Jeremy Miller

Jeremy James Miller (born October 21, 1976) is an American actor, known mostly as a child actor. He is known for his portrayal of Ben Seaver on the TV series ''Growing Pains'' and its two reunion movies. He also voiced Linus van Pelt in the animated TV special ''Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!''.

Early life, family and education

Born in Covina, California, Miller began acting as a youth.

Miller attended the University of Southern California for one year.

Career

Miller began acting professionally in a few commercials, then he landed a 1984 guest role in the kid-centered TV series ''Punky Brewster''. He subsequently was cast as Ben Seaver, the youngest sibling on ''Growing Pains''. The show ran for six seasons (1985-1992) and spawned two TV movies (2000, 2004). He starred in the 1990 Hanukah episode of '' Shalom Sesame'' (an American/Israeli coproduction of ''Sesame Street''). He performed in commercials for McDonald's "Dollar Menunaires" promotion shot as a parody of the VH1 series ''Best Week Ever''.

After ''Growing Pains'', he appeared in the film ''Milk and Fashion'' (2007). He had a small role in '' The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down''. He appeared in a special celebrity team-up episode of '' Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?'' facing off against Mayim Bialik from ''Blossom'', and Tatyana Ali from ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air''. He and his partner proceeded to the bonus round at the end of the episode, but the did not win the big prize.

He performed in four movies that were due to be released in 2009: ''Ditching Party'', ''Never Have I Ever'', ''The Fish'' and ''Tar Beach''. However, only ''Ditching Party'' and ''Never Have I Ever'' were released, according to the Internet Movie Database.

In 2011, Miller became a spokesperson for Fresh Start Private Management Inc., the rehabilitation company that administered his treatment.

He has continued to perform in television and movies, including three episodes as a recurring character, Detective Holt, on the BET+ TV miniseries ''Angel''.

Personal life

At about age 14, during the run of ''Growing Pains'', Miller received numerous letters from an older male stalker.

He is married to Joanie Miller, and he has three stepsons.

Miller explained in 2000 that he was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, which affected his ability to concentrate and focus on school. In April 2014, while promoting Start Fresh Recovery of Santa Ana, California, Miller stated that he started drinking alcohol at age four, and once the TV series ''Growing Pains'' ended, he began binge drinking. Also published at: He explained that he suffered from alcohol abuse for years, and that his stepsons were afraid of him because of his alcoholism, until he had an implant that released the drug Naltrexone into his system.

His hobbies have included poker and cooking.

Filmography

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Miller, Jeremy
1976 births
American male child actors
American male film actors
American male television actors
Living people
People from Covina, California