In the early 2000s, he was a familiar presence on a top-rated sitcom, known for delivering laughs alongside veteran actors. But while viewers saw a cheerful young star on-screen, behind the scenes, his personal convictions were beginning to shift.
The young actor at the premiere of “See Spot Run” on February 25, 2001 | Source: Getty Images
Before long, he would leave acting altogether, driven by beliefs that clashed with his Hollywood career. Years later, sightings of him reignited public interest — and raised new questions about where life took him. His time in the spotlight began with a breakout role on a sitcom that would soon become a cultural phenomenon.
The actor at the premiere of The Santa Claus 2 on October 27, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
Early Fame on a Hit Sitcom
His introduction to television came in 2003 when he was cast as Jake Harper on the CBS sitcom “Two and a Half Men.” The series centered around a carefree jingle writer whose life changes when his brother and young nephew move into his beachfront home.
Promotional portrait of the “Two and a Half Men,” cast, circa 2003 | Source: Getty Images
Playing the role of the 10-year-old nephew, he quickly became a standout on the show, known for his comedic timing and on-screen charm. The sitcom was a commercial success, running for 12 seasons from 2003 to 2015. From the pilot episode onward, he remained a central figure for most of the show’s run.
As the youngest member of the cast, he grew up in front of audiences and became widely recognized for his role. By his teenage years, his work on the series had made him one of the highest-paid child actors on television. Despite his long-standing presence on the show, a series of events in 2012 would mark the beginning of a sharp and very public shift in his career.
The actor with Miley Cyrus on the show, “Two and a Half Men,” in 2012 | Source: Getty Images
The 2012 Video That Sparked Headlines
In November 2012, a video featuring the actor was posted by a Christian media group called the “Forerunner Chronicles.” In it, he urged viewers to stop watching the sitcom he had been part of since childhood. His remarks were direct and critical.
“If you watch ‘Two and a Half Men,’ please stop watching ‘Two and a Half Men.’ I’m on ‘Two and a Half Men’ and I don’t want to be on it. Please stop watching it and filling your head with filth,” he said. He went further, expressing discomfort with the show’s content and its impact.
The winners of Favorite TV Comedy for “Two and a Half Men” in 2007 | Source: Getty Images
“Jake from ‘Two and a Half Men’ means nothing. He is a non-existent character,” he asserted. “You cannot be a true God-fearing person and be on a television show like that. I know I can’t. I’m not OK with what I’m learning, what the Bible says, and being on that television show.”
In the same video, he spoke about the influence of television on viewers and suggested it could be harmful. “People say it’s just entertainment. Do some research on the effects of television and your brain, and I promise you you’ll have a decision to make when it comes to television, especially with what you watch,” he said.
The actor arrives at Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times “20th Annual Halloween Carnival” held at Universal Studios Backlot on October 21, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
Shaking his head, he added, “It’s bad news. A lot of people don’t like to think about how deceptive the enemy is.” His comments caused immediate controversy, leading him to release a public apology just one day after the video gained traction.
Clarifying His Remarks
Following the video’s release, the actor issued a public apology to address the reaction. “I apologize if my remarks reflect me showing indifference to and disrespect of my colleagues and a lack of appreciation of the extraordinary opportunity of which I have been blessed,” he stated. “I never intended that.”
The actor attends People’s Choice Awards 2012 on January 11, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
He expressed gratitude for the people he had worked with over the years, describing them as an extension of his family. “I am grateful to and have the highest regard and respect for all the wonderful people on ‘Two and a Half Men’ with whom I have worked and over the past 10 years who have become an extension of my family,” he added.
He extended his thanks to the show’s creators and network executives, saying, “Chuck Lorre, Peter Roth, and many others at Warner Bros. and CBS are responsible for what has been one of the most significant experiences in my life to date.”
The actor on the final episode of “Two and a Half Men” in 2012 | Source: Getty Images
He also acknowledged the positive impact the cast and crew had on him, stating that he was grateful for the “life lessons” they had taught him. At the time of the video’s release, CBS producers had not yet spoken to him about his comments.
The actor at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles in 2011 | Source: Getty Images
According to reports, his absence from the final two episodes before the show’s holiday break was unrelated and coincidental. His character, Jake, was serving in the Army and did not appear in every episode. His public remarks were rooted in a personal transformation that had quietly begun months before.
The actor at the film premiere of “Bringing Down The House” in Los Angeles in 2003 | Source: Getty Images
Discovering Faith and Joining the Church
In mid-2012, he met a friend of his friend, named Moses, who mentioned a local church. It was a Saturday when he decided to visit the church alone. He recalled walking in, sitting at the back, and listening to a sermon that he said felt personally relevant.
The message that the pastor was preaching that day felt tailor-made for him, he shared, and everything about it spoke directly to his life, what he needed to do, and the answers he was searching for. “It was then [that I knew] — that was my church,” he stated.
The actor accepting an award at the People’s Choice Awards for his role on “Two and a Half Men” in Los Angeles in 2004 | Source: Getty Images
Shortly after, he began Bible study with a church member named Nelson Jones. “One day, out of the blue, he came over and [asked if I wanted to] have a Bible study. I was like, ‘Sure.’ That day, he showed me what the Bible taught about hell, and I was blown away,” he shared.
The former actor at the Variety’s 5th annual Power Of Youth event in Los Angeles in 2011 | Source: Getty Images
The actor found the Bible study insightful and interesting, and it made more sense than any Christian teaching he had ever listened to before. He noted that each new teaching made him appreciate the church more. “It didn’t feel like I was being tricked or misled. It was a transformative experience,” he stated.
The actor with his younger brother in Los Angeles in 2009 | Source: Getty Images
At the time, he was also exploring other churches, visiting up to four or five on a single Sunday, as he sought to fill what he described as a “God-shaped void.” Though he had attended Christian schools, his family rarely went to church except for occasional Easter services.
He was drawn to teachings by Ray Vander Laan, who approached Scripture through historical and cultural context and was especially moved by accounts of people overjoyed at seeing sacred texts. He later learned that a friend from school, who had always been unavailable on Friday nights and Saturdays, was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The actor pictured with Ashton Kutcher and Jon Cryer on “Two and a Half Men,” in 2011 | Source: Getty Images
Through this friend, he found Valley Crossroads Church in Pacoima, California — the same church where he had first felt a strong connection. In June 2012, he was baptized as a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As his interview with the “Forerunner Chronicles,” was going viral, his church responded to his decision.
The actor at a basketball game in Los Angeles in 2011 | Source: Getty Images
George Johnson, a communication director for the church in North America, said, “We are happy that Angus has joined the Seventh-day Adventist family and has found a place in which he feels comfortable to worship and grow his faith.”
The actor speaks during an interview, dated November 26, 2012 | Source: YouTube/@TheForerunner777
Johnson added that the actor’s comments about “Two and a Half Men” reflected personal views formed during his spiritual journey. “We welcome him with open arms to the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church family and are excited about his commitment to God through his recent baptism at his church,” he said.
While he found a sense of purpose in his new faith, not everyone in his life was comfortable with the sudden change. Following his baptism and public statements, some of his family members expressed concern.
The actor speaking during an interview, dated November 26, 2012 | Source: YouTube/@TheForerunner777
Family Concerns and Public Scrutiny
In the same video where he criticized his television role, he acknowledged that not everyone supported his involvement with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. “Of course, all my family, not all my family, but some of my family were like ‘he’s going to a cult,’ trying to tell me to get out of there,” he said.
He defended his decision, saying that he felt confident in his ability to study the Bible independently and make informed choices. “But I didn’t feel like I was being fooled, I could study it for myself. It’s there in the Bible and there’s no evidence for the opposing views,” he explained.
His mother, Carey Jones, also voiced her concerns in an interview. “I’m concerned he’s being exploited by the church,” she said but declined to comment further. Despite the worry, she is herself a Christian.
As attention around his faith and public statements continued, he quietly stepped away from the entertainment industry and began focusing on a different kind of life.
The former actor attends the 1st Annual Combsgiving Festival on November 22, 2016 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Leaving Acting and Pursuing Education
After nearly a decade on “Two and a Half Men,” he officially left the show at the end of Season 10. He did not appear in Seasons 11 or 12 but made a return for the series finale in 2015. By 2014, he had stepped away from acting and enrolled at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Reflecting on his time on the sitcom, he shared his discomfort with remaining on the show after his beliefs had changed. Speaking to a Houston station in 2014, he said, “I was a paid hypocrite because I wasn’t okay with it, but I was still doing it.”
He explained that prioritizing his faith over acting brought him greater personal fulfillment. “I’m having fun and enjoying where I’m at,” he shared. “I no longer feel like every step I take is on a landmine.” While focusing on his education, he also began exploring new ventures outside of television.
The former actor photographed in California in 2023 | Source: Getty Images
New Ventures and Life Beyond Acting
In 2016, he co-founded an event production company called Tonite, alongside Justin Combs — son of Sean “Diddy” Combs—and Kenechukwu Orjioke. At the time, he was preparing to serve as president of entertainment for the company.
Speaking about his role, he said, “My role has been just trying to figure out, advise, and be present but Kene has hatched this.” He described how he connected with the team through a friend from the University of Colorado.
The actor seen in California in 2023 | Source: Getty Images
“A friend of mine from the University in Boulder at Colorado named Sherrard [Harrington] introduced me to Kene. Justin and I met three years ago and we became friends. I came out to California and got to hang out and get to know the whole idea,” he revealed.
Looking back on his move to Colorado and life outside of acting, he said, “Going to college was something I was really, really excited about. I wasn’t the center of everyone’s attention, and that was nice.”
In March 2020, he gave a brief update about another pursuit, writing on Instagram, “I do music now, go head and get used to it loves.” Though he had settled into a life away from the spotlight, in 2023 he agreed to make a brief on-screen appearance — his first in seven years.
Returning for a Cameo in 2023
In 2023, he returned to television for the first time in seven years, appearing in the Max comedy “Bookie.” The show’s creator, Chuck Lorre — who had also created “Two and a Half Men” — reached out to him with an idea to recreate a scene from the original sitcom’s pilot episode.
