Timeline

September 13, 1980
Ben Savage is born in Chicago

1985
Appears in first commercial at age 5

1988
First speaking role on Dear John until 1990

1989
Appears opposite his brother in Little Monsters

1993
Stars as Cory Matthews on Boy meets World until 2000

2004
Graduates from Stanford with a degree in political science

He was born Bennette Joseph Savage on September 13, 1980 in Chicago. He is the younger brother of another child actor, Fred Savage of The Wonder Years. He even appeared in an episode of his older brother’s show. Ben Savage started acting at a young age and cites his older brother as his inspiration. He appeared in his first commercial at age five and from there went on to appear in made for TV movies and shows.

His first speaking role was on the sitcom, Dear John, starring Judd Hirsch in 1988. He played Matthew Lacey on the show until 1990. In 1989 he appeared opposite his brother in the film Little Monsters.

Of course, Savage’s big break didn’t come until 1993 when he was cast as the lead in Boy Meets World, a coming of age story which followed “Cory” from the age of eleven until college, and even through a marriage. During this time he appeared in a few films and guest starred in many other ABC shows (often appearing as Cory Matthews), but once he left Boy Meets World in 2000, his life started to take a different direction.

After playing a college student during the final years of Boy Meets World, Savage became a college student himself at Stanford University. He even joined the fraternity Sigma Chi. He graduated in 2004 with a degree in political science. In 2003, he interned in the office of US Senator, Arlen Specter. Perhaps a political career is in store for this former child actor, but for now you can catch him on reruns of Boy Meets World on the Disney channel or you can buy the DVD.

- Linda Buchwald, Managing Editor