Ben Savage

Ben Savage – Life, Career, and Notable Moments

Delve into the life of Ben Savage (born September 13, 1980), American actor best known for Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World. Learn about his early years, acting journey, personal life, activism, and what he’s doing now.

Introduction

Bennett Joseph “Ben” Savage is an American actor whose name is almost synonymous with the character Cory Matthews. Though he began acting as a child, it was Boy Meets World that catapulted him into fame — and later Girl Meets World allowed him to revisit that formative role in a more mature context. His path has been a blend of classic sitcom stardom, personal growth, occasional guest roles, and public service ambitions.

Let’s explore the journey of Ben Savage: how he started, what he’s done, and where he might go next.

Early Life and Family

• Born: September 13, 1980, in Chicago, Illinois

• Parents: Joanne and Lewis Savage. His father worked in industrial real estate and as a consultant.

• Siblings:
  • Fred Savage — older brother, actor and director
  • Kala Savage — older sister, actress and musician

• Ethnic & Religious Background: His grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Poland, Ukraine, Germany, and Latvia. He was raised in Reform Judaism.

From a young age, he was exposed to entertainment through his brother’s career and the creative environment of his family.

Acting Beginnings & Early Roles

• Savage first appeared in commercials very early. Some sources say he was in a commercial at age 5.

• Film Debut: Little Monsters (1989), a film in which his brother Fred starred.

• Early TV appearances included:
  • Dear John (1988) — a recurring role as Matthew in the sitcom.
  • A Family for Joe (1990) — a TV series appearance.
  • Wild Palms (1993) — a miniseries where he played a challenging role (Coty Wyckoff).

These early roles showed versatility and willingness to take on dramatic parts even as a young actor.

Breakthrough: Boy Meets World and Beyond

Boy Meets World (1993–2000)

• Savage’s most defining role is Cory Matthews, which he played from 1993 to 2000 on ABC.

• The show traced the character’s journey from adolescence to adulthood, exploring friendships, family, ethics, relationships, and life lessons.

• During Boy Meets World, his brother Fred appeared in one episode and even directed another.

Post-Boy Meets World

• Savage continued with TV guest roles, independent films, and stage work.

• In 2004, he graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Political Science.

• In 2014, he reprised his role as Cory in the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World (2014–2017).

  • On Girl Meets World, Cory is now married to Topanga and is also a teacher to their daughter Riley.

  • Savage also directed several episodes of the series.

• More recent roles include:

  • Guest appearances on shows like Chuck, Without a Trace, Bones, Shake It Up, Criminal Minds (as younger versions of characters), etc.

  • Television films like Love, Lights, Hanukkah! (Hallmark) and Girl in the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez.

Personal Life & Public Engagements

• Marriage: In February 2023, Savage married Tessa Angermeier.

• Children: In May 2025, Savage and his wife announced they are expecting their first child in November 2025.

• Political Involvement:
  • In 2003, while at Stanford, Savage interned for U.S. Senator Arlen Specter as part of his academic requirement.
  • In August 2022, he qualified as a candidate for West Hollywood City Council (though he was not elected).
  • In 2023, he launched a campaign as a Democratic candidate for California’s 30th Congressional District.

• Relationships with Co-Stars:
  There have been reports that some of his Boy Meets World co-stars say they have not communicated with Savage in years.

Famous Quotes & Remarks

Ben Savage is not typically quoted as a public speaker in the same way as political figures, but here are a few remarks that reflect his mindset:

• On Boy Meets World’s impact:
  > “That was my life — it was my childhood … What do I take away from that show? We had a ball.”

• On friendship / relationships:
  > “What I always like about good friendships and relationships is that it does not matter how much time it’s been, you can immediately sit down and start talking where things left off.”

These statements show his grounded perspective on life, nostalgia, and human connection.

Lessons and Reflections

1. Grow with your roles
   Savage’s return to Cory Matthews in Girl Meets World shows how an actor (and public) can mature with a character, offering new depth.

2. Balance passion with education
   He pursued a full university education (Stanford) even while being a working actor — illustrating that personal development and career need not be exclusive.

3. Be open to reinvention
   After the peak of his sitcom fame, he continued to reinvent himself through guest roles, direction, and activism.

4. Public life requires vulnerability
   Running for political office is a major shift from entertainment, and his steps into that arena reflect a willingness to engage with societal issues.

5. Relationships matter
   Even in fame, maintaining genuine relationships and handling distance or conflict is a meaningful challenge — as recent discussions with former co-stars suggest.

Conclusion

Ben Savage’s journey is one of evolving identity: from child actor to teen star to adult trying to make a mark beyond entertainment. While Cory Matthews remains his most iconic role, his continuing choices—whether in television, directing, or public service—show an individual striving to expand his impact.