Unless you were living under a rock in the ‘90s and early aughts, you remember Ruthie Camden from the WB’s popular primetime show 7th Heaven. Having landed the role at the tender age of six, actor Mackenzie Rosman spent much of her childhood portraying the youngest daughter in the Camden clan. As Ruthie grew up into an angsty teenager and her “siblings” left the house, she became a more central character on the show, tackling tough topics like relationships, drugs, terrible tattoos, and more. She may have started out as America's kid sister, but over time she became more of a peer to the show's teen audience.
After 11 seasons on the hit series, Mackenzie dabbled in film acting, but ultimately decided to carve out a new path for herself. Today, at the age of 31, she looks happier than ever in her new life—which couldn’t be more different from her time spent in Hollywood. Read on to find out what Mackenzie Rosman is up to now, and for another celebrity update, Heidi Klum Shares Adorable Selfie With Lookalike Daughter Leni.
1 | Mackenzie has left Hollywood for farm life.
Instagram/@mackrosmanAfter leaving Hollywood, Mackenzie chose another path entirely by moving to Maryland, where she enjoys ample space for her many dogs, cats, and horses. The 7th Heaven alum has shared snaps of herself fishing, bringing in the harvest haul, greeting farm animals, shooting rifles, and riding dirt bikes. Needless to say it’s a departure from her childhood acting days.
Alongside one particularly idyllic picture taken from atop a horse, she quoted the author John Lubbock: "Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time," the caption read. And for more celebrity news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
2 | She’s passionate about animals—especially horses.
Instagram/@mackrosmanIf there’s one thing Mackenzie is passionate about these days, it’s animals—especially horses. She rides regularly, often sharing impressive photos of her timber racing—the sport of riding horses as they leap over wooden fences and hedges. "In riding a horse, we borrow freedom," she captioned one of her posts, quoting Helen Thompson.
She also has several other furry friends. In one photo she shared via Instagram, she alluded to having 10 dogs, and shortly after introduced a new French bulldog pup named Dudley. She also has several cats, including one named Syd, who she refers to as the “bully” of the family. And for more celebrity news, Justin Timberlake May Have Just Shared a Rare Photo of His Son.
3 | She founded her own company.
Instagram/@mackrosmanMackenzie’s love of horses is more than a hobby or passion—she’s developed it into a business venture, too. Under a company named Fletch Athletica, she created a product called a Doli Belt, which allows equestrians to store treats for their horses around their waist, hands-free.
“The Doli Belt™ comes out of the minds of people who realize that happy horses make happy horse people and vice versa,” reads the product’s mission statement. “We are committed to always doing the right thing, despite what is easiest. That's why we use sustainable packaging and make products that solve problems without creating collateral damage.”
4 | She’s also a philanthropist.
Instagram/@mackrosmanSince she was young, Rosman has used her celebrity platform to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis and the need for organ donation—and her connection to the cause is personal. Katelyn Salmont, Mackenzie's stepsister, had cystic fibrosis and underwent a successful double lung transplant in 2005, after her father donated a portion of one of his lungs to her. Before Katelyn passed away in 2008, she was featured on two episodes of 7th Heaven, in which she played herself and documented some of her journey of living with cystic fibrosis.
Rosman has also been vocal in her support of several nonprofit organizations, including Childhelp Inc., which helps severely abused children. She is also a national honorary chairman for CureFinders, a school fundraising program that supports finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. And to see what more of your favorite child stars are up to, This Is What All the Kids From "Harry Potter" Look Like Now.
