Kirk Cameron, best known for Growing Pains, criticized California’s politics as “terrible” during a recent appearance on “The Adam Carolla Show,” saying liberal policies and the high cost of living pushed him to relocate to Tennessee.
Speaking with Carolla, Cameron said California can seem appealing to children because they are shielded from the state’s economic realities. “When you’re a kid in California it’s great because your parents are paying for everything,” Cameron said. “So, you go to the beach, you’re hanging out, you’re going snow skiing, you get to eat an In-N-Out burger, you get to get some, you know, hot dogs downtown in Hollywood. It’s great. You’re having a good time.”
But he argued that perspective changes in adulthood. “They realize how terrible the politics are and all of the other things that make it difficult to raise a family there,” Cameron told Carolla. “And so all of a sudden it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, we gotta move. We gotta go someplace where we can actually thrive and maybe even just survive.’”
Why he left
Cameron said his decision to leave California developed over time. He explained that COVID-19 restrictions accelerated the move and that political and cultural division in the state ultimately solidified it.
Cameron admitted missing California’s weather, calling the state rich in lifestyle opportunities. By: The Kirk Cameron Show / YouTube
“It’s pretty clear that California has been moving in a particular direction for a long time,” he told the Washington Examiner.
Cameron also cited what he described as the state’s “increasing hostility to people of the Christian faith.” Speaking to Fox & Friends, he said concerns about politics, crime and the economy all factored into his decision.
He added that he had long considered moving to a state with what he called a “healthy freedom mindset,” arguing California was creating “so much division.”
“It’s shocking how many Californians are here. And when I see them in the grocery store, I tell them, ‘Don’t California our Tennessee,’” he said.
Cameron, a father of six, noted that three of his adult children already lived in Tennessee, making the relocation a natural family move as well.
Why did Cameron choose Nashville?
Despite criticizing California politics, Cameron said he still misses aspects of the state, especially the weather.
“Because pound-for-pound, I think California has just so much to offer. Although Tennessee is getting better,” he said, adding that he hopes to return someday.
His praise for Tennessee, however, was enthusiastic. He told Carolla that people are “coming from New York and California like crazy to Tennessee, especially this middle Tennessee Nashville area. It’s pretty cool.”
“There’s so many creatives here that have good values. They love their family,” Cameron said. “They’re proud of their country — and the whiskey is great. So, if you like whiskey and hot chicken, Nashville is the place to be.”
Cameron also pointed to growth in Tennessee’s entertainment industry. He told Fox News the state had seen an 82 percent increase in motion picture and television production jobs, calling it “the Hollywood of the South.”
“There’s been a flood of talent and creatives who have left California. They’re frustrated that their values are not being represented in the projects that they’re working on,” he said.
Cameron’s latest project
Since moving to Tennessee, Cameron has focused on projects reflecting his conservative Christian values. He stars in Iggy and Mr. Kirk, a live-action children’s series that debuted on Brave+ on March 27, 2025.
Cameron plays Mr. Kirk, a retired pilot and explorer who teams up with Iggy, a curious iguana puppet. Together, they guide children through adventures centered on themes, including identity, forgiveness and courage.