Chad Allen

Chad Allen was a cute little blonde boy who was a teen idol in the late 80’s. He was popular about the same time as Kirk Cameron, Corey Haim, Alyssa Milano, and Corey Feldman. FYI, I have pinups of all those stars available in my eBay store. I thought Chad was a cute boy but I never really knew much about him.

Chad Allen was born in Cerritos, California on June 5, 1974. His birth name is Chad Allen Lazzari. I guess he’s best known for his role as Matthew Cooper on Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman, but I know him from My Two Dads. I thought that was a cute show. I don’t think I ever watched the Dr. Quinn show. That was during my college party days.

Chad appeared in many shows before getting his first regular gig as David Witherspoon on the show Our House. That also starred Shannen Doherty (Beverly Hills 90210), Wilford Brimley (the oatmeal and diabetes dude), and Deidre Hall (Days of Our Lives). Chad also portrayed little Tommy Westphall on St. Elsewhere. Tommy was the autistic child who, it was revealed in the final episode, imagined all of the storylines in his head. Was that before or after Bobby was found in the shower on Dallas?

Chad Allen was outed when he was 21 by one of those sleazy tabloids. That’s not cool that they did that, but Chad has since become a huge activist for the gay community. He has fought for same sex marriage and has been featured in The Advocate many times. I think it’s good for everyone that he’s out……but the tabloids are sleazy.

Trivia

• • Chad Allen signed on for the pilot of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman to earn money for college. He didn’t think the show would be picked up. It ran for six years.
  • He has a twin sister named Charity.
  • In a 2008 interview, he said that he had been sober for eight years. I hope the streak has continued.
  • He has been featured several times on the cover of The Advocate.
  • He has held a position on the Honorary Board of Directors for The Matthew Shepard Foundation.

 

Chad Allen announced his retirement from acting in April 2015. A few months later, he graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors in Psychology. He wants to become a clinical psychologist. I wish him the best with this new road in life and also continued success advocating for gay rights.

                              I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know I was gay. ~Chad Allen