Eric von Detten was spotted shirtless while hanging Christmas decorations outside his California home on Wednesday.
The 90s Disney heartthrob, now 47, climbed onto his roof to secure lights and adornments, displaying a noticeably muscular physique during the rare public sighting. Neighbors also saw him talking on the phone in the sun and driving his golf cart with his arms on full display.
The El Segundo resident lives with his wife, luxury real estate agent Angela von Detten, and their three children: daughter Claire, 7, and sons Thomas, 5, and Nicholas, 3. He has largely stepped away from Hollywood since his last credited role voicing Sid Phillips in 2010’s “Toy Story 3,” though he appeared in the 2024 Lifetime movie “My Acting Coach Nightmare” as Mark, the boyfriend of lead character Lisa.
Von Detten explained his career shift in a 2021 interview.
“The fickle nature of employment as an actor just wasn’t consistent enough for me,” he said.
That move led him to Rosland Capital, a precious metals company now in bankruptcy, where he worked as a senior account representative and sales agent.
The recent sighting comes as von Detten faces a lawsuit from Norman Greenberg, 97, and Sheila Greenberg, 85, who allege elder abuse and fraud. The couple claims they suffered $900,000 in damages while working with von Detten and Rosland Capital.
The Greenbergs say they spent approximately $2.1 million on coins allegedly worth only $1.3 million. Their lawsuit contends that Rosland Capital exploited elderly people’s fears by pushing the stability of gold as an investment strategy.
Von Detten’s last public appearance before this week came in 2024 at the Los Angeles premiere of the movie “Junction.” Prior to that, he had maintained an extremely low profile focused on family life and his work outside entertainment.
The “Leave it to Beaver” star first rose to prominence as a child actor in the 1990s, becoming a teen heartthrob through roles in Disney projects including “The Princess Diaries.” His early fame made him a recognizable face for a generation of viewers, though he has since deliberately retreated from the spotlight.
The shirtless decoration display marks one of the few times the former actor has been photographed in recent years, offering an unusual glimpse into his current life amid the ongoing legal proceedings. He has not publicly addressed the lawsuit on any social media platform.
Von Detten’s representatives have not issued a statement regarding the Greenbergs’ allegations or the status of the case.
The bankruptcy of Rosland Capital complicates any potential resolution, with multiple parties potentially seeking recovery from the defunct precious metals firm.
Von Detten is scheduled to appear next in promotional materials for “My Acting Coach Nightmare” as the film continues its cable run.