‘Family Affair’ Star, Johnny Whitaker, Speaks On His Faith And Decade-Long Addiction Battle

Johnny Whitaker, who became famous at 7 playing Jody Davis in the TV series Family Affair, fought so many struggles — addiction and marital failure, among them — in his life. During an interview, the 63-year-old reflected honestly on his life.

“I had a wonderful childhood. My adult life wasn’t as wonderful as my childhood was,” Whitaker revealed. “But I have nothing negative to say about my childhood.”

Johnny Whitaker reveals that losing his marriage led him to drug addiction

In a recent interview with Fox News, Whitaker disclosed that his descent into drug abuse began following his separation from his wife. “I started a business in Utah for my wife, and then she turns around and says, ‘I don’t love you anymore, and I want to marry the man who gave you your bachelor party,'” he admitted. “So with that, I lost my faith in God and man and the world. I didn’t ever have a thought of suicide, but I did the second best thing which was to drop into sex, drugs, and rock and roll.”

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The actor got sober, and the reality of his reckless life dawned on him after his family threatened to disown him. “Then my family said you have a choice between getting clean and sober or getting excommunicated from the family,” Whitaker confessed. “It woke me up, gave me the wake-up call that I needed, and got clean and sober. And found a new passion, which is helping people in recovery.”

Johnny Whitaker says he is on the path of re-entry into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The actor, who had been a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for an extended period, disclosed that as his addiction took its toll, he found himself losing the religious convictions that had been a pillar of his life for so many years, thus culminating in his eventual expulsion from the church. “Due to my actions and that I was married in the Temple, I was excommunicated,” he told Fox News. “It’s been a long road for me. For a good 13 years, I wanted nothing to do with God or religion.”

Nonetheless, Whitaker went on to emphasize his unwavering commitment to mending the fractures that had developed in his spiritual life. He disclosed that he is earnestly dedicating himself to the rigorous process of seeking re-entry into the embrace of the denomination he once held dear. “I’m currently singing in the choir in my congregation and working towards getting reintegrated,” the actor added. “I know God loves me, and I’m a Christian, and Jesus is my savior.”