer of difficulty to his personal journey.

Chad Allen during Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents The 10th Annual Ribbon of Hope Celebration in 2006 | Source: Getty Images

"My dad couldn't look me in the eye. And that hurt. Because a boy always wants his dad's acceptance. And I knew I'd been lying to them. What's amazing is that I'm sitting here talking about my parents at all. For a long time, that would not have been the case," Allen shared.

Eventually, their relationship improved. "It was a long time before my dad could look me square in the eyes again. I wanted his acceptance so desperately, and I was afraid I was never going to get it," Allen said.

Chad Allen during "Glass Menagerie" I Benefit at Phyllis Morris Showroom in Los Angeles, California, on October 21, 2006 | Source: Getty Images

As for the tabloid claims, the photo showed him in the pool with another man. However, the additional allegations, including the supposed involvement with a prostitute, were entirely fabricated.

The article couldn't explicitly use the word "homosexual." Still, a candid photo of him kissing another man in real life — unrelated to any movie or television role — was enough to ignite speculation and public discussion.

Chad Allen during The Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition Presents Creative Coalition Mentor Sessions at Cafe Brilliant in Park City, Utah, on January 20, 2007 | Source: Getty Images

The attention had an unexpected impact. Letters began arriving from gay individuals expressing gratitude. They shared how much it meant to them to see someone like him in the public eye.

For the first time, Allen began responding personally to fan mail. Many of the letters came from young people seeking role models and figures to admire, who could reassure them that they were okay and not alone.

Chad Allen attends the 12th Annual "GLAAD Tidings Season's Greenings" Benefit Fashion Show on November 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

He wrote back to many of them by hand, something he had never done before, and the experience proved deeply meaningful.

"It helped me, actually, all this pressure I was getting to identify myself, identify myself. It just meant so much to know I wasn't going through it alone either. After all, what is it [loving men]? There's so much attached to it, but at the end of the day, it's love. I'll take it. Whatever it looks like," Allen acknowledged.

Chad Allen attends the 29th Annual Gay & Lesbian Film Festival - "Hollywood To Dollywood" premiere at Directors Guild of America on July 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Additionally, Allen never felt as though he was hiding or lying about his sexuality. "There were certainly plenty of people in my life who didn’t know I was gay, because they never cared to ask or weren’t close enough to me, but there were plenty of people who already knew," he said.

It was easy for people to assume, given the timing of his public coming out and the roles he took on, that he had spent years concealing his truth. "But I never felt that there was really a point in my life and career where I was lying or hiding. I lived my life exactly the way I knew I had to. I went out, I had fun, I was open," he divulged.

Chad Allen attends the 11th Annual GLEH Garden Party on October 14, 2012 in Encino, California | Source: Getty Images

Before 1996, the entertainment industry's publicity machine had crafted an image of Allen as "every teenage girl’s dream."

So, Allen feared that coming out might end his acting career, noting that many people still believe being an openly gay actor can destroy one's opportunities. "I don't perceive it that way now, or I wouldn't be talking to you. You have to understand that acting meant more to me — and still does, for the most part — than anything else in the world. I love it," the actor noted.

Chad Allen attends the premiere of "Bridegroom" benefiting Love is Louder at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on October 15, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

Before stepping away from his acting career, Allen appeared alongside well-known stars such as Jane Seymour in "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" and Shannen Doherty in "Our House."

Chad Allen and Jane Seymour, on May 111, 2003 | Source: Getty Images

Today, Chad Allen has taken a career path far removed from the entertainment industry. He works as a part-time staff psychologist at Williams College and previously served as a clinical director at Path at Stone Summit. He earned his Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University New England in 2020.

He also runs a private practice called Confluence Psychotherapy, named after the point where two rivers meet. Allen considers this a place where what was once separate comes together to become fuller, deeper, and more powerful. He specializes in helping older teens and adults from diverse backgrounds work through trauma of all kinds.

Chad Allen attends the premiere of "Bridegroom" benefiting Love is Louder at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on October 15, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

Allen's social media reflects a quieter, grounded side of his life, showing that he enjoys spending time with his dog, often taking long walks along riverbanks and through nature.

These moments highlight his love for the outdoors and the simple pleasures that now define his daily routine.

Chad Allen attends the 32nd annual Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival at Orpheum Theatre on July 10, 2014 in Los Angeles, California | Source:Getty Images

After navigating challenges including substance abuse, the pressures of being a child star, and the public scrutiny surrounding his sexuality, Allen has built a solid foundation far removed from the hustle and drama of Hollywood.

Today, he leads a balanced life grounded in his work as a psychologist, his passions, and finding fulfillment and stability beyond the spotlight.