Chad Allen Announces Divorce from Wife Shawn Toovey Citing Personal Struggles: ‘I’ve Been Facing a Lot Lately…….👇💔
In the 1990s, forcing someone to come out for no other purpose than trying to sell newspapers and magazines was still considered a scoop. These days, performers are usually allowed to come out (or not) on their own terms. Chad Allen experienced it in 1996, just as he was starting to establish himself as one of the hottest young stars on television as a member of the Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman team. Regardless of his desire, he was compelled to leave after pictures of him kissing a man were sold to tabloids.
Though many think that the “discovery” damaged his post-Dr. Quinn career by making it harder for him to land mainstream roles, he used the situation to his advantage by turning it into an LGBT activist role, portraying gay detective Donald Stratchey in a television series, and continuing to do cameos in shows like Dexter and Criminal Minds.
However, the 40-year-old has now officially announced that he is leaving acting behind after more than three decades in the industry (he had his first TV credit at the age of six, gaining popularity as a youngster in the sitcom Our House and as the autistic Tommy Westphall in St. Elsewhere). In fact, it seems that he has been studying clinical psychology for a few years without actively seeking positions.
He says, “It is been a wonderful adventure… working on the incredible shows that I have been privileged to work on over the years,” in a video that both announces the news and bids adieu to his fansite. I am immensely appreciative and always will be. My life’s journey has taken a drastically different turn after working as an actor for more than 30 years. A few years ago, I decided to let go of that aspect of my life and have been concentrating on my studies ever since.
