Danica McKellar, known to many as Winnie Cooper from “The Wonder Years,” is experiencing a transformative chapter in her life—and she credits it all to her faith in God. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, McKellar opened up about how her newfound relationship with Christ has not only reshaped her approach to life but also profoundly impacted her parenting.
“Faith guides everything, including parenting,” McKellar shared, reflecting on the peace and assurance that has come since embracing her Christian faith. “For me, my faith journey has led me to the most comforting place of knowing that I can consult with God at any time.”
McKellar’s journey toward faith didn’t happen overnight. Though she had been around Christianity throughout her life, it wasn’t until two and a half years ago that it fully clicked for her. A key moment came when fellow former child star and devout Christian Candace Cameron Bure invited her to church. During a special church performance, McKellar said she experienced a profound sense of love and understanding, which transformed her life. “I was flooded with this love and understanding,” she recalled. “Everything I always thought about there being some higher power and wanting to do the right thing… it all just came into focus.”
Since that pivotal moment, McKellar has been deepening her walk with God. She is currently reading through the Bible for the second time. She describes her faith journey as “an amazing journey” and expresses gratitude for the peace it has brought her, especially in her role as a parent.
McKellar shares a 14-year-old son, Draco, with her ex-husband, Mike Verta. She is currently married to attorney Scott Sveslosky, who also has a son from a previous relationship. Like many parents, McKellar used to struggle with worry and stress about the future, particularly when it came to making decisions for her son.
“I used to spend a lot more time worrying and stressing out about how to make decisions and what to do next,” she admitted. But now, her approach to parenting is infused with trust in God’s plan. “Knowing it’s in God’s hands means that even when things happen that I don’t think I want to have happen, I can say, ‘Well, let me just be curious about this. I wonder what the big plan is that I can’t see.'”
This shift in perspective has been freeing for McKellar. By releasing her need to control every aspect of her son’s future and placing it in God’s hands, she’s found more peace in her parenting journey. “It’s incredible what that perspective shift does for you,” she said, emphasizing how faith has changed the way she approaches challenges.
McKellar often speaks with great joy about her role as a mother. In her interview, she described how her son Draco, who loves performing, brings her immense happiness. “I’m here to support him in whatever he wants to do,” McKellar said. It’s the greatest joy in the world to be a parent.”
She went on to humorously note that Draco, now taller than her, is experiencing his growth spurt. “That just happened, and it’s blowing my mind,” McKellar laughed. “It’s like when you give birth; it’s the most amazing experience in the whole world. When your son gets taller than you, it’s like, ‘What is this incredible experience?'”
To McKellar, even small things—like her son surpassing her in height—feel like “crazy miracles” that she credits to God’s hand in her life.
In addition to her parenting journey, McKellar has maintained a thriving career in acting, with over 100 credits to her name. She is set to star in “A Cinderella Christmas Ball,” which will air on Great American Family in November. Alongside her work as an actress, McKellar is also a bestselling author known for writing math books aimed at making mathematics more accessible for kids.
When asked about advice for her son, who has shown an interest in performing, McKellar encourages him to have another passion to fall back on. “Find something else that you also love to do that you can make money at because this business is not reliable,” she advised.
For McKellar, that “something else” has been writing math books. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in mathematics, McKellar has successfully balanced her acting career with her love for math, finding stability in an industry known for its unpredictability. She shared that writing gives her a sense of control and security that acting cannot always provide.
“Having something that you’re more in control of is vital for your mental health,” she explained, noting that the entertainment industry is often filled with rejection and uncertainty. “It’s for your financial security and your mental sanity.”
Throughout her journey, McKellar has remained grounded by her faith and the lessons instilled in her by her parents. She credits her parents with keeping her grounded during her years as a child star, reminding her not to place too much importance on fame. This grounded upbringing, along with her faith, helped her avoid many of the pitfalls associated with child stardom.
Now, as a mother, actress, and author, McKellar continues to find peace in knowing that her life—and her son’s future—are firmly in God’s hands. For her, faith is the guiding force that makes all things possible, especially in the unpredictable world of parenting.