Not every sitcom turns into a family phenomenon —but Boy Meets World did justthat. The series, created byMichael Jacobs, debuted in 1993 and aired seven seasons on ABC until its finale in May 2000.
The show followed the life and life lessons of Cory Matthews, portrayed byBen Savage— from home with parents Alan (William Russ) and mother Amy (Betsy Randle) to school with neighbor and forever-teacher George Feeny (William Daniels). Cory’s life wouldn’t be complete without best friend Shawn (Rider Strong), brother Eric (Will Friedle) and The One, Topanga (Danielle Fishel). Later, Shawn meets his long-lost brother, Jack (Matthew Lawrence), who quickly becomes part of the group.
After the series came to a end in 2000, everyone moved on — until 2014 when Disney Channel decided to bring back the Matthews family. The spinoff followed Riley Matthews (Rowan Blanchard), Topanga and Cory’s daughter as she worked her way through school with her dad as her teacher.
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“There’s a column that I want to play in and that column containsThe Wonder YearsandHappy Days. That was always the column that I wantedBoy Meets Worldto be included in and I wantGirl Meets Worldto be in that column as well,” creator Jacobs toldEntertainment Weeklyabout the spinoff.
“There’s a natural reticence to want to try and attempt something that you’ve been really lucky enough to do once,” he added, noting that he had no interest in doing a reunion show of the original cast. “A reunion show that’s one and done. But to actually take the children of Cory and Topanga and watch on two levels [as they] grow up and as Cory and Topanga keep growing up, I can’t resist that. I can’t resist that and I’m very hopeful the audience won’t resist it either.”
That said, most of the original cast made appearances on the series and many went on to write and/or direct multiple episodes. Strong repeatedly explained that while he’d guest star, he was getting away from acting and wasn’t interested in revisiting Shawn longterm. He also was shocked at the attention the original show got after it ended.
“We went under the radar for so long. Even when we were on the air, we were under the radar,” he toldChicago Tribunein 2014. “I think the process occurs when a new generation wrestles control of pop culture. I think kids who grew up in the late ’90s and early 2000s are old enough now to be the ones writing articles, talking about what is good on TV. Now those people are in charge of pop culture.”
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Scroll through the gallery below to see where the cast is today.
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'Boy Meets World’ Cast: Where Are They Now?
Not every sitcom turns into a family phenomenon —but Boy Meets World did justthat. The series, created byMichael Jacobs, debuted in 1993 and aired seven seasons on ABC until its finale in May 2000.The show followed the life and life lessons of Cory Matthews, portrayed byBen Savage— from home with parents Alan (William Russ) and mother Amy (Betsy Randle) to school with neighbor and forever-teacher George Feeny (William Daniels). Cory's life wouldn't be complete without best friend Shawn (Rider Strong), brother Eric (Will Friedle) and The One, Topanga (Danielle Fishel). Later, Shawn meets his long-lost brother, Jack (Matthew Lawrence), who quickly becomes part of the group.After the series came to a end in 2000, everyone moved on — until 2014 when Disney Channel decided to bring back the Matthews family. The spinoff followed Riley Matthews (Rowan Blanchard), Topanga and Cory's daughter as she worked her way through school with her dad as her teacher.[jwplayer 2GKXwWzQ]"There’s a column that I want to play in and that column containsThe Wonder YearsandHappy Days. That was always the column that I wantedBoy Meets Worldto be included in and I wantGirl Meets Worldto be in that column as well," creator Jacobs toldEntertainment Weeklyabout the spinoff.“There’s a natural reticence to want to try and attempt something that you’ve been really lucky enough to do once,” he added, noting that he had no interest in doing a reunion show of the original cast. "A reunion show that’s one and done. But to actually take the children of Cory and Topanga and watch on two levels [as they] grow up and as Cory and Topanga keep growing up, I can’t resist that. I can’t resist that and I’m very hopeful the audience won’t resist it either."That said, most of the original cast made appearances on the series and many went on to write and/or direct multiple episodes. Strong repeatedly explained that while he'd guest star, he was getting away from acting and wasn't interested in revisiting Shawn longterm. He also was shocked at the attention the original show got after it ended."We went under the radar for so long. Even when we were on the air, we were under the radar," he toldChicago Tribunein 2014. "I think the process occurs when a new generation wrestles control of pop culture. I think kids who grew up in the late ’90s and early 2000s are old enough now to be the ones writing articles, talking about what is good on TV. Now those people are in charge of pop culture."Scroll through the gallery below to see where the cast is today.[podcast_block]
Credit:Touchstone Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock; Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
Ben Savage
AfterBoy Meets Worldended in 2000, Savage appeared in multiple episodes of other TV shows, includingStill Standing,Chuck,Without a TraceandBones. He then landed a role inGirl Meets Worldand directed 10 episodes. He's appeared in two episodes ofCriminal Mindsand in the final season ofHomeland— in both shows, playing a younger version ofMandy Patinkin. It seems, via Instagram, he's in a relationship.
In January 2023, Savage seemingly confirmed he and girlfriendTessa Angermeierwere engaged. “The best is yet to come,” theLittle Monstersstar captioned a photo of the twosome that appears to feature Angermeier donning a diamond ring.
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Will Friedle
Friedle has voiced Nightwing/Dick Grayson in multiple animatedBatmanfilms and voiced Batman in all three seasons ofBatman Beyond. He voiced Ron Stoppable inKim Possiblefrom 2002 to 2007 on Disney Channel. His post-Boy Meets Worldcareer consists of a ton of voice roles, including voicing Peter Quill/Star-Lord in multipleAvengersanimated projects. He reprised his character in multiple episodes ofGirl Meets Worldand penned an episode in season 2. He currently voices Lex Luthor inDC Super Hero Girls. In 2016, he married Susan Martens.
In June 2022, Friedle, who already cohosts the "I Hear Voices" podcast withEven StevensalumChristy Carlson Romano, announced he would be part of “Pod Meets World,” an iHeart Radio production. He will rewatchBoy Meets Worldepisodes with his former costars Strong and Fishel.
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Rider Strong
Strong went on to star in horror hitCabin Feverin 2002 and landed a role on Broadway in 2006. He later appeared in multiple episodes ofGirl Meets Worldand directed 18 episodes. In 2013, he married Alexandra Barreto and they welcomed a son the next year.
In June 2022, it was announced that Strong would be hosting “Pod Meets World,” an iHeart Radio podcast, with former costars Fishel and Friedle. The show will center around rewatching “every episode of the iconic series, sharing memories, behind the scenes moments, and all the Boy Meets World stories a fan could ever want,” per the official press release.
Credit:Bei/Shutterstock; AFF-USA/Shutterstock
Danielle Fishel
After Boy Meets World, Fishel was a correspondent onThe Tyra Banks Showand hostedThe DishandSay What? Karaoke. She went to college at 27 in 2012 and met Tim Belusko, whom she later married. They split in 2016. She thenmarried Jensen Karpin 2018. Thepair welcomed a sonin 2018. She also launched a hair care line, called Be Free. She starred onGirl Meets World, also directing four episodes and writing one.
Fishel announced she would be cohosting the "Pod Meets World" podcast with former costars Strong and Friedle in June 2022. The rewatch show will center around revisiting the iconic series.
Credit:Touchstone Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock
William Daniels
The two-time Emmy award winner had an epic career before and afterBoy Meets World. After the sitcom wrapped, he appeared onKing of Queens,The Closer,Boston LegalandGrey's Anatomy. He also returned for five episodes ofGirl Meets World. He has been married toBonnie Bartlettsince 1951, and the two adopted two sons.
Credit:Peter Brooker/Shutterstock ;Steve Cohn/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Betsy Randle
She is married to film editorJohn Randleand they have two children. In addition to appearing in three episodes ofGirl Meets World, Randle appeared inThe Beat, Charmed,Adam Ruins EverythingandDirty 30.
Credit:ABC
William Russ
Although he had a successful career beforeBoy Meets World, Russ' success continued after, starring in movies including A Fork in the Road, Green Guys, California SoloandDrones. He also returned to TV, appearing onCrossing Jordan, Deadwood, CSI: NY, Boston Legaland landing a recurring role onThe Ex List. He appeared in two episodes of the spinoff and directed one. He is married toClare Wrenand they have two children.
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Matthew Lawrence
In 2017, he started a band with his brothersJoeyandAndy Lawrence, called Still Three. He also starred inBoston Public, Melissa & Joey, Workaholicsand one episode ofGirl Meets World.After being briefly engaged to Heidi Mueller from 2004 to 2006, he began datingCheryl Burkein February 2007. The couple married in 2019.
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'Boy Meets World’ Cast: Where Are They Now? ›
When asked on Saturday if she ever had a relationship with her costar from the popular coming-of-age 1990s sitcom, Fishel said, "No, we never dated." However, after a couple of years of playing childhood sweethearts Cory Matthews and Topanga Lawrence, Fishel admitted that she and Savage did try to give it a shot.
Did Topanga and Cory date in real life? ›When asked on Saturday if she ever had a relationship with her costar from the popular coming-of-age 1990s sitcom, Fishel said, "No, we never dated." However, after a couple of years of playing childhood sweethearts Cory Matthews and Topanga Lawrence, Fishel admitted that she and Savage did try to give it a shot.
Are Cory and Topanga still together? ›Though they break up in The Grass is Always Greener, Cory shows that he isn't over Topanga in "A Kiss is More Than a Kiss". They stay broken up until "The Happiest Show on Earth" when Cory flies to Disney World to win her back.
Where is Cory from Boy Meets World now? ›Today, we know him as Cory Matthews. One day, he may be U.S. Rep. Ben Savage. Savage, star of the Philadelphia suburbs-set 1990s sitcom Boy Meets World, announced Monday that he is running for a House seat in California's 30th Congressional District in 2024.
Who dated in real life on Boy Meets World? ›There was, however, one Boy Meets World cast member who did manage to steal Fishel's heart. “The only person on the show I ever had a romantic relationship with was Matthew Lawrence,” she explained, adding that they kept the relationship secret from the rest of the cast during filming.
Was Topanga pregnant in Boy Meets World? ›Feeny, they're immediately critical of his decision to adopt a 14-year-old Chinese boy. Cory corrects them, but breaks the news that Topanga is pregnant. Alan reacts poorly, but cooler heads prevail, and they say he should talk to the person he loves. In the next scene, Cory is talking to Shawn about what he should do.
Did Ben and Danielle date? ›But Fishel confirmed the two never had a romantic relationship in real life, although they did give it a try. According to People, at '90s Con, held in Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday, Fishel revealed that she and Savage went on a single date together during their show's run.
Why did they change Morgan in Boy Meets World? ›On a June 26 episode of the podcast "Pod Meets World," co-hosted by Fishel and fellow "Boy Meets World" alumni Rider Strong and Will Friedle, Morgan explained the reason she was given for her firing, saying, "The director said I couldn't take direction, which is one thing I had never been accused of."
What happened to Mr Turner in Boy Meets World? ›On Boy Meets World, Mr. Turner left the show in the middle of season 4 after getting into a motorcycle accident in the episode "Cult Fiction." Though there would continue to be some references to the character as well as archival footage of Mr. Turner, Quinn would never appear again on the show.
Did Cory and Shawn like each other? ›In the final season, their friendship is put to the test once again when Cory and Topanga gets married. Ultimately, however, their friendship endures and they remain close. Overall, Cory and Shawn's friendship is one of the defining aspects of "Boy Meets World".
Who did Cory cheat on Topanga with? ›
"Heartbreak Cory" introduced fans to the impossible: Cory cheating on Topanga. While on a ski trip, Cory kissed Lauren (Linda Cardellini), an employee at Mount Sun Lodge where he and his friends were staying. Well, technically, Lauren kissed him, but to the high school love birds, it was still cheating.
Did Shawn and Topanga ever date? ›Topanga and Shawn have gone out before, and have even made out passionately, albeit fake passion.
Who got pregnant on Boy Meets World? ›Trina McGee Shocks Fans With Revelation She Was Pregnant While Filming 'Boy Meets World' - Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays.
How many kids did Cory and Topanga have? ›After graduating from college, Matthews becomes a history teacher at John Quincy Adams High School located in New York where he is still married to Topanga, and together they have two kids - August "Auggie" and Riley.
Who is Topanga Lawrence married to in real life? ›The "Girl Meets World" star, who won our hearts in "Boy Meets World" originally as Topanga Lawrence-Matthews, tied the knot for the second time on Sunday. Her groom is producer/"Drop the Mic" podcaster Jensen Karp, 38, who was once known as Hot Karl during his rap battle days.
How old were Cory and Topanga when they got married? ›Cory is born in 1981 ( 16 in 1997 episode Wheels also three years younger than Eric ( 1978) same as Topanga. They got married in 1999 at the age of 18 during college.
Was Amy pregnant on Boy Meets World? ›Cory says he and Topanga sat down and discussed it, and agreed that everything had to go exactly perfectly right. Alan warns them of the risks before they go, and after they leave, Amy shares that she is pregnant, with 2 positive pregnancy tests as proof.
Is Topanga pregnant in real life? ›Fishel, who played the smart, quirky Topanga on "Boy Meets World" (and later a mom to a girl on "Girl Meets World") announced she's pregnant with her first baby. And she did it with the most adorable Instagram post. The Wednesday post shows three sets of sneakers, including a tiny pair for the yet-to-be-born son.
What episode did Topanga get pregnant? ›Eric and Topanga go on a diet because they have noticed they have gained weight and Cory thinks that Topanga is Pregnant.
Who does Danielle end up with? ›Danielle Ruhl and Nick Thompson found love in an unconventional way — in a social experiment aired on Netflix. The couple participated in the streamer's hit reality show Love Is Blind, meeting during season 2, which premiered in 2022.
Did Danielle break up with her boyfriend? ›
During a chat with The Daily Dish, the Summer House cast member confirmed that her and her boyfriend of two years, Robert Sieber, broke up in November 2022. "Robert and I have parted ways," Danielle shared. "It happened right before Thanksgiving, and I do not recommend a breakup right before the holidays.
Is Danielle still engaged? ›The pair were engaged and married during the Netflix reality show's second season, which aired in 2022. Ruhl filed for divorce less than a year later, in August 2022, and the contentious exesbegan to feud on social media.
Why was Minkus written off? ›Lee Norris
Rider Strong claimed at Wizard World Comic Con, per Looper, that Norris' character, Minkus, was written out because of the popularity of fellow TGIF geek Steve Urkel over on Family Matters, and the Boy Meets World creatives didn't want to double down on comedic nerdom.
As any Boy Meets World fan can tell you, there were two actresses who played Eric and Cory's younger sister Morgan. So rather than leave one out, the Girl Meets World finale saw it fit to give Riley and Auggie two aunts for the price of one with the help of a highly technical special effect known as the "tag out."
Why did Lily Nicksay leave Boy Meets World? ›'" Friedle, meanwhile, noted, "She just didn't want to be there." For her part, Nicksay told Entertainment Weekly in 2013 that her parents and the "Boy Meets World" producers made the "mutual decision" to have her to step away from the role of Morgan Matthews.
What was the controversial episode of Boy Meets World? ›Among the episodes in question, which all featured sex or alcohol, was season five, episode 22 'Prom-ises, Prom-ises', in which Cory and Topanga decide to have sex after prom, before realising they're actually happy to wait.
Who was originally cast as Topanga? ›Before Danielle Fishel became a '90s teen icon for her role as Topanga Lawrence in “Boy Meets World,” another actor was cast as the free-spirited, book smart young girl. For the first time, actor Bonnie Morgan opened up about being the original Topanga in the sitcom during the June 26 episode of “Pod Meets World.”
What happened to Angela at the end of Boy Meets World? ›First appearing in season 5 as a recurring character, McGee's Angela Moore began dating Strong's Shawn Hunter, eventually becoming a series regular. In the second to last episode, Angela left with her father for Europe, making her the only main character not in the series finale.
Did Matthew Lawrence date Danielle Fishel? ›"The only person on the show I ever had a romantic relationship with was Matthew Lawrence," she revealed in an episode of "Pod Meets World" in August 2022, per Us Weekly. While Fishel didn't delve too much into their relationship, she noted that they kept their romance a secret from the rest of the cast during filming.
Are Corey and Topanga actually married? ›Shawn calms down and tells Cory to marry Topanga, and the wedding proceeds. Cory and Topanga movingly exchange their vows and are officially married.
Did Cory and Topanga actually kiss? ›
When Topanga Lawrence kissed Cory Matthews in the fourth episode of "Boy Meets World," it was a huge moment for both characters: their first kiss.