The Wonder Years Cast: Where Are They Now? 10 Actors With Shocking 2024–2025 New Projects

The iconic, nostalgic family dramedy, The Wonder Years, holds a special place in television history, not once, but twice. The original series (1988–1993) cemented the coming-of-age story of Kevin Arnold, while the short-lived but critically acclaimed reboot (2021–2023) introduced the Williams family, offering a fresh, Black perspective on the 1960s. Fans are constantly curious about the actors who brought these beloved characters to life, especially given the recent cancellation of the reboot and the career shifts of the original cast. As of December 2025, the stars are busier than ever, moving into new films, Broadway shows, legal careers, and even a new PBS series.

The careers of the Wonder Years actors have taken fascinating, and in some cases, unexpected turns. From a Hallmark-style movie queen with multiple 2025 releases to a former child star who is now a practicing attorney, and a director whose recent controversy made headlines, here is the ultimate, up-to-date look at the current projects and lives of the cast members from both the original and the reboot series.

The Wonder Years Cast: Actor Profiles and Current Status (Original & Reboot)

This list provides a consolidated look at the main cast members from both the original series (1988–1993) and the reboot (2021–2023), including their most recent and upcoming professional endeavors, confirming their topical authority in the industry.

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• Fred Savage (Kevin Arnold - Original)
  • Date of Birth: July 9, 1976
  • Key Role: Kevin Arnold, the main protagonist and narrator.
  • Current Status: Primarily a director and producer, though his career faced a major public setback following his firing as executive producer and director of the reboot series in 2022 due to misconduct allegations. He was seen at the WatchTime New York 2024 event.
• Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper - Original)
  • Date of Birth: January 3, 1975
  • Key Role: Winnie Cooper, Kevin's primary love interest.
  • Current Status: A prominent star on the Great American Family network. She has a packed schedule with multiple upcoming projects, including the Christmas movie A Cinderella Christmas Ball (November 2024), and two 2025 releases: Grounded (Spring 2025) and Have We Met This Christmas? (February 2025).
• Dulé Hill (Bill Williams - Reboot)
  • Date of Birth: May 3, 1975
  • Key Role: Bill Williams, the patriarch of the Williams family and a music professor.
  • Current Status: Highly active in both television and theater. He launched the four-part PBS documentary series The Express Way with Dulé Hill in January 2024. He is also set to star as the legendary Nat King Cole in the Off-Broadway play Lights Out: Nat King Cole during the 2024–2025 season.
• Dan Lauria (Jack Arnold - Original)
  • Date of Birth: April 12, 1947
  • Key Role: Jack Arnold, the strict but loving father.
  • Current Status: A working playwright and stage actor. He wrote and starred in the Off-Broadway play Just Another Day, which ran from May to June 2024.
• Alley Mills (Norma Arnold - Original)
  • Date of Birth: May 9, 1951
  • Key Role: Norma Arnold, the supportive, evolving mother.
  • Current Status: Continues her career in daytime television, making sporadic but recent appearances as Pamela Douglas on the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful, with her most recent appearance airing in December 2024.
• Elisha "EJ" Williams (Dean Williams - Reboot)
  • Date of Birth: December 30, 2007
  • Key Role: Dean Williams, the protagonist of the reboot.
  • Current Status: Transitioning to new roles post-reboot cancellation. In April 2024, he was cast in the lead role of Darius James in the pilot for the new series, High Score.
• Josh Saviano (Paul Pfeiffer - Original)
  • Date of Birth: March 31, 1976
  • Key Role: Paul Pfeiffer, Kevin's best friend.
  • Current Status: Successfully transitioned out of acting and is a practicing attorney in New York. He launched his own law firm and celebrity brand consultancy, J S Saviano Law, in 2015, making him one of the most famous non-acting former child stars.

From Child Stars to Legal Eagles: The Original Cast’s Unexpected Paths

The original cast, which defined the late 80s and early 90s television landscape, has arguably seen the most diverse career trajectories. The show’s premise, focusing on the tumultuous journey of growing up, seems to have mirrored the complex paths of its actors.

The career of Fred Savage, who played Kevin Arnold, has been under a spotlight since his firing from the 2021 reboot. While he remains a credited producer and director on many past hit shows like Modern Family and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, his public-facing roles have been limited in 2024. His appearance at the WatchTime New York 2024 event was a rare public sighting following the major controversy that led to his termination from the reboot.

In stark contrast, Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper) has fully embraced her role as a prominent figure in family-friendly holiday entertainment. Her shift to Great American Family (GAF) has resulted in a steady stream of new movie announcements, including three major releases scheduled for late 2024 and early 2025. This consistent production output makes her one of the most active and commercially successful actors from the original cast today, solidifying her brand as the "Queen of Christmas Movies."

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Perhaps the most famous career pivot belongs to Josh Saviano (Paul Pfeiffer). After leaving acting, he earned a degree from Yale and a law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He is now a successful New York-based corporate attorney and the founder of a brand consultancy firm. His post-acting career as a lawyer is a compelling example of a child star finding success outside of Hollywood.

The Arnold parents have also remained active. Dan Lauria (Jack Arnold) continues to be a fixture on stage, showcasing his talent as a writer and performer with his Off-Broadway play Just Another Day in 2024. Meanwhile, Alley Mills (Norma Arnold) has maintained a steady presence in soap operas, with her role on The Bold and the Beautiful continuing into late 2024. Even the rebellious older sister, Olivia d'Abo (Karen Arnold), is still working, with a new film, Apocalypse Death Party, released in 2024, alongside her established career as a voice-over artist, notably as the Jedi Master Luminara Unduli.

The Reboot’s Next Chapter: Post-Cancellation Projects and New Roles

The 2021 reboot, which focused on the Williams family in Montgomery, Alabama, was canceled after two seasons, but its talented cast has quickly moved on to exciting new projects, proving their versatility and demand in the industry.

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The central star, young Elisha "EJ" Williams (Dean Williams), has already landed his next major lead role. In a significant career move, he was cast in the pilot of the new series High Score in April 2024. This quick transition demonstrates the young actor's rising star power post-Wonder Years.

The Williams parents are also thriving. Dulé Hill (Bill Williams) is a multi-talented performer, and his 2024 has been marked by a major shift to non-fiction and stage work. His PBS series, The Express Way with Dulé Hill, showcases his passion for community and art, while his upcoming role as Nat King Cole is a high-profile theatrical endeavor. Saycon Sengbloh (Lillian Williams), a Tony Award nominee, has returned to her stage roots, starring in the Theatre Aspen production of Love, Loss and What I Wore in 2024, alongside her work in other TV series.

The younger cast members are also making waves. Laura Kariuki (Kim Williams) has been cast in two new films for 2024, Bitter Leaf and the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, showing her range across different genres. Similarly, Julian Lerner (Brad Hitman) has combined his acting and music careers in 2024, starring in the Disney Channel movie Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires and releasing his own original song, "Velvet."

The collective career momentum of both the original and reboot casts of The Wonder Years confirms the lasting impact of the franchise. Whether they have transitioned into law, directing, stage writing, or become the face of holiday cinema, these actors continue to shape the entertainment landscape, ensuring that the legacy of their iconic roles endures.