Former Family Affair child star Johnny Whitaker reveals how his early ascent to fame left him spiraling into brutal drug and alcohol addiction after he turned to drink at AGE 16 in a desperate attempt to 'fit in' with his Hollywood 'peers'

A former child star who was rocketed into the spotlight thanks to the hit show Family Affair has opened up about his brutal descent into drug addiction and alcoholism.

Johnny Whitaker, now 64, who started acting when he was only three and is best known for playing Jody Davis on the beloved CBS sitcom, spoke out about how he turned to partying after the series came to an end during a recent chat with Fox News.

The actor explained he became an 'addict' after he was thrown into an 'environment where drinking and using drugs was acceptable' at age 16.

'To have a successful childhood, you need to choose the right peers,' he told the publication. 'Most of my peers were 20, 25, 30 years older than me. 

Former child star Johnny Whitaker (seen in 2021)  has opened up about his brutal descent into drug addiction and alcoholism

Johnny, now 64, started acting when he was only three and is best known for playing Jody Davis on the beloved CBS sitcom Family Affair (seen)

He spoke out about how he turned to partying after the series came to an end to Fox, and he said he was put into an 'environment where drinking and using drugs was acceptable' at age 16

'My peers were chosen for me… And when you’re in an environment where drinking and using drugs is acceptable, it becomes acceptable to you. 

'You don’t think there’s anything wrong with using and drinking … And to some extent, I didn’t always fit in. 

'Those were just some of the reasons that I became an addict, an alcoholic. I wanted to fit in.'

Johnny started his career off by acting in commercials for Mattel - before he landed the role of young Scotty Baldwin in the soap opera General Hospital.

His first feature film was in 1966, in the movie The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming. 

But his breakout role came later that year, when he was cast in Family Affair. It was a massive success, and went on for five seasons before concluding in 1971.

It also starred Brian Keith and Sebastian Cabot, and followed a New York City bachelor named Bill Davis whose life was turned upside down after his brother died - which meant he suddenly had to raise three young kids.

'It was always fun,' Johnny recalled to Fox of being on set of Family Affair as a kid.

After Family Affair, Johnny went on to star in a few other movies and shows, including Disney's Snowball Express and Napoleon and Samantha (seen)

He also acted in the musical film adaptation of Tom Sawyer, and the series Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (seen)

But amid his sudden fame, the actor (seen in 2014) said he started attending a slew of Hollywood parties as young as 16 - where he was exposed to drugs and alcohol

'We were always coddled and cared for by Brian, along with the producers and directors. They took care of us. It was an adventure.'

After Family Affair came to an end, Johnny went on to star in a few other movies and shows, including Disney's Snowball Express and Napoleon and Samantha, the musical film adaptation of Tom Sawyer, and the series Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.

But amid his sudden fame, he said he started attending a slew of Hollywood parties as young as 16 - where he was exposed to drugs and alcohol.

His former Family Affair costar Anissa Jones - who had played his sister, Buffy Davis, in the show - also had a rough time after the show came to an end. She died of a drug overdose in 1976, when she was only 18 years old

Things only got worse for him when he went through a divorce in 1988, and his girlfriend, who was pregnant with his child, tragically took her own life later that year.

He married a woman named Symbria Wright in 1984, but they went their separate ways after four years together. 

Soon after, he started dating someone new and was delighted when she found out she was expecting - but she died by suicide and took his unborn child's life with her. 

'When she became pregnant with my child, it was too much on her. She chose to take her life, along with my child’s,' Johnny shared.

'That was a traumatic experience for me, my divorce and then losing my girlfriend and child. That made it easy for me to choose drugs and alcohol.'

His former Family Affair costar Anissa Jones - who had played his sister, Buffy Davis, in the show - also had a rough time after the show came to an end. She died of a drug overdose in 1976, when she was only 18 years old. 

After more than two decades of battling substance abuse, the star (seen in 2002) decided to get help in 1997 and he has since turned his life around

He is now a certified drug counselor and dedicates his time to helping others who are struggling with similar problems. He's seen in 2016

'She was my sister. I understand that this life, our existence, is a very short one. But it was still difficult to lose her so young,' reflected Johnny.

After more than two decades of battling substance abuse, the star decided to get help in 1997. 

He said he realized it was time to change after having an 'a-ha moment' following a 'family intervention.'

He has since turned his life around, and he now dedicates his time to helping others who are struggling with similar problems.

Johnny is now a certified drug counselor and founded his own nonprofit organization that focuses on helping Spanish speaking addicts.

The former child star, who is Mormon, runs 12-step meetings at a local county jail 'once a month.' 

'I go in to share my experience, as well as offer strength and hope,' he explained. 'I do it through my ministry. 

'I want to tell these guys that there is hope. They can get clean and sober. They can get out of the revolving door that they find themselves in.'

After a nearly-30-year break from acting, he returned to the screen in 2002, when he made a brief appearance in the Family Affair remake.

He also co-hosted a radio show in 2012 called The Dr. Zod and Johnny Show and starred in the 2013 film A Talking Cat!?! 

Now, he told Fox that he's working on a memoir that he 'hopes to get out' by 'the end of the year' and is gearing up to star in another new flick.

'This summer in North Carolina, I’m working with Charlene Tilton, a friend of mine, on a new film. She’s the female lead, so we’ve been busy working on that,' he dished. 

The actor also insisted that he has no regrets about his past mistakes, adding, '[If it didn't happen], I wouldn’t have learned the things that I’ve learned.'