Danielle Fishel
Encyclopedia
Danielle Christine Fishel (born May 5, 1981) is an American actress and television personality best known for her role as Topanga Lawrence on the 1990s TV sitcom Boy Meets World
and as the host of Style Network
's The Dish
. She also appeared in National Lampoon's Dorm Daze
and its sequel and was a spokesperson for NutriSystem.
, the daughter of Jennifer, a personal manager, and Rick Fishel, a medical equipment sales executive. The family relocated to Yorba Linda, California
when she was three weeks old. She has one younger brother, Christopher Fishel. She graduated from Calabasas High School class of 1999.
and Peter Pan
. She quickly moved on to do voice-overs and commercials, including several as a Barbie
Girl for Mattel
. Soon after, she appeared on two episodes of the hit show Full House
, guest starring as a character named Jennifer. She also had a small role on Harry and the Hendersons
, playing Jessica. Fishel's mother became her full-time manager.
In 1993, at the age of 12, Fishel began her well-known role as Topanga Lawrence on ABC's pilot series Boy Meets World
. Originally written as a small part, Topanga became a recurring role. After a successful first year, Fishel became a show regular. Fishel's character was a sparky, intelligent girl who was mature beyond her years; she replaced the nerdy Stuart Minkus as the brains of the class. The long-running show ended in 2000 after seven years.
Fishel was on the cover of Seventeen
in December 1998. She took home a 1998 Young Star for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series. In June 1999, she was one of "The 21 Hottest Stars Under 21" as presented by Teen People.
Fishel was on the cover of GQ's hottest stars to watch in GQ's 1997 September issue. (GQ 1997 9)
Since Boy Meets World ended, Fishel has appeared in several films, including National Lampoon's Dorm Daze. In 2006, she appeared in three made-for-DVD releases: National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2: College at Sea
(appearing again as "Marla" from the first film), the action film Gamebox 1.0
(playing a dual role), and The Chosen One, an independent animated film in which she provides the voice of the lead female character.
In 2006, Fishel appeared as a guest on The Tyra Banks Show
where she discussed her dramatic weight loss with the use of the Nutrisystems Diet
. Following her appearance on the show, Fishel became a spokesperson for NutriSystem. She also became a special correspondent for The Tyra Banks Show, starting in early February 2007. By 2010 she had gained some of the weight back, and told People
magazine she could not maintain her NutriSystem weight.
From August 2008 to March 2011 Fishel hosted The Dish
for the Style Network
, which satirized pop culture in a format similar to sister network E! Entertainment Television's The Soup
. Fishel was also on Fuse TV
as host of The Fuse 20, and was a guest star on the round table on an episode of Chelsea Lately
.
co-star Ben Savage
. She dated former 'N Sync
member Lance Bass
, who was her date to her high school prom.
Television
Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World is an American comedy-drama series that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, a kid from suburban Philadelphia who grows up from a young boy to a married man. The show aired for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000 on ABC, part of the...
and as the host of Style Network
Style Network
The Style Network is an American cable television network based in Los Angeles.Owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of General Electric and Comcast, its sister channels include E! Entertainment Television, USA Network, Syfy, G4, Golf Channel, and Versus, among others.-Network Overview:Style's...
's The Dish
The Dish (TV series)
The Dish is a satirical television series aired on the Style Network in the United States. The show , hosted by Danielle Fishel, skewers the latest in pop culture in similar fashion to sister network E! Entertainment Television's series The Soup...
. She also appeared in National Lampoon's Dorm Daze
National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze
National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze is a 2003 American comedy film. Directed by the brothers David and Scott Hillenbrand, it was written by Patrick Casey and Worm Miller. The movie showcases many new and largely then-unknown actors and actresses...
and its sequel and was a spokesperson for NutriSystem.
Early life
Fishel was born in Mesa, ArizonaMesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
, the daughter of Jennifer, a personal manager, and Rick Fishel, a medical equipment sales executive. The family relocated to Yorba Linda, California
Yorba Linda, California
Yorba Linda is a suburban city in northeastern Orange County, California, approximately northeast of Downtown Santa Ana, and southeast of Downtown Los Angeles....
when she was three weeks old. She has one younger brother, Christopher Fishel. She graduated from Calabasas High School class of 1999.
Career
In 1991, the then 10-year-old Fishel was discovered in a community theater where she performed in two productions, The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of Oz (adaptations)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum, which has been adapted into several different works, the most famous being the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland...
and Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
. She quickly moved on to do voice-overs and commercials, including several as a Barbie
Barbie
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration....
Girl for Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
. Soon after, she appeared on two episodes of the hit show Full House
Full House
Full House is an American sitcom television series. Set in San Francisco, the show chronicles widowed father Danny Tanner, who, after the death of his wife, enlists his best friend Joey Gladstone and his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis to help raise his three daughters, D.J., Stephanie, and...
, guest starring as a character named Jennifer. She also had a small role on Harry and the Hendersons
Harry and the Hendersons (TV series)
Harry and the Hendersons is an American sitcom based on the film of the same name, produced by Amblin Entertainment for Universal Television. The series aired in syndication from January 13, 1991 to June 18, 1993, with 72 half-hour episodes produced...
, playing Jessica. Fishel's mother became her full-time manager.
In 1993, at the age of 12, Fishel began her well-known role as Topanga Lawrence on ABC's pilot series Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World is an American comedy-drama series that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, a kid from suburban Philadelphia who grows up from a young boy to a married man. The show aired for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000 on ABC, part of the...
. Originally written as a small part, Topanga became a recurring role. After a successful first year, Fishel became a show regular. Fishel's character was a sparky, intelligent girl who was mature beyond her years; she replaced the nerdy Stuart Minkus as the brains of the class. The long-running show ended in 2000 after seven years.
Fishel was on the cover of Seventeen
Seventeen (magazine)
Seventeen is an American magazine for teenagers. It was first published in September 1944 by Walter Annenberg's Triangle Publications. News Corporation bought Triangle in 1988, and sold Seventeen to K-III Communications in 1991. Primedia sold the magazine to Hearst in 2003. It is still in the...
in December 1998. She took home a 1998 Young Star for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series. In June 1999, she was one of "The 21 Hottest Stars Under 21" as presented by Teen People.
Fishel was on the cover of GQ's hottest stars to watch in GQ's 1997 September issue. (GQ 1997 9)
Since Boy Meets World ended, Fishel has appeared in several films, including National Lampoon's Dorm Daze. In 2006, she appeared in three made-for-DVD releases: National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2: College at Sea
National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2
National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2 is the mystery/farce sequel to the 2003 comedy National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze. Chris Owen and Danielle Fishel reprised their roles from the original along with Tony Denman, James DeBello, Patrick Cavanaugh, Marieh Delfino, Jennifer Lyons and Gable Carr...
(appearing again as "Marla" from the first film), the action film Gamebox 1.0
Gamebox 1.0
Gamebox 1.0 is a film starring Nate Richert and Danielle Fishel about a video game that traps the player inside it when started. The only escape is to win the game. It was directed by the brothers David and Scott Hillenbrand, who wrote it with Patrick Casey and Worm Miller. It was released on...
(playing a dual role), and The Chosen One, an independent animated film in which she provides the voice of the lead female character.
In 2006, Fishel appeared as a guest on The Tyra Banks Show
The Tyra Banks Show
The Tyra Banks Show, also known as and shortened to Tyra or The Tyra Show, is an American talk show hosted by Tyra Banks. The last new episode aired on Friday, May 28, 2010.-2005-2009: Syndication:...
where she discussed her dramatic weight loss with the use of the Nutrisystems Diet
Nutrisystems Diet
Nutrisystem, headquartered in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, is a commercial provider of weight loss products and services. Initially, the company offered weight loss counseling and products in brick and mortar centers. In 1999, the company moved to a direct-to-consumer business model, selling its...
. Following her appearance on the show, Fishel became a spokesperson for NutriSystem. She also became a special correspondent for The Tyra Banks Show, starting in early February 2007. By 2010 she had gained some of the weight back, and told People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
magazine she could not maintain her NutriSystem weight.
From August 2008 to March 2011 Fishel hosted The Dish
The Dish (TV series)
The Dish is a satirical television series aired on the Style Network in the United States. The show , hosted by Danielle Fishel, skewers the latest in pop culture in similar fashion to sister network E! Entertainment Television's series The Soup...
for the Style Network
Style Network
The Style Network is an American cable television network based in Los Angeles.Owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of General Electric and Comcast, its sister channels include E! Entertainment Television, USA Network, Syfy, G4, Golf Channel, and Versus, among others.-Network Overview:Style's...
, which satirized pop culture in a format similar to sister network E! Entertainment Television's The Soup
The Soup
The Soup is an E! Entertainment Television weekly series; it is a revamped version of Talk Soup that focuses on recaps of various pop culture and television show moments of the week...
. Fishel was also on Fuse TV
Fuse TV
Fuse is an American national television network dedicated exclusively to music. It features original series and specials, exclusive interviews, live concerts and video blocks....
as host of The Fuse 20, and was a guest star on the round table on an episode of Chelsea Lately
Chelsea Lately
Chelsea Lately is an American late night comedy talk show hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler on E!. The show debuted on July 16, 2007, and is produced by Handler's production company, Borderline Amazing Productions...
.
Personal life
In real life, Fishel dated her Boy Meets WorldBoy Meets World
Boy Meets World is an American comedy-drama series that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, a kid from suburban Philadelphia who grows up from a young boy to a married man. The show aired for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000 on ABC, part of the...
co-star Ben Savage
Ben Savage
Bennett Joseph "Ben" Savage is an American film and TV actor and child star of late 1980s and 1990s. Savage is best known for his role as lead character Cory Matthews on the TV sitcom Boy Meets World from 1993 to 2000....
. She dated former 'N Sync
'N Sync
N Sync was an American boy band formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1995 and launched in Germany by BMG Ariola Munich, *NSYNC consisted of JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick...
member Lance Bass
Lance Bass
James Lance Bass , best known as Lance Bass, is an American pop singer, dancer, actor, film and television producer, and author. He grew up in Mississippi and rose to fame as the bass singer for the American pop boy band 'N Sync. 'N Sync's success led Bass to work in film and television...
, who was her date to her high school prom.
Filmography
Film| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Longshot Longshot (film) Longshot: The Movie , originally titled Jack Of All Trades is a teen film directed by Lionel C. Martin. It opened briefly in select theaters in Germany. The film was not shown in theaters in North America, but rather was released as a video and DVD only available through the film's web site... |
Gloria |
| 2003 | National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze is a 2003 American comedy film. Directed by the brothers David and Scott Hillenbrand, it was written by Patrick Casey and Worm Miller. The movie showcases many new and largely then-unknown actors and actresses... |
Marla |
| 2004 | Game Box 1.0 | Kate / Princess |
| 2006 | National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2 National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2 National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2 is the mystery/farce sequel to the 2003 comedy National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze. Chris Owen and Danielle Fishel reprised their roles from the original along with Tony Denman, James DeBello, Patrick Cavanaugh, Marieh Delfino, Jennifer Lyons and Gable Carr... |
Marla |
| 2007 | The Chosen One The Chosen One (2007 film) The Chosen One is an American animated action-comedy film from 2007. It was directed by Chris Lackey, written by Chad Fifer and Chris Lackey, starring Chad Fifer and Lance Henriksen.- Cast :* Chad Fifer : Lou Hanske... |
Donna Goldstein (voice) |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 to 1993 | Full House Full House Full House is an American sitcom television series. Set in San Francisco, the show chronicles widowed father Danny Tanner, who, after the death of his wife, enlists his best friend Joey Gladstone and his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis to help raise his three daughters, D.J., Stephanie, and... |
Jennifer P. | Episode: "I'm Not D.J.", "Silence Is Not Golden" |
| 1993 | Harry and the Hendersons Harry and the Hendersons (TV series) Harry and the Hendersons is an American sitcom based on the film of the same name, produced by Amblin Entertainment for Universal Television. The series aired in syndication from January 13, 1991 to June 18, 1993, with 72 half-hour episodes produced... |
Jessica | Episode: "The Long Goodbyes: Part 2" |
| 1993 to 2000 | Boy Meets World Boy Meets World Boy Meets World is an American comedy-drama series that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, a kid from suburban Philadelphia who grows up from a young boy to a married man. The show aired for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000 on ABC, part of the... |
Topanga Lawrence-Matthews | 150 episodes |
| 1996 | Kirk Kirk (TV series) Kirk is an American family sitcom which aired for two seasons on The WB from August 23, 1995 to January 12, 1997.-Synopsis:The show revolves around Kirk Hartman, played by Kirk Cameron, an aspiring illustrator and recent college graduate living in Greenwich Village. After his aunt decides to move... |
Heather | Episode: "Stuck on You" |
| 1997 | ABC TGIF | Topanga | Episode: "Frightful Halloween Bash" |
| 2000 | Rocket's Red Glare Rocket's Red Glare Rocket's Red Glare is an American made-for-TV movie released in 2000 starring Robert Wagner, Marilu Henner, and Ryan Merriman.... |
Sarah Miller | TV movie |
| 2001 to 2002 | Nikki Nikki (TV series) Nikki is an American sitcom that aired on The WB from 2000 to 2002. Nikki was a starring vehicle for Nikki Cox, who had previously starred in another WB sitcom, Unhappily Ever After, which ran for five seasons... |
Stacy | Episode: "Vaya Con Nikki", "Welcome to the Rest of Your Life" |
| 2002 | Counselor | Episode: "Camp Nowhere: Part 1" | |
| 2003 | Yes, Dear Yes, Dear Yes, Dear is a television sitcom that aired from October 2, 2000, to February 15, 2006, on CBS. It starred Anthony Clark, Jean Louisa Kelly, Mike O'Malley and Liza Snyder.... |
Katie | Episode: "Sorority Girl" |
| 2006 | The Tyra Banks Show The Tyra Banks Show The Tyra Banks Show, also known as and shortened to Tyra or The Tyra Show, is an American talk show hosted by Tyra Banks. The last new episode aired on Friday, May 28, 2010.-2005-2009: Syndication:... |
Herself | Episode: Danielle Fishel; Jordin Sparks |
| 2008–2011 | The Dish The Dish (TV series) The Dish is a satirical television series aired on the Style Network in the United States. The show , hosted by Danielle Fishel, skewers the latest in pop culture in similar fashion to sister network E! Entertainment Television's series The Soup... |
Herself/Host | |
| 2009 | The Fuse 20 | Herself/Host | |
| 2011 | Parenthood Parenthood (2010 TV series) Parenthood is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Jason Katims and produced by Imagine Television and Universal Media Studios. The first season premiered on March 2, 2010 on NBC... |
Animal Lady |