Former "The Wonder Years" star Danica McKellar chose to step away from the entertainment industry after the show concluded, opting to pursue a degree in mathematics at UCLA. She described the need for a break from the perceived superficiality of Hollywood to discover her identity beyond acting.
McKellar stopped acting for four years while attending college. She stated the break was essential for her personal growth, allowing her to exercise her brain and detach from the glamour. While concerned about her ability to return to acting or succeed in math, she felt the need to do something different.
Upon her return, McKellar initially found herself doing independent films she described as not very good. She later gained traction with roles on series like "The West Wing," "NCIS," and "How I Met Your Mother."
Her career path eventually led her to a prominent presence in Christmas movies. McKellar has starred in numerous holiday films since 2012, including "Crown for Christmas" and "Christmas at Dollywood."
McKellar recently took on a new role in the genre, earning a writing credit for her latest film, "A Cinderella Christmas Ball." She collaborated on the script and incorporated her love for ballroom dance into the movie, performing a waltz.
She suggested the sustained popularity of Christmas movies stems from people seeking comfort and an escape from challenges. McKellar views these films as providing a reminder of positive human nature and ideas for moving forward in a wholesome way.
Separately, McKellar has spoken about finding faith over the past three years. She described previously holding biases against Christianity based on historical events.
Her perspective shifted, leading her to understand faith as building a relationship with God rather than adherence to a religion. McKellar views this relationship as helping her let go and trust, reducing the feeling that she must control every aspect of her life.
Earlier this year, Danica McKellar showcased her dancing skills during her 50th birthday celebration, sharing a clip of herself ballroom dancing. The actress has incorporated dance into her recent work, including the film "Swing Into Romance."
"For me, the way I could find out was just to do something else and really exercise my brain and let go of all the glamour and superficiality of Hollywood," she said about her college years.
