What Is Ben Savage’s Relationship with the Boy Meets World Cast?
The cast of Boy Meets World has addressed their long-standing estrangement from former co-star Ben Savage.
Portraying Cory Matthews on the cherished ABC sitcom that aired from 1993 to 2000, Savage’s absence has been noted by Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, and Will Friedle, who have expressed their feelings regarding the rift, particularly after the launch of their “Pod Meets World” podcast.
Since starting their rewatch podcast in 2022, the trio has been reuniting with fellow castmates, yet Savage has significantly distanced himself without any clear explanation.
Continue reading for all the details about the situation:
Ben Savage Chose Not to Join the ‘Pod Meets World’ Podcast
Back in 2019, when Strong proposed the idea of a rewatch podcast, the four main cast members explored it together, but ultimately, Savage opted not to participate.
“We discussed various possibilities, and at the end of our talks, Ben said, ‘I just don’t think it’s for me.’ We understand and respect his choice,” Fishel shared with Us Weekly in July 2022. “If he decides to join later, the door will always be open.”
Friedle added, “I hope he decides to come on.”
Ben Savage and Will Friedle Haven’t Communicated in Years
In June 2023, Friedle told Variety that he hadn’t spoken to Savage, who played his onscreen younger brother, for three years.
“He vanished — I still wish I knew the reason,” Friedle shared. “There was no argument. No fallout. No resentment. He just woke up one day and decided to remove me from his life.”
Friedle mentioned that he tried reaching out multiple times, including one text that read, “I’ve known you for 30 years, what’s going on? I will call you every day until you tell me not to.”
After a month of silence, he eventually stopped trying.
“I’ve known him since he was 11, and we share so much history,” Friedle remarked, describing the estrangement as a painful topic.
He added, “I kept trying for months until my wife said, ‘Why are you doing this to yourself? He obviously doesn’t want you in his life anymore.’”
Danielle Fishel Will ‘Always Hold Love’ for Ben Savage
Fishel, who portrayed Cory’s enduring love, Topanga, reflected on how influential Savage was in her life, particularly during challenging times, such as when her first son was born prematurely in June 2019 and required NICU care.
“We were incredibly close, especially during that period. He consistently checked in on me,” she told Variety. Although Fishel noted that Savage “ghosted” the group afterward, she remains optimistic about the future.
“While Ben and I may be distant and have our disputes, I will always care for him and wish him the best. I don’t believe this is our story’s conclusion — only time will reveal what happens next,” she expressed.
Ben Savage Didn’t Attend Danielle Fishel’s ‘DWTS’ Dedication Night
During Fishel’s participation in Dancing With the Stars in 2025, eight of her fellow Boy Meets World castmates — including Friedle, Lawrence, Betsy Randle, William Russ, Trina McGee, Bonnie Bartlett, and Alex Désert — came to support her as she dedicated her jive to William Daniels. However, Savage was absent.
Will Friedle and Danielle Fishel Remain Hopeful
In June 2026, both Friedle and Fishel reflected on the ongoing separation in an interview with People.
“It’s been tough,” Friedle admitted. “Even though I feel like I’m shouting into the void, I’ll keep reaching out. I haven’t lost hope in my friend.”
Fishel has been thinking about Savage, who welcomed a daughter with wife Tessa Angermeier in November 2025, and his new journey as a father.
“I love imagining him embracing this new chapter of his life as a dad,” she shared. “We had many discussions about how excited he was to become a father one day.”
As for Savage, he has yet to publicly comment on the rumored estrangement.
This article was composed with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by journalists.
