What Happened to Danielle Fishel – 2018 News and Updates

Danielle Fishel is an American actress best known for her role as Topanga Lawrence Mathews in the sitcom, Boy Meets World. Fishel was first discovered as a child talent in 1991, when she was performing in two productions of The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan in a community theatre. Shortly after having starred in a number of commercials and voice-over roles, Fishel began a professional acting career at the age of 10. Her first role as a young actress would be that of Jennifer, a guest character in the hit series, Full House in 1992. The following year, she appeared in an episode of the American sitcom, Harry and the Hendersons as Jessica. However despite the early acting opportunities, Fishel would not gain wide acclaim until later that yearーwhen she was cast as a recurring character in the comedy, Boy Meets World.

Having first premiered on television on September 24, 1993, Boy Meets World centred around the life of protagonist, Cornellius “Cory” Mathews, who was played by actor Ben Savage. Fishel first appeared in the series as Topanga Lawrence-Matthews in season one of the show, as Cory’s close childhood friend. Despite the role having originally been intended as a guest character, the producers of the series eventually turned Topanga into a regular cast member during the second season. As a main cast member, Fishel would go on to star in Boy Meets World for a total of 147 episodes; from season two until the finale of the series in season seven. For her portrayal of Topanga Lawrence-Matthews, the young actress also won the YoungStar Award for Best Young Actress/Performance in a Comedy TV Series in 1998; she later received a nomination for the same award in 2000.

Besides her roles in acting, Fishel is also well known for her role as host in the satirical television series, The Dish. Having premiered in August 2008 on the Style Network, the show consisted of the actress providing various humorous commentary on content such as video clips and TV programs. The series ran for a total of four years and ended on March 20, 2011.

But what has the celebrity been up to recently? What happened to Danielle Fishel? Where is she now in 2018?

Danielle Fishel’s Early Life and Role in Boy Meets World

Born on May 5, 1981 in Mesa, Arizona, Danielle Christine Fishel was the daughter of Jennifer, a personal manager and Rick Fisher, a manager at a construction company; she is of Maltese descent. When she was three weeks old, her family moved from her birthplace of Mesa, to Yorba Linda, California where she was later raised. She has a younger brother named Christopher.

Unlike other actresses who grew up with a desire to act, Fishel was stumbled upon by an entertainment manager at the age of 10, when she was performing The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan at a local community theatre. Shortly after being discovered, the young girl starred in various voice-overs and commercialーincluding having acted as Barbie Girl in a particular ad for Mattel. At the age of 11 whilst still in elementary school, she landed her first professional acting role as Jennifer, a guest character in the ABC sitcom Full House.

In 1993, Fishel received her (to-be) breakthrough role when she was cast as Topanga Lawrence-Mathews on the comedy series Boy Meets World. The series follows the life of protagonist, Cory as he grows from a young teen into a married man, alongside his family and friends. Originally written as a minor guest character, Fishel first appeared in the show’s first season as TopangaーCory’s close friend whom he had known since they were both kids. However having seen the two’s chemistry together, she was eventually made into a regular cast member by the show’s producers. Fishel later reprised her role as Topanga on the second season of show, as one of the leading casts. She would continue on as a main character, until the series’ end in May 2000.

For her role as Topanga, the young actress garnered a Young Star Award for Best Performance by Young Actress in a Comedy TV series in 1998 at the age of 17ーit would ultimately be one of her best known acting roles to date. She later also appeared on the list of “21 Hottest Stars Under 21” in the June 1999 issue of Teen People.

Danielle Fishel After Boy Meets World

Following the end of Boy Meets World, Fishel starred in a variety of movies including National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze (2003), Gamebox 1.0 (2004) and National Lampoon’s Dorm Daze 2 (2004). The actress also landed various small roles in various television series over the next few years including the American sitcom, Nikki (2001), the children’s horror anthology, The Nightmare Room (2003) and the comedy Yes, Dear (2003). However compared to her role of Topanga in the previous award winning sitcom, these roles were small; it wouldn’t be for another few years until Fishel lands a second leading role in another hit series.

In 2003, Fishel took on the part of a host for the first time, in a game show called Say What? Karaoke. Based on a former MTV show, Say What? Karaoke featured a group of college contestants who competed against each other in song, with the music video and lyrics provided. At the end of each round, the singers would be given a rating from 1-10 by the judging panel; the individual with the highest points at the end of the season would then emerge as the winner. The actress co-acted the game show with Steven Hill.

A few years later in 2008, Fishel once again reprised her role as a television host in the satirical TV series, The Dish. Having premiered on the Style Network on August 16, 2008, the weekly show featured the latest US pop cultureーeverything from television shows to celebrity news.Similar to its sister series, The Soup, the show had the host, Fishel provide humorous, and often times entertaining, commentary on various media such as video clips. The Dish ran for a total of 2 seasons, spanning 83 episode between four years; the finale episode aired on March 20, 2011.

The award winning actress eventually landed her second lead role in the coming of age sitcom, Girl Meets Worldーthe direct sequel to the series, Boy Meets World which first gave Fishel her fame back in the late 90’s. Set several years after the first instalment, Girl Meets World focused on the growing relationship between the Fishel’s character, Topanga Lawrence and Cory Matthewsーwhose role had also been reprised by original actor, Ben Savage. The show garnered over 5.2 million viewers during its premiere on June 24, 2014. The series was later met with generally positive reviews, having been given a 82% approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics. The show currently spans three seasons, with the latest having just premiered a little earlier this year in June.

Danielle Fishel’s Relationships

During the 2000s, rumours began to float that the actress was dating fellow Boy Meets World actor, Ben Savage. Well, considering all things the two stars have always been very close growing up, both on screen and off screenーit’s no wonder why people had began to wonder about the fact! However, the actress later denied the fact in an interview, revealing that despite having gone to a handful of dinner dates together, she had considered him as a best friend and family member. To this, Ben Savage later reasserted the fact in an interview that Fishel is indeed, a close friend whom he trusts a lot.

In terms of real relationships, Fishel dated the pop singer, Lass Bass of NSYNC fame briefly during her high school days. Having asked the young actress to prom (and her having said yes), the two later enjoyed their first date together at the filming set of a television special starring Celine Dion. However the couple eventually broke up a year later in 2000. Despite having come out of the closet a few years later, Bass and Fishel have continued to be on good terms with each other.

In 2008, Fishel met a student named Tim Belusko while tutoring his math class as a fellow student at California State University. Having gotten to know each other on the school’s campus, the pair eventually began to date later in the year. After having been together for a little over three years, the couple later got engaged in May of 2012.  They tied the knot a year later in October 2013 in LAーeven fellow Boy Meets World actor and former rumoured boyfriend, Ben Savage, attended the wedding!

What’s Danielle Fishel Doing Now in 2018- Recent Updates

Since 2015, Fishel has been lending her voice to Pyronica, a recurring character in the animated show, Gravity Falls. Set in the fictional city of Gravity Falls, the series revolves around two twins, Dipper and Mabel Pines, who are voiced by Jason Ritter and Kristen Schaal respectively, during their summer break. Fishel’s character, Pyronica, who appears as a pink demon, first appeared during Gravity Falls’ second season. The cartoon first premiered on the Disney Network in June 2012; it has since grown to become a two season series with 40 episodes.

Besides voice over roles, the actress has also been reprising her role as the beloved, Topanga Matthews this year in the Boys Meet World sequel, Girl Meets World. With the previous instalment having finished over 15 years ago in 2000, it’s no wonder that fans are excited to once again see Topanga back on the street with love interest, Cory! Set a few years after the original, the 2014 series revolves around the relationship between main characters, Topanga and Cory as they grow up and head for marriage. The show is currently on its third seasonーwhich only premiered a little while ago in June! There’s no doubt that Fishel has been busy running around filming for the series this year!

With regards to Fishel’s personal life, the actress made headlines earlier this year in May when she announced her divorce with now ex-husband, Tim Belusko. Having been together for close to eight years and married for two, the former lovebirds filed for divorce late last year in December 2015; the divorce was later finalized in March of this year. Neither of the pair have made any comments regarding the reason behind the separation.

If you’d like to stay connected with the former child star, you can do so by dropping a visit to her official Facebook page (as her official website seems to be out of date). Or if you’d like to follow the actress on social media, you can find her over at Twitter (@daniellefishel) and Instagram (@daniellefishel) under the same handle.