Dark Past Nearly Broke Actress from "Back to the Future" Then She Found Jesus
Many people like to follow the lives of their favorite stars. Perhaps some even live vicariously through them as they read about or see programs that highlight their fame, fortune, glitz, and glamour.
If someone’s favorite star has been cast in a movie that looks like it might be enjoyable, they might admire the fact that their favorite star has a role. Some people even wish they could be the star they follow.
In what could be considered an ironic twist, “Back To The Future” star Claudia Wells took on the many roles she had over the years for the opportunity to be someone other than herself, and experience the emotional release of expressing herself through those characters.
When she wasn’t on the set, she had an extremely difficult life with her alcoholic mother. Her mother abused her, constantly telling her she wished she had never been born and that she was fat.
By the age of 14, Wells was driven to the point of wanting to end her life, and took an overdose of her mother’s prescription medication.
“It was not a cry for help. It was, ‘I’m done. I don’t deserve to be here anyway. I’m too fat,’” Wells told CBN News.
When she got cast in the movie, “Herbie the Love Bug,” she met Christian actor Dean Jones. He became the strategic person the Lord used to help her realize how Jesus would make a positive difference in her young life.
“It made all the difference in the world. He talked to me about the hole that was inside of me and if I don’t fill it with God, and if I don’t fill it with Jesus Christ it’ll get filled with men, and drugs, and problems,” Wells said.
Then one day during lunch with Jones, he led her in the prayer of salvation.
Soon after that, as her acting career flourished, she landed the role in “Back to the Future.” And shortly after that high-point in her career, she found out her mother had cancer.
She felt that leaving showbiz to take care of her mother was the right thing to do, and she remained her mother’s primary caregiver until her mother passed away.
Because of her difficult childhood, there was quite a bit of emotional pain that Wells had to work through. Some additional challenges she has worked through include realizing she’s not a mistake, and addressing the root causes of bulimia and drug and alcohol addiction.
Today, Wells enjoys running her own clothing store, but will also sometimes make small appearances in new films.
“God has given me such a level of peace and it’s from Him, and I can prove I am walking, talking, proof that God is real, that Jesus Christ exists, every blessing comes from Him,” she said.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741.
