Ben Savage
The quintessential 90s TV kid next door, whose earnest performance as Cory Matthews became a generational touchstone for navigating adolescence.
Born 1980 (age 46)·American actor·Birthday: September 13·Generation X
Biography
Ben Savage stepped into America's living rooms as a fresh-faced pre-teen and never really left. The younger brother of actor Fred Savage, he landed the role of Cory Matthews on 'Boy Meets World' at age 13, anchoring a show that grew up alongside its audience, tackling everything from first kisses to college applications with a blend of humor and heart. For seven seasons, Savage's relatable, often exasperated portrayal made Cory a proxy for millions of viewers. After the show ended, he pursued a political science degree at Stanford University, a deliberate step away from Hollywood that informed a more selective career. He returned to the role that defined him in the 2010s for the sequel series 'Girl Meets World,' now as the father, passing the torch to a new generation. While other child stars flamed out, Savage charted a quieter, steadier course, his career forever intertwined with a character that captured the awkward, hopeful essence of growing up.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Ben was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ben Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ben's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as Cory Matthews for seven seasons on the influential ABC sitcom 'Boy Meets World.'
- Reprised his iconic role as an adult in the Disney Channel sequel series 'Girl Meets World.'
- Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stanford University.
- Directed several episodes of 'Girl Meets World,' transitioning into behind-the-camera work.
Did You Know?
His older brother is actor and director Fred Savage, who played Kevin Arnold on 'The Wonder Years.'
He was a champion debater in high school and remained active in debate at Stanford.
He ran for a seat on the West Hollywood City Council in 2022.
He provided the voice of the hero in the animated film 'Pixie Hollow Games.'
“I'm Cory Matthews, and this is my life.”
