Random Utterly Bizarre Behind The Scenes Secrets From Growing Pains (12 items)

(#12) A Famous Member Of The P*ssy Posse Was Frequently On Set

DiCaprio was fondly remembered by his older co-stars on Growing Pains. Alan Thicke had only good things to say about the future-celebrity, as did Joanna Kerns. However, Kerns remembers that Leo's friends were often present during filming. She mentions Tobey McGuire by name. She told EW, “They were always on set, they always looked like they were in trouble or had been in trouble and were talking about it."
Tobey and Leo were the founding members of the so-called the P*ssy Posse, a group of young actors who were known to cause trouble in Hollywood. They were spotted throwing grapes and garbage at passersby, and they once drunkenly propositioned a reporter. Other lesser-known members of the group were Lukas Haas and Kevin Connolly.
(#1) Cameron's Christian Crusade Heavily Affected The Show

Kirk Cameron rejects the term "born again," but his religious beliefs definitely shifted during the run of Growing Pains. As he "found God," he began to take issue with his character, as well as writing that was too secular. He pushed back against sexual references and innuendo. Three producers actually left the show when Cameron phoned the ABC president to tell him they were "pornographers." He also had Julie McCollough kicked off the show when he learned she posed nude for Playboy.
(#6) Actor Andrew Koenig Died By Suicide In 2010 After A Long Battle With Depression

Andrew Koenig was reported missing by friends and family on February 18, 2010. When Lance Miccio, an old friend of the actor, spoke to ABC News, he detailed Koenig's long struggle with depression as well as his concerns about Koenig's mental state. Just a few days later, Koenig's body was found hanging from a tree in Vancouver, Canada, in an apparent suicide. Miccio said the Growing Pains star didn't like being remembered solely for his role on the show.
(#4) Jeremy Miller Was Not Thrilled About Leo's Presence

Jeremy Miller admitted to Oprah that the addition of Leonardo DiCaprio to the show peeved him. “There was a little bit of competition there," he said. "It bothered me that the network felt it was necessary to bring him in rather than focusing on my character, who had now grown up and could now take over for Mike as the rapscallion. That was a little weird." Despite being frustrated as a kid, Miller says he doesn't hold anything against Leo.
(#3) Cameron's Beliefs Caused A Rift Between Him And The Other Cast Members

Cameron found God and married on-screen love interest Chelsea Noble. He became a man on a mission to erase anything unholy from Growing Pains. Unfortunately, his new-found purpose caused some real friction among him and his co-stars. They went from being close friends to no longer inviting one another to personal events, such as weddings. Cameron later explained that he regretted not communicating to the cast why he only wanted his family at his wedding. "I shifted my focus from 100% on the show, to 100% on [my new life], and left 0% on the show—and even the friendships that were a part of [it]," said Cameron. Everyone else remained close, but Cameron became an outsider, removing himself from their lives in a seemingly abrupt and hurtful manner.
(#10) An Executive Producer Was Convicted On Child Pornography Charges

In 2010, Steven Marshall was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for the distribution of child pornography. According to the New York Post, authorities found proof that he sent and received pornographic images of children. He also engaged in conversations that detailed child abduction, bondage, rape, and murder.
The conviction is obviously troubling in and of itself, but it's even more disturbing that he worked closely with a cast that featured many minors. He received more than the five-year-minimum sentence "because of the nature of the pictures and language used in chat rooms."