Ben Savage, born in 1980, got his start in acting at the young age of 12 when he appeared in his first commercial. He soon started going on auditions for film and TV roles. His big break came in 1990 when he was cast as lead character Cory Matthews on the hit TV sitcom “Boy Meets World.” This was Ben’s first major acting role and launched his career as a child star.
Early Small Roles
Even before “Boy Meets World,” Ben had some small acting roles:
- In 1988, he appeared in the indie film “Little Monsters” starring Fred Savage (his real-life brother)
- He had several TV commercials, including for McDonald’s and Chicago Cubs baseball
- In 1990, he guest-starred on “The Wonder Years,” another coming-of-age comedy like “Boy Meets World” would become
So while “Boy Meets World” catapulted Ben Savage into stardom, he had begun laying the early groundwork with some smaller acting jobs.
As the lovable protagonist Cory Matthews, Ben Savage navigated the highs and lows of young adolescence. The show followed Cory from middle school into college along with his teacher Mr. Feeny (William Daniels), best friend Shawn (Rider Strong), and love interest Topanga (Danielle Fishel).
Ben Savage’s portrayal of Cory struck a chord with millions of viewers and catapulted the young actor into fame. For an entire generation of kids who grew up watching the show, Savage will forever be known as Cory from “Boy Meets World.”
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“Being a child star, growing up on TV, that was my life. That’s all I knew.” – Ben Savage
How did Boy Meets World impact Ben Savage’s acting career?
Starring on a hit TV series from age 13 into early adulthood, “Boy Meets World” had an undeniable impact on shaping Ben Savage’s acting career in several key ways:
Typecast Struggles After Boy Meets World
After spending 7 seasons embodying one character, Ben Savage understandably struggled to break out of the “Cory Matthews” typecasting. He had become so identified with the “Boy Meets World” role that audiences couldn’t disconnect the actor Savage from the character.
Like many child stars, this made the jump to more mature adult roles challenging. Savage has been candid over the years about the typecasting issues he faced trying to pivot his early fame into longevity.
Opened Doors Through Name Recognition
Even with typecasting struggles, headlining a pop culture phenomenon like “Boy Meets World” opened plenty of doors for Ben Savage due to the name recognition alone. He got opportunities like hosting gigs, bit parts in films, guest TV spots, etc.
So while the show’s legacy made leading adult roles harder to land, Ben Savage’s enduring fame ensured he’d keep getting minor parts over the years and chances to reprise his famous Cory Matthews role.
Cultivated Strong Acting Chops
Lastly, learning the craft and trade while growing up as a lead actor undoubtedly gave Ben Savage a strong acting foundation. He cultivated his skills in front of live audiences which many veteran actors cite as invaluable.
The years of acting experience also equipped Savage with practical abilities like memorizing lines quickly, taking direction, repeating scenes, etc. So behind any typecasting, he developed a skillset to succeed in Hollywood long-term.
What roles has Ben Savage had after Boy Meets World?
While Ben Savage has struggled to land leading roles post-“Boy Meets World,” he has stayed working in Hollywood with a mix of minor parts, cameos, and reprising his iconic Cory Matthews role:
Guest TV Spots
Savage has popped up on various TV shows over the years, usually playing himself or a very similar character to Cory:
- “Clifford the Big Red Dog” animated kids series
- “Chuck” comedy action series
- “Bones” crime drama procedural
- “Without a Trace” drama series
Reprised Cory Matthews Role
When “Girl Meets World” debuted in 2014 as a spinoff sequel to “Boy Meets World,” Ben Savage slipped right back into the protagonist role of Cory Matthews:
- Now grown up with a daughter (Riley Matthews) and son (Auggie Matthews)
- Reprised his chemistry with Danielle Fishel as Topanga
- Continued the legacy of Mr. Feeny guiding the kids
Bringing back a grown-up Cory seemed to come naturally to Savage after so many years defining the character.
Behind the Camera Interests
In addition to minor acting roles, Ben has explored working behind the scenes such as:
- Directing episodes of “Girl Meets World”
- Writing and directing several short films
- Founding a production company in 2007 called Little Cub Productions
“As I get older, I’m definitely interested in branching out and I’d love to get into directing features.” – Ben Savage
Recent Endeavors
More recently, Ben Savage has:
- Starred in the 2021 Lifetime holiday movie “Milk and Honey”
- Co-hosted a 90s nostalgia podcast called “Pod Meets World”
- Made an appearance in the popular sitcom “Young Sheldon” in 2022
So he continues sporadically acting while also expanding into creative pursuits behind the camera.
What is Ben Savage doing now in 2023?
Now in his early 40s, Ben Savage remains a pop culture icon best known for his childhood fame playing Cory on “Boy Meets World.” In 2023, his recent and current endeavors include:
- Guest starring on an episode of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”
- Developing a new holiday film project with his brother Fred Savage
- Co-producing a mystery/thriller film currently in pre-production
- Making publicity appearances related to “Boy Meets World” nostalgia
- Spending time with his girlfriend Tessa Angermeier
- Playing recreational sports like pickup basketball in L.A. when not working
So while no longer acting full-time currently, Ben Savage stays active with acting passion projects amidst the ongoing opportunities tied to his enduring popularity as a child star icon.
FAQ About Ben Savage’s Child Stardom
How old was Ben Savage when Boy Meets World started?
Ben Savage was 13 years old when “Boy Meets World” debuted in 1993. He was born in 1980 and was chosen for the lead role of Cory Matthews when he was 12.
What was Ben Savage’s first acting role?
Ben’s first TV acting role was in a 1988 episode of “The Wonder Years” and his first movie was “Little Monsters” the same year. But his first big national break was starring in a Wheels USA bicycle commercial in 1990.
Who played the main characters on Boy Meets World?
The main characters were Ben Savage as Cory Matthews, Rider Strong as Shawn Hunter, Danielle Fishel as Topanga Lawrence, and Will Friedle as Cory’s older brother Eric Matthews. William Daniels also starred as their teacher Mr. Feeny.
Did Ben Savage appear in Girl Meets World?
Yes, when “Girl Meets World” debuted in 2014 as a sequel series, Ben Savage reprised his iconic role as protagonist Cory Matthews. He played a grown-up Cory with a daughter (Riley Matthews played by Rowan Blanchard) with key storylines centered around his family and students. Danielle Fishel also returned as Cory’s wife Topanga.
What was Ben Savage’s last acting role?
As of late 2022, Ben Savage’s latest on-screen acting role was appearing as himself in an episode of the sitcom “Young Sheldon.” He also starred in the 2021 Lifetime holiday movie “Milk and Honey.” So while not acting as frequently recently, Savage remains active in Hollywood.
Conclusion
In summary, Ben Savage achieved tremendous fame and success starring as lead character Cory Matthews on “Boy Meets World” throughout the 1990s. The hit sitcom propelled him into the spotlight as a child actor, making Savage a pop culture icon for millions of fans.
However, like many child stars, he faced struggles breaking out of the Cory typecasting post-“Boy Meets World” in order to pivot successfully to more mature adult roles. But the name recognition and acting chops cultivated during the show’s heyday ensured Savage stayed working in Hollywood with minor parts and opportunities to reprise his famous role.
Now in his 40s, Ben Savage remains most strongly tied to the “Boy Meets World” legacy and his enduring fame as Cory. He continues periodically acting while also exploring creative passions related to producing, directing, and writing.
So while the next chapter of his career remains uncertain, Savage will forever be remembered fondly by audiences as an iconic child star who grew up on screen playing everyone’s favorite 1990s sitcom kid.
