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Starring in The Sandlot (1993) was the starting point for Mike Vitar, who then went on to have roles in The Mighty Ducks, as well. While not in the first of those movies, he was in the second and third ones. When he was 12 years old and in line for a school carnival ride, he was discovered by a casting manager who started him down the path of the entertainment industry. While that might seem to be an odd way to get into acting, it worked for Vitar. But how did that chance discovery lead to a life of acting, and why did the former child actor decide not to pursue that career path into adulthood? We have the answers you're looking for. Read on to see what you can find out about Mike Vitar's movies and life.

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Growing Up and Getting Into Acting

Vitar grew up in California, and has two siblings who are older. His brother, Pablo, played in The Sandlot, as well, as the older version of Vitar's character. In 1996, Pablo became an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. He died from colon cancer in 2008. Vitar's sister, Elizabeth, is still living. Vitar graduated from St. Francis High School in California in 1997. Before that time, in 1996, he worked for an ambulance company. That was a stepping stone toward working as a firefighter, which was something Vitar had always been interested in. For him, getting into acting was a random, chance thing. It wasn't the career path he would choose, or something he expected to do for a lifetime.

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Not everyone enjoys acting, and Vitar appeared to be one of those who would prefer to do something else. But because he was offered the roles he took them, as there was money to be made and it's often exciting to be in show business. While the movies did well, Vitar quickly determined that the role of an actor wasn't right for him and his life long-term. He saw his brother work as a police officer, and he still had his dream of being a firefighter. He didn't want to let go of that, even when the movies came out and he was instantly popular for being in them. This is the case with many child actors, who decide they aren't interested in making the entertainment industry their entire career.

After D3: The Mighty Ducks came out in 1996, Vitar decided he was done with acting. He retired in 1997, and never went back to it. Many retired actors still make small appearances here and there, but Vitar left the scene totally. He hasn't been in movies, TV shows, plays, or anything else since he announced his retirement and decided he wasn't going to be a career actor. There has been speculation as to why Vitar didn't want to be in the spotlight or have he life of an actor, but it's not easy to find information about what Vitar was really focused on during that time. However, it appeared that acting just didn't fit what he wanted to do with his life, and he was interested in keeping to his dream of being a firefighter.

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He Retired Early, and Works to Help Others

After his 1997 retirement from acting, little is known about what he did for a few years. Then in 2002, he went to work as a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department. He lives in Los Angeles with Kym, his wife, and their three children. They have one daughter and two sons, and married in 2006. In November of 2015, Vitar and other firefighters chased down a college student who was walking through the neighborhood and giving candy to children, alleging the man refused to leave and was harassing kids. They assaulted the man, who was left with brain damage and other significant injuries. Vitar didn't contest the charges of misdemeanor battery, and received no jail time. He went back to working as a firefighter after a six-month suspension.

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Since that time, Vitar hasn't been in the news or in any kind of spotlight. He has stayed to himself and performed his firefighting duties. He lives quietly with his wife and children, and is focused on his work and his family life. There's no indication that Vitar will ever return to acting, and he has never mentioned coming out of retirement to go back to making movies. His career may have been short, but the movies in which he had a role were significant and memorable. Those who loved his characters in those movies can re-watch the films fondly, and Vitar will continue to protect the people of Los Angeles.