Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Hollywood Days - Growing Pains

Pin It Now! I booked the part of Cheryl Murray on "Growing Pains" within a month of landing the part on "The Wonder Years." Two of my favorite shows. "On Growing Pains" I was to play opposite Ben (Jeremy Miller) and Luke (Leonardi DiCaprio). I knew Jeremy from charity events. We both were very involved with Athletes and Entertainers for Kids. One year he was their national teen spokesperson and I took on that role the following year. Here is a photo of us at an AEFK event.
Leo had guest starred on "The New Lassie" although I didn't have any scenes with him. In fact, I think that might have been an episode I was written out of because I was sick. I can't remember if I actually met him when he was on Lassie, but we ended up in the same acting class so I knew him before I got the part on "Growing Pains."

We rehearsed for three days and the taped the show on the fourth day - in front of a live studio audience. I only had one brief scene with Kirk Cameron (Who I had previously kind of stalked in - my hopes to marry him. And I say "kind of" only because I was really an innocent, teeny bopper and not some whack job. Really, I promise. You know you would have done the same if you had his address is 1988.). By this point (a whopping three years later), I had fallen out of love with him. Not for anything he had done in the (nonexistent) relationship. I had just moved on. I had a real boyfriend from my hometown and I was over Kirk. He had moved on as well and was dating Chelsea Noble. The women he really married. Nevertheless, it was cool to work with him and meet him. I was truly living out my childhood dreams.

I was excited about Kirk's faith and suggested to he and Chelsea that we should say a little prayer before we taped the show. I think they were a little taken aback. First, I was only sixteen years old. Second, how many actors on their show had initiated that before? My guess is zero. I don't remember what was said in the prayer or if we had much conversation surrounding it, but we all prayed together in Kirk's trailer before we did the show.

On a side note, I did not ask him if he ever gotten my handwritten letter that I had given his dad. At this point, I was mortified that I had even done that. But I did notice that he was wearing the green friendship bracelet that I had made him. Kidding, kidding.

And as I recall, my guardians (the couple I lived with while I was down there) did say something to Kirk regarding my previous crush on him. I remember being really embarrassed because I think they said something about my marriage plans. But I've healed from all things Kirk related and am now able to talk about it. So I can help others.

This is the only photo I have from my "Growing Pains" experience. A polaroid taken by the wardrobe department.
Our imovie is glitchy so right now I can't upload more scenes from the "Growing Pains" episode. When my superstar techie husband fixes it I will post stuff. For now -- here is the clip from a scene with Leonardo that I posted a few months ago.

Pin It Now!

5 comments:

mel @ the larson lingo said...

I TOTALLY remember watching you on the Growing Pains episode. I remember we taped it on our VCR since you were going to be on it. And, I used to have a crush on Kirk Cameron also ;)

TDM Wendy said...

Mel, Thank you for admitting your affection for Kirk. I know there are many others out there. They read my Kirk stuff and are afraid to come out of the closet. To admit all the teen mags they read, the posters they had of Kirk. It's time to come clean people.

Pajama Mama said...

I think every teen girl in the 80's had a crush on Kirk Cameron! He was adorable! I, too, remember seeing this episode. You haven't changed a bit. :) I have to say, though, my all time favorite tv show has always been the Wonder Years. I almost didn't survive the series finale! lol I cried during the entire final episode....how cool that you were a part of something so special!

Coco said...

Wendy I get such a kick out of reading your blog! This is the scene that you showed Jen and I years ago when we lived in the bay! Jen loved to make fun of you and the Arsenio barks at the end.

I hope you are well. It sounds like the book is almost finished. I can't wait read it!

GetBigGirlPanties said...

You can see the whole episode here: http://www.tubeplus.me/movie/968058/Growing_Pains/season_7/episode_17/Menage_a_Luke/



I LOVE your blog, Wendy!!!