You remember the hair. That perfectly parted, late-90s blonde mane that made Matt Camden from 7th Heaven the ultimate boy-next-door. For eleven seasons, we watched the eldest Camden sibling navigate the moral minefields of Glen Oak, California. He was the responsible one. The one who had to set the example for Mary, Lucy, Simon, and Ruthie while their dad, Reverend Eric Camden, loomed in the background with a life lesson for every occasion.
But then, at the height of the show's success, Matt kinda just... vanished.
If you were a fan back then, the shift felt sudden. One minute he was the center of the Camden universe, and the next, he was a guest star making sporadic appearances from "medical school." The truth behind why Barry Watson, the actor who brought Matt to life, stepped away from the WB’s biggest hit is a lot heavier than a typical TV contract dispute. It involves a life-altering health battle that the producers kept relatively quiet at the time to protect his privacy.
The Real Reason Matt Camden Left Glen Oak
In 2002, Barry Watson was 28 years old and on top of the world. He was the lead hunk of a Top 20 show and was starting to land movie roles like Teaching Mrs. Tingle. Then, life threw a massive curveball.
Watson started feeling weirdly tired. He was doing press in New York for the movie Sorority Boys and noticed he was utterly exhausted, but he figured it was just the brutal work schedule. Then came the night sweats. He’d wake up with the bed soaking wet. Finally, he found a lump on his neck.
It wasn't just "overworked actor" syndrome. It was Stage IIB Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
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Basically, the guy playing the healthiest, most "perfect" son on television was suddenly fighting for his life. Because of the diagnosis, Watson had to step back from a full-time role on 7th Heaven after Season 6. He didn't want to be in front of the camera while undergoing aggressive chemotherapy every two weeks.
Honestly, the way the show handled it was pretty classy. Instead of killing him off or recasting—which would have been a disaster—creator Brenda Hampton gave him a job as a story editor. It kept him busy and focused on something other than his white blood cell count. He eventually returned to the screen for the 150th episode once he was in remission, but he never truly returned to the main cast in the same capacity.
The Character Arc: From Troubled Teen to Dr. Camden
If we look at the actual show, Matt’s journey was arguably the most "complete" of all the kids. He started the series as a 16-year-old junior in high school who occasionally rebelled in very "Camden" ways—like getting a secret tattoo or staying out past curfew.
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By the time he left the main cast, his storyline had evolved into something much more complex:
- The Medical Dream: Matt went from a kid who wasn't sure what he wanted to do to a high-achieving pre-med student. This was a huge part of his identity in the middle seasons.
- The Interfaith Marriage: His relationship with Sarah Glass (played by the late Sarah Danielle Madison) was actually pretty groundbreaking for family TV in the early 2000s. A Protestant minister’s son marrying a Rabbi’s daughter? It caused a massive stir in the Camden and Glass households.
- The Twin Factor: By the series finale, Matt and Sarah had twins of their own. It was the ultimate "full circle" moment for the guy who spent his teenage years helping his mom change Sam and David’s diapers.
What Barry Watson Is Doing in 2026
If you’re wondering where he is now, he’s actually doing great. He’s been in remission for over twenty years. He’s often said that the cancer journey "vibrant-ized" his life—making colors look brighter and the "little things" seem less important.
He’s still acting, though he’s picky about the roles. You might have caught him in The Loudest Voice playing Lachlan Murdoch or as the dad in the CW's Naomi. He also starred in a reboot of Highway to Heaven for Lifetime. He’s married to Natasha Gregson Wagner (the daughter of Natalie Wood), and they have a daughter named Clover.
He’s a "girl dad" now, which is a funny contrast to the "big brother" role he played for a decade.
That Cringey "Kissing" Scene
We have to talk about it because it still haunts the internet. There’s a scene in an early season where Mary (Jessica Biel) asks Matt for advice on how to kiss, and it gets... uncomfortably close.
Watson actually addressed this recently at a 90s Con event. He admitted he hated filming it. He told the creators, "This would never happen," but apparently, Aaron Spelling himself insisted on the scene. It’s one of those "only in the 90s" TV moments that hasn't aged well at all, and Watson is the first person to agree with the fans on that one.
How to Revisit the Camden Family Legacy
If you're feeling nostalgic for the Glen Oak vibes, the show is surprisingly easy to find on streaming services like Paramount+ or Pluto TV.
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Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you or a loved one are experiencing persistent fatigue and night sweats like Barry did, don't just "wait it out" or blame it on stress. Watson’s biggest piece of advice in his recent interviews is to listen to your body and get bloodwork done. Early detection is exactly why he’s still here 24 years after his diagnosis.
The legacy of Matt Camden isn't just about the "wholesome" lessons or the questionable 90s fashion. It’s about the guy behind the character who fought a very real battle off-screen while his fictional family was busy teaching us about the dangers of "joyriding" or "not telling the truth." He’s a survivor in every sense of the word.