Remember 7th Heaven? The squeaky-clean Camden family dominated our TV screens for over a decade, but what happened to the stars after the show ended? Prepare to be shocked: One of the show's heartthrobs looks almost completely different nearly 20 years later!
7th Heaven, a family drama that captured the hearts of millions, graced our screens for 11 seasons, from 1996 to 2007. It started on the WB network and finished its run on the CW after WB merged with UPN. Its popularity rivaled other late 90s/early 2000s hits such as Dawson's Creek and Melrose Place. The wholesome stories of the Camden family, navigating life's ups and downs, were a weekly staple for many families. This past weekend, one of the show's stars, George Stults, took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, and the internet is buzzing!
George, now 50 years old, played Kevin Kinkirk, a character who initially appeared as a recurring role in season six before becoming a series regular until the show's finale. Interestingly, Kevin's younger brother, Ben Kinkirk, was played by George's actual younger brother, Geoff Stults. Geoff had already established his recurring role on the show prior to George's arrival. Talk about keeping it in the family!
George recently joined the Catching Up With the Camdens podcast, hosted by former co-stars Mackenzie Rosman (Ruthie Camden), David Gallagher (Simon Camden), and Beverley Mitchell (Lucy Camden, who, as fans remember, eventually married Kevin Kinkirk!). And let's just say, the boy-next-door look of Kevin/George is a thing of the past! But here's where it gets controversial... Some fans might not even recognize him!
Dressed in a casual black jacket, jeans, and a baseball cap, George sported a handlebar mustache and some distinguished gray stubble. Despite the changes, the chiseled features that made him a TV heartthrob are still undeniably present. His transformation definitely caused a stir among his former co-stars. The podcast's Instagram post, featuring behind-the-scenes snapshots, playfully read: "We finally got George Stults…and Bev survived."
While George has chosen to live a life away from social media, his appearance on the podcast has sent ripples of excitement through the 7th Heaven fanbase.
One fan exclaimed, "George doesn't even look the same!" Another lamented, "So happy to see him! I miss his old IG account," referencing his previously active social media presence. A third fan gushed, "Oooohhh handsome. Loved his character and the relationship with Lucy." Many fans also voiced their desire to see Geoff Stults, now 47, join the podcast for an interview. Could a Kinkirk brothers reunion be in the works?
After 7th Heaven, George continued to act, taking on leading roles in several holiday movies. He starred in the 2015 film I'm Not Ready for Christmas and a series of TV movies between 2016 and 2021, including Christmas with the Andersons, A Kiss on Candy Cane Lane, Hope for the Holidays, and A New Lease on Christmas. So, if you are looking for some holiday cheer, you know where to find him!
While George has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years, especially compared to his younger brother Geoff, who actively engages on social media, he offered some insightful advice to aspiring actors in a 2020 interview with Backstage. And this is the part most people miss... He emphasized the importance of focusing on the craft rather than obsessing over appearance.
"I would say, 'Stop worrying about your hair. Stop worrying about the way you look.' All those things don't mean anything if you do the work, and I'm embarrassed that it took me years to figure it out," he shared. "Because I had some success from just winging it. I learned on a set how to be an actor. I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't know what a mark was or what it meant to hit your mark, and that can only take you so far. I had a lot of valleys and plateaus in my career." In essence, George learned that true success comes from dedication and hard work, not just good looks.
So, what do you think of George Stults' transformation? Do you think it's a positive change, or do you miss his clean-cut 7th Heaven days? Is it fair to judge actors based on their appearance, or should we focus solely on their talent? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Perhaps George's comments about focusing less on looks are a subtle commentary on the pressures actors face in Hollywood. But here's another controversial interpretation... Maybe he's just embracing a more authentic version of himself, free from the constraints of his former image. What do you think?
