Finding it harder to transition into young adult roles and following the tragic death of his 18-year-old Family Affair (1966) co-star Anissa Jones, he took what was supposed to be an extended sabbatical from acting and a return to "normalcy" by attending public schools again. He instead went into missionary work.

[Family Affair (1966)] was much too sugar-and-spice. We never lied or cheated. No children are as angelic as we were supposed to be."