Jeremy Miller

American actor (b. 1976) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 specials Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! and Snoopy!!! The Musical.

Born
Jeremy James Miller

(1976-10-21) October 21, 1976 (age 49)
OccupationActor
Yearsactive1984–present
SpouseJoanie Miller
Quick facts Born, Occupation ...
Jeremy Miller
Miller in 2024
Born
Jeremy James Miller

(1976-10-21) October 21, 1976 (age 49)
OccupationActor
Years active1984–present
SpouseJoanie Miller
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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.[1][2]

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 TV series Growing Pains. The show ran for seven seasons (1985-1992) and spawned two TV movies: The Growing Pains Movie (2000) and Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers (2004). He also voiced Linus van Pelt in the animated TV specials Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! (1986) and Snoopy!!! The Musical (1988), and an episode of This Is America, Charlie Brown (1988). He starred in the 1990 Hanukah episode of Shalom Sesame (an American/Israeli coproduction of Sesame Street).[3]

After Growing Pains, Miller appeared in the films Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003) and Milk and Fashion (2007). He had a small role in The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down.[4] He performed in commercials for McDonald's "Dollar Menunaires" promotion shot as a parody of the VH1 series Best Week Ever. Miller also 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.[5]

In 2011, Miller became a spokesperson for Fresh Start Private Management Inc., the rehabilitation company that administered his treatment.[6]

Personal life

At about age 14, during the run of Growing Pains, Miller received numerous letters from an older male stalker.[1]

He is married to Joanie Miller, and he has three stepsons.[1]

Miller explained in 2000 that he was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, which affected his ability to concentrate and focus on school.[2] 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.[7] 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.[7]

He had a catering business, but it failed after the 2008 financial crisis. Alan Thicke helped him get a job in a restaurant.[8]

His hobbies have included poker and cooking.[2]

Filmography

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes
1984 Pryor's Place Gladys's nephew 1 episode ("Sax Education")
1984 Punky Brewster Jimmy 1 episode
1985 Deceptions Mark Richards TV movie
1985–92 Growing Pains Ben Seaver Main role

Young Artist Award for Best Young Supporting Actor in a New Television Series
Young Artist Award for Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor in a Television Comedy Series
Nominated - Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series
Nominated - Young Artist Award for Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor in a Long Running Series Comedy or Drama

1986 Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! Linus van Pelt (voice) TV special
1987 Emanon Jason Ballantine
Shalom Sesame Special Guest
1988 Snoopy!!! The Musical Linus van Pelt (voice) TV special
This Is America, Charlie Brown Linus Van Pelt 1 episode
1990 The Willies Brad
1992 Ghostwriter Craig Mitchell 4 episodes
1993 Based on an Untrue Story Jackie TV movie
2000 Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders Additional Voices (voice) Direct to Video
The Growing Pains Movie Ben Seaver TV movie
2004 Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers
2006 Von's Room Guest
2007 Milk and Fashion Jack
2009 Never Have I Ever Glenn Brandis
2010 Ditching Party Jim
2021 True to the Game Detective Derek
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References

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