7 Shocking Facts And Where The Step By Step Season 1 Cast Is Now (2025 Update)

Step into the past, but with a fresh 2025 perspective. The debut of Step by Step Season 1 in 1991 launched one of the most beloved sitcoms of the TGIF era, introducing the world to the chaotic, heartwarming, and hilarious blended family of the Lamberts and Fosters. This classic series, created by William Bickley and Michael Warren, immediately became a staple of Friday night television, capturing the essence of the early 90s family sitcom.

Today, the show's legacy is more poignant than ever, especially following recent events and cast reunions. The first season set the stage for years of comedy, focusing on the spontaneous marriage of Frank Lambert and Carol Foster and the immediate, often disastrous, merging of their six children. Here is the definitive, updated look at the groundbreaking first season, the full cast, and where these iconic actors are today.

The Blended Family: Step by Step Season 1 Main Cast & Characters

The 22 episodes of the first season introduced the core ensemble, establishing the classic conflicts between the blue-collar, Wisconsin-based Lambert clan and the more reserved, sophisticated Foster family. The series was set in Port Washington, Wisconsin, and the main cast quickly became household names.

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• Suzanne Somers as Carol Foster Lambert: The widowed beautician and mother of three, known for her upbeat, sometimes neurotic, personality. She spontaneously marries Frank in the pilot episode.
• Patrick Duffy as Frank Lambert: The divorced, construction-working father of three, known for his laid-back, working-class charm and love of sports.
• Staci Keanan as Dana Foster: Carol’s eldest daughter, a straight-A student, feminist, and intellectual who frequently clashed with J.T.
• Brandon Call as J.T. Lambert: Frank’s eldest son, a typical slacker and jock whose main interests were food and avoiding schoolwork.
• Angela Watson as Karen Foster: Carol’s middle daughter, a beautiful, aspiring model who was often portrayed as vain but kind-hearted.
• Christine Lakin as Alicia "Al" Lambert: Frank’s middle child, a tomboy who often struggled to fit in with her more feminine stepsisters.
• Christopher Castile as Mark Foster: Carol’s youngest son, a geeky, computer-loving intellectual who was often the voice of reason.
• Josh Byrne as Brendan Lambert: Frank’s youngest son, whose character was mostly a background presence in the first season.
• Sasha Mitchell as Cody Lambert: Frank’s dim-witted but lovable nephew, who lived in a van in the driveway and provided comic relief.

5 Key Moments and Conflicts That Defined Season 1

The success of Step by Step lay in its relatable portrayal of a modern blended family. Season 1, which aired from 1991 to 1992, focused heavily on the culture clash and the struggle for the six children to coexist in the same house.

1. The Impulsive Pilot Episode Marriage ("Pilot")

The entire premise is established in the first episode. Frank and Carol meet and marry on a spur-of-the-moment vacation in Jamaica, only to return home and introduce their respective children to the new reality. The immediate, hostile reaction from the kids—particularly Dana and J.T.—kicked off the central tension of the series: the Foster-Lambert rivalry.

2. Establishing the "Rules of the House"

Early episodes were dedicated to the fundamental conflicts of cohabitation, such as sharing a bathroom, setting curfews, and figuring out the new parental dynamic. The episode "Rules of the House" perfectly encapsulates this struggle, as the kids try to find loopholes in the new rules set by Frank and Carol, a theme that resonated with many viewers from blended families.

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3. The First Anniversary Disaster ("First Anniversary")

In one of the season's early highlights, Frank and Carol forget their first anniversary, leading to a scramble to plan a romantic celebration. This episode cemented their relationship as a loving but imperfect partnership, showing that the adults were just as prone to chaos as the children.

4. Dana and J.T.'s Endless Feud

The intellectual Dana Foster and the simple-minded J.T. Lambert became the show's primary source of conflict and comedy. Their constant bickering over everything from school to television set a pattern for the entire series. The episode "The Dance" is a memorable early example, forcing them into an uncomfortable proximity.

5. The Introduction of Cody Lambert

Sasha Mitchell's character, Cody Lambert, Frank's California-based, philosophical, and often clueless nephew, was a surprise hit. Though not a core family member, his presence in the driveway's van and his unique "Whoa!" catchphrase added an essential layer of absurdist comedy to the show's otherwise grounded family dynamic.

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Where Are They Now? The Step by Step Cast's Current Lives (2025 Update)

The most compelling aspect of a classic sitcom retrospective is learning about the lives of the actors today. The Step by Step cast has had varied careers, with recent updates showing a mix of continued acting, career changes, and personal tragedy.

Suzanne Somers (Carol Foster Lambert)

Current Status: Suzanne Somers passed away in October 2023 at the age of 76 after a long battle with breast cancer. Her death was a major loss to the entertainment world. Her final years were dedicated to her successful health and wellness brand, ThighMaster, and her continued advocacy for alternative medicine.

Patrick Duffy (Frank Lambert)

Current Status: Duffy remains an active actor, known for his roles in Dallas and his recent work on soap operas like The Bold and the Beautiful. He has also been a central figure in cast reunions, celebrating the show's legacy. He has been in a long-term relationship with actress Linda Purl since 2020.

Christine Lakin (Al Lambert)

Current Status: Arguably the most successful of the younger cast members, Lakin has maintained a prolific career in Hollywood. She has appeared in films like Valentine's Day and numerous TV guest roles. Critically, she is a highly sought-after voice actress for animated series and video games, including work on Family Guy and various projects for Disney.

Christopher Castile (Mark Foster)

Current Status: Castile stepped away from acting after the series ended. He pursued higher education and now works as a high school history teacher in the Los Angeles area. He occasionally participates in cast reunions, but his professional focus is outside of Hollywood.

Staci Keanan (Dana Foster)

Current Status: Staci Keanan, who was a popular teen star, also largely left acting. She earned a law degree and is now a practicing attorney in the Los Angeles area, working under her married name, Staci Keanan-Baja.

Brandon Call (J.T. Lambert)

Current Status: Call retired from acting immediately after Step by Step ended. He has maintained a private life away from the public eye and is reported to be working in his family's business.

Sasha Mitchell (Cody Lambert)

Current Status: Mitchell has continued to act, primarily in action and independent films, leveraging his background in martial arts. His career has seen ups and downs, but he remains an active presence in film and television.

Angela Watson (Karen Foster) & Josh Byrne (Brendan Lambert)

Current Status: Both actors have largely retired from the industry. Watson now works as an advocate and activist, having founded a non-profit organization called Child Actors Supporting Themselves (CAST) to help young performers navigate the industry. Josh Byrne completely left the entertainment business after the series.

3 Unique Behind-the-Scenes Facts from the Step by Step Universe

The show has a surprisingly deep connection to the larger TGIF universe and some fascinating casting changes that started with Season 1.

1. The Original Mark Foster Was Recast

A little-known fact is that Christopher Castile was not the original actor for the character Mark Foster. The role was initially played by actor Jarrett Lennon in the unaired pilot. The decision was made to recast the role before the series officially aired, making Castile the definitive Mark Foster from Season 1 onward.

2. The Show Existed in the TGIF Shared Universe

Like many shows in the TGIF lineup, Step by Step was confirmed to exist in the same fictional universe as other popular sitcoms. Specifically, the character Steve Urkel from *Family Matters* made a crossover appearance on Step by Step, cementing the idea that the Foster-Lambert family and the Winslow family lived in the same world.

3. The Producers Recycled Young Talent

The show’s producers, William Bickley and Michael Warren, had a history of using the same young talent across their various shows. Josh Byrne, who played Brendan Lambert, was cast in Step by Step shortly after appearing in another of their sitcoms, *The Family Man*, a common practice in the TGIF production world.