From Cory Matthews to Mr. Feeny, the Boy Meets World cast has transformed dramatically since the show premiered on September 24, 1993—spanning new careers, marriages, degrees, and reunions like Girl Meets World, even as Ben Savage stayed away from the Boy Meet
When Boy Meets World premiered on September 24, 1993, it didn’t just introduce a cast—it introduced a timeline. Cory, Topanga, and Shawn started out as sixth graders, and for 7 seasons, viewers watched them grow through college years alongside friends and family.
Now, more than 27 years later, the cast looks nothing like the kids who first captured hearts. Some have returned to their characters through Girl Meets World. Others have built entirely new paths—degrees, voice work, directing, marriages, and guest spots across TV and film. And one absence has lingered for fans: Ben Savage didn’t return for the Boy Meets Pod podcast featuring Danielle Fishel. Rider Strong and Will Friedle. with the main cast speaking about his distance from the group.
Ben Savage played Cory Matthews throughout the show’s 7 seasons. After Boy Meets World. Ben took a break from acting and attended Stanford University. where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. He later took guest-starring roles on shows including Bones, Without A Trace, and Chuck. He played the younger versions of Mandy Patinkin’s characters on Criminal Minds and Homeland. returned as Cory for the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World. which ended in 2017 after 3 seasons. and directed the 2017 independent film Palo Alto. In 2023, Ben Savage married Tessa Angermeier.
Danielle Fishel—who starred as Topanga Lawrence—stayed closely connected to the role and the fans. Danielle Fishel is 39, and after Boy Meets World, she leaned more into hosting. She hosted The Dish for the Style Network and MSN TV’s Last Night on TV. and she was also a correspondent on The Tyra Banks Show. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 2013. Danielle reprised her role as Topanga on Girl Meets World alongside Ben and many of her other Boy Meets World co-stars. She married Jensen Karp in 2018, and since then they have welcomed two sons: Adler Lawrence and Keaton Joseph.
Rider Strong played Shawn Hunter for all 7 seasons. After the show ended, Rider starred in the 2002 horror film Cabin Fever, and he voiced Brick Flagg on Kim Possible. Over the years. he took on film and TV roles including guest spots on Bones and Veronica Mars. reprised Shawn on Girl Meets World. and directed some of the show’s episodes. Rider Strong graduated from Columbia University in 2004 with a major in English. then earned a master’s degree in 2009 at Bennington College. He married actress Alexandra Barreto in 2013, and their son, Indy, was born in 2014.
Will Friedle played Eric Matthews, and his career has leaned heavily into voice work. After Boy Meets World. he became a prominent voice actor. voicing Ron Stoppable in the Disney Channel series Kim Possible and Terry McGinnis/Batman in Batman Beyond. He also voiced Deadpool in Ultimate Spider-Man and Star-Lord in the animated version of Guardians of the Galaxy. He appeared as Eric again in 4 episodes of Girl Meets World, and in 2016, he married girlfriend Susan Martens.
Matthew Lawrence joined Boy Meets World in season 5 as Jack Hunter and quickly became a fan favorite. After Boy Meets World. he starred alongside Rachel McAdams in the 2002 movie The Hot Chick. and he starred alongside his brothers Joey and Andy in the 2001 TV movie Jumping Ship. He guest-starred on his brother Joey’s sitcom. Melissa & Joey. and he appeared as Jack in one episode of Girl Meets World. Matthew Lawrence married DWTS pro Cheryl Burke in 2019, and they divorced in 2022. He later began dating Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas.
Betsy Randle played Amy Matthews, the mother of Eric and Cory, over the course of the show. She went on to play Mrs. Winterbourne in 4 episodes of Charmed and reprised Amy Matthews in 3 episodes of Girl Meets World. In the last two years. Betsy has been in two films: To the Beat!: Back 2 School and My Little Girl Is Gone. She lives in California with her family.
William Daniels—Mr. Feeny to generations of viewers—has continued appearing across television. Since Boy Meets World ended. he has reunited with co-star Will Friedle for one episode of Kim Possible in 2004. and he guest-starred on Scrubs. The Closer. Boston Legal. and more. William played Mr. Craig Thomas, a mentor to Cristina Yang, in 5 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. His latest role was playing Mr. Feeny again on Girl Meets World in episodes across the show’s 3-year run. Daniels published his memoir, There I Go Again: How I Came to Be Mr. Feeny, John Adams, Dr. Craig, KITT, and Many Others, in 2017. He has been married to Bonnie Bartlett since 1951.
Trina McGee played Angela Moore, Shawn Hunter’s on-again, off-again girlfriend starting in season 5. After Boy Meets World, Trina appeared on shows like So Little Time and The Hughleys. She guest-starred as Angela on Girl Meets World in 2015. and her most recent roles have been in the 2016 movies LAPD African Cops and Sins of the Guilty. In Jan. 2020, Trina opened up about her experience on the set of Boy Meets World. She said she was called “Aunt Jemima” on set. and revealed that Will Friedle apologized for the inappropriate comment both back then and again in the present day.
Maitland Ward began playing Rachel McGuire in season 6 of Boy Meets World. When the show ended in 2000, Maitland went on to guest-star on Boston Public, Out of Practice, and Rules of Engagement. She played Brittany Wilson in the 2004 comedy White Chicks. She is now a full-time adult film star.
William Russ played Alan Matthews, Cory and Eric’s dad. Since Boy Meets World ended, William appeared on well-known shows including Boston Legal, The Young & The Restless, 90210, Scandal, and more. He reprised the role of Alan Matthews on Girl Meets World. and in 2019. he recently played Chuck on the hit series 9-1-1. William Russ is married to Clare Wren, and together they have welcomed two children.
The cast’s journeys don’t all move in the same direction. but the threads are familiar: roles reprised. careers expanded. and lives reshaped. Even as some returned to their characters through Girl Meets World and shared momentum through the Boy Meets Pod podcast featuring Danielle Fishel. Rider Strong and Will Friedle. the missing chair at the table—Ben Savage—has stayed part of the story since the show itself first found its place in the hearts of millions of fans.
Boy Meets World cast Danielle Fishel Rider Strong Will Friedle Ben Savage Girl Meets World Boy Meets Pod Mr. Feeny Trina McGee Maitland Ward William Russ transformations