Growing Pains is an American television sitcom that ran on the ABC network from 1985 to 1992.

The show's premise is based around the fictional Seaver family, who reside on Long Island, New York. Dr. Jason Seaver (Alan Thicke), a psychiatrist, works from home because his wife, Maggie Malone (Joanna Kerns), has gone back to work as a reporter. Jason has to take care of the kids: troublemaker Mike (Kirk Cameron), honors student Carol (Tracey Gold), and rambunctious Ben (Jeremy Miller). From 1988 on, Chrissy Seaver became a part of the family. She was played in her infant stage by twins Kristen and Kelsey Dohring (who alternated). Beginning in the fall of 1990, Chrissy's character's age was advanced to six years old, whereupon Ashley Johnson took over the role. The show was relevant in the mid-1980s, as women going to work was becoming more and more common, as were stay-at-home dads.

Main cast

• Alan Thicke as Dr. Jason Roland Seaver
• Joanna Kerns as Margaret Katherine "Maggie" Malone (she kept her maiden name, although at some points she did refer to herself as Maggie Seaver)
• Kirk Cameron as Michael Aaron "Mike" Seaver
• Tracey Gold as Carol Anne Seaver (1985–1992) (Replaced Elizabeth Ward after the pilot was shown to test audiences with poor results.)
• Jeremy Miller as Benjamin Hubert Horatio Humphrey "Ben" Seaver
• Ashley Johnson as Christine Ellen "Chrissy" Seaver (1990–1992)
• Leonardo DiCaprio as Luke Brower Seaver (later became a Seaver after they adopt him). (1991–1992)

Minor recurring characters

• Josh Andrew Koenig as Richard Milhous "Boner" Stabone (1985-1989, character was mentioned during flashbacks in the series finale in 1992); Mike's friend.
• K.C. Martel as Eddie; Mike's friend.
• Lisa Capps as Debbie (1987-1988)
• Rachael Jacobs as Shelley (1987-1988)
• Jane Powell as Irma Seaver (1988-1990); Jason's mother.
• Philip Seymour Hoffman as Cousin Lou (1988-1990)
• Gordon Jump as Ed Malone (1989-1991); Maggie's father.
• Betty McGuire as Kate Malone (1989-1991); Maggie's mother.
• Chelsea Noble as Kate MacDonald (1989-1992)
• Jamie Abbott as Stinky Sullivan (frequent guest star 1987-1989, regular cast member 1989-1991); Ben's friend.
• Julie McCullough as Julie Costello (1989-1990); Mike's former girlfriend.
• Bill Kirchenbauer as Coach Graham Lubbock (1987–1988 on Growing Pains, starred in spin-off Just the Ten of Us); gym teacher.
• Sam Anderson as Principal Willis DeWitt (frequent guest star); who had started as Mike's history teacher early in the series.

Notable guest stars

• Matthew Perry (3 episodes)
• Brad Pitt (2 episodes, but as different characters)
• Candace Cameron Bure (2 episodes)
• Jennie Garth (1 episode)
• Dana Plato (1 episode)
• Hilary Swank (2 episodes)
• Heather Graham (2 episodes, but as different characters)
• James T. Callahan (1 episode)
• Dennis Haysbert (2 episodes, both as a cop)
• Jenny Lewis (1 episode)
• Kelly Rowan (1 episode)
• Judith Barsi (1 episode)
• Kelly Hu (3 episodes)
• Leah Remini (1 episode)
• Kristy Swanson (1 episode)
• Alan Hale Jr. (1 episode)
• Dawn Wells (1 episode)
• Annette Funnicello (1 episode)