Mark-Paul Gosselaar is opening up about why he doesn’t want his kids to follow in his footsteps to showbiz in a clip from the upcoming documentary Kid 90.
The 47-year-old actor, who become a household name as a teenager when he starred in Saved by the Bell, was part of a tight-knit group of child star friends in the 90s, including Punky Brewster star Soleil Moon Frye.
Gosselaar is seen chatting with Frye, 44, in a clip from the documentary (via People) about their time as child stars, admitting why he’s steering his kids clear of the biz.
No showbiz: Mark-Paul Gosselaar is opening up about why he doesn’t want his kids to follow in his footsteps to showbiz in a clip from the upcoming documentary Kid 90
Director: The 47-year-old actor, who become a household name as a teenager when he starred in Saved by the Bell, was part of a tight-knit group of child star friends in the 90s, including Punky Brewster star Soleil Moon Frye
The actor was just 15 when Saved By the Bell debuted in 1989, revealing he learned early on that he was not in a kid business.
‘I remember walking on the stage of Saved By the Bell and the director was saying, “The minute you walk through these double doors leading onto the stage, you’re no longer a child anymore, you’re an adult. You have to act like an adult,”‘ the actor said.
He added that, at the time, he, ‘didn’t think much of it,’ but he came to realize, ‘we all know what that meant, is like, this is an adult business.’
Learned: The actor was just 15 when Saved By the Bell debuted in 1989, revealing he learned early on that he was not in a kid business
Documentary: ‘I remember walking on the stage of Saved By the Bell and the director was saying, “The minute you walk through these double doors leading onto the stage, you’re no longer a child anymore, you’re an adult. You have to act like an adult,”‘ the actor said
‘That’s one of the reasons I don’t want my children in it is because I don’t feel it’s a place for children,’ the actor said.
Gosselaar is a father of four, Michael, 17 and Ava, 14, with his first wife Lisa Ann Russell and Dexter, 7 and Lachlyn, 6 with Catriona McGinn, who he’s been married to since 2012.
Frye skyrocketed to fame at just eight years old when she was cast as Punky Brewster, though she admitted that she was treated differently when she developed quite early.
Differently: Frye skyrocketed to fame at just eight years old when she was cast as Punky Brewster, though she admitted that she was treated differently when she developed quite early
‘It was intense when I was young, but as a teenager it was a whole other level of crazy because I developed so quickly and men treated me more like a woman and not a 13-year-old,” says Frye.
The documentary Kid 90 is directed by Frye, comprised of footage she shot of her and her friends with a camcorder and interviews with them in present day.
Among her child star friends who appear in the documentary include Brian Austin Green, Stephen Dorff, Balthazar Getty and Jenny Lewis.
Developed: ‘It was intense when I was young, but as a teenager it was a whole other level of crazy because I developed so quickly and men treated me more like a woman and not a 13-year-old,” says Frye
Both Frye and Gosselaar are revisiting their youth in other ways, with both of their iconic shows being rebooted.
Gosselaar’s Saved By the Bell was rebooted on NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock, with the actor playing the new governor of California.
The show was already renewed for a second season, with Frye’s Punky Brewster reboot debuting in late February, though it has not been renewed quite yet.
Revisited: Both Frye and Gosselaar are revisiting their youth in other ways, with both of their iconic shows being rebooted
Rebooted: Gosselaar’s Saved By the Bell was rebooted on NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock, with the actor playing the new governor of California
Reboot: The show was already renewed for a second season, with Frye’s Punky Brewster reboot debuting in late February, though it has not been renewed quite yet