Ben Savage, known for his role in the 1990s sitcom "Boy Meets World," was recently photographed during a solo outing in Santa Monica, California. The sighting marks a rare public appearance for the actor, who has shifted his focus to politics in recent years.
Savage, 45, made two unsuccessful bids for public office. In 2022, he ran for West Hollywood City Council and subsequently lost to Laura Friedman in his 2023 campaign for California's 30th congressional district. Despite these political endeavors, his acting career has been on hiatus since 2022, when he appeared in the Lifetime movie "Girl in the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez."
In contrast to his public visibility, Savage has reportedly not spoken to his "Boy Meets World" castmates Will Friedle, Danielle Fishel, and Rider Strong for six years. The actors starred together on the ABC sitcom from 1993 to 2000 and its Disney Channel spin-off "Girl Meets World" from 2014 to 2017.
Danielle Fishel, who played Savage's onscreen love interest, expressed her continued hope for reconnection. "There's so many times I want to pick up the phone and still do," Fishel told People last month. "I know I'm shouting into the void, but I'm going to keep doing it. I haven't given up on my friend."
Friedle, who portrayed Savage's older brother on "Boy Meets World," stated that the estrangement was not due to any conflict. "There's no fight, falling out, or animosity" before he "disappeared," Friedle said.
Fishel also shared her thoughts on Savage's new chapter as a father, noting that he and his wife, Tessa Angermeier, welcomed a daughter. "I love imagining him in this new chapter of his life as a dad. I know he has had a baby girl. He's now a husband. So I love just thinking about him [in that capacity]," Fishel said. The couple met in 2018 and married three years ago.
Last Saturday, Savage shared an image on his Instagram story of his wife holding their seven-month-old daughter at a seaside gathering. This personal update contrasts with the lack of communication reported by his former co-stars, who recently featured in a documentary about their "Boy Meets World" rewatch podcast. The documentary, titled "Doc Meets World," premiered in June at the Tribeca Film Festival, capturing Friedle, Fishel, and Strong during their live tour.
Savage, who is a Stanford University graduate, began his acting career at age eight alongside his brother Fred Savage in the 1989 film "Little Monsters."