Fred Savage

Frederick Aaron Savage (born July 9, 1976)[1] is an American actor and director. He is known for his role as Kevin Arnold in the American television series The Wonder Years (1988–1993).[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, and voiced the title protagonist in Oswald. Savage has worked as a director, and in 2005 later starred in the television sitcom Crumbs.[3] Savage returned to acting in the television series The Grinder, as well as the Netflix series Friends from College.

For other people named Frederick Savage, see Frederick Savage (disambiguation).

Fred Savage
Savage in 1990
Born
Frederick Aaron Savage

(1976-07-09) July 9, 1976
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materStanford University
Occupation(s)Actor, director, producer
Years active1985–present
Spouse
Jennifer Lynn Stone
​
(m. 2004)​
Children3
Relatives

Early life and education

Savage was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Joanne and Lewis Savage,[4] who was an industrial real estate broker and consultant.[5] 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.[6] He was raised as a Reform Jew.[6]

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 fraternity.[7][8]

Career

Acting
Savage in 1989

Savage's first screen performance was in the television show Morningstar/Eveningstar, at the age of nine. He then appeared onscreen in The Boy Who Could Fly, Dinosaurs!, 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[9] 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 television role after high school was the NBC sitcom Working, which Savage starred in for its two-season run.[10] 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), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Legend of Prince Valiant, and the film Austin Powers in Goldmember as The Mole.[11]

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 ranked at #27 on VH1's 100 Greatest Kid Stars.

In July 2008, Savage guest-starred in the web series The Rascal on Crackle.[12]

In 2015, Savage returned to acting with the Fox series The Grinder.[13] Producer Nick Stoller approached Savage about playing the role of Stewart on The Grinder.[13] Savage was uninterested at first, but agreed to meet with the producers of the series because his children attended school with Stoller's children.[13] Savage eventually agreed to take on the role.[13] The Grinder was canceled by Fox on May 16, 2016.[14]

In 2017, he joined the cast of the Netflix series Friends from College as Max Adler, a gay literary agent.[15]

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.[16] Following Working, Savage began observing production on the Disney Channel show Even Stevens to further learn the craft of directing.[16] 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.[16]

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 for which he was nominated worst director for the Golden Raspberry Awards.[16]

Misconduct allegations

In 1993, Savage, then 16, and his Wonder Years co-star Jason Hervey were accused of sexual harassment in a lawsuit filed by the show's former costume designer. Monique Long alleged the young actors "verbally and physically harassed her daily," with her complaints over their behavior ignored by the show's staff. The lawsuit was settled out of court. Actress Alley Mills, who played Arnold family matriarch Norma on the show, called those allegations against Savage "completely ridiculous" in a 2018 interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, claiming the lawsuit prompted The Wonder Years' cancellation after six seasons. "I just thought this was a joke. You know, they bought her off, which really made me mad," she said of network executives' decision to settle with Long. "They wanted to avoid a scandal or something, but it made them look guilty. You know, you don't pay someone off when there was no crime, you just fire the girl."[17] A state welfare worker, who was required to be with Fred Savage at all times under California Labor Law, dismissed the allegations, saying "It's absurd. If Fred said anything, 20 people would have heard it — he was miked most of the time."[18]

In March 2018, a costume designer on The Grinder accused Savage of assault and intimidation and filed a complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging crimes including assault, battery, and gender discrimination. Savage denied the allegations. Fox later stated that an investigation cleared the actor of any wrongdoing.[19][20]

On May 6, 2022, Savage was fired as executive producer and director of The Wonder Years reboot after an investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct.[21][22] While Savage stated that some of the claims were untrue, he also stated that he was going to work on changing any perceived negative behavior.[23]

Personal life

Savage married his childhood friend Jennifer Lynn Stone on August 7, 2004.[24] They have three children.[25]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Functioned as Notes Ref(s)
Actor Director Role
1986 The Boy Who Could Fly Yes No Louis Michaelson Young Artist Award for Best Supporting Young Actor – Motion Picture
1987 Dinosaurs! Yes No Phillip
The Princess Bride Yes No The Grandson Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor – Motion Picture
1988 Vice Versa Yes No Charlie Seymour / Marshall Seymour Saturn Award for Best Young Performer
1989 Little Monsters Yes No Brian Stevenson
The Wizard Yes No Corey Woods Nominated–Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor – Motion Picture
1997 A Guy Walks Into a Bar Yes No Josh Cohen Short film
1998 Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story Yes No Himself (Narrator)
2002 The Rules of Attraction Yes No "A Junkie Named Marc"
Austin Powers in Goldmember Yes No Number Three / Mole
2004 The Last Run Yes No Steven Goodson
Welcome to Mooseport Yes No Bullard
2007 Daddy Day Camp No Yes — Feature film directorial debut
Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director
2018 Super Troopers 2 Yes No Himself Cameo in post-film scene
Once Upon a Deadpool Yes No The Grandson / Himself PG-13 cut of Deadpool 2

Television
Year Title Functioned as Notes Ref(s)
Actor Director Producer Role
1986 The Twilight Zone Yes No No Jeff Mattingly Episode: "What Are Friends For?/Aqua Vita"
1986–1987 Morningstar/Eveningstar Yes No No Alan Bishop 7 episodes
1987 Convicted: A Mother's Story Yes No No Matthew Nickerson Television film
Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater Uncredited No No Mowser Episode: "Phantom of the Theater"
1988 ABC Weekend Special: Runaway Ralph Yes No No Garfield Television film
Run Till You Fall Yes No No David Reuben Television film
1988–1993 The Wonder Years Yes No No 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 Yes No No Mike Mills Television film
Saturday Night Live Yes No No Himself Host; episode: "Fred Savage/Technotronic"
1991 Christmas on Division Street Yes No No Trevor Atwood Television film
1992 Seinfeld Yes No No Himself Episode: "The Trip"
1996 No One Would Tell Yes No No Bobby Tennison Television film
How Do You Spell God? Yes No No Himself (Narrator) Television film
1997 The Outer Limits Yes No No Danny Martin Episode: "Last Supper"
1997–1999 Working Yes Yes No Matt Peyser Lead role; 39 episodes
1998 Boy Meets World Yes No No Stuart Episode: "Everybody Loves Stuart"
1999–2000 Boy Meets World No Yes No — 2 episodes
2001 All About Us No Yes No — 2 episodes
2001–2002 Even Stevens No Yes No — 2 episodes
2001–2003 Oswald Yes No No Oswald Voice, 25 episodes
Nick Jr. Yes No No Himself (Host) Host from September 3, 2001 – August 29, 2003
2003 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Yes No No Michael Gardner Episode: "Futility"
2003–2005 That's So Raven No Yes No — 2 episodes
2004 Justice League Unlimited Yes No No Hank Hall / Hawk Voice, episode: "Hawk and Dove"
Drake & Josh No Yes No — 1 episode
2004–2005 Unfabulous No Yes No — 5 episodes
2004–2006 Phil of the Future No Yes Yes — 9 episodes
Nominated–Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Children's Program
(Episode: "Not So Great Great Great Grandpa")
2004–2007 Kim Possible Yes No No Wego Voice, 2 episodes
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide No Yes No — 6 episodes
2005 Kitchen Confidential No Yes No — 1 episode
Zoey 101 No Yes No — 2 episodes
What I Like About You No Yes No — 1 episode
2006 Crumbs Yes No No Mitch Crumb Lead role; 13 episodes
Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen Yes No No Rusty Voice, TV special
2007 Cavemen No Yes No — 1 episode
Hannah Montana No Yes No — 1 episode
2007–2008 Doozers No Yes No — 4 episodes
Wizards of Waverly Place No Yes No — 3 episodes
Nominated– Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Children's Program
(Episode "The Crazy 10 Minute Sale")
2007–2009 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia No Yes Yes — 19 episodes
2008 Ugly Betty No Yes No — 1 episode
Worst Week No Yes No — 1 episode
2009 Family Guy Yes No No Himself Voice, episode: "Fox-y Lady"
Zeke and Luther No Yes No — Pilot episode
Nominated– Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Children's Program
(Episode "Pilot")
Ruby & the Rockits No Yes No — 1 episode
2009–2010 Greek No Yes No — 2 episodes
Party Down No Yes Yes — 9 episodes; executive producer
2010 Sons of Tucson No Yes No — 1 episode
Big Time Rush No Yes No — 2 episodes
Blue Mountain State No Yes No — 2 episodes
2010–2013 Generator Rex Yes No No Noah Nixon Voice, 22 episodes
2010–2020 Modern Family No Yes No — 14 episodes
2011 Gigantic No Yes No — 2 episodes
Breaking In No Yes No — 1 episode
Perfect Couples No Yes No — 2 episodes
Franklin & Bash No Yes No — 1 episode
Friends with Benefits No Yes No — 1 episode
Mr. Sunshine Yes Yes No Himself Episode: "Celebrity Tennis"
Happy Endings Yes Yes No Himself 3 episodes
2011–2012 How to Be a Gentleman No Yes No — 2 episodes
2011–2016 2 Broke Girls No Yes No — 20 episodes
2012 Whitney No Yes No — 1 episode
Best Friends Forever No Yes Yes — 6 episodes; executive producer
2013 The Michael J. Fox Show No Yes No — 1 episode
The Crazy Ones No Yes No — 2 episodes
2014 Super Fun Night No Yes No — 1 episode
Growing Up Fisher No Yes No — 1 episode
Friends with Better Lives No Yes No — 4 episodes
Playing House No Yes No — 2 episodes
Bad Teacher No Yes No — 1 episode
Garfunkel and Oates No Yes Yes — 8 episodes; executive producer [26]
2014 Marry Me No Yes No — 1 episode
2014–2016 BoJack Horseman Yes No No Goober / Richie Osborne Voice, 2 episodes
2014–2019 The Goldbergs No Yes No — 2 episodes
2015 Sin City Saints No Yes No — 2 episodes
2015–2016 The Grinder Yes No No Stewart Sanderson Lead role; 22 episodes
Nominated–Critics' Choice Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Casual No Yes No — 3 episodes
2017 Fresh Off the Boat No Yes No — 1 episode
2017–2019 Friends from College Yes No No Max Adler Main cast; 2 seasons [15]
2018 Child Support Yes No No Himself Host. In 2018, he began to host Child Support (originally called Five to Survive) with Ricky Gervais.
Robot Chicken Yes No No Oswald, Steve, Westworld Investor Voice, episode: "Scoot to the Gute"
Modern Family Yes No No Caleb Episode: "Dear Beloved Family"
LA to Vegas No Yes No — Episode: "Parking Lot B"
Bob's Burgers Yes No No Parker Voice, episode: "Boywatch"
2018–2019 The Cool Kids No Yes No — 4 episodes
2018–2021 The Conners Yes Yes No Dr. Harding 7 episodes
2019 What Just Happened??! with Fred Savage Yes No No Himself Host [27]
2019–2020 Single Parents No Yes No — 4 episodes
2020 Black-ish No Yes No — 3 episodes
Indebted No Yes No — 1 episode
Home Movie: The Princess Bride Yes No No The Grandson Episode: "Chapter One: As You Wish" [28]
Dash & Lily No Yes No — 4 episodes
2021–2022 The Wonder Years No Yes Executive — 4 episodes [29]
2022 The Afterparty Yes No No Vaughn Episode: "Danner"

References
  1. Boland, Yasmin (August 16, 2021). "Horoscope". TV Guide. p. 72.
  2. The Wonder Years, retrieved January 19, 2019
  3. 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. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  4. "Lewis Savage Obituary (2015) Chicago Tribune". Legacy.com. February 23, 2015.
  5. "Lewis M. Savage". geni_family_tree. July 18, 1946. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  6. 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.
  7. Rubin, Sylvia (May 5, 1996). "Fred Savage's Post-'Wonder Years' / He's all grown up, a Stanford student and a bad guy on TV". SFGate. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  8. Goldman, Leah; Ward, Marguerite. "26 of the most famous and successful Stanford University students of all time". Business Insider. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  9. "Fred Savage Emmy Nominated". Emmys.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  10. Wollman Rusoff, Jane (February 2, 1998). "Life after 'Wonder Years' is 'Working' for Fred Savage". CNN.
  11. "Fred Savage - IMDB". IMDB. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  12. Ricard, Sarah (August 12, 2008). "International Espionage and Comedy with 'The Rascal'". Tilzy.TV. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  13. 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. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  14. Andreeva, Nellie (May 12, 2016). "'Grinder', 'Grandfathered', 'Bordertown' & 'Cooper Barrett' Canceled By Fox After One Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. Trepany, Charles (May 6, 2022). "Fred Savage Fired from 'The Wonder Years' Over 'Multiple' Misconduct Claims". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  18. Rowles, Dustin (May 6, 2022). "Revisiting 'The Wonder Years' Sexual Harassment Lawsuit During the MeToo Movement". Pajiba. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  19. Harris, Hunter (March 21, 2018). "Fred Savage Accused of Physical Harassment on The Grinder Set". Vulture. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  20. Trepany, Charles (May 6, 2022). "Fred Savage fired as 'Wonder Years' director, producer after misconduct investigation". USA Today. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  21. Trepany, Charles (May 6, 2022). "Fred Savage fired as 'Wonder Years' director, producer after a misconduct investigation". USA Today. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  22. Butterfield, Michelle (May 9, 2022). "Fred Savage fired from 'Wonder Years' reboot after misconduct investigation". Global News. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  23. Calvario, Liz; Dasrath, Diana (August 10, 2022). "Fred Savage speaks out after 'Wonder Years' reboot firing". Today. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  24. Hearon, Sarah (July 9, 2022). "Fred Savage's Ups and Downs Over the Years". Us Weekly. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  25. Grebenyuk, Yana (July 9, 2022). "Fred Savage's Family Album Through the Years". Us Weekly. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  26. 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.
  27. ""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.
  28. Starner, Nina (June 26, 2020). "Quibi just announced a Princess Bride remake you never expected to see". Looper.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  29. Petski, Denise (May 18, 2021). "ABC New Series Teasers: 'Queens', 'The Wonder Years', 'Abbott Elementary', 'Maggie' – Watch". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
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