At 64, This ’80s Icon Reflects on Losing a Child and His Wife’s Tumor Battle- Details
From teen idol to loving family man, this ’80s TV star has faced many ups and downs. Learn how he stood by his wife through her health struggles, overcame a heartbreaking loss, and now finds joy as a father and husband at 64.
At just nine years old, this ambitious boy dreamed of becoming an actor. With strong support from his parents, he started attending auditions and landed small roles in commercials.
His big break came in 1976 when he beat 2,000 other hopefuls to star in the musical comedy Bugsy Malone. Playing the lead role of a child gangster, he launched his career in a big way.
The next year, his fame soared when he was cast as Chachi Arcola, cousin of The Fonz, in the hit sitcom Happy Days. This role made him a household name and cemented his place in TV history.
As his career grew, his family moved to Hollywood to help him succeed. While starring in Happy Days from 1977 to 1984, he also appeared in movies like Skatetown U.S.A., Foxes, and Zapped!.
In the early 1980s, he became one of the most famous teen idols. After Happy Days ended, he continued to shine on CBS, starring in Charles in Charge.
Over the years, he stayed in entertainment, acting in various roles and even directing episodes of The Wayans Bros. and Unhappily Ever After.
Offscreen, he found love with Renee Sloan, a former stuntwoman and actress. They got married in 2007 but faced difficult challenges in their marriage.
After learning they were expecting twins, the couple lost one of the babies at 11 weeks. Later that year, they were overjoyed to welcome their daughter, Bailey.
However, their joy was interrupted by bad news. After bringing Bailey home, they learned her newborn screening test showed a possible health issue.
Doctors suspected a rare and potentially fatal condition called glutaric acidemia type 1 (GA-1). This left Renee and her husband in a state of fear and uncertainty for over two months.
At 10 weeks old, Bailey went through more tests. Thankfully, it was confirmed she did not have GA-1. Despite their relief, the ordeal left a lasting impact on the family.
The couple decided to share their experience to raise awareness about expanded newborn screening. They started a foundation to help educate parents about these vital tests.
While Bailey may carry the GA-1 gene, Renee chose to focus on their blessings, finding purpose through their pain.
The family faced another challenge when Renee was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. She had three lumpectomies and, later in 2015, was diagnosed with brain tumors called meningiomas.
These tumors are benign but caused her severe migraines. Renee’s husband feared losing her, especially for their daughter, Bailey, who was only seven at the time.
Renee stayed strong for her family, even comforting her daughter when she witnessed her father crying over her health struggles. Despite the difficulties, Renee said her faith in God helped her face the unknown.
In 2017, she shared on X (formerly Twitter) that she also had microvascular brain disease. Her husband called her “the toughest person I know” and credited her as their family’s rock.
Over the years, Scott Baio’s life has changed in ways he never expected. His greatest joy now is his family. His daughter, Bailey, has grown into a confident young woman, even sharing moments from her life on social media.
In May 2023, Scott announced a big move for his family. After 45 years in California, they relocated to Florida for a fresh start. By April, Scott and Renee shared photos enjoying their new life by the water.
Through everything, their marriage remains strong. In September 2024, they celebrated 17 years of marriage, a milestone many doubted they would reach.
Scott, who still receives compliments on his timeless good looks, is proud of the life he’s built. His journey from ’80s heartthrob to devoted family man shows the power of love, faith, and resilience in the face of challenges.
