Danica McKellar on Maintaining Bonds with ‘Wonder Years’ Co-Stars
Danica McKellar, the beloved star from “The Wonder Years,” shared in a recent interview how she has forged lasting friendships from her time as a child actress. Now 51, she discussed which of her former castmates she stays closest to and noted that they often meet up.
While McKellar mentioned that she doesn’t see Fred Savage, she keeps in touch with Josh Saviano and occasionally visits Dan Lauria. “Dan is the person I’m closest to,” she said. They recently gathered at a convention and really enjoyed the time together, though Fred wasn’t present.
“It’s really nice to see everyone when we can get together,” she reflected.
McKellar, who began playing Winnie Cooper at age 12, spoke about the passing of time and the milestones they’ve all experienced together, joking about Fred turning 50 soon. “It’s pretty wild. He was the youngest of us, and now we’re all in that over-50 club,” she laughed.
The show aired for six seasons, from 1988 to 1993, and it won several Emmy Awards during its run.
As McKellar continues her career, she is also an accomplished writer and mathematician, with several books aimed at making math accessible to middle school students and beyond. Her latest project, a book titled “I Love You 100,” is set for release, and she will present it at the upcoming Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.
Excited about the event, she mentioned, “It’s been many years, and I love this event.” The festival, renowned as the largest literary gathering in the country, boasts a diverse array of authors, panels, and activities, which she finds particularly rewarding.
McKellar emphasized her passion for engaging with audiences, especially in a world where a love for reading can sometimes wane. “It’s wonderful talking to people, especially kids, about books,” she noted.
Reflecting on her past, she attributed her successful transition from child star to adult actor, partly due to her focus on education. After finishing “The Wonder Years,” she graduated high school and obtained a degree in math from UCLA.
More recently, she has appeared in movies for Great American Family and expressed gratitude for the creative freedom it affords her. “I love being able to make my own movies without the pressure to fit some Hollywood mold,” she said.
Ultimately, McKellar appreciates that her career path has been driven by her choices, enabling her to stay true to herself while continuing to grow in the industry.
