Fred Savage
Fred Savage | |
|---|---|
 Fred Savage in 1989 | |
| Born | Fred Aaron Savage July 9, 1976 |
| Alma mater | Stanford University |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, director, producer |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Spouse |
Jennifer Lynn Stone (m. 2004) |
| Children | 3 |
Fred Aaron Savage (born July 9, 1976)[1] is an American actor and television director, known for his role as Kevin Arnold in the American television series The Wonder Years (1988 to 1993).[2] He has earned several awards and nominations, such as People's Choice Awards and Young Artist Awards. He is also known for playing the Grandson in The Princess Bride.
Savage has worked as a director, and in 2005 later starred in the TV sitcom Crumbs.[3] More recently, Savage returned to acting in the TV series The Grinder.
Early life
Savage was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Joanne and Lewis Savage (1946-2015)[4], who was an industrial real estate broker and consultant.[1] Savage grew up in Glencoe, Illinois, before moving to California. His younger brother is actor Ben Savage and his younger sister is actress/musician Kala Savage. His grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Poland, Ukraine, Germany and Latvia.[5] He was raised in Reform Judaism.[5]
Education
Savage was educated at Brentwood School, a private co-educational day school in Brentwood, in the Westside area of Los Angeles County in California. He graduated from Stanford University in 1999, with a bachelor's degree in English and as a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Career
Acting
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Savage's first screen performance was in the television show Morningstar/Eveningstar, at the age of 9. He then appeared onscreen in The Boy Who Could Fly, Dinosaurs! - A Fun-Filled Trip Back in Time!, and several television shows, including The Twilight Zone and Crime Story before gaining national attention as the grandson in the 1987 film The Princess Bride opposite Peter Falk.
In 1988, Savage appeared as Kevin Arnold on The Wonder Years, the role for which he is best known, and for which he received two Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy[6] nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. At the age of thirteen, he was the youngest actor ever to receive these honors. He remained on the show until it ended in 1993. During this period, he appeared in several films, most notably Vice Versa (1988), and also starred in Little Monsters. After The Wonder Years ended, Savage returned to high school at age 17, and later attended Stanford. His first TV role after high school was the NBC sitcom Working, which Savage starred in for its two-season run.[7] Savage also had a series of guest and supporting roles in the late 1990s and the 2000s such as on the show Boy Meets World (which starred his younger brother Ben Savage) and in the film Austin Powers in Goldmember as The Mole.
Savage has lent his voice to several animated projects, including Family Guy, Kim Possible, Justice League Unlimited, Oswald, and Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen. His two lead roles since The Wonder Years were on the short-lived sitcoms Working and Crumbs. He appeared as a serial rapist on a 2003 episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and as a womanizing professor on Boy Meets World. He ranked at #27 on VH1's 100 Greatest Kid Stars.
In July 2008, Savage guest-starred in the web series The Rascal on Crackle.[8]
In 2015, Savage returned to acting with the Fox series The Grinder.[9] Producer Nick Stoller approached Savage about playing the role of Stewart on The Grinder.[9] Savage was uninterested at first, but agreed to meet with the producers of the series because his children attended school with Stoller's children.[9] Savage eventually agreed to take on the role.[9] The Grinder was canceled by Fox on May 16, 2016.[10]
In 2017, he joined the cast of the Netflix series Friends from College as Max Adler, a gay literary agent.[11]
In 2018, he began to host Child Support (originally called Five to Survive) with Ricky Gervais.
As of 2019, he hosts a show called What Just Happened??! with Fred Savage.[12]
Directing and producing
In 1999, Savage began his directing career in which he helmed episodes of over a dozen television series. Savage's first directing credit was on the short-lived NBC sitcom Working which also starred Savage.[13] Following Working, Savage began observing production on the Disney Channel show Even Stevens to further learn the craft of directing.[13] Savage also learned by shadowing Amy Sherman-Palladino, Todd Holland, and James Burrows.
His credits include Boy Meets World, Drake & Josh and Ned's Declassified for Nickelodeon, as well as That's So Raven, Hannah Montana, and Wizards of Waverly Place for Disney Channel. Additionally, Savage has directed for prime-time network sitcoms including Modern Family and 2 Broke Girls.[13]
Besides directing several episodes, Savage co-produced the Disney Channel Original Series Phil of the Future. In 2007, he was nominated for a Directors Guild award for the Phil episode "Not-So-Great-Great Grandpa".
Savage has served as a producer for several episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Friends with Benefits, Party Down, Phil of the Future, The Crazy Ones, and Happy Endings.
In 2007, he made his feature film directing debut with the film Daddy Day Camp.[13]
Filmography
As actor
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Boy Who Could Fly | Louis Michaelson | Young Artist Award for Best Supporting Young Actor – Motion Picture |
| 1987 | Dinosaurs! – A Fun-Filled Trip Back in Time! | Phillip | |
| The Princess Bride | The Grandson | Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor – Motion Picture | |
| 1988 | Vice Versa | Charlie Seymour / Marshall Seymour | Saturn Award for Best Young Performer |
| Runaway Ralph | Garfield "Garf" Jerrniga | ||
| 1989 | Little Monsters | Brian Stevenson | |
| The Wizard | Corey Woods | Nominated–Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor – Motion Picture | |
| 1996 | No One Would Tell | Bobby Tennison | Based On True Story |
| 1997 | A Guy Walks Into a Bar | Josh Cohen | Short |
| 1998 | Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story | Narrator | |
| 2002 | The Rules of Attraction | "A Junkie Named Marc" | |
| Austin Powers in Goldmember | Number Three/Mole | ||
| 2004 | The Last Run | Steven Goodson | |
| Welcome to Mooseport | Bullard | ||
| 2018 | Super Troopers 2 | Himself | Cameo in post-film scene |
| Once Upon a Deadpool | The Grandson/Himself | PG-13 cut of Deadpool 2 |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Twilight Zone | Jeff Mattingly | Episode: "What Are Friends For?/Aqua Vita" |
| 1986–87 | Morningstar/Eveningstar | Alan Bishop | 7 episodes |
| 1987 | Convicted: A Mother's Story | Matthew Nickerson | TV film |
| Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater | Mowser | Episode: "Phantom of the Theater"; uncredited | |
| 1988 | ABC Weekend Special: Runaway Ralph | Garfield | TV film |
| Run Till You Fall | David Reuben | TV film | |
| 1988–93 | The Wonder Years | Kevin Arnold | Lead role; 115 episodes People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Performer (1989–90) Viewers for Quality Television Award Award for Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series (1989–90) Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Television Series (1988–89) Nominated– Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy (1989–90) Nominated– Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1989–90) |
| 1990 | When You Remember Me | Mike Mills | TV film |
| Saturday Night Live | Himself | Host; Episode: "Fred Savage/Technotronic" | |
| 1991 | Christmas on Division Street | Trevor Atwood | TV film |
| 1992 | Seinfeld | Himself | Episode: "The Trip" |
| 1996 | No One Would Tell | Bobby Tennison | TV film |
| How Do You Spell God? | Narrator | TV film | |
| 1997 | The Outer Limits | Danny Martin | Episode: "Last Supper" |
| 1997–99 | Working | Matt Peyser | Lead role; 39 episodes |
| 1998 | Boy Meets World | Stuart | Episode: "Everybody Loves Stuart" |
| 2001–03 | Oswald | Oswald (voice) | 25 episodes |
| Nick Jr. | Host | Host from September 3, 2001 – August 29, 2003 | |
| 2003 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Michael Gardner | Episode: "Futility" |
| 2004 | Justice League Unlimited | Hank Hall/Hawk (voice) | Episode: "Hawk and Dove" |
| 2006 | Crumbs | Mitch Crumb | Lead role; 13 episodes |
| Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen | Rusty (voice) | TV special | |
| 2009 | Family Guy | Himself (voice) | Episode: "Fox-y Lady" |
| 2010 | Big Time Rush | Director | Episode: "Big Time Christmas" |
| 2010–13 | Generator Rex | Noah (voice) | 22 episodes |
| 2011 | Mr. Sunshine | Himself | Episode: "Celebrity Tennis" |
| Happy Endings | Himself | Episode: "Lying Around" | |
| 2014–16 | BoJack Horseman | Goober / Richie Osborne (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2015–16 | The Grinder | Stewart Sanderson | Lead role; 22 episodes Nominated–Critics' Choice Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series |
| 2017–19 | Friends from College | Max Adler | Main cast; 2 seasons |
| 2018 | Robot Chicken | Oswald / Steve / Westworld Investor (voice) | Episode: "Scoot to the Gute" |
| Modern Family | Caleb | Episode: "Dear Beloved Family" | |
| Child Support | Himself | Host | |
| Bob's Burgers | Parker (voice) | Episode: "Boywatch" | |
| 2019 | What Just Happened??! with Fred Savage | Himself | Host |
| 2020 | Home Movie: The Princess Bride[14] | Grandson | Upcoming |
As director
Films
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Daddy Day Camp | Feature film directorial debut Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director |
Television
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Working | 1 episode |
| Boy Meets World | 2 episodes (1999 & 2000) | |
| 2001 | All About Us | 2 episodes |
| Even Stevens | 2 episodes (2001 & 2002) | |
| 2003–2005 | That's So Raven | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Unfabulous | 5 episodes (2004–2005) |
| Phil of the Future | 9 episodes (2004–2006), also producer Nominated–Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Children's Program (Episode: "Not So Great Great Great Grandpa") | |
| Drake & Josh | 1 episode | |
| Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide | 6 episodes (2004–2007) | |
| 2005 | Kitchen Confidential | 1 episode |
| Zoey 101 | 2 episodes | |
| What I Like About You | 1 episode | |
| 2007 | Cavemen | 1 episode |
| Hannah Montana | 1 episode | |
| 2007–2008 | Doozers | 4 episodes |
| 2007–2009 | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | 19 episodes, also producer |
| 2007–2008 | Wizards of Waverly Place | 3 episodes Nominated– Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Children's Program (Episode "The Crazy 10 Minute Sale") |
| 2008 | Ugly Betty | 1 episode |
| Worst Week | 1 episode | |
| 2009 | Party Down | 9 episodes (2009–2010), also producer and supervising producer |
| Zeke and Luther | pilot episode Nominated– Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Children's Program (Episode "Pilot") | |
| Ruby & The Rockits | 1 episode | |
| Greek | 2 episodes | |
| 2010 | Sons of Tucson | 1 episode |
| Big Time Rush | 2 episodes | |
| Blue Mountain State | 2 episodes | |
| 2010–2020 | Modern Family | 14 episodes |
| 2011 | Gigantic | 2 episodes |
| Happy Endings | 3 episodes | |
| How to Be a Gentleman | 2 episodes (2011–2012) | |
| Perfect Couples | 2 episodes | |
| Breaking In | 1 episode | |
| Franklin & Bash | 1 episode | |
| Friends with Benefits | 1 episode | |
| 2 Broke Girls | 20 episodes (2011–2016) | |
| Mr. Sunshine | 1 episode | |
| 2012 | Whitney | 1 episode |
| Best Friends Forever | 6 episodes; also executive producer | |
| 2013 | The Michael J. Fox Show | 1 episode |
| The Crazy Ones | 2 episodes | |
| 2014 | Super Fun Night | 1 episode |
| Growing Up Fisher | 1 episode | |
| Friends with Better Lives | 4 episodes | |
| Playing House | 2 episodes | |
| Bad Teacher | 1 episode | |
| Garfunkel and Oates | 8 episodes;[15] also executive producer | |
| 2014–present | The Goldbergs | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Marry Me | 1 episode |
| 2015 | Sin City Saints | 2 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Casual | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Fresh Off the Boat | 1 episode |
| 2018 | LA to Vegas | 1 episode |
| 2018–2019 | The Cool Kids | 4 episodes |
| 2018–2020 | The Conners | 4 episodes |
| 2019-2020 | Single Parents | 4 episodes |
| 2020 | Black-ish | 1 episode |
| Indebted | 1 episode |
References
- ^ a b "Fred Savage Biography (1976-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ The Wonder Years, retrieved January 19, 2019
- ^ Lee, Felicia R. (January 19, 2006). "A Sitcom 70's Child Grows Up to Be an Alter Ego". The New York Times. New York City: New York Times Company. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
- ^ https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/lewis-savage-obituary?pid=174223621
- ^ a b Shirley, Don (December 16, 2001). "LA Times: Theater; Not Just Acting Like an Adult; Fred Savage contemplates his roots – as a performer and a Jew – for 'Last Night of Ballyhoo". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Fred Savage Emmy Nominated". Emmys.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ Wollman Rusoff, Jane (February 2, 1998). "Life after 'Wonder Years' is 'Working' for Fred Savage". CNN.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Ricard, Sarah (August 12, 2008). "International Espionage and Comedy with 'The Rascal'". Tilzy.TV. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
- ^ a b c d Snierson, Dan (October 7, 2015). "How Fred Savage went from actor to director to actor again with The Grinder". Entertainment Weekly. New York City: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 12, 2016). "'Grinder', 'Grandfathered', 'Bordertown' & 'Cooper Barrett' Canceled By Fox After One Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 22, 2016). "Keegan-Michael Key, Cobie Smulders & Fred Savage Lead Cast of Nick Stoller Netflix Series 'Friends from College'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ ""What Just Happened??! With Fred Savage": Fictional Sci-Fi Thriller "The Flare" Gets After-Show, Co-Created and Hosted by Emmy Award Nominee Fred Savage, to Premiere Sunday, June 30, on FOX". The Futon Critic. April 29, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Rose, Lacey (May 3, 2012). "Fred Savage's Never-Ending Wonder Years as TV's Hot Comedy Director". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
- ^ Starner, Nina (June 26, 2020). "Quibi just announced a Princess Bride remake you never expected to see". Looper.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ Locker, Melissa (March 5, 2014). "Fred Savage to Direct and Executive Produce Garfunkel and Oates". IFC. Archived from the original on July 6, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
External links
- Fred Savage at IMDb
- World Poker Tour Profile
- eFilmCritic Interviews Fred Savage
- Fred Savage at Emmys.com
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
- 1976 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- Male actors from Chicago
- American male child actors
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American game show hosts
- American people of German-Jewish descent
- American people of Latvian-Jewish descent
- American people of Polish-Jewish descent
- American people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent
- American television directors
- Television producers from Illinois
- American male voice actors
- Jewish American male actors
- People from Glencoe, Illinois
- Stanford University alumni