This Former Whos the Boss? Star, 50, Once Thought Marriage Wasnt in His Future Until Life Proved Him Wrong
His journey has included early fame, personal obstacles, and unforeseen opportunities. Now at 50, this former sitcom actor has crafted a future he once thought was unattainable.
Many television enthusiasts recognize him from one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1980s, but the child star they saw on screen has taken an unexpected direction in life.
Throughout his life, he endured public exposure, battled addiction, and faced serious health issues before ultimately finding enduring love with his husband, whom he married over ten years ago. Recently, he garnered attention again for providing fans with an honest look at his life today.
A Familiar Face to TV Audiences
Born on January 6, 1976, in Milltown, New Jersey, he became a well-known child actor as Jonathan Bower in the beloved ABC sitcom ‘Who’s the Boss?’
Although his portrayal in the cherished comedy remains his most recognized work, he has also appeared in ‘Cujo’ and, later on, ‘A Country Christmas Harmony.’
Facing Hidden Struggles
In 1997, the actor sent shockwaves through Hollywood when he publicly came out as gay, a process that was anything but simple.
In the 1990s, he faced threats from the National Enquirer, prompting him to come out on his own terms rather than allow the tabloid to dictate the narrative. He later remarked, “I’m much happier as a person with no secrets.”
He publicly came out in the same year as Ellen DeGeneres, with Rosie O’Donnell following four years later. Yet, unlike his peers, he chose to largely disappear from the limelight, a decision he would come to regret.
He acknowledged that he missed the opportunity to be “a beacon of light” for gay youth dealing with similar struggles he had faced.
Danny Pintauro—who played Jonathan Bower—opened up to Oprah Winfrey in 2015, sharing a secret he had kept for over a decade. “I wanted to tell you this a long time ago, but I wasn’t ready,” he confessed.
When Winfrey inquired if he felt prepared to share now, his response transformed everything fans thought they knew about him: “I’m ready now; I’m HIV positive, and I have been for 12 years.”
But that wasn’t the only secret he unveiled. Pintauro also discussed a crystal meth addiction that developed after a two-year relationship ended during a period when he was exploring his sexuality.
“On crystal meth, there are no limits; you feel powerful,” he explained. “It heightens your sexual experiences, making everything seem thrilling and enticing.”
What began as a weekend habit escalated into a crisis. He described losing countless hours in an “out-of-control” state on dating websites, followed by intense comedowns that left him unable to function for days.
Since 2005, Pintauro has not regularly used drugs, although he acknowledges a few regrettable relapses. He has been candid about the lingering temptations, stating, “It’s the kind of drug where even years later, I still have cravings.”
Unexpected Love and Marriage
Life ultimately surprised Pintauro with what he once thought unattainable. In April 2013, he got engaged to Wil Tabares during a Palm Springs vacation, with a unique proposal featuring a homemade video.
“He made a video where he held the box,” Pintauro recounted to Us Weekly. “I looked up and he had it in his hand!” The couple tied the knot the following year on April 3, 2014, in a small beach ceremony in Dana Point, California.
“Everything went perfectly,” Pintauro remarked afterward. “The wedding was fantastic, and all our guests were overjoyed. We had a great time!”
The couple donned matching ivory suits adorned with lavender flowers, celebrating their love with family and friends against a scenic beach backdrop.
For Tabares, the wedding symbolized a reality he never thought he would experience. “I never imagined I would get married,” he admitted.
“I knew I wouldn’t marry a woman and never thought I would see same-sex marriage legalized, so this is truly a lifelong dream realized.” He added, “The beautiful truth is beginning to dawn. This is a small step for man, a giant leap for equality.”
At the time of their engagement, same-sex marriage had not yet been legalized in Nevada. The ban was lifted in early 2014, just months before their wedding.
A Supportive Partner Through Challenges
Their marriage would soon face challenges that neither had anticipated.
In September 2015, prior to Pintauro’s interview with Oprah airing, Tabares posted a photo of them with the media icon on Facebook, expressing, “I couldn’t be prouder of the man I call my husband. He’s been through so much, and I can only imagine how difficult his journey has been.”
A few months later, Pintauro took to Instagram to express his gratitude for his husband. “I just wanted to take a moment to thank my amazing husband for being so supportive,” he wrote.
He explained that his appearances on Oprah and his commitment to activism necessitated postponing many personal plans for them.
Pintauro credited Tabares for his unwavering support from the very beginning, noting that he worked multiple jobs to help them stay afloat while Pintauro focused on advocacy.
“All of this is because he won’t let me break my promise to do this for a year; he believes in me and my mission,” Pintauro expressed. “I feel fortunate to have him, and I want everyone to appreciate him for being so wonderful!”
Recent Updates Spark Curiosity
More than ten years after their wedding, Pintauro unexpectedly made headlines again.
In April 2026, he shared on Instagram that one of his current jobs involved being an Amazon Flex delivery driver, which surprised fans who remembered him as a child star.
During a discussion on the ‘Pod Meets World’ podcast, Pintauro elaborated that acting alone was no longer sufficient to sustain him.
“When I shared the Amazon Flex photo, I really didn’t… I didn’t think about it because everyone knows I’m working,” he said. “It’s one of five gig jobs I’m juggling right now. Acting is just one of my gigs.”
“We have to do what it takes to survive. We have to keep pushing forward. We’re all in the same boat. I’m not different from you in that regard. We’ve never been different that way. I don’t receive substantial income from residuals.”
In a statement to People, Pintauro mentioned that re-entering acting after a decade had been challenging due to the slowdown of television production in Los Angeles. He also addressed misconceptions about his earnings from ‘Who’s the Boss?’
“People tend to overestimate what residuals from a sitcom in the ’80s and ’90s actually yield,” he said, clarifying that much of his earnings from childhood went towards funding his education at Stanford and supporting himself through his early twenties.
Fans Shower Him with Support
Despite the financial challenges, fans continue to express their love and encouragement on his social media accounts. A recent Instagram post saw followers showering him with compliments about his enduring good looks.
One fan remarked, “Danny looks fantastic!” while another called him “Super handsome.”
Others echoed that he has aged remarkably well over the years. One comment read, “Nope. Still looks the same to me. Still as handsome as ever. 😍❤️”
Another user excitedly proclaimed, “You have become a total hunk!” More than 40 years since audiences first encountered Jonathan Bower, Danny Pintauro’s narrative has evolved into something far greater than just childhood fame.
Through unexpected trials, enduring love, and a commitment to sharing his experiences, he continues to create new chapters long after the conclusion of ‘Who’s the Boss?’
