It is unfortunate that the poor judgment shown by a small group of young actors has tarnished the reputation of every child who has ever appeared before a camera.
Once you stop thinking about the minutiae of what each part might mean for your career, you learn that if you do a good performance, it's going to be good for you. The work is what matters.
Everything I've jumped into and tried and every experience I've had and career opportunity, including going to 'The Grinder,' it was just because it sounded exciting and fun and new and different.
Ultimately, a director is a storyteller. I wanted to fortify that part of my life as a director, so I thought the best way to do that is to study and learn about the greatest stories ever written.
The persona of 'The Wonder Years' is something that's going to be with me forever. And I'm happy for that. It's nothing that I'd ever shy away from, and it makes me feel so good that it's something people still remember and talk about it and think of it so fondly.
I think it is important to maintain a sense of self and confidence, not letting either falter for the sake of a particular part or project, no matter how great it might be.