Top 10 Stars You Forgot Were on Boy Meets World
#10: Shane West “A Kiss Is More Than a Kiss”
Probably best known for starring in “A Walk to Remember,” Shane West has had a number of recognizable roles in film, TV, and even on stage. Before he played Landon Carter, West typically guest starred in shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and of course “Boy Meets World.” Following Cory and Topanga’s breakup, she started dating a handsome young man with great hair, played by none other than West, in an episode where they shared a passionate kiss. West hasn’t forgotten his humble roots and even posted a nostalgic post on Instagram from his brief appearance on “Boy Meets World.”
#9: The Monkees “Rave On”
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We suppose it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a musical group that got its start on a TV show would appear on “Boy Meets World.” The Monkees had the tendency to pop up in early episodes of the show, with three of the four members appearing during its run. Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork appeared together as musicians in the episode “Rave On,” with Tork holding the distinction of being the first in a long line of actors to play Topanga’s father, Jedediah Lawrence. We bet they could’ve been bigger than the Beatles.
#8: Rue McClanahan “Grandma Was a Rolling Stone”
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Turns out that Cory’s grandma was not only a rolling stone, but one of the Golden Girls as well. To be more specific, Rue McClanahan, who’s best known for playing Blanche Devereaux, also guest starred as Bernice Matthews in this episode. The accomplished actress was a perfect fit for the part of the free-spirited grandma who came in and out of Cory’s life like a tumbleweed. McClanahan also did a great job hinting at Grandma’s mysterious past. Perhaps best of all was her allusion to Johnny Cash, telling Cory she “shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.”
#7: Melissa Joan Hart “The Witches of Pennbrook”
Today everyone loves a good crossover, and fans of ABC’s massively popular 90s Friday night sitcom lineup, TGIF, were no different. The two biggest shows from that lineup at the time were unquestionably “Boy Meets World” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” and when a Halloween episode featured a coven of witches, it was only natural to have Sabrina cameo. The episode also featured Candace Cameron Bure of “Full House” fame as a member of the evil coven. Despite foiling these evil witches’ plans, Eric had nothing against witches as a whole and even went on a date with Sabrina herself.
#6: Jennifer Love Hewitt “And Then There Was Shawn”
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Just when it looked like “The Witches of Pennbrook” was destined to go down as the most surreal episode, “And Then There Was Shawn” premiered just a few months later. Considered by many to be the best episode of the series, this uproarious half-hour played with tropes of 90s slasher films, including “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” which starred Jennifer Love Hewitt. Ironically, Hewitt played a parody of herself here named Jennifer Love Fefferman, or “Feffy.” It seemed love at first sight for Feffy and Eric, mirroring the actors’ real-life relationship at the time, until they were both tragically killed by a bunch of books. At least it was all a dream.
#5: Fred Savage “Everybody Loves Stuart”
“Boy Meets World” was filled to the brim with in-jokes and having Ben Savage’s older brother appear in a guest role was only natural. Long before Ben Savage became famous for playing Cory, Fred Savage gained fame for another sitcom, “The Wonder Years,” as well as for appearing in “The Princess Bride.” It was those likable roles and his relation to Ben Savage that made us want to trust the elder Savage’s character, Stuart, a young cool teacher. However, Stuart showed his true colors when he made unwanted advances on his student Topanga and was subsequently punched in the face by Cory.
#4: Brittany Murphy “My Best Friend’s Girl” & “The Last Temptation of Cory”
Around the same time that she had her first major role in 1995’s “Clueless,” Brittany Murphy appeared in a similar role on “Boy Meets World.” Murphy popped up in two episodes as the annoying best friend of Topanga, Trini. Cory initially enlists Trini in a plan to make Topanga jealous, although it turns out that Trini and Shawn are the ones really pulling all the strings. Coinciding with a major change in appearance, Murphy became a rising star in the 2000s, starring in films like “8 Mile” and “Sin City.” However, Murphy’s career was cut tragically short when she died in 2009 at just 32 years old.
#3: Adam Scott Various
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You may know Adam Scott as the dorky and lovable Ben Wyatt on “Parks and Recreation” or from films like “Step Brothers.” Long before that he was Griff Hawkins, who replaced Harley as the leader of the school bullies at John Adams High. Scott’s natural comedic chops and charm were in full effect for the role, as he used sweet talk and good looks rather than violence and intimidation to get what he wanted. Scott’s run on the show was brief, only appearing in a few episodes, but he still managed to be a welcome and very cool addition.
#2: Keri Russell “Grandma Was a Rolling Stone”
In the same episode that Cory was hanging out with his Golden Girl grandmother, Mr. Feeny had a familial visit as well: his teenage niece Jessica. Prodded by Mr. Feeny to entertain her, Eric was reluctant at first to do so until catching a glimpse of the curly-haired beauty. A few years after her role as Jessica, Russel would land the title role on J. J. Abrams’ breakout drama “Felicity.” Russell would go on to star in the critically acclaimed show “The Americans,” as well as appearing in a number of movies like “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Michael McKean “State of the Unions” Nia Vardalos “Can I Help to Cheer You?” Larisa Oleynik Various
#1: Linda Cardellini Various
Lauren, despite only appearing in a handful of episodes, remains one of the most famous, or perhaps, infamous, characters in the show’s history. That cute mountain girl who kissed Cory came to represent any doubts he had about his relationship with Topanga. As memorable as Lauren was, many fans failed to realize she was played by Linda Cardellini, who soon after starred on the cult classic “Freaks and Geeks” and played Velma in the “Scooby-Doo” films. Cardellini would go on to be in “Mad Men” and the “Avengers” franchise, while Lauren had a son at the ski lodge who showed up in “Girl Meets World.”
