Back in the 1980s, Chad Allen rose to fame as a teen idol благодаря his popular TV roles — and today, he’s chosen a completely different path focused on helping others. After starting as a child actor, he became widely known for playing David in Our House, Tommy in St. Elsewhere, and Zach in My Two Dads. As an adult, he continued his success with the role of Matthew Cooper in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, before eventually stepping away from acting after a career that lasted into the early 2010s.
Allen’s acting journey was extensive. As a young star, he appeared not only in his main series but also in shows like Webster, Punky Brewster, The Wonder Years, and even Star Trek: The Next Generation. Later, he built an impressive adult résumé with roles in NYPD Blue, Cold Case, Charmed, Criminal Minds, Dexter, and more. His final on-screen appearance came in the 2011 film Fright Flick.
In 2012, Allen reunited with his St. Elsewhere co-stars, reflecting on the show’s famously unusual ending — a twist revealing the story may have existed only in his character’s imagination. He recalled being confused by the script at first, even asking his mother to help him understand it, before realizing just how creative and unique the concept was.
In 2015, Allen officially retired from acting, announcing his decision in a YouTube video. After more than 30 years in the industry, he chose to focus on a new passion: becoming a psychologist. He explained that he wanted to use his life experience and dedication to personal growth to help others — especially young LGBTQ+ individuals — build confidence and lead healthy lives.
Now going by Chad Allen Lazzari, he pursued his education seriously, studying psychology at UCLA before earning his doctorate from Antioch University New England in 2020. In 2022, he celebrated passing his licensing exam, marking the final step in a long and challenging journey.
Today, Allen’s life looks very different from his Hollywood years — but his commitment to making a meaningful impact remains just as strong.
