What Happened to Carol Seaver from 'Growing Pains' after the Accident That Nearly Took Her Kids' & Husband's Lives?

• Carol Seaver from the beloved '80s sitcom "Growing Pains" faced significant personal challenges during and after her time on the show.
• Later, a serious incident involving a car accident profoundly impacted her family.
• Now 55, the actress's appearance has sparked varied reactions from fans.

Beloved for her role as Carol Seaver on the hit sitcom, "Growing Pains," Tracey Gold captivated audiences with her portrayal of the smart and nerdy teenager. However, behind the scenes, the actress battled a severe eating disorder, leading to a period of in-hospital treatment.

Years later, her life took another dramatic turn with a car accident while she was behind the wheel that deeply affected her family. Since overcoming these challenges, Gold has emerged as a strong advocate for mental health and body positivity. Recently, her 55th birthday celebration sparked diverse fan reactions.

The Rise and Struggles of Tracey Gold

Gold became famous for her role in "Growing Pains." The show was about the funny and heartfelt misadventures of the Seaver family. However, behind the camera, she faced a battle that might shock many fans.

At the age of 19, Gold developed anorexia, a struggle that almost claimed her life by the time she was 22. The pressures of maintaining a public image while dealing with personal issues were immense.

With only two episodes left in the seventh and final season of "Growing Pains," Warner Bros. and the show's producers had to make a difficult decision. They decided to send Gold to an inpatient program at a hospital to seek treatment for her eating disorder.

The public attention added another layer of difficulty to Gold's ordeal. Tabloids quickly picked up on her personal struggle, amplifying her challenges. "It started as a little tiny blurb in TV Guide, and then it kind of spread," Gold recalled.

At her lowest point, Gold weighed just 80 pounds. Her extreme measures to avoid fat and dairy led to a diet primarily consisting of dry cereal and bagels.

To make matters worse, she had to endure insensitive fat jokes on the set of "Growing Pains," particularly from her co-star, Kirk Cameron. Despite her complaints, the producers defended the jokes as "funny," adding to her emotional burden.

The dynamic between Gold and her co-star extended beyond the screen. Although their characters often quarreled, fans speculated about a real-life feud between the two. This speculation was further fueled in 2012 when Cameron's controversial comments about homosexuality sparked a media frenzy.

Gold, feeling the need to address the situation, publicly voiced her support for love and marriage for all, distancing herself from Cameron's remarks. Despite the immense challenges, Gold eventually found a path to recovery and revealed the catalyst behind her journey to a healthier life.

The Catalyst for Change and a Harrowing Mistake

As a mother to four sons, Gold shared that she began to feel truly recovered from her eating disorder during her first pregnancy. "I really started to feel, 'Okay, this is really going to be behind me,'" she said. While watching her body gain weight was initially frightening, it was also an empowering experience.

"I was providing for another human being. I think it liberated me and gave me strength to understand what my body could do," the actress revealed.

However, while Gold's introduction to motherhood was a liberating and freeing experience, her journey has not been without its difficulties. One of the most challenging times came when a single drunken mistake put her children's lives at risk.

In September 2004, Gold was involved in a serious car accident while driving under the influence. Her SUV veered off the highway in Moorpark, rolling down an embankment.

The accident resulted in injuries to her husband and two of their three children. In January 2005, a sobbing Gold stood before a Superior Court judge and pleaded guilty to felony drunken driving causing injury.

The court proceedings were heart-wrenching. Gold was charged with one count of felony drunken driving and two allegations of causing injury to her sons. When asked for her plea, she quietly replied, "Guilty." The potential consequences were severe, with the possibility of a five-year prison term.

However, since this was her first offense, it was expected that she would receive probation instead. The accident left her husband with neck injuries and their 5 and 7-year-old sons with minor injuries. Gold and the couple's infant son fortunately escaped unhurt.

Turning Life Around: Embracing Advocacy and Mentorship

In 2012, Gold took a big step in her recovery. She became a mentor and advocate for others with eating disorders while hosting the show "Starving Secrets."

The program followed the lives of women battling anorexia and provided them with treatment. Through this show, Gold offered not just visibility to the issue. She was also a beacon of hope for those in need of support and guidance.

Gold has also used her platform to criticize Hollywood's obsession with the weight of female stars and the pressure media outlets and tabloids place on women. She has addressed the damaging comments that anonymous online users often direct at celebrities as well.

"It's people behind a computer, without ever having to show their face, who are perpetuating more of a need to fit a certain mold," Gold remarked in 2011.

She praised young stars like Demi Lovato and Mary-Kate Olsen for courageously seeking treatment despite constant media scrutiny. She also commended Miley Cyrus for defending Lovato against body-shaming comments after her treatment.

Gold's advocacy extends to her own home as well. In a 2011 appearance on Anderson Cooper's talk show, she emphasized the importance of teaching her sons about body positivity and the impact of their words.

The actress revealed that while suffering with body image was not as prominent among young boys as it is among girls, there was still an important lesson for her sons to learn.

"The thing that I always teach them also is kindness and their words, and the things that they say can resonate so much with another person," Gold shared.

Fans React to Tracey Gold's Recent Appearance

At 55 years old, Gold has gracefully accepted the natural process of aging while maintaining her signature sweet and soft features that have endeared her to fans for decades.

However, a collage of the actress, showcasing her evolution from a young starlet to a mature and confident woman, in honor of her birthday on May 16, sparked various reactions from fans.

The post received a flood of positive comments celebrating Gold's enduring beauty. "She still looks amazing," one fan wrote, while another added, "She’s beautiful!" Meanwhile, some fans expressed nostalgia for Gold's brunette locks.

"You are awesome. Please go back to brown hair!!!" one user suggested. Another shared, "Adorable still, but not as a blonde. It didn't fit her complexion. Happy birthday." A third fan agreed, stating, "I think she should go back to brown hair cuz I don't think she looks that great with blonde. Happy birthday."

Despite facing personal struggles and public scrutiny, Gold has become a strong voice for mental health and body positivity. At 55, she continues to inspire.