Frederick Aaron Savage (born July 9, 1976) is an American actor and director. He is best known for his role as Kevin Arnold in the American television series The Wonder Years (1988–1993). 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. Savage returned to acting in the television series The Grinder, as well as the Netflix series Friends from College.
Early life and education
Savage was born in Chicago, to Joanne and Lewis Savage (1946–2015), who was an industrial real estate broker and consultant. Savage grew up in Glencoe, Illinois, before moving to Southern 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. He was raised in Reform Judaism.
Career
Acting
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 starred in his most well-known role as Kevin Arnold on the comedy-drama television series The Wonder Years, which earned him two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy and two Primetime Emmy 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 and The Wizard. 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. 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.
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.
In 2015, Savage returned to acting with the Fox series The Grinder. Producer Nick Stoller approached Savage about playing the role of Stewart on The Grinder.
In 2017, he joined the cast of the Netflix series Friends from College as Max Adler, a gay literary agent.
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. Following Working, Savage began observing production on the Disney Channel show Even Stevens to further learn the craft of directing.
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.
On May 6, 2022, Savage was fired as executive producer and director of The Wonder Years reboot after an investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct. 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.
Personal life
Fred Savage married his childhood friend Jennifer Lynn Stone on August 7, 2004. They have three children.
Filmography
Film
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of Fred Savage film credits
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Title
! colspan="3" scope="col" | Functioned as
! rowspan="2" scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! rowspan="2" scope="col" class="unsortable" |
|-
! scope="col" | Actor
! scope="col" | Director
! scope="col" | Role
|-
| 1986
| The Boy Who Could Fly
|
|
| Louis Michaelson
| Young Artist Award for Best Supporting Young Actor – Motion Picture
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1987
| Dinosaurs!
|
|
| Phillip
|
|
|-
| The Princess Bride
|
|
| The Grandson
| Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor – Motion Picture
|
|-
| 1988
| Vice Versa
|
|
| Charlie Seymour / Marshall Seymour
| Saturn Award for Best Young Performer
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1989
| Little Monsters
|
|
| Brian Stevenson
|
|
|-
| The Wizard
|
|
| Corey Woods
| Nominated – Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor – Motion Picture
|
|-
| 1997
| A Guy Walks Into a Bar
|
|
| Josh Cohen
| Short film
|
|-
| 1998
| Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story
|
|
| Himself (Narrator)
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2002
| The Rules of Attraction
|
|
| "A Junkie Named Marc"
|
|
|-
| Austin Powers in Goldmember
|
|
| Number Three / Mole
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| The Last Run
|
|
| Steven Goodson
|
|
|-
| Welcome to Mooseport
|
|
| Bullard
|
|
|-
| 2007
| Daddy Day Camp
|
|
|
| Feature film directorial debut<br />Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2018
| Super Troopers 2
|
|
| Himself
| Cameo in post-film scene
|
|-
| Once Upon a Deadpool
|
|
| The Grandson / Himself
| PG-13 cut of Deadpool 2
|
|}
Television
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of Fred Savage television credits
|-
! rowspan=2 scope="col" | Year
! rowspan=2 scope="col" | Title
! colspan=4 scope="col" | Functioned as
! rowspan=2 scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! rowspan=2 scope="col" class="unsortable" |
|-
! scope="col" | Actor
! scope="col" | Director
! scope="col" | Producer
! scope="col" | Role
|-
| 1986
| The Twilight Zone
|
|
|
| Jeff Mattingly
| Episode: "What Are Friends For?/Aqua Vita"
|
|-
| 1986–1987
| Morningstar/Eveningstar
|
|
|
| Alan Bishop
| 7 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan=2|1987
| Convicted: A Mother's Story
|
|
|
| Matthew Nickerson
| Television film
|
|-
| Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater
|
|
|
| Mowser
| Episode: "Phantom of the Theater"
|
|-
| rowspan=2|1988
| ABC Weekend Special: Runaway Ralph
|
|
|
| Garfield
| Television film
|
|-
| Run Till You Fall
|
|
|
| David Reuben
| Television film
|
|-
| 1988–1993
| The Wonder Years
|
|
|
| Kevin Arnold
| Lead role; 115 episodes<br />People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Performer<br />(1989–90)<br />Viewers for Quality Television Award Award for Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series<br />(1989–90)<br />Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Television Series<br />(1988–89)<br />Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy<br />(1989–90)<br />Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series<br />(1989–90)
|
|-
| rowspan=2|1990
| When You Remember Me
|
|
|
| Mike Mills
| Television film
|
|-
| Saturday Night Live
|
|
|
| Himself
| Host; episode: "Fred Savage/Technotronic"
|
|-
| 1991
| Christmas on Division Street
|
|
|
| Trevor Atwood
| Television film
|
|-
| 1992
| Seinfeld
|
|
|
| Himself
| Episode: "The Trip"
|
|-
| rowspan=2|1996
| No One Would Tell
|
|
|
| Bobby Tennison
| Television film
|
|-
| How Do You Spell God?
|
|
|
| Himself (Narrator)
| Television film
|
|-
| 1997
| The Outer Limits
|
|
|
| Danny Martin
| Episode: "Last Supper"
|
|-
| 1997–1999
| Working
|
|
|
| Matt Peyser
| Lead role; 39 episodes
|
|-
| 1998
| Boy Meets World
|
|
|
| Stuart
| Episode: "Everybody Loves Stuart"
|
|-
| 1999–2000
| Boy Meets World
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| 2001
| All About Us
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| 2001–2002
| Even Stevens
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2001–2003
| Oswald
|
|
|
| Oswald
| Voice, 25 episodes
|
|-
| Nick Jr.
|
|
|
| Himself (Host)
| Host from September 3, 2001 – August 29, 2003
|
|-
| 2003
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
|
|
|
| Michael Gardner
| Episode: "Futility"
|
|-
| 2003–2005
| That's So Raven
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2004
| Justice League Unlimited
|
|
|
| Hank Hall / Hawk
| Voice, episode: "Hawk and Dove"
|
|-
| Drake & Josh
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| 2004–2005
| Unfabulous
|
|
|
|
| 5 episodes
|
|-
| 2004–2006
| Phil of the Future
|
|
|
|
| 9 episodes<br />Nominated – Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Children's Program<br />(Episode: "Not So Great Great Great Grandpa")
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2004–2007
| Kim Possible
|
|
|
| Wego
| Voice, 2 episodes
|
|-
| Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
|
|
|
|
| 6 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan=3|2005
| Kitchen Confidential
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Zoey 101
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| What I Like About You
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2006
| Crumbs
|
|
|
| Mitch Crumb
| Lead role; 13 episodes
|
|-
| Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen
|
|
|
| Rusty
| Voice, TV special
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2007
| Cavemen
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Hannah Montana
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2007–2008
| Doozers
|
|
|
|
| 4 episodes
|
|-
| Wizards of Waverly Place
|
|
|
|
| 3 episodes<br />Nominated – Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Children's Program<br />(Episode "The Crazy 10 Minute Sale")
|
|-
| 2007–2009
| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
|
|
|
|
| 19 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2008
| Ugly Betty
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Worst Week
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| rowspan=3|2009
| Family Guy <!-- March 22 -->
|
|
|
| Himself
| Voice, episode: "Fox-y Lady"
|
|-
| Zeke and Luther <!-- July 6 -->
|
|
|
|
| Pilot episode<br />Nominated – Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Children's Program<br />(Episode "Pilot")
|
|-
| Ruby & the Rockits <!-- September 15 -->
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2009–2010
| Greek
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| Party Down
|
|
|
|
| 9 episodes; executive producer
|
|-
| rowspan=3|2010
| Sons of Tucson
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Big Time Rush
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| Blue Mountain State
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| 2010–2013
| Generator Rex
|
|
|
| Noah Nixon
| Voice, 22 episodes
|
|-
| 2010–2020
| Modern Family
|
|
|
|
| 14 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan=7|2011
| Gigantic
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| Breaking In
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Perfect Couples
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| Franklin & Bash
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Friends with Benefits
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Mr. Sunshine
|
|
|
| Himself
| Episode: "Celebrity Tennis"
|
|-
| Happy Endings
|
|
|
| Himself
| 3 episodes
|
|-
| 2011–2012
| How to Be a Gentleman
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| 2011–2016
| 2 Broke Girls
|
|
|
|
| 20 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2012
| Whitney
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Best Friends Forever
|
|
|
|
| 6 episodes; executive producer
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2013
| The Michael J. Fox Show
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| The Crazy Ones
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan=6|2014
| Super Fun Night
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Growing Up Fisher
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Friends with Better Lives
|
|
|
|
| 4 episodes
|
|-
| Playing House
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| Bad Teacher
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Garfunkel and Oates
|
|
|
|
| 8 episodes; executive producer
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2014
| Marry Me
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| 2014–2016
| BoJack Horseman
|
|
|
| Goober / Richie Osborne
| Voice, 2 episodes
|
|-
| 2014–2019
| The Goldbergs
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| 2015
| Sin City Saints
|
|
|
|
| 2 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2015–2016
| The Grinder<!-- September 29 -->
|
|
|
| Stewart Sanderson
| Lead role; 22 episodes<br />Nominated – Critics' Choice Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series
|
|-
| Casual <!-- November 25 -->
|
|
|
|
| 3 episodes
|
|-
| 2017
| Fresh Off the Boat
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| 2017–2019
| Friends from College
|
|
|
| Max Adler
| Main cast; 2 seasons
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2019–2020
| Single Parents
|
|
|
|
| 4 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan=4|2020
| Black-ish <!-- February 18 -->
|
|
|
|
| 3 episodes
|
|-
| Indebted <!-- March 19 -->
|
|
|
|
| 1 episode
|
|-
| Home Movie: The Princess Bride
|
|
|
| The Grandson
| Episode: "Chapter One: As You Wish"
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| Dash & Lily <!-- November 10 -->
|
|
|
|
| 4 episodes
|
|-
| 2021–2022
| The Wonder Years
|
|
|
|
| 4 episodes
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| 2022
| The Afterparty <!-- February 25 -->
|
|
|
| Vaughn
| Episode: "Danner"
|
|-
| 2024
| Three Women
|
|
|
| Rody
| 2 episodes
|
|-
|}
References
External links
- World Poker Tour Profile
- eFilmCritic Interviews Fred Savage