You Won’t Believe How This GAF Star’s Life Changed After Finding Faith and Homeschooling

By Familyguide Contributor

Danica McKellar, known for her role in THE WONDER YEARS and her frequent appearances in GAF Christmas movies, has a fascinating story that extends far beyond her acting career.

After gaining fame as Winnie Cooper on THE WONDER YEARS, McKellar made the decision to pause her acting career. She explained to PEOPLE, “I attended UCLA after THE WONDER YEARS concluded. I needed to discover my value beyond [my character] Winnie Cooper, and mathematics provided a challenging field where I excelled.”

McKellar graduated with highest honors, earning a Bachelor of Science in mathematics. She then authored 11 children’s books on the subject, aiming to inspire girls to pursue STEM fields.

Although she eventually returned to acting, McKellar continues to utilize her degree by homeschooling her 14-year-old son Draco. She shared, “Homeschooling is increasingly becoming a viable option. My experience has been positive… It allows for greater control over your child’s exposure in various aspects – socially, academically, and beyond.”

McKellar has also been open about her spiritual journey. In 2022, she embraced Christianity after attending a Passion play with her friend Candace Cameron Bure. Bure gifted her a Bible, which became the catalyst for McKellar’s faith exploration.

In a conversation with Bure, McKellar expressed her gratitude: “Candace, I can’t overstate the enormous impact you’ve had on my life this year. It’s more than friendship. Your guidance in helping me discover my relationship with God and Jesus has revolutionized my life. It’s been a revelation.”

She added, “The Bible you gave me is something I read constantly and cherish. I now attend church and communicate with Jesus daily. It’s incredible. You’ve been my guide, an angel in my life, and continue to be. I want to express my gratitude publicly.”

McKellar’s faith journey led her to co-host the 2024 Familyguide Awards alongside fellow GAF star Trevor Donovan. Robby Baehr, Familyguide CEO, stated, “Danica and Trevor bring exceptional talent and enthusiasm to every role. We’re confident they’ll bring the same level of excellence to hosting the Familyguide Awards. Their talent and dedication to creating values-oriented content make them ideal hosts for our annual awards ceremony.”

McKellar expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m deeply grateful to create movies for Great American Family because of the joy and inspiration they provide to audiences. It’s an exciting opportunity to co-host the Familyguide Awards with my friend, Trevor Donovan, and to celebrate film and television that uplifts and inspires.”

Donovan, known for his anti-bullying campaign, added, “When you engage in positive activities that foster happiness and productivity within yourself, you naturally connect with like-minded individuals. Great American Family produces entertainment for a significantly underserved audience, and I take pride in the stories we create.”