Celebrity Info
Fred Savage had that rare ability as a young actor to come across not just as cute, but genuinely wise beyond his years—a quality that made him stand out early in his career. You could see it in Vice Versa (1988), where Fred Savage played the son of Judge Reinhold in a body-swap comedy that leaned on heart and humor, or in The Princess Bride (1987), where he was the wide-eyed grandson listening to Peter Falk’s magical storytelling. But really, it was as Kevin Arnold—the thoughtful, introspective ‘60s kid on The Wonder Years (ABC, 1988–93)—that Fred Savage became a household name. That role defined much of his adolescence and cemented his place in TV history.
During those years, Fred Savage also took on serious roles in TV movies, showing depth beyond typical child actor fare. One standout was When You Remember Me (ABC, 1990), where Fred Savage delivered a moving performance as a teenager with muscular dystrophy who bravely exposes neglect and abuse in a nursing home. Then came a dramatic shift when Fred Savage portrayed an abusive boyfriend in No One Would Tell (NBC, 1996), a role that surprised audiences and showed his range.
By the late ‘90s, Fred Savage was transitioning into adulthood—both personally and professionally. He returned to series television in Working (NBC, 1997–99), playing a recent college grad navigating the chaos of corporate life. Around the same time, Fred Savage graduated from Stanford University in 1999 with a degree in English, and instead of chasing more acting gigs, he decided to pivot behind the camera.
And honestly, it worked out pretty well. Fred Savage got his first taste of directing by stepping in for an episode of his younger brother Ben’s hit show Boy Meets World (ABC, 1993–2000). That small step turned into a full-on sprint into directing, and soon Fred Savage was helming episodes of popular sitcoms like All About Us (NBC, 2001–02), What I Like About You (WB, 2002–06), and That’s So Raven (Disney, 2002–06). He found steady work directing Phil of the Future (Disney, 2004–06), a fun family comedy about a time-traveling teen stuck in the present.
Even while staying busy directing shows like Unfabulous (Nickelodeon, 2004–07) and Drake & Josh (Nickelodeon, 2004–07), Fred Savage still found time to act. He appeared in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC, 1999– ) and took supporting roles in films such as The Rules of Attraction (2002), Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), and Welcome to Mooseport (2004).
Then came Crumbs (ABC, 2006), a short-lived series where Fred Savage played a closeted gay writer returning home to help run the family restaurant after failing in Hollywood. Though the show only lasted 13 episodes, Fred Savage used the momentum to make his feature directorial debut with Daddy Day Camp (2007), a family comedy starring Eddie Murphy.
From there, Fred Savage became deeply involved in cult-favorite comedies. He joined It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX/FXX, 2005– ) as both a producer and director, lending his experience to one of TV’s most enduring offbeat series. He did something similar with Party Down (Starz, 2009–2010), another beloved satire of Hollywood dreams and dead-end jobs.
By now, Fred Savage had built a strong reputation as a go-to TV director. He spent significant time working on hits like Modern Family (ABC, 2009– ) and Two Broke Girls (CBS, 2011–17), shaping the tone and rhythm of successful ensemble comedies. As an executive producer, Fred Savage helped launch shows like Best Friends Forever (NBC, 2012) and Garfunkel and Oates (Comedy Central, 2014), supporting fresh comedic voices in the industry.
And yet, Fred Savage never fully left acting behind. He lent his voice to Generator Rex (Cartoon Network, 2010–12), a sci-fi animated series, before stepping back into live-action with The Grinder (Fox, 2015–16), a clever legal comedy co-starring Rob Lowe. Later, Fred Savage appeared in the Netflix ensemble Friends from College (2017– ), sharing screen time with Keegan-Michael Key and Cobie Smulders in a story about aging friends reconnecting—and reevaluating their lives.
Through it all, Fred Savage has remained a steady presence in Hollywood—not just as a nostalgic figure from the past, but as a versatile creative force who’s continually reinvented himself. Whether it’s through directing, producing, or acting, Fred Savage has proven time and again that his talent goes far beyond that of the boy we once watched grow up on screen.
When it comes to Fred Savage’s filmography, one standout title really shines—Fred Savage’s highest rated movie is undoubtedly The Princess Bride, released back in 1987. This beloved classic has earned widespread acclaim over the years and remains a fan favorite, thanks in large part to Fred Savage’s memorable performance. On the other end of the spectrum, Fred Savage’s lowest rated film tends to be Daddy Day Camp, which came out in 2007. While it didn’t fare as well with critics or audiences, it’s still part of Fred Savage’s journey in Hollywood. Overall, Fred Savage has had quite a range in his career, with roles that span decades and varying levels of success.
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