Former Child Star Danny Pintauro Reveals He's HIV Positive to Oprah

Former 1980's child star Danny Pintauro is trading obscurity for activism.

After nearly two decades of life out of the spotlight, Danny Pintauro, 39, best known for his long-running stint as the precocious Jonathan on the 1980s sitcom "Who's The Boss?," has opened up about his HIV status and past crystal meth use. He is urging gay men to take better care of themselves.

During an appearance on "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" Saturday, the former child star told the talk show queen that he has been HIV positive for 12 years.

"There's this awful feeling of, 'I'm never going to be able to have a good relationship. No one's ever going to want me,'" Pintauro told Winfrey before adding a more optimistic spin. "There was a sense of relief... It's backwards. You've spent so much time terrified that you're going to get it, and then you have it. You don't have to be terrified anymore."

Pintauro also spoke of his past drug use.

"Crystal meth takes away your inhibitions," he told Oprah. "You have no limits. And if you want to explore your adventurous side, taking the drug is going to put you there."

Before the Oprah interview aired on Saturday, Pinauro took to Instagram to comment on the episode calling it "life-changing"

"Last meal as a nobody. ;) first meal as an activist. #lifelovelive" he posted.