Honestly, if you grew up in the late 1980s, you probably had a bit of a crush on Bubba Higgins. With that signature blonde hair and the tight jeans, Allan Kayser basically became the poster boy for the "reformed" bad boy on Mama's Family. But then the show ended in 1990, and it kinda felt like he vanished. You’re likely wondering what is Allan Kayser doing now or if he just decided to leave Hollywood in the rearview mirror entirely.
The truth is a lot more low-key than the bright lights of Raytown.
Kayser isn't chasing the A-list life in Los Angeles anymore. For years now, he’s been living a much quieter life in the Midwest. He actually moved back toward his roots, eventually settling in the Central Missouri area. It makes sense when you look at his history; he went to college at Central Missouri State University before he ever landed the role of Bubba. He didn't just go back for a visit; he stayed. In 2022, he was even inducted into the Missouri Walk of Fame during the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield. That’s a pretty big deal for a local kid who made it big.
The Reality of Life After Raytown
A lot of fans assume that once a show like Mama's Family ends, the actors just keep rolling into the next big sitcom. That wasn't really the case for Kayser. He did some work in the early 2000s, including a spot in the Disney Channel movie Double Teamed in 2002. Later on, he leaned into the indie horror scene. If you're a genre fan, you might have caught him in House of Forbidden Secrets or House of the Witch Doctor around 2013.
But acting isn't his 24/7 grind anymore. He’s much more focused on his family life with his wife, Sara, and their kids.
He’s also become a staple on the nostalgia circuit. You’ll often find him at horror conventions or classic TV expos, like NJ Horror Con. He seems to genuinely enjoy meeting the people who still shout "Hey Bubba!" at him in grocery stores. He’s very active on platforms like Cameo too. If you want a personalized birthday shout-out where he reminisces about Mama Thelma Harper or the rest of the crew, he’s one of the few stars from that era who is actually accessible and happy to do it.
Why he walked away from the "Hollywood Grind"
The industry is tough. Kayser once talked about how much he learned from legends like Vicki Lawrence and Ken Berry, calling his time on the show a "learning and growing" experience that felt like high-level training. But once that chapter closed, the roles that came his way were often just variations of the same "pretty boy" archetype.
Instead of fighting for scraps in a town that moves on fast, he chose stability.
- Family First: He’s been married to Sara since 2014 and they have two children together (he also has two children from a previous marriage).
- Missouri Roots: Living in the Midwest allows for a level of privacy you just can't get in Cali.
- The Fan Connection: He leans into his legacy rather than trying to outrun it.
It’s refreshing, really. You see so many child stars or sitcom heartthrobs struggle with the "after," but Kayser seems to have figured out a balance that works for him. He’s 62 now, and while he’s still got that same grin, he’s clearly traded the tight jeans for a life that’s more about being a dad and a husband than a TV star.
What is Allan Kayser doing now in terms of new projects?
If you’re looking for a massive comeback on a Netflix series, you might be waiting a while. Kayser hasn't had a major screen credit in several years. Most of his "work" these days is appearing as a guest at festivals and managing his personal brand through fan interactions. He’s very much in the "semi-retired but happy to show up for the fans" phase of his career.
People often forget he was in Night of the Creeps before Mama's Family even took off. That movie has a massive cult following, which keeps him relevant in the horror community. Between the Mama's Family reruns on MeTV and the horror buffs, he’s actually doing just fine without a new pilot season.
Practical ways to keep up with Allan Kayser
If you want to actually see what he's up to or get in touch, here are the most direct paths:
- Check Convention Schedules: Look for "Nostalgia" or "Horror" conventions in the Midwest and East Coast. He’s a frequent guest at events that celebrate 80s pop culture.
- Cameo: This is his most active digital footprint. He records videos regularly and usually has a high rating because he actually puts effort into the "Bubba" persona for fans.
- MeTV Marathons: Honestly, the best way to support his legacy is to keep watching. The show still pulls numbers in syndication, which is why we’re still talking about him in 2026.
Basically, Allan Kayser is living proof that you don't have to stay in the spotlight to have a successful life. He took the "Bubba" fame, banked it, and went home to raise a family. In a world of celebrity meltdowns, that’s probably the biggest win of all.
Next Steps:
If you're a die-hard fan, your best bet is to follow the official social media pages for major nostalgia conventions like the Hollywood Show or NJ Horror Con, as these are the primary venues where Allan makes public appearances today. You can also search for his profile on Cameo to see his most recent video uploads and fan interactions.