Joey Lawrence | |
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![]() Lawrence at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2024 | |
Born | Joseph Lawrence Mignogna III April 20, 1976 |
Other names | Joseph Lawrence, Joey Lawrence |
Education | |
Occupation(s) | Actor, musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, game show host |
Years active | 1981–present |
Spouses | Michelle Vella (m. 2002;div. 2005)Chandie Yawn-Nelson (m. 2005;div. 2022)Samantha Cope (m. 2022) |
Children | 3 |
Relatives |
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Joseph Lawrence Mignogna III (born April 20, 1976) is an American actor, musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, podcaster, and game show host. He was a child actor in the early 1980s and portrayed Joey Russo in Blossom and Joe Longo in Melissa & Joey . Lawrence also starred in Gimme a Break! (1983–87), and the series Brotherly Love with his real-life brothers Matthew and Andrew. His film appearances include Summer Rental (1985) and Oliver & Company (1988).
Lawrence was born and raised in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, [1] [2] a suburb of Philadelphia. He is the eldest son of Donna Lynn ( née Shaw), a personnel manager and former elementary school teacher, [3] and Joseph Lawrence Mignogna Jr., an insurance broker. [4] He is of Italian and British descent. [5] His family's surname was changed to "Lawrence" during his childhood when he started acting. He has two younger brothers, actors Matthew and Andrew. [6]
Lawrence graduated from Abington Friends School in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, in 1994 and later attended the University of Southern California. [7]
In 1981, when he was five years old, Lawrence landed his first acting role in a Cracker Jack commercial. [8] Three weeks before turning age six, he appeared on the March 31, 1982, episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson , where he performed the song "Give My Regards to Broadway" and tap danced. [9] [10]
After appearing in guest spots on Diff'rent Strokes and Silver Spoons , Lawrence won the role of Joey Donovan on the hit NBC sitcom Gimme a Break! in 1983. He continued in that role until the series ended in 1987. 1985 marked Lawrence's theatrical debut with the release of Summer Rental . Lawrence provided the voice of Oliver, the protagonist in the animated 1988 Disney film Oliver & Company at the age of 12. From 1991, at the age of 15, to 1995, Lawrence co-starred in the hit TV series Blossom on NBC, playing Joey Russo.
Lawrence has also starred in the series Brotherly Love (which featured his real-life brothers, Matthew and Andrew Lawrence) and Run of the House and has guest starred on such programs as American Dreams and CSI: NY . [11] One of Lawrence's film credits is Urban Legends: Final Cut (2000).
In 2006, Lawrence appeared on ABC's Dancing with the Stars . Paired with professional dancer Edyta Śliwińska, he placed third in the competition.
In May 2007, he starred in the Broadway hit Chicago as Billy Flynn. [12] He next hosted a dance competition show on TLC, Master of Dance, which premiered June 9, 2008. [13]
In 2009, Lawrence starred in the television film My Fake Fiancé with Melissa Joan Hart, which premiered on ABC Family with 3.6 million viewers, becoming the most-watched television film the rating season, sweeping top rank in its time period in key demos. In August 2010, Lawrence returned to television in the ABC Family sitcom Melissa & Joey , again opposite Hart. [14] Hart plays a woman who hires Lawrence as a nanny to help care for her incarcerated sister's kids. Lawrence's character is a former figure in the financial industry whose company came under investigation for wrongdoing and caused his professional life to be put on hold. Lawrence's brothers have guest-starred on the show. Matthew Lawrence played Tony Longo in season 1 episode 25 and Andrew Lawrence appeared in season 1 episode 26 as Ryder Scanlon's teacher, Evan McKay. The series was renewed for its fourth season and ended in 2015. [15]
In 2012, he was contracted to be a Chippendales dancer for a special engagement in June at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. [16] On March 19, 2013, Lawrence began appearing in the ABC reality show Splash , co-hosting alongside Charissa Thompson.
In 2022, Lawrence competed in season eight of The Masked Singer as "Walrus". He was eliminated on "90s Night" alongside Le'Veon Bell as "Milkshake". [17]
In August 2023, Lawrence resurfaced his Blossom catchphrase, "Whoa!", by starring in a VinFast's VF8 ad campaign, [18] covered by Automotive News [19] and Ad Age . [20] In December of the same year, Lawrence reprised his role in a second installment of VinFast's "Changing Lanes" campaign. [21]
Lawrence has stated that music was always his passion, and at the height of his success began a recording career. Lawrence was 16 when his debut album Joey Lawrence was released in February 1993. Produced by Steve Barri, Tony Peluso, Terry Lupton, and Ian Prince. Lawrence co-wrote some material, including the international hit single "Nothin' My Love Can't Fix" (#6 Billboard Hot 100 Airplay, No. 10 Billboard Top 40 Mainstream, No. 19 Billboard Hot 100, No. 13 United Kingdom, No. 68 Australia). [22] The song was used as the end-title theme from the film Cop and a Half ; its music video received heavy airplay on MTV and Canadian MuchMusic, and Lawrence was invited to perform live on MTV Spring Break, The Arsenio Hall Show , and BBC's Top of the Pops in 1993.[ citation needed ]
In June 2011, he released a single, "Rolled", which was available as a free download for one week on ABC Family's website. [23] In July, Joey released a second single, "Give It To Ya (Acoustic)" via Pledge Music. [24] In 2017 Joey started a band with Matt and Andy called Still 3. They released their debut single "Lose Myself". [25]
In 2023, Joey launched a podcast called "Brotherly Love Podcast" with his brothers Andrew and Matthew. [26] It was launched through PodCo, a podcast studio launched by former Disney Channel actress Christy Carlson Romano and focused on rewatches of completed television series by their former actors.
Lawrence married Michelle Vella in 2002; the couple divorced in 2005. [27]
He met his second wife, Chandie Yawn-Nelson, while on vacation in Walt Disney World when the two were teenagers. They wed there in July 2005, [28] and have two daughters. [29] [30] [31] Reports surfaced in March 2018 that Lawrence and Yawn-Nelson had filed for bankruptcy in July 2017. [32] [33] On April 6, 2018, the Chapter 7 bankruptcy case was reportedly settled. [34] [35] Lawrence filed for divorce in July 2020. [27] Their divorce was finalized in February 2022. [36]
In 2022, Lawrence married actress Samantha Cope whom he met on the set the Lifetime television film A Deadly Deed, directed by his brother Andrew and co-starring his daughter Charleston. [37] [38] The couple has one daughter, born in 2023. [39] On August 13, 2024, Cope filed for divorce. [40] In December 2024, it was announced that the couple had reconciled and had their divorce filing dismissed. [41]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1985 | Summer Rental | Bobby Chester | |
1988 | Pulse | David Rockland | |
Oliver & Company | Oliver | Voice role | |
1991 | Chains of Gold | Tommy | |
1994 | Radioland Murders | Frankie Marshall | |
1995 | A Goofy Movie | Chad | Voice role |
1999 | Tequila Body Shots | Johnny Orpheus | |
2000 | Urban Legends: Final Cut | Graham Manning | |
Desperate But Not Serious | Darby | ||
2001 | Do You Wanna Know a Secret? | Hank Ford | |
A Christmas Adventure ...From a Book Called Wisely's Tales | Wolfpack Leader | Direct to video film; voice role | |
2002 | Trois 2: Pandora's Box | Det. Anderson | |
2006 | Rest Stop | Officer Michael Deacon | Direct to video film |
2008 | Killer Pad | Joey Lawrence | |
Together Again for the First Time | Carey Krzyznyk | Direct to video film | |
2010 | Sinatra Club | Louie 'Pipes' Pepitone | |
2011 | Hit List | Lyle | |
2016 | Saved By Grace | Rick | |
Emma's Chance | Kevin Chambers | ||
Arlo: The Burping Pig | David | ||
Isle of the Dead | Lt. Paul Gibson | ||
2017 | Girl Followed | Jim | |
2018 | Sk8 Dawg | Mr. Hoffman | |
2019 | Roe v. Wade | Robert Byrn | |
2020 | Money Plane | The Concierge | |
My Brother's Keeper | Preach | ||
Pardoned by Grace | Scott Highberger | ||
2020 | The Office Mix-Up | Mikey | |
2021 | Mistletoe Mixup | Tom | |
2023 | Frankie Meets Jack | Jack Shaw | Also writer and executive producer |
TBA | Turning Tables | Reid | [ citation needed ] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1982 | Scamps | Sparky | Television film |
Diff'rent Strokes | Joey | Episode: "Big Brother" | |
Silver Spoons | Joey Thompson | Episode: "The Best Christmas Ever" | |
1983 | Little Shots | Pete | Television film |
Wait till Your Mother Gets Home! | Chris Peters | ||
1983–1987 | Gimme a Break! | Joey Donovan | Main role |
1984 | Young People's Specials | Billy | Episode: "Umbrella Jack" |
1985 | ABC Afterschool Special | Mattie | Episode: "Don't Touch" |
1989 | Adventures in Babysitting | Brad Anderson | Unsold TV pilot |
1990–1995 | Blossom | Joey Russo | Main role |
1993 | Olsen Twins Mother's Day Special | Singer | TV special |
Almost Home | Jeff Thornton | Episode: "Girls and Boy" | |
Empty Nest | Wade | Episode: "Aunt Verne Knows Best" | |
1995 | The John Larroquette Show | Carly's Brother | Episode: "Whipping Post" |
Something Wilder | J.J. Travis | Episode: "Bergman of Alcatraz" | |
Prince for a Day | Ralph Bitondo / Ricky Prince | Television film | |
Wheel of Fortune | Himself | Episode #2398: Celebrity Week | |
1995–1997 | Brotherly Love | Joe Roman | Main role |
1996 | Brothers of the Frontier | Ethan Frye | Television film |
1999 | Touched by an Angel | Jesse | Episode: "Fool for Love" |
Horse Sense | Michael Woods | Television film; also co-producer | |
Recess | Franklin Dudikoff | Voice role; episode: "The Dude" | |
2001 | Jumping Ship | Michael Woods | Television film |
2002 | Romantic Comedy 101 | Mark Gibson | |
The Zeta Project | Dex Finley | Voice role; episode: "Eye of the Storm" | |
2002–2003 | American Dreams | Michael Brooks | Recurring role |
2003–2004 | Run of the House | Kurt Franklin | Main role |
2004 | Love Rules! | Michael Warner | Television film |
2005 | Bow | Matt | |
Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber | Ferguson | ||
2005–2006 | Half & Half | Brett Mahoney | Recurring role |
2006 | Android Apocalypse | DeeCee | Television film |
2007 | CSI: NY | Clay Dobson | 3 episodes |
2007–2008 | The Emperor's New School | Dirk Brock | Voice role |
2009 | My Fake Fiancé | Vince | Television film |
2010–2015 | Melissa & Joey | Joe Longo | Main role |
2011 | Celebrity Ghost Stories | Self | Episode: Jan 1, 2011 |
The Dog Who Saved Halloween | Zeus | Television film | |
2012 | Hitched for the Holidays | Rob Marino | |
The Dog Who Saved The Holidays | Zeus | ||
2013 | Splash | Himself | Co-host |
2015 | Celebrity Family Feud | Himself | Episode: "Lawrence vs Lopez" |
2016 | Cupcake Wars | Himself | Contestant: runner-up |
2017–2019 | Hawaii Five-0 | Aaron Wright | 4 episodes |
2018 | A Mother's Worst Fear | Brent | Television film |
2019 | Celebrity Big Brother | Himself | Contestant / Houseguest: 9th place [42] [43] |
Dollface | Himself | Episode: "Mystery Brunette" | |
2021 | Danger Force | Episode: "Vidja Games" | |
My Husband's Secret Brother | Kevin | Television film | |
2022 | Call Me Kat | Himself | [44] |
The Masked Singer | Himself/Walrus | Season 8 contestant; Episode: "90s Night" | |
2023 | Love By Design | Hal Hartley | UP TV Movie |
Week # | Dance / Song | Judges' scores | Result | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Inaba | Goodman | Tonioli | |||
1 | Cha-Cha-Cha / "I Like the Way (You Move)" | 7 | 7 | 7 | Safe |
2 | Quickstep / "I Got Rhythm" | 10 | 9 | 10 | Safe |
3 | Jive / "Blue Suede Shoes" | 8 | 6 | 8 | Safe |
4 | Waltz / "Take It to the Limit" | 9 | 9 | 9 | Safe |
5 | Samba / "Freedom! '90" | 8 | 8 | 9 | Safe |
6 | Rumba / "Father Figure" | 8 | 8 | 8 | Bottom two |
Group Disco / "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" | No scores given | ||||
7 | Foxtrot / "Singin' in the Rain" | 10 | 9 | 10 | Safe |
Mambo / "Mambo No. 5" | 9 | 9 | 10 | ||
8 Semi-finals | Tango / "The Addams Family Theme" | 10 | 9 | 9 | Safe |
Paso Doble / "Sympathy for the Devil" | 9 | 8 | 9 | ||
9 Finals | Quickstep / "42nd Street" | 9 | 10 | 10 | Third place |
Rumba / "Eternal Flame" | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Title | Album details | Peak positions | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [45] | AUS [46] | CAN [47] | UK [48] | ||
Joey Lawrence | 74 | 191 | 25 | 39 | |
Soulmates |
| — | — | — | — |
Title | Extended play details |
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Imagine |
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Guilty |
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Year | Title | Peak positions | Album | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [49] | AUS [46] | CAN [50] | IRE [51] | UK [52] | |||
1993 | "Nothin' My Love Can't Fix" | 19 | 68 | 50 | 22 | 13 | Joey Lawrence |
"I Can't Help Myself" | — | — | — | — | 27 | ||
"Stay Forever" | 52 | 155 | — | — | 41 | ||
1997 | "Ven Ven Conmigo" | — | — | — | — | — | Soulmates |
1998 | "Never Gonna Change My Mind" | — | — | — | — | 49 | |
2011 | "Rolled" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single |
"Give It To Ya" (Acoustic) | — | — | — | — | — | Guilty | |
2013 | "Our Time" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single |
2017 | "Girl" | — | — | — | — | — | Imagine |
"Imagine" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Christmas Time" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
2021 | "Turtle" | — | — | — | — | — | |
"Something Special" | — | — | — | — | — | Guilty | |
"Give It To Ya" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Under the Tree" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
2022 | "Guilty" | — | — | — | — | — | Guilty |
Joey Lawrence and Chandie Yawn-Nelson are officially divorced after being married for more than 15 years, Us Weekly confirms. According to court documents obtained by Us, the judgment was filed on Wednesday, February 16