What Happened to Daniel John Pintauro?
Danny Pintauro, known for his role as Jonathan Bower on 'Who's the Boss?', transitioned from child stardom to a more private life, later publicly coming out as gay and disclosing his HIV-positive status. After a period working outside Hollywood, he has returned to acting while also balancing other work, including a recent stint as a delivery driver, and continues to advocate for HIV awareness.
Quick Answer
Danny Pintauro, the former child star of 'Who's the Boss?', has navigated a complex adult life marked by personal revelations and career shifts. He publicly came out as gay in 1997 and disclosed his HIV-positive status in 2015, becoming an activist for the cause. As of April 2026, he resides in California, has returned to acting, and is also working as a delivery driver, openly discussing the challenges of the entertainment industry.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Milltown, New Jersey
Daniel John Pintauro was born in Milltown, New Jersey.
Debut on 'As the World Turns'
Pintauro began his acting career on the soap opera 'As the World Turns' as the original Paul Ryan.
Film Role in 'Cujo'
He made his film debut in the horror movie 'Cujo', playing the role of Tad Trenton.
Cast in 'Who's the Boss?'
Pintauro gained widespread fame for his role as Jonathan Bower on the hit sitcom 'Who's the Boss?', which ran until 1992.
Outed as Gay by Tabloid
While attending Stanford University, Pintauro was publicly outed as gay by the National Enquirer tabloid.
Graduates from Stanford University
Pintauro completed his studies at Stanford University, graduating with a degree in English and theater.
Diagnosed with HIV
Pintauro contracted HIV as a result of unsafe oral sex, a diagnosis he kept private for over a decade.
Marries Wil Tabares
Pintauro married his boyfriend, Wil Tabares, in an intimate ceremony in Dana Point, California.
Publicly Discloses HIV Status
He revealed his HIV-positive status and past methamphetamine addiction in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, vowing to become an activist.
Relocates to Austin, Texas
Pintauro and his husband moved to Austin, Texas, where he worked in various non-acting roles, including as a vet tech.
Returns to Acting and California
Pintauro decided to return to acting and moved back to California, appearing in the TV film 'A Country Christmas Harmony'.
Hospitalized After Scooter Accident
Pintauro suffered near-fatal injuries in a scooter accident on Thanksgiving night, leading to emergency surgery for a bloodstream infection.
Appears at The Hollywood Show
Pintauro reconnected with fans at The Hollywood Show convention in Burbank, California.
Reveals Delivery Driver Gig
Pintauro shared on Instagram that he is working as a delivery driver due to the slow entertainment industry, emphasizing the importance of staying active.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Danny Pintauro rose to prominence as a child actor, most notably playing Jonathan Bower on the popular 1980s sitcom 'Who's the Boss?' from 1984 to 1992. After the show concluded, Pintauro made a deliberate choice to step away from the intense spotlight of Hollywood to pursue higher education, studying English and theater at Stanford University, from which he graduated in 1998.
His personal life garnered media attention when he was outed as gay by a tabloid in 1997 while still in college. This experience, though initially jarring, led him to embrace his identity more openly. A significant turning point came in 2015 when Pintauro publicly revealed on Oprah Winfrey's 'Oprah: Where Are They Now?' that he had been HIV-positive since 2003, having contracted the virus through unsafe oral sex. He also candidly spoke about a past addiction to methamphetamine, which he had overcome. This disclosure marked a new chapter, as he committed to becoming an activist and a role model for the gay community and those living with HIV.
Following his public revelations, Pintauro and his husband, Wil Tabares, whom he married in 2014, relocated to Austin, Texas, in 2016. During this period, he explored various non-acting careers, including working as a Tupperware sales representative, a restaurant manager, and a veterinary technician at Austin Pets Alive. However, the call to acting persisted, and in 2022, Pintauro returned to the entertainment industry, moving back to California and appearing in projects like the television film 'A Country Christmas Harmony'.
His journey has not been without recent challenges. In late 2024, Pintauro was hospitalized with near-fatal injuries after a scooter accident, which led to an emergency surgery for a bloodstream infection caused by a torn stomach lining. As of April 2026, while still actively seeking acting roles, Pintauro has openly shared that he is working as a delivery driver, citing the slow nature of the entertainment business. He maintains a positive outlook, emphasizing that 'there's no shame in staying in motion' and continuing to build the career he desires.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Daniel John Pintauro made different choices?