What Happened to This '80s Child Star Who Left Hollywood & Still Wants to Tell Stories?

This beloved child star rose to fame in the 1980s before his life took a dramatic turn when he stepped away from Hollywood. Now focused on faith, family, and storytelling, he's embraced a new chapter.

This child actor was born on April 13, 1970, in Staten Island, New York, and had an early start in the entertainment industry. His mother, recognizing his striking appearance, began taking him to photo shoots when he was just three months old.

According to him, he must have been a natural because he began working almost immediately, despite never having taken a single acting lesson. By the time he was seven, he had already secured his breakout role in the 1979 film "The Champ," playing T.J. Flynn, the son of Jon Voight's character.

The film catapulted him to fame, and his performance was nothing short of extraordinary, especially in the film's emotional final scene. The young actor's work earned him a Golden Globe Award at just nine years old, solidifying his place as one of Hollywood's most promising child stars.

Reflecting on his performance years later, he shared how he was able to achieve such raw emotion at a young age. "It's pretty sad," he admitted. "I think I suspended reality in a way. Kids' imaginations are so powerful...I really believed for a moment that [Jon's character was] gone."

During that time, he revealed that he used memories of his grandmother's death to tap into the sadness required for the role, calling it the only "technique or tool" available to him as a child.

"It's not a pleasant thing to think about," he shared. "It's kind of traumatizing, but that's what I would think about." His ability to connect so deeply with his character made his performance unforgettable, but his early experiences in Hollywood weren't without challenges.

Though he achieved great success as a child actor, Hollywood was never where he felt he truly belonged. "I never fit in Hollywood," he admitted later in life. "It was never sort of a desire of mine...I was put into 'The Champ' when I was seven years old and turned eight making "The Champ.'"

"And so it's been an interesting path to go down when you didn't make those choices originally. Other people made choices for you and put you on a track. But today I make my own choices," the actor added.

Those choices eventually led him away from Hollywood and back to Colorado, where he built a life far removed from the pressures of the entertainment industry.

However, his departure didn't mean he lost his passion for storytelling. "I still want to tell stories," he said. "But a different forum, a different platform."

As he transitioned away from Hollywood, he also focused on his personal life. In 1992, he married Andrea Bernard, a producer and writer. Interestingly, the actor revealed during an interview that Andrea had manifested their union when she was just eight years old.

She created a vision board, imagining that one day she would meet and marry him — and her childhood dream came true. Together, the couple welcomed four children — sons Holden and Luke and daughters Cambrie and Faith.

However, although they built a beautiful life together, the marriage didn't last. The couple separated in September 2016, and in the years that followed, reports surfaced about the actor's struggles.

According to sources close to him, he faced difficulties after the split, with concerns about his well-being becoming more frequent. "During his married life, his wife truly helped him hold it together, but the last couple of years since their split he hasn't been doing well," a source claimed.

They added, "His nonstop partying has truly affected his everyday life, and his family wants nothing more than for him to get the help that he needs."

These struggles prompted his family to take action, staging an intervention out of concern for his well-being. "There have been so many red flags, and his family has constantly worried what will happen next," the source revealed.

During the intervention, his children shared how much they loved him and how deeply they wanted him to prioritize his health. "They told him they don't want to lose their father," the source said. "They explained enough is enough."

While this period was undoubtedly challenging for this former child star, his family's efforts to help him underscored the deep love and support they had for him, even as he faced personal struggles.

Where Is This Former Child Star Today?

This actor is none other than Ricky Schroder, who hasn't appeared on screen since 2016 and shifted his focus toward faith, family, and storytelling.

Over the years, Ricky has embraced his religion more deeply and often shares how it has influenced his life. In an interview, he reflected on the advice he would give his younger self, "Don't lose sight of the Lord."

"Because in Hollywood, it's easy to lose sight of the Lord there. You get tempted by so many things, and temptation can just kind of get you off track. And so, I would say if I could speak to my younger self, it'd be, 'Read your Bible more,'" he added.

Although he moved away from the spotlight, Ricky expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had during his Hollywood career. "There's no real regrets," he explained.

"As I look back on my life, as far as professionally, I had the best opportunities I took when they came along. I tried to develop opportunities as best I could," the actor continued.

Prayer has also become an important part of Ricky's daily routine. He admitted that it wasn't always the case but emphasized how much it helps him stay grounded now.

"I pray a lot," he said. "I haven't always prayed a lot, but I do now. And so I pray multiple times a day just to stay connected, to my creator, to my God."

In addition to focusing on faith, Ricky has also found a new way to tell meaningful stories through the Reel American Heroes Foundation. The nonprofit organization, which Ricky founded, creates films, documentaries, and television series that highlight patriotic and traditional values.

Its mission includes sharing the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, and other heroic individuals. Ricky said the idea for the foundation came after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences introduced diversity and inclusion guidelines for Oscars consideration in 2024.

As for his personal life, Ricky has taken pride in being a father. One of his children appeared in the 2013 film "Our Wild Hearts," which Ricky directed and co-wrote with his ex-wife.

However, none of his children pursued acting careers. Instead, Cambrie and Faith have become models, a career path that initially caused Ricky concern. During an interview, he admitted feeling scared for his daughters and shared the advice he gave them.

"Neither of them are actresses or wannabe actresses, fortunately," he said. "I can't really give them much advice on modeling except keep your clothes on. But it's a tough time out there for our children."

"There are a lot of influences on them. And so my advice to them is — as a father — to find a good man that’s honest and won't lie to you and only has eyes for you and you only have eyes for him and build a life together and have common goals," he continued.

Cambrie also opened up about the unique challenges of growing up with a famous father. She often felt isolated during her childhood, explaining, "I grew up in a very abnormal situation. People might think it's so beautiful and glamorous but actors aren't, most of the time, fully functioning humans."

"Everyone wanted to meet my dad. Everyone wanted to know my dad. It wasn't about the kids or my mom. Everyone wanted to be friends with us to meet my dad. It's not necessarily that he wanted that, but that's just what came with his career," she added.

On a happier note, Ricky appears to have found love again with a woman named Julie Trammel. In February 2024, the couple celebrated Valentine's Day by posting a sweet Instagram video that included a moment of them sharing a kiss, captioning it, "Happy Valentine's Day from Julie & Ricky! ❤️🔥."

Later that year, Julie shared another glimpse into their relationship, posting a photo of the two at an event together with the caption, "Beautiful evening with my love at Mar-a-Lago for the Into the Light premiere!"

Ricky Schroder's journey from Hollywood stardom to a life rooted in faith, family, and storytelling reflects his determination to prioritize what truly matters. While he left the spotlight behind, his passion for creating meaningful stories endures.