'The Holy Spirit Came to Me': Hollywood Star Embraces Christianity, Finds 'Amazing Freedom'

Actress Danica McKellar has spent decades in the public eye after breaking into the Hollywood scene playing Winnie Cooper in the hit 1988 show "The Wonder Years." McKellar has since enjoyed a successful career as a performer and book author, taking her acting chops most recently to Great American Family. The actress, who stars in the new film "A Royal Date for Christmas," has also been on an authentic and public faith journey over the past year in a half after finding Jesus and embracing Christianity.
"I feel so blessed ... people have said, 'Oh, you are so bold,'" McKellar said of her willingness to discuss her beliefs. "It doesn't feel like bold. It doesn't feel like it requires courage or anything. ... When you experience something that is so beautiful and so wonderful and so life-changing, you want everyone to feel that." McKellar said the roots of faith were set in her heart after fellow actress Candace Cameron Bure invited her to a Passion play on April 10, 2022 - an experience that ended up being life-altering, as the Gospel message permeated her heart.
"It just hit me," she said. "Everything hit me. The Holy Spirit came to me. ... It was like a wave of love and understanding hit me." Up to that point, McKellar said she had always had a "sense of God in some ... shape or form," but her ideas about Christianity were very colored by negativity from the news and other sources. "I'd always thought of religion and Christianity as being restrictive and limiting somehow, but, instead, I feel the most amazing freedom," McKellar said of her faith. "And I was like, I have to share this. I have to tell people the good news."
Before finding faith, she assumed believers were judgemental, with these preconceived notions clouding her vision. McKellar continued, "I just didn't get to see ... this is the most miraculous, amazing, incredible gift in the whole wide world. I just want people to feel that they're not alone, that there's love for you at any time, and it's such a gift." Flash-forward a year and a half and she said her life has been profoundly impacted by her faith experience. Watch McKellar explain.
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[@LollyChinable]

I've always liked this actress. I'm so happy she's a believer in Jesus Christ 💖.

[@janiceeiler782]

Me too!

[@melindastanners]

Me three! 😊

[@ritabrandow1318]

Agree 💯 percent. There is another accepted Jesus 😊😊😊

[@sarahmostacci1154]

Me too!

[@anastasiaburr3959]

Please, tell us your experience…what was it…be specific! Are you saved by Christ?

[@christinewerner6207]

I am really relating to Danica’s conversion story. I also became a believer in 2022, in February, and read the entire Bible for the first time this year. I also found Jesus later in life (52!) as well. It’s amazing and beautiful how God never stops loving us and actively chases us down. I’m so happy for Danica. May the Lord bless her and keep her.

[@linak7155]

You're a babe in Messiah, Jesus! Danica might be in her late forties now? Wonderful to see ppl in 'Hollywood' turning to the faith of Abraham, Isaac n Jacob❤️ Jesus lives!

[@LCLand]

Amen

[@Jesus_is_Lord_316]

He pursues us and invites us into fellowship with Himself!! Thank you, Lord, for Your Grace!! The Lord know them that are His ...

[@LL-th2hw]

Amen!

[@RedLedgerPodcast]

Amen

[@cynthiascott8639]

I have always loved watching Danica on TV. Great Actress 👍🏾. So glad she loves and knows Jesus.

[@rhondae8222]

Amen!

[@albusdumbledore219]

She’s born again. You can see it in her eyes 🙏🏻❤️

[@gailwagner4316]

I've always believed as a born again believer myself that you can see the genuineness about a truly converted soul Eyes are the window of your soul

[@NN-re7cy]

So true ❤️🙏🏽

[@Timenow1]

Amen, I agree....She is So Joyful❤

[@habibak.6234]

She is so modest and lovely, exactly like in her movies! I am so glad to see one of my 3 top favourite actresses coming so fully to Jesus. Praise God, and thank You dear Holy Spirit for visiting Your daughter.

[@linak7155]

Who were the previous two?

[@habibak.6234]

@@linak7155 The trio: Lacey Chabert, Danica McKellar, Jennifer Lilley 😇

[@rhondae8222]

Don't forget about Candace Cameron Bure. She's claims to be a born-again Christian as well.

[@rhondae8222]

@@habibak.6234 Don't forget about Candace Cameron Bure. She's claims to be a born-again Christian as well.

[@overcomerbtbojesus]

@@rhondae8222candace actually had an influence on danica becoming a believer- they had known each other a long time as child actresses

[@mstyles2667]

They don't make them like this often. This woman is the 'full package', she is beautiful, intelligent, empathetic, loving and talented. So nice to see her story.

[@VickiSmith-eg9oo]

She also has a degree in mathematics and has several math books out.

[@mstyles2667]

Oh I know, I am the same age as her, grew up admiring her spirit and brains@@VickiSmith-eg9oo

[@theboombody]

Good sense of humor too, being on Impractical Jokers, and letting Rifftrax riff on Inspector Mom 2.

[@saxmanjpr5092]

@@VickiSmith-eg9oo I read her book on Algebra when I was taking Algebra in college. I could tell from her showing her personality in the book that she is an absolute sweetheart!

[@carolynbillington9018]

I think she was one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen when she was in Wonder Years. I am so glad she has accepted Jesus as Savior.

[@janicepereira1534]

Praise God 🙏

[@sarahmostacci1154]

I have always thought that as well. My brother absolutely adored her lol it’s easy to see.

[@danilaroche1156]

She is pretty and egoless. God bless Danica!

[@juliemcmenamy1294]

I was wondering if that was her!

[@TheSulross]

evidently Hallmark is wanting to embrace the fate of Disney as ever since the 2020 riots they have embraced the Woke agenda and depict anti-Christ degeneracy characters in some of their movies, and they don't flag them with labels. So it's a very good thing to have alternatives to Hallmark these days.

[@karlaharvey2623]

Dani is one of my favorite actresses. You can see Christ Jesus thru her Eyes. She is so precious.

[@Acemate352]

Soo glad she used her brain to get educated and didn’t fall into the Hollywood graveyard of child stars. she’s a great inspiration for math students and those fearing or struggling with the subject. Lord fill her with your spirit & bless her days ahead.

[@Christine-fo3bo]

Danica is just adorable. Praise the Lord for her salvation!

[@carolmosher7084]

Love watching Danica and Candace on Great American Family! You can sit back and enjoy without being offended! God bless Danica and the network 🙏

[@judithryle2113]

The movies on this network are not as good as hallmark. My favorite movie of hers were where she was fired as a maid and went to look after a royals daughter and she and the royal fell in love. I loved the actor as her love interest in that movie

[@jobethschlatterer1655]

Amen 🙏🙏🙏🇺🇸🇮🇱

[@watchwomansoundingthealarm]

I love her Christmas movies!! So glad to see she is a sister in Christ! What a GEM!

[@romanarmendariz4351]

Wow she looks just as beautiful as she was in "the wonder years". Great interview. Amazing testimony. God bless!

[@dr.estherportalatin4326]

She's always been a great actress and I felt that there was something different about her. She always seemed so humble. Thankful she has come to know The Lord, and has become a believer. Praise God.

[@ginistewart9636]

I'm so excited for her and her enthusiasm in getting the opportunity to know JESUS!! On fire!!!! Praise God!

[@eddiem1155]

Good for Danica..Praise Jesus

[@focm888]

Welcome home Danica. Nice to see her so excited! May the LORD turn her into a firebrand for HIM. And JESUS be glorified through her life

[@barbrajones349]

I cried happy tears through the entire video. I'm so happy she found faith in Jesus and she is so bold about it too. And I'm happy to hear that Candice lives out her faith away from the cameras too as evidenced by her example in Danica's life, which we would never have known about if Danica hadn't shared it. These two child stars, close to my age, declaring their faith in Jesus makes me so happy (I know Candice and her brother Kirk have been saved many years). There has been so much pain and heartache amongst child stars. Maybe this will be a spark which starts a revival amongst that community and the greater whole of Hollywood as well. This was such a blessing to watch!!

[@ilana8898]

Wouldn’t it be amazing if Hollywood would do only Christian movies.

[@seekfind9531]

Amen!!!

[@ChrisCollins068]

@@ilana8898 no

[@karenmalach2797]

I love her acting. I am so thankful she gave her life to Jesus. Way to go Danica.

[@pattyegroffel7834]

Welcome Danica to the family of Christ! Billy thank you for this wonderful interview!🇮🇱🇺🇸🙏🕎❤️😇🌹🎶

[@sarahmostacci1154]

My brother had the biggest crush on her when she was in the Wonder Years and I had always thought that she was beautiful. I’m so glad to hear that the Holy Spirit came to her!!!

[@laurie2715]

I love how Danica shares her relationship with Jesus! Her precious enthusiasm is infectious and beautiful, because it is truly the most important relationship to ever begin ! 😃👏🙏🌿 I have enjoyed these movies she has done recently and now rejoice she has found the Lord !

[@lindaduncan5541]

I fell in love with Danica during the Wonder Years program. Just something so special about her. I’m so happy that she has experienced the anointing of the Holy Spirit and is a Christian! God bless her in her walk with the Lord. I know her story will touch many! 💕🙏

[@omarcogle1965]

She's also a voice actress too.

[@DebbyLong777]

This is a glorious interview. Danica has been a favorite actress of mine for years. She truly gets it. Praying for her.

[@culturalobserver8721]

I remember her from that ‘80’s show. So glad she has found Christ! Very encouraging!! 🙏💕

[@Disciple-ofChrist]

The Wonder Years

[@daleclark8872]

Such a beautiful podcast. I love to hear how God comes alive in people! It’s so thrilling to hear how God works in individuals! I asked Jesus to come into my heart 68 years ago, and He’s as alive in me now as He was back then. What an awesome God we serve! 🙏❤️🙏

[@mikehelak8874]

She's come such a long way since the Wonder Years. Very beautiful testimony. Praise Jesus. Mad Respect

[@TanyaJP123]

Danica is just glowing! Love that she found Jesus!

[@jcam783]

How wonderful to see Danica's excitement , God Bless her and her family .

[@lisalisa13]

That's so cool that she got that from The Chosen. That show really does make you see Christ in a more relatable way. It's not a religion, it is definitely is a relationship. Welcome to the family, Danica!

[@jillpope7102]

Glad to hear that Danica is a believer now. Would like to hear her use the name of Jesus and the term salvation in her conversation. Hopefully, She didn’t have a church experience, but she confessed her trust in Jesus, as the son of God and was saved. It sounds like that is what has happened for her. Glad she is a spokesperson out there. She said in this interview that she likes a challenge. So I challenge her to speak more of the name of Jesus because the name of Jesus is above all names, and every knee will bow at the name of Jesus. Believe this will give her an even greater impact to people who don’t know the Lord yet. You can do it, Danica!

[@familiamolina213]

Wonderful! Welcome to Christ arms 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@dodihead9011]

I love testimonies of their getting revelation of Jesus and receiving His Salvation ❣️❤️‍🔥🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🎉💃🏼

[@user-cf4hm4gr9h]

It’s such a blessing to hear Danica’s testimony. She reminds me of when I first accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I pray that she’ll continue to seek HIM.

[@JesusLover3412]

She has the Holy Spirit sparkle in her eyes!!!😃

[@jerrierussell8505]

She's Beautiful on the inside and outside!

[@TNcatlover33]

I grew up with Winny Cooper and love the movies and now she’s my sister in Christ…..

[@MLTDPT]

Her JOY is so evident! That’s what’s different!

[@ginaryan4957]

God bless her! She’s glowing with the Holy Spirit!! Lovely to see the excitement of being free through our precious Lord Jesus as a new believer. Glory to God!

[@sandragostanian8878]

I have always enjoyed watching Danica in movies. She always portrays good, sincere, honest, modest women. I’m glad to know that it is not simply a role, but is her real life. God bless you, Danica, for publicly accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. May He continue to bless you and your family during Christmas and throughout the new year.

[@kimladd5100]

Thank you so much for this interview. (Danica just keeps getting more beautiful, too.) Praying that Holy Spirit continues to lead and manifest in her and her family’s lives. ❤️🔥✝️

[@danakirk1945]

This just made me so happy and made me smile from ear to ear! Thank you Lord! And I loved what she said about it not being her burden to bear and she just turns it over to God! Oh God you are just so amazing, what an incredible difference you make in someone’s life! You are so worthy of our admiration!

[@kathyr1516]

Thank you for this beautiful encouraging interview! So lovely to hear Danica and very inspired by her testimony. 🙏🏼❤️🤗

[@jacqueB6151]

Her enthusiasm in sharing is so wonderful!!!

[@maren807]

I loved The Wonder Years show as a child. This is such wonderful news! Praise the Lord!

[@lissam956]

I love it, I’m so happy for her, the best decision she could have made. Candace is doing a great job as well.

[@andrewstunich8173]

I always thought this actress was Head and shoulders above the typical Hollywood starlet. I am not surprised she was born again.

[@priscillasaravia]

I know! Being a math teacher and all. Always humble.

[@karendoylereddinger7615]

Enjoyed your beautiful story. So delighted to hear the date of your experience - April 10 - is my birthday. Thank you for having the courage to share your belief in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Keep it up!

[@BelieverInChristJesus4ever]

I love that too! "Believer" it's not about religion it's far more than that. It's a relationship and a way of life. ❤❤❤

[@rockythegoat7155]

Wow , good job Candice, another beautiful sister in this journey with us , the body of Christ. She is so adorable, love her❤

[@rosavillaestoista476]

Praise the Lord!🙏 Happy for you, Danica!❤️

[@jamesc7526]

I had such a crush on winne cooper years ago! LOL! Seeing the joy and excitement in her new faith is an encouraging reminder for those of us farther along to remember and rekindle our own relationship and joy with Jesus

[@jobethschlatterer1655]

So thankful to have found Great American Christian Christmas channel 🙏! We stopped watching hallmark when they decided that morality wasn’t important 😢. Wonderful Christmas movies that include the Real reason for Christmas. They actually pray and talk about Jesus, in the movies! So refreshing to watch them 🙏🙏🙏🇺🇸🇮🇱

[@MultiCaro2011]

I always loved her as an actress now I love her even more that she’s a born again Christian, she’s my sister in Christ!! God bless her!! She’s so sweet and beautiful!!❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏😇😇😇

[@charlottespillers6059]

I so love this beautiful young actress... I am so excited to know she is a true Christian (Believer)... I am 65 & watched the Wonder Years & she is still that adorable beautiful young lady. I am thankful to Jesus she is a sister in Christ! God bless you both❤

[@JustMe-ec2ph]

So glad she and the others went to Great American Family!

[@mariettawarkentin2799]

This is awesome! I have so enjoyed Danica McKellar as a positive, talented actress as she exudes so many lovely qualities!

[@cheleh87]

Love Danica’s testimony! I got to meet her at 90’s con in September and she seriously is the sweetest ❤

[@tinabuntynahar9248]

Praise the Lord hallelujah

[@waymakers_kid9904]

I’ve always liked Danica in everything but now I love her more! Praying more come your way Christ! ❤

[@victoryfire4750]

Soooo HAPPY to hear she's a Daughter of God❤❤❤

[@melissahendricks6623]

Danica has always been one of my favorite actresses. I am so happy that she is a believer!

[@gingerzelidon3573]

I saw the movie and it's so good! Very touching! Love that Danica is a believer! She shines His light in her acting! So refreshing to see this kind of entertainment. God bless the makers of this movie and the actors!

[@bethjudy1111]

This is a wonderful interview...glorifying to the Lord!

[@anirijoy7978]

I’m so happy Danica is a sister in Christ

[@marywhite3020]

I love her, and remember her as a little girl who played Winnie❤

[@Tx2Stepn]

I have always had trouble reading the Bible through as I have Dyslexia. This year, I decided to read it through no matter what. In July, I was having trouble yet again, and then the Lord lead me (I call it txt msgs from God) to the idea of reading it through with the audiobook. So what I did was read along with the audiobook. I finished it in October in the NASV and I'm now close to 1/2 way through with the NKJV. I am amazed by how much God has taught me and what I didn't know was in the Bible. I come from a family where we studied the Bible a lot and grew up on childrens Bible tapes, but there is a lot of good things that were missed in those studies. I also listened to the audiobook in the past (on CD) but I was doing other things as it played, so I missed some of it. I'm using a physical Bible and either the YouVersion app or the Blue Letter Bible app. The NKJV is on the BLB. I plan to choose another version as soon as I finish my 2nd read through. God Bless you and I hope this helps someone else with dyslexia.

[@mooneyes2833]

Holy spirit came to me in sept 2018...exact same...experienced the full love of God. Changed my whole heart, i wake up with joy and peace instead of depression and pain...i am a better wife and mother...and i am not afraid of death anymore...in fact when it comes i will embrace the chance to be with God again.

[@freddyperezjr]

God bless her and protect her. So happy for her 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@MissesLisaLutz]

Is it Winnie!!!!????? BEAUTIFUL 🧸🪷❤🎉

[@barbberg8833]

Love you Danica you’re a great role model for all the young ladies

[@ginamiller6754]

Praise God that she has come to know our LORD. I love that she is sharing her experience and hopefully planting seeds in non believers.

[@4hrtz26]

Yes it’s an incredible gift, thank you precious Jesus. ❤

[@PeaceIsYeshua]

Love this SO much!!! I could always tell she had such a sweet & good soul, and I had started praying for her probably in 2020 or so when I rediscovered her! So glad she found Jesus!! ❤

[@laurabennet7693]

What a great interview! I love this actress and I've really enjoyed listening to her personal experience. So glad she knows Jesus now. 😊

[@delisaseale5881]

What a beautiful testimony. Welcome to the family of God, Danica! Blessings🕊️

[@hm6956]

Danica you met my cousin rochell at orange co golf course she is filled with holy spirit i believe in the annointing spreading like wild fire so happy you are a daughter of the king

[@mariamercy7317]

Happy, Happy News! God bless Danica! She is a beautiful woman inside and out! 🙏🏻

[@livenfree]

This is exactly what is missing in the church. Is new believers sharing that fresh, passionate fiery love for Jesus. This reignites the flame for old believers.

[@gabrieltorres3410]

So glad to hear weet Winnie. Has been born again......Praise the Lord!

[@lori4416]

Absolutely Love this!! ❤The interview, the Actress ( my favorite always on both networks she's done movies on! ) Love mostly that she now knows our Risen Savior Jesus Christ 🙌 & reading The Word of God 🙏📖 Love u sweet sister in our Lord, if you read these comments? And praying for you. 😊

[@erhardtharris8727]

I usually don't like street preachers. But this guy's message is good, delivered well.

[@juanjonez]

Street preachers deserve respect they do what most of us won’t. But I feel you.

[@janepatat3986]

This is so awesome!! Yay, God, for salvation and excitement following!! ❤️🙏🏼🙌🏼✝️💪🏼

[@godsnotdead5279]

I’m so happy to hear this! And so glad Danica is on Great American Channel! Praise God that we had a somewhere to turn after Hallmark betrayed us!

[@polarfamily6222]

Very happy to see another member of the family washed in Jesus' blood! Praise God!

[@vickysullivan4798]

Always loved Danicas choices of career…now her choice to follow Jesus…❤❤❤❤❤

[@denisethorbjornsen7493]

Saw her in crown to Christmas she's such a lovely actress so glad she received Jesus as her Lord and savior

[@kimberlybbane8602]

Praise God!!!! So proud she is bold and not ashamed of telling the World about Jesus!!!! If all christians were this bold our world would be a different place!!!

[@EMBERS-BECAME-BRIGHT-JOY]

Thank you real life 'Winnie' ❤ I am thrilled to see and hear your development 🎉in Christ Jesus ❤️

[@vickeyblalock7022]

So glad you found Jesus. There is no one like him. He is my best friend. God has called me too the streets to pray for people and talk to them about Jesus. Love it. Been doing this for 20 years. Iam 63 and still on fire for Jesus.

[@davibuchanb3632]

Beautiful lady, I arrived in Canada as a teenager in 1987 and started watching you on the wonder world thereafter sopo amazing and praise the Lord for revealing himself to you.

[@michaelc9684]

Praise Jesus, angels rejoice!!! 🙌♥️✝️😇🎉

[@MLTDPT]

April 10, 2017 for me! I was almost 50! All in God’s timing is right! Freedom, healing, love, understanding! BOOM! And soooo much growing since then! Amen sister! Amen!!🙏🏻

[@elizabethh6638]

Praise the Lord! I look forward to seeing Danica and Candace in heaven. So cool that my childhood celebrities from The Wonder Years and Full House are followers of Jesus. ✝️❤

[@Kim-js8jf]

She still looks like little Winnie cooper. I recognized her immediately. Good for her. Praise God 🙌🙌🙌🙌 Stay in our Father's word. The Holy Spirit is the best teacher. 🙏❤️🇨🇦

[@rochellegraham6578]

Love Danica. So glad she has come to faith in our Lord and Savior. ❤❤❤

[@simongladdish777]

You can really see the Holy Spirit shining out of her!

[@andreascarlos3851]

Amen. More of this please Lord

[@tammynewville716]

I agree I love being called a Believer!!

[@tamracommissaris8960]

Praise the Lord God almighty for my sister in Christ Danica❤and thank you Lord for the work you have begun in her. And also for Candace for sharing the gospel boldly with people ❤