Turning Back the TV Dial: Snakkle Catches Up With Our Favorite Sitcom Stars of the ‘80s and ‘90s

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Bill Cosby as Dr. Heathcliff

Bill Cosby produced and starred in eight seasons of The Cosby Show, the first family oriented sitcom to portray an affluent African American family. Cosby starred as the patriarch, OBGYN Cliff Huxtable. His character is often ranked as the number one dad on TV.

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Bill Cosby, Today

Bill Cosby is one of the most legendary entertainers of all time with The Cosby Show being one of his greatest successes. Since the show ended he has continued to be involved in television and film as well as continuing to tour and writing books. His most recent book “I Didn’t Ask to Be Born (But I’m Glad I Was)” is a New York Times bestseller. He had a Comedy Central stand-up special in November 2013, his first in 30 years.

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Keisha Knight Pulliam as Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show

Keisha Knight Pulliam won over audiences worldwide Rudy, the youngest Huxtable on The Cosby Show. Her character was loosely based on Bill Cosby’s real life youngest daughter. In 1984 Pulliam was nominated for an Emmy for her work on the show, making her the youngest ever nominee.

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Keisha Knight Pulliam, Today

After The Cosby Show ended Pulliam took some time to concentrate on education and earned a degree in Sociology from Spelman College. She has since returned to acting and currently stars in Tyler Perry’s television show House of Payne.

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Tony Danza as Tony Micelli on Who’s the Boss

In Who’s the Boss Tony Danza starred as Tony Micelli, an ex-professional baseball player turned domestic housekeeper. The show was groundbreaking in that it used a reversed gender roles scenario in which Danza’s character stayed home to care for house and kids while Angela went off to work.

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Tony Danza, Today

While his roles in Who’s the Boss and Taxi continue to be his most recognized work, Tony Danza continues to be a force in the entertainment industry. In 2009 he spent a year teaching tenth grade English at a Philadelphia high school, the experience was made into a 7 part series for A&E called Teach: Tony Danza. Danza was last seen in Joseph Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut Don Jon.

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Alyssa Milano as Samantha Micelli on Who’s the Boss

Alyssa Milano grew up on TV, playing the part of Samantha Micelli on the sitcom Who’s the Boss. Tony Danza played her onscreen father. On avoiding the pitfalls that face many other child actors Alyssa says, “I was blessed to have an amazing family that kept me grounded and made me realize what was important in life. And I don't think a lot of kids in this business have that.”

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Alyssa Milano, Today

Milano’s most popular role since her days on Who’s the Boss was that of Phoebe Halliwell on the CW hit Charmed. The show lasted eight seasons and Milano was a producer for the last three. Milano has a line of clothing, named “Touch,” designed specifically for female sports fans. The line started with baseball related clothing but has since expanded to include hockey, football, and basketball. She married entertainment and sports agent David Bugliari in 2009 and in 2011 welcomed her first baby, son Milo Thomas Bugliari. She's currently on the ABC series Mistresses.

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Kirk Cameron as Mike Seaver on Growing Pains

Kirk Cameron starred as the oldest Seaver child on the hit show Growing Pains. The show’s popularity helped elevate him to teen idol status, landing him covers of the most popular teen magazines of the time, Tiger Beat and Teen Beat. Cameron eventually married his onscreen girlfriend, Chelsea Noble, in real life.

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Kirk Cameron, Today

After Growing Pains, Kirk did several TV movies and starred in the short-lived sitcom Kirk on the WB. He then retreated somewhat from the public eye, concentrating on his Christian-themed productions and evangelistic ministry. Kirk sparked controversy (and hilarious backlash from his ‘80s and ‘90s child star peers) by making some anti-gay remarks on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight.

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Tracey Gold as Carol Seaver on Growing Pains

Tracey Gold portrayed goodie two shoes, honor student Carol Seaver on Growing Pains. As the middle child, Carol was often stuck between her brothers baring the brunt of their teasing and jokes. Throughout the course of the series Tracey struggled with eating disorders, which she has thankfully overcome.

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Tracey Gold, Today

Tracey filmed a TV documentary series titled Starving Secrets with Tracey Gold, which documents several young girls struggles with eating disorders and their journey through rehab. The series is aired on Lifetime. She was also seen on the season premiere of Celebrity Wife Swap swapping lives with singer Carnie Wilson. More recently, she was seen on Melissa & Joey.

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Mayim Bialik as Blossom Russo on Blossom

Mayim Bialik starred as Blossom Russo for five seasons on the show named for her character. She starred as a slightly awkward free-spirited teenage girl, living with her single father and two brothers. Even though the show dealt with intense issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, Bialik says, "I was very lucky that we had a very quiet set. I didn't see drugs. I didn't see drinking. I didn't see weird stuff."

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Mayim Bialik, Today

Post Blossom, Mayim took some time off to focus on her education, eventually earning a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA. During her time away from acting she did voice over work for cartoons. She's now a series regular to the hit CBS show Big Bang Theory.

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Joey Lawrence as Joseph (Joey) Russo on Blossom

Alongside Mayim Bialik, Joey Lawrence starred on Blossom as the second son and middle child. His character was gifted athletically, specifically in baseball, but not so much academically. Joey’s trademark phrase “Whoa” continues to be so popular that it was recently featured in an Old Navy commercial in which Joey appears with former co-star Bialik.

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Joey Lawrence, Today

Joey Lawrence has continued to be a player in Hollywood since the end of Blossom with various roles in both TV and Film. In 2006 he appeared on, and placed third in, the third season of Dancing With The Stars. In 2009 he appeared in the ABC Family television movie My Fake Fiancé with Melissa Joan Hart, the success of which landed the duo a sitcom on the network, Melissa and Joey.

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Will Smith as Will Smith on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is loosely based on Will Smith’s real life background. Smith plays a fictionalized version of himself as a street-wise teen from West Philadelphia who goes to live in Bel-Air with his rich aunt and uncle. The shows theme song is arguably one of the most well known TV themes in history and is performed by none other than Will himself.

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Will Smith, Today

After his run as the Fresh Prince, Will Smith quickly took on the role of blockbuster film star. In fact, he is the only actor to have eight consecutive films open at number one. These days acting is a family affair for Smith as his wife Jada and children, Willow and Jaden, are stars as well. The entire family is working on or has had music released recently. Smith reprised his role as Agent J in Men in Black III. In addition he and son Jaden appeared together in the latest M. Night Shyamalan thriller After Earth.

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Mindy Cohn as Natalie Green on The Facts of Life

Mindy Cohn portrays Natalie Green, a teenage boarding school girl in Facts of Life. Her character Natalie is categorically seen as being overweight but also not adversely affected by it. In 2001 the cast reunited for The Facts of Life Reunion film which Mindy has said was largely motivated by money considering they (the cast) don’t receive any money from DVD sales or reruns.

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Mindy Cohn, Today

Since 2002 Cohn has voiced the character of Velma on the popular cartoon What’s New Scooby Doo and Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated as well as several Scooby Doo movies. In 2010 Cohn appeared on the popular TLC show What Not To Wear, fellow sitcom all-star Mayim Bialik has also previously appeared on the fashion show. More recently, she was seen on The Middle.

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Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner on Roseanne

On Roseanne Sara Gilbert portrays middle child Darlene Conner. Darlene is the moody, often sarcastic opposite to her over achieving sister Becky. Gilbert actually wrote a story that was used as a baseline for an episode in the fourth season.

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Sara Gilbert, Today

Sara Gilbert has guest starred, and been a recurring character, on some of the most popular TV shows, including ER, The Simpsons, Private Practice, and Law and Order: SVU. Gilbert is a co-host and executive producer of the popular CBS talk show The Talk. In 2007 she was reunited with her TV boyfriend from Roseanne Johnny Galecki on his hit show The Big Bang Theory.

Johnny Galecki as David Healy on Roseanne

Johnny Galecki portrayed David Healy on Roseanne starting in season 4. He and Darlene (Sara Gilbert) date off and on throughout the show and eventually the two marry and have a daughter.

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Johnny Galecki, Today

Galecki currently stars as physicist Leonard Hofstadter in The Big Bang Theory. Fellow all-star Mayim Bialik joined the cast as a guest star in season 3 and was bumped to regular in season 4. Galecki was also reunited with his former Roseanne cast mate Sara Gilbert in Seasons 1-3.

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Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties

On Family Ties Michael J Fox portrays conservative minded teenager Alex P Keaton. The show focused on the family life of the Keatons, with liberal, ex-hippie parents and conservative children. Originally the role of Alex was offered to Matthew Broderick.

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Michael J. Fox, Today

After Family Ties wrapped in 1989, Fox continued to work mostly in film including parts two and three of the Back to the Future series. Fox returned to TV in 1996 with the politically centered comedy Spin City. In 2001 he retired from the show due to the progression of his Parkinson’s disease. Since retiring from full time acting Fox has created The Michael J Fox Foundation to help advance research to a cure for Parkinson’s. He has guest starred on popular shows such as Rescue Me and The Good Wife. He most recently starred on the NBC sitcom The Michael J. Fox Show loosely based on his life.

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Jaleel White as Steve Urkel on Family Matters

Originally meant to be a supporting character, Jaleel White stole the show early on in the first season of Family Matters as nerdy next-door neighbor Steve Urkel. His trademark outfit included high-water pants, suspenders, wacky colored cardigans, and thick-framed glasses. Urkel spent countless hours convincing the Winslow kids and parents to love him. His trademark phrase — a drawn-out "Did I do that?" — was one that fans came to expect, and even adore.

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Jaleel White, Today

In 2011 Jaleel wrote, produced, and starred in a web series called Fake It Till You Make It which chronicled the exploits of a former child star turned Hollywood image consultant. In March of 2010 White joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars, paired with two-time winner Kym Johnson. He hosts the Syfy game show Total Blackout.

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Darius McCrary as Eddie Winslow on Family Matters

On Family Matters Darius McCrary portrayed Eddie Winslow, the eldest of the Winslow children. Eddie is the rebellious teenager who forms an unlikely friendship with the geek (Jaleel White as Steve Urkel) next door.

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Darius McCrary, Today

Darius McCrary was most recently seen as Malcolm Winters on the CBS soap opera Young and the Restless. He left the show in October of 2011. In May of 2011 he released a single with his band The D-List and continues to work on a full CD.

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John Larroquette as Dan Fielding on Night Court

As oafish and overly narcissistic prosecutor Dan Fielding, John Larroquette brought a dry, witty humor to the late-night comedy Night Court. Larroquette won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for four years straight (1985-1988) for his role, which was a record at the time.

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John Larroquette, Today

In 2009 Larroquette made his debut in musical theater in Los Angeles in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! In 2011 he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in the Broadway musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Larroquette continued his stage work in 2012, appearing in The Best Man alongside James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, Candice Bergen, and Eric McCormack.