Danielle Christine Fishel is an American actress and television personality best known for
Danielle Christine Fishel is an American actress and television personality best known for

her role as Topanga Lawrence on the 1990s TV sitcom Boy Meets World.
her role as Topanga Lawrence on the 1990s TV sitcom Boy Meets World.

She reprises the role for the 2014 spinoff Girl Meets World.
She reprises the role for the 2014 spinoff Girl Meets World.

She is also known for being the host of Style Network's The Dish.
She is also known for being the host of Style Network's The Dish.

Fishel also appears in National Lampoon's Dorm Daze and its sequel, and was a spokesperson
Fishel also appears in National Lampoon's Dorm Daze and its sequel, and was a spokesperson

for NutriSystem.
for NutriSystem.

She is also a resident reporter on PopSugar, and their spin-off YouTube channel, PopSugar
She is also a resident reporter on PopSugar, and their spin-off YouTube channel, PopSugar

Girls Guide.
Girls Guide.

Early life Fishel was born in Mesa, Arizona, the daughter
Early life Fishel was born in Mesa, Arizona, the daughter

of Jennifer, a personal manager, and Rick Fishel, a medical equipment sales executive.
of Jennifer, a personal manager, and Rick Fishel, a medical equipment sales executive.

She is of half Maltese descent.
She is of half Maltese descent.

The family relocated to Yorba Linda, California when she was three weeks old.
The family relocated to Yorba Linda, California when she was three weeks old.

She has one younger brother, Christopher.
She has one younger brother, Christopher.

She graduated from Calabasas High School in 1999.
She graduated from Calabasas High School in 1999.

Career In 1991, the then-10-year-old Fishel was discovered
Career In 1991, the then-10-year-old Fishel was discovered

in a community theater where she performed in two productions, The Wizard of Oz and Peter
in a community theater where she performed in two productions, The Wizard of Oz and Peter

Pan.
Pan.

She quickly moved on to do voice-overs and commercials, including several as a Barbie
She quickly moved on to do voice-overs and commercials, including several as a Barbie

Girl for Mattel.
Girl for Mattel.

Soon after, she appeared on two episodes of the hit show Full House, guest starring as
Soon after, she appeared on two episodes of the hit show Full House, guest starring as

a character named Jennifer.
a character named Jennifer.

She also had a small role on Harry and the Hendersons, playing Jessica.
She also had a small role on Harry and the Hendersons, playing Jessica.

Fishel's mother became her full-time manager.
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
In 1993, at the age of 12, Fishel began her well-known role as Topanga Lawrence on ABC's

pilot series Boy Meets World.
pilot series Boy Meets World.

Originally written as a small part, Topanga became a recurring role.
Originally written as a small part, Topanga became a recurring role.

After a successful first year, Fishel became a show regular.
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
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.
replaced the nerdy Stuart Minkus as the brains of the class.

The long-running show ended in 2000 after seven years.
The long-running show ended in 2000 after seven years.

Fishel was on the cover of Seventeen in December 1998.
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.
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.
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 October issue.
Fishel was on the cover of GQ's hottest stars to watch in GQ's 1997 October issue.

She appeared in the music video for "Until You Loved Me" by Canadian music group The
She appeared in the music video for "Until You Loved Me" by Canadian music group The

Moffatts.
Moffatts.

Since Boy Meets World ended, Fishel has appeared in several films, including National Lampoon's
Since Boy Meets World ended, Fishel has appeared in several films, including National Lampoon's

Dorm Daze.
Dorm Daze.

In 2006, she appeared in three made-for-DVD releases: National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2:
In 2006, she appeared in three made-for-DVD releases: National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2:

College at Sea, the action film Gamebox 1.0, and The Chosen One, an independent animated
College at Sea, the action film Gamebox 1.0, and The Chosen One, an independent animated

film in which she provides the voice of the lead female character.
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
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.
weight loss with the use of the Nutrisystems Diet.

Following her appearance on the show, Fishel became a spokesperson for NutriSystem.
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
She also became a special correspondent for The Tyra Banks Show, starting in early February

2007.
2007.

By 2010 she had gained some of the weight back, and told People magazine she could not
By 2010 she had gained some of the weight back, and told People magazine she could not

maintain her NutriSystem weight.
maintain her NutriSystem weight.

In 2003, Fishel co-hosted Say What?
In 2003, Fishel co-hosted Say What?

Karaoke on MTV for one season.
Karaoke on MTV for one season.

From August 2008 to March 2011 Fishel hosted The Dish for the Style Network, which satirized
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
pop culture in a format similar to sister network E! Entertainment Television's The

Soup.
Soup.

Fishel was also on Fuse TV as host of The Fuse 20, and was a guest star on the round
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.
table on an episode of Chelsea Lately.

Beginning in 2012, Fishel became the host of MSN TV's Last Night on TV.
Beginning in 2012, Fishel became the host of MSN TV's Last Night on TV.

In 2013, Fishel starred in the controversial drama, Boiling Pot, which is based on true
In 2013, Fishel starred in the controversial drama, Boiling Pot, which is based on true

events of racism that occurred on college campuses across the country during the 2008
events of racism that occurred on college campuses across the country during the 2008

Presidential election.
Presidential election.

The film, written and directed by the Ashmawey brothers under AshmaweyFilms, also stars Academy
The film, written and directed by the Ashmawey brothers under AshmaweyFilms, also stars Academy

Award-winner Louis Gossett Jr., Keith David, M. Emmet Walsh, and John Heard.
Award-winner Louis Gossett Jr., Keith David, M. Emmet Walsh, and John Heard.

Fishel plays an average college girl, naive regarding racism and unaware of its existence.
Fishel plays an average college girl, naive regarding racism and unaware of its existence.

She struggles to find acceptance from her parents for her non-white fiance and quickly
She struggles to find acceptance from her parents for her non-white fiance and quickly

gets tangled in racist events happening on campus.
gets tangled in racist events happening on campus.

Boiling Pot is set to release in 2014.
Boiling Pot is set to release in 2014.

In October 2013, she was featured in Clapping for the Wrong Reasons, a short film to promote
In October 2013, she was featured in Clapping for the Wrong Reasons, a short film to promote

Childish Gambino's second studio album, Because the Internet.
Childish Gambino's second studio album, Because the Internet.

Fishel currently reprises her role of Topanga Lawrence in the Boy Meets World spin-off series,
Fishel currently reprises her role of Topanga Lawrence in the Boy Meets World spin-off series,

Girl Meets World.
Girl Meets World.

The series premiered on Disney Channel on June 27, 2014, and features Topanga and her
The series premiered on Disney Channel on June 27, 2014, and features Topanga and her

Boy Meets World love interest Cory Matthews married in their adult years with two children.
Boy Meets World love interest Cory Matthews married in their adult years with two children.

The series follows Cory and Topanga's daughter Riley as she enters middle school and tries
The series follows Cory and Topanga's daughter Riley as she enters middle school and tries

to navigate through life.
to navigate through life.

Personal life It has been reported that Fishel dated her
Personal life It has been reported that Fishel dated her

Boy Meets World co-star Ben Savage.
Boy Meets World co-star Ben Savage.

However, in a 2013 interview with Maxim, Fishel revealed that this was only a rumor that she
However, in a 2013 interview with Maxim, Fishel revealed that this was only a rumor that she

accidentally started during an appearance on The Tyra Banks Show—in fact, she and
accidentally started during an appearance on The Tyra Banks Show—in fact, she and

Savage only went on one dinner date as teenagers, and "by the time the dinner was over we realized
Savage only went on one dinner date as teenagers, and "by the time the dinner was over we realized

mutually that we were more like family than lovers."
mutually that we were more like family than lovers."

She dated former 'N Sync member Lance Bass from 1999 to 2000, and he was her date to
She dated former 'N Sync member Lance Bass from 1999 to 2000, and he was her date to

her high school prom.
her high school prom.

In 2007, Fishel was arrested in Los Angeles County on a drunk driving warrant.
In 2007, Fishel was arrested in Los Angeles County on a drunk driving warrant.

At age 27, Fishel began attending California State University, Fullerton, graduating in
At age 27, Fishel began attending California State University, Fullerton, graduating in

2013.
2013.

During her university studies, she became a math tutor, leading her to meet fellow student
During her university studies, she became a math tutor, leading her to meet fellow student

Tim Belusko.
Tim Belusko.

After over three years of dating, she became engaged to Belusko in May 2012.
After over three years of dating, she became engaged to Belusko in May 2012.

They married on October 19, 2013 in Los Angeles.
They married on October 19, 2013 in Los Angeles.

Filmography Film
Filmography Film

Television Awards
Television Awards

References
References

External links Danielle Fishel at the Internet Movie Database
External links Danielle Fishel at the Internet Movie Database

LAist.com Interview with Danielle Fishel
LAist.com Interview with Danielle Fishel