What Happened to This '80s Teen Star Who Battled Anorexia For Years and Stepped Back from Hollywood?

She rose to fame as a teen star in the 1980s, starring in some of television's most iconic productions. Yet, at the height of her success, she faced a battle with anorexia that affected her career and nearly cost her life. Years later, she stepped away from the spotlight, shifting her focus to personal healing and supporting others facing similar challenges.

Born in 1969 in a showbiz family, she joined the entertainment industry when she was only four. By the mid-1980s, she was one of television's most recognizable young stars, celebrated for her wit and relatability in a hit sitcom that became a cultural touchstone.

Her talent and charisma seemed to promise a long career in Hollywood. However, at the height of her popularity, her appearances became sporadic, raising questions about what was happening behind the scenes. The answer would reveal a personal battle that would define much of her life and legacy.

From TV Darling to Hollywood Favorite

Her career began with a standout role in the award-winning miniseries "Roots." However, her portrayal of Carol Seaver on the sitcom "Growing Pains" propelled her to stardom. As the clever and dependable middle child of the Seaver family, she endeared herself to audiences nationwide.

The series, which aired from 1985 to 1992, became one of the most beloved sitcoms of its time. Despite her success, her time on "Growing Pains" was not without challenges. By the show's final season, she was forced to miss multiple episodes due to a personal struggle that she worked hard to keep private.

Reflecting on the last episode, she shared, "The last scene of 'Growing Pains' was us in an empty living room at the Seavers' house, and we're all eating pizza. Which lends itself to be very difficult again, because I couldn't eat pizza. So I fake eat, and I very badly fake eat it."

While audiences adored her on-screen, those closest to her began to notice the toll her struggles were taking, including her family, who would soon step in to help.

The Turning Point—A Mother's Heartbreak

Her struggles became impossible to ignore on November 10, 1991, when her mother, Bonnie, visited the set of "Growing Pains" on her 45th birthday. In her daughter's dressing room, Bonnie saw her 5'3" frame reduced to just 90 pounds.

"Although she was very careful to cover her body," Bonnie recalled, "I saw it and almost fainted." The once vibrant and healthy actress had become a skeletal version of herself. Overwhelmed with emotion, the two broke down in tears.

"We both stood there crying," Bonnie said. "She said, 'Mommy, Mommy, I'm going to get better.' I said, 'Tracey, you've got to get better because I'm not going to lose you.'" This heart-wrenching moment marked the beginning of a more focused effort to address her condition.

The severity of her illness was not just apparent to her family. Alan Thicke, who played her TV father on "Growing Pains," described her as outwardly "pleasant and cheerful—a rock." However, those who knew Tracey Gold best were acutely aware of her private battles and the toll they were taking on her health.

A Battle with Anorexia and the Pressures of Fame

Her struggle with anorexia began at just 11 years old, years before her fame peaked. By the time she was 19, Gold's condition had intensified, and at 22, it nearly cost her life. While some attributed her illness to the pressures of Hollywood, she believed the problem was much broader.

"It's not just Hollywood; it's a widespread problem across the country," she stated in a 2011 interview. Gold's experiences on "Growing Pains" reflected how her illness affected her work. Missing several episodes during the final season was a direct result of her declining health.

Even moments that seemed mundane to viewers, like eating pizza in the show's finale, were profoundly difficult. "It's not this glamorous red carpet disease," she explained. "It's a really isolating, lonely place to be."

Gold revealed she was deeply aware of how societal pressures influenced others. She criticized public commentary on the weight of stars like Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, calling it "a horrible message being sent out to young girls."

Her words highlighted a broader issue: the impact of unattainable beauty standards and harsh scrutiny on women and girls across all walks of life. The lessons Gold learned during this time would later shape the direction of her life, as she sought to use her experiences to make a difference for others.

Stepping into Advocacy

After years of battling anorexia in silence, Gold turned her experiences into a platform for helping others. In 2011, she hosted Lifetime's "Starving Secrets With Tracey Gold," an unscripted series aimed at raising awareness about eating disorders.

The show featured Gold working with specialists to support women seeking treatment for conditions like anorexia and bulimia. Her goal was to foster open conversations about the realities of eating disorders.

"I wanted to shed a light on [anorexia] and talk about it and open up a conversation," she said during a 2011 appearance on "Fox and Friends." By sharing her own story, she hoped to break down stigmas and provide a source of encouragement for others facing similar challenges.

In one interview, Gold observed, "I always look at the first season of a TV show and see an actress one way, and then in the second season you see her 10 pounds lighter — it's a cycle."

For her, "Starving Secrets" was an opportunity to address her history and advocate for systemic change in how society approaches body image and mental health.

This chapter of Gold's life marked a significant shift, as she moved from the role of actress to advocate, using her platform to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.

Life Beyond Hollywood

As Gold's focus shifted from acting to advocacy, she gradually stepped away from the public eye. Married to Roby Marshall since 1994, the couple has raised four sons together, creating a close-knit family outside the spotlight.

Gold's relationship with her husband has been a cornerstone of her life, as reflected in her online bio, which reads, "Madly in love with my guy for 35 years, mom of 4 amazing children." While she no longer pursues acting full-time, she occasionally makes appearances that delight longtime fans.

In 2022, she joined Food Network's "Worst Cooks in America Celebrity Edition," where she competed alongside other '90s stars, including Jodie Sweetin and Matthew Lawrence. The show's playful nostalgia brought her back into the public eye, showcasing her fun side and connecting her with a new generation of viewers.

Gold also maintains close ties with her "Growing Pains" castmates. In 2018, she reunited with Kirk Cameron and Jeremy Miller on "Today" to reminisce about the show's impact. During the reunion, the cast paid tribute to Alan Thicke, who had passed away in 2016.

She often shares heartfelt tributes to Thicke on social media, keeping the memory of her TV family alive. Though Gold stepped away from the spotlight, her influence continues to resonate. She remains vocal about the importance of mental health and body positivity.

Parenting has become a vital part of her mission. She emphasizes the power of kindness and how words can leave lasting impacts, a message she imparts to her sons.

"The things that you say can resonate so much with another person," Gold once explained. "Even if it doesn't mean something to you, it could really impact somebody."

Now at 55, she embraces a quieter life but stays connected with her fans and the causes she cares about. Through her work and personal reflections, Gold has shown that healing is possible and that sharing one's story can spark meaningful change.