Not sure it's true, but word on the street is that this lovely show was canceled because it was "too wholesome". It had to end so they could create programming that was...well, not so wholesome.
Its so sad to see how drugs destroys so many young lives. Thank you Johnny for sharing your life with others here. The good and Bad, The tragic fate of Anissa Jones taken way to young. May they all rest in peace.
Johnny you are a great story teller. I am delighted to see that you have survived the obstacles that tried to overcome your bright light. Continue on your amazing journey. Peace and blessings upon you. One of you admirers, Brenda 🙏🏽 ❤
Johnny - my ex passed away from cancer, then 3 days later, our daughter was in a horrible wreck. Her SUV flipped over 3 times, roof smashed in , & she walked away - not even a scratch. She believes her dad saved her that day….& I believe it too.🙏🏼
Johnny and Brian Keith were so absolutely charismatic on screen, it’s a testament to how many of us remember them clear as a bell all these decades later. Thank you Johnny for all you are doing now to help people!!
I have to say I grew up with Johnny via TV. I loved how you would say "Uncle Bill!" It was so loving ❤️ You have brought me so much joy from this interview! I started speed in 1997. I have been sober for 18 months. God Bless you Johnny! You inspire me after all these years. 50?
I like these interviews with former child actors. I also enjoy the enthusiasm that this particular interviewer displays when interviewing his subjects.
Me too. These are the best interviews, which really showcases the celebrities and their careers, also their private life and ups and downs with respect. Would love to see Linda Evans being interviewed, and Patrick Duffy. He was great in Man From Atlantis.
My older brother went to live in California in like 74 and came home in 76. He met Anissa Jones while working at a place called " The Shack " in Marina Delray . He said she was really strung out and it was pretty sad . I have some pics from his time in California and one of him standing in front of The Shack. As a kid i loved watching Family Affair . Cool to see Johnny after all these years .
Amazing story how Brian saved Johnnys life !And i absolutely believe it !!Johnny is such a nice person and what a life he has had !!Thanks for the interview guys !!!❤❤❤❤
What an incredible interview. Johnny's life story SHOULD be told in a memoir. He's an inspiration. His Brian Keith revelations are extraordinary. really enjoyed this compelling interview.
Wonderful interview! I grew up in the 60s and 70s, and recall when Family Affair began. One day, I was with my parents at the Omaha Airport, and who walks by? Johnny and his parents! Thanks , Johnny for sharing these intimate details of your life with us.
I am so impressed by the interviews on your channel. Craig is a great interviewer!! So well prepared, and lets the guests tell their stories without interruption. I'm sure this is also due to great production work by Kelley! Thank you!!
Thank you @mathgeek7966. Craig and I do our best to be honest and respectful with those we interview. Thank you for your comment and so glad you enjoy our channel.
Having been in a situation himself, he has a personal understanding of its challenges. It's wonderful that he's devoted so much of himself to assisting others in these situations.
Excellent interview as usual Mr Bennett. The Family Affair cast represented how a broken home does not have to be dysfunctional. The show's premise concluded to millions of young people that there is hope.
Great interview. Best I've seen of one of a child actor not only surviving but thriving today. Johnny is a great storyteller. Thank you for allowing him to speak without interruption. Great interviewer and interviewee. Few and far between, these days!
I remember watching the show and thinking how horrible to lose both parents in a car crash. First time i realized how horrible things do happen. I was 6-7.
Thank You for this interview with Johnny, I watched Family Affair when I was a little girl. Always liked watching Johnny on anything he was in. So sad to know the heart ache he has had, and yet to come out of it, with such a positive attitude and will to help others. S very fine gentleman.
Oh me too. I adored Family Affair as a little girl as well. What a great interview. Its cool to see a lot of his facial features are still the same. Love this interview.
Wonderful interview as always . I just enjoy your shows so much . I’m going to contact Johnny . My son passed from an OD at 24 and SEPTEMBER 9 is his 32 birthday ! The day JW picked for rememberance day Bless you all .
I enjoyed this interview so much. Johnny, congratulations on your ongoing sobriety and your kind heart. I loved watching you on tele while growing up in Australia in the 60s and 70s. Wonderful interview, Craig. 🙏
I can remember the littlest angel. As a little boy, it was a Christmas story favorite. So nice to reminisce over a simpler time. Best wishes Johnny. Thanks for the memories.
I had no idea Johnny Whitaker had done so much in terms of his Hollywood career. Glad he's embracing decades of sobriety, and that he overcame life's pitfalls. And kudos to the interviewer, Craig Bennett. I have watched all of the Celebrity Drop interviews. He does one heck of a great job creating highly enjoyable conversations.
Hey Johnny! My brother and I met and spoke with at length in Provo where you had owned that little shop. I didn’t know you were still in Utah! Fantastic! That was a lot of years ago we met! Good to see you again and that you well!
It's funny we went to the same ward in California and I realized just how much we have aged !! Lol time sure does fly by ..he is a wonderful person and I thought he had the most beautiful blue eyes that I had ever seen.
What a great interview and Johnny is a very sincere person. I have several family members in AA and appreciate all that he has gone through to stay clean and sober, and to help others through the process. I still watch reruns of Family Affair, and amazed at his acting skills at such a young age. Thank you, Johnny for the great acting, the compassion and for helping all those in need who didn't know who to turn to.
I remember seeing Johnny is everything he was in, as we're the same age. I loved him in The Littlest Angel, a TV movie he did toward the end of his TV career.
Ok, this is the second video I've just seen on this channel and I just had to subscribe when I saw ALL the great interviews on this channel. Excellent interviews, fabulous idea for a channel. Thank you much! 🇺🇸🇺🇦
I loved this show Family Affair, when I was a little girl. I still watch it today just to bring back such memories from when I was a little girl.I just loved Buffy and Jody, Uncle Bill,and Mr.French.Thank you Johnny for speaking so frank about your drug,and alcohol problems.Thank you for talking about Anissa Jones,and her drug issues.I was so sad when I heard that she passed,I couldn't believe it she had drug issues,so sad to hear that Brian Keith committed suicide,so sad,and Sabastian Cabot passed I was sad to hear about this.Johnny and Kathy Garver are survivors from Family Affair, thank you Johnny fotr this informative interview, I learned so much from this interview. Gofd bless you Johnny keep up the good work with your recovery! Take care of yourself Johnny! A big fan for years. Family Affair. I still love 💕 this show!!!
Many years ago, I worked in media and on one occasion, I met Dana Plato. She was with her manager at the time, passed me in the hall and sweetly complimented me on my hair. She was bubbly and was definitely trying to psych herself to do a good job; she needed the work. I was heartbroken when she was arrested and later committed suicide. Howard Stern was very cruel and delighted in putting struggling folks in terrible positions. God bless Dana. She was a very sweet young woman. This was a wonderful interview with Johnny Whitaker. What a terrific man and may he continue to do this good work for those in need.
Johnny seems like he's really doing well. I'm glad. I always try to support former actors when I see them at conventions. If they provided hours of entertainment for me growing up I don't see why I can't buy an autographed photo and have a nice conversation with them. They are not all millionaires and can use the income in their retirement.
6:30 As a former child-performer (nowhere near the same level as Johnny, but I _can_ relate), I know one of the secrets to half hour soap operas... for a half hour show, 30 minutes, there is 8 minutes removed for commercial breaks, this leaves 22 minutes, minus 1 minute for intro, and one minute for outro {music and credits running} that leaves 20 minutes to be broken down into 6 to 8 scenes 2-3 minutes in length broken down for a reoccurring cast of usually 8-12 actors. It breaks down to each actor not needing to memorized more than 3 minutes of dialog at a time. Assuming the dialog makes sense in the scene that is usually not so hard once one is used to it~ it is a tool of the short term memory, unlike memorizing an entire play and having to be able to retain that dialog in the long term part of your mind where ten years later most actors can still recite from plays, but would forget the lines in a soap twenty minutes after they've performed the show because it isn't needed anymore.
This was a great interview! I was a BIG "Family Affair" fan! I admire the interviewer because I've seen other interviews he's done and he's one of the few I've seen, within recent memory, that is very up on knowing about the life and career of the people who he's interviewing!
I watched Family Affair religiously! I now watch reruns on now! I was just thinking the other day how you and Annisa were good little actors! Then, I saw this! Love your story! So sad about Anissa...and Dana! Heartbreaking...
Enjoyed this interview. Johnny seems to be a down to earth man. Sorry to hear of so much loss in his life. Thanks for the childhood memories from your acting, Johnny.
My husband and I can't wait for the next Celebrity Drop interview. This one is exceptional We are thoroughly enjoying these exceptional interviews with the Hollywood greats of the past. Mr Bennett is a most personable interviewer who listens, asks knowledgeable questions and clearly has a great respect for the celebrities he interviews. Thank you for sharing this first rate conversation.
7/31 I remember at recess my friends and I would fight over who was Jody and who was Buffy. Good memories. You are looking great! I always loved your smile.
Had the most ultimate crush on Johnny during Family Affair, but it was the cherry on top when my mom took me to see Tom Sawyer. with fame seem to come sacrifice and loss. I was shocked when I heard that Buffy (Mary Jones) had taken her life thru a drug overdose. It great to hear the story on how you came out an accident a live because listened and obey the voice in your head. This was such a great interview because Jonny is such a good storyteller, and I really enjoyed it. I have been trying to find the Tom Sawyer (musical) on streaming but with no success hopefully it will come up soon. This kind of childhood experience I want to share with my granddaughter. Because there was some life lesson in the story. I have white picket fence her a few times. LOL! Getting to the age where most of old Hollywood is gone, still a few hanging in there like Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews and others that made it out of their young adulthood alive. Live long Johnny and keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing and blessings to you and all in the days to come.
Thank you Mr. Bennett for this great interview. Thank you Johnny for sharing your story and congratulations on your sobriety and your kindness in helping others. You are a blessing.
You are a fabulous interviewer! I've only watched you a couple times and I'm always amazed at how much research you do! That is so honoring to your guest and your followers. 💚💜💙💛
Johnnyyyyyy! one million hugs and kisses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not all at once, but spread out, from 60 years ago to 60 years from now. just for being YOU.
Really good interview. I am currently watching through Family Affair and its great that he has good memories of that show and that he has gone through so much but come out better for it!
Wow Johnny looks great! What a humble individual. Loved the show. He’s so funny as well. Great backstory, thanks for doing this interview. Glad he is doing very well ❤
You do your homework. I appreciate your skills as an interviewer as a researcher and the building of the narrative. Love all of the ones I've seen. Thank you.
