Chad Allen became one of TV’s most beloved young actors in the 1980s and 1990s. His career began at eight years old, long before he had a chance to grow up naturally. One of his first major roles was playing an autistic child on St. Elsewhere, after his mother explained that autism meant “some children live in worlds of their own.” His imagination and talent helped him stand out, leading to roles on Airwolf, Our House, and My Two Dads. But constant work made him feel more like “a commercial product” than a child.

As fame grew, Chad felt increasingly disconnected from himself. He later said acting had been fun until it became “a machine that benefitted everyone except him.” At sixteen he stepped away from Hollywood, hoping to experience normal life. Even then, he felt torn between his Catholic upbringing and who he truly was.

The pressure and confusion led him into severe alcohol addiction. At his worst, he drank heavily alone in his Malibu condo. A friend distancing herself finally pushed him to seek help. After entering recovery, he returned to acting through Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

In 1996, a tabloid outed him after publishing photos of him kissing another man. Lawyers urged him to deny or spin the story, but he refused because he didn’t want to “lie about who he was.” The fallout strained his family and damaged his career, though letters from young gay men gave him hope.

In 2015, Chad left acting and earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Through his practice, Confluence Psychotherapy, he now helps people work through trauma, identity struggles, addiction, and shame. Today he lives quietly, advocating for compassion, acceptance, and authenticity.