Jeremy Miller
The actor who grew up in America's living room as the mischievous youngest son on the hit sitcom Growing Pains.
Born 1976 (age 50)·American actor (b. 1976)·Birthday: October 21·Generation X
Biography
Jeremy Miller became a familiar face to millions as Ben Seaver, the wisecracking, food-loving little brother on the family sitcom 'Growing Pains.' Born in 1976, his childhood was largely spent on soundstages, navigating fame from the age of eight. While the role defined his early career, Miller later stepped away from acting for a period, exploring work in culinary arts and voiceovers, including a turn as Linus van Pelt in Peanuts specials. His journey reflects a nuanced relationship with his child-star past, and he has since re-engaged with the entertainment industry and fans, often reflecting with humor and perspective on his unique place in 1980s pop culture.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Jeremy was born in 1976, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jeremy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1976
#1 Movie
Rocky
Best Picture
Rocky
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Jeremy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1976Born
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1981Started school
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1989Became a teenager
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Could drive
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1994Could vote
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Turned 21
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2006Turned 30
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 40
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 50
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Ben Seaver for seven seasons on the ABC sitcom 'Growing Pains,' which dominated family television in the late 1980s.
- Voiced the character of Linus van Pelt in the animated specials 'Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!' and 'Snoopy!!! The Musical'.
- Appeared in the two 'Growing Pains' reunion television movies in the early 2000s, revisiting his iconic role.
Did You Know?
He is a trained chef and has worked in the culinary industry.
He appeared in a public service announcement for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children alongside his 'Growing Pains' co-stars.
He and his TV sister, Tracey Gold, share the same birthday (October 21st), though she is five years older.
“I grew up on TV, but I'm not that kid anymore.”
