The actor, who grew up in California, relocated his family to Tennessee in 2024.

Growing Pains’ Kirk Cameron details leaving Hollywood for Nashville

The actor, who grew up in California, relocated his family to Tennessee in 2024.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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May 29, 2026 11:41 a.m. ET

Kirk Cameron. Credit:

Paras Griffin/Getty; Adam Carolla Show/YouTube

- Kirk Cameron said he left Hollywood because of its "terrible" politics and how "difficult" it is to raise a family.

- The *Growing Pains *actor grew up in California and moved his family to Tennessee in 2024.

- "If you like whiskey and hot chicken, Nashville is the place to be," he quipped of relocating.

Kirk Cameron is getting candid about leaving Hollywood for Nashville.

The *Growing Pains** *star said the astronomical costs to live in the Golden State — along with the "terrible" politics — is why he fled to Tennessee. Cameron, who was born and raised in California, relocated his family to Nashville in 2024.

"When you’re a kid in California it’s great because your parents are paying for everything,” he told Adam Carolla on his eponymous podcast on Tuesday. “So, you go to the beach, you’re hanging out, you’re going snow skiing, you get to eat an In-N-Out burger, you get to get some, you know, hot dogs downtown in Hollywood. It’s great. You’re having a good time.”

Kirk Cameron on 'Growing Pains'.

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

As an adult in California, however, Cameron said his six kids grew up and "realize how terrible the politics are and all of the other things that make it difficult to raise a family there.'

"So all of a sudden it's like, 'Oh my gosh, we got to move. We got to go someplace where we can actually thrive and maybe even just survive.'"

Cameron said he "hopes to come back" to California one day.

"Pound-for-pound, I think California has just so much to offer. Although Tennessee is getting better," he said.

“There’s so many creatives here that have good values. They love their family,” Cameron added of Nashville, mentioning that people are moving there from places like New York and California. “They’re proud of their country — and the whiskey is great. So, if you like whiskey and hot chicken, Nashville is the place to be."

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Cameron previously told *The Washington Examiner** *about his decision to leave Hollywood in July 2024, noting that “it’s pretty clear that California has been moving in a particular direction for a long time." He said that there was “so much division” and sought a “healthy freedom mindset.”

“It’s shocking how many Californians are here. And when I see them in the grocery store, I tell them, ‘Don’t California our Tennessee,'” he said at the time.

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“If everything hits the fan and there’s some serious economic problems and division going on, they want to be around people like they think who are all about God, family, and country. It’s a really nice place to be."

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