Danielle Fishel, Husband Jensen Karp’s Relationship Timeline (2024)

Girl meets boy! Danielle Fishel found her happily ever after in husband Jensen Karp — and their love story is still going strong.

While many fans shipped the Boy Meets World alum with one of her several former costars, including Ben Savage and Rider Strong, Fishel never thought of either one as more than a childhood crush.

“I had a crush on Rider. He was so smart and … one of my favorite things about Rider — and it continues to this day — Rider is very effusive,” Fishel confessed during an August 2022 episode of “Pod Meets World,” which she cohosts with Strong and Will Friedle. “He will tell you how he feels and he’s very free with his compliments, but he doesn’t throw them out willy-nilly. When he compliments you, it is thoughtful, it has meaning, and you can tell it’s coming from a very real place.”

Strong, who played Shawn Hunter on the Disney Channel series alongside Fishel’s Topanga Lawrence, was taken aback by the revelation.

“That’s not true. That’s not true, you never told me that. You saved that for 30 years?” he asked. “So … I was your first celebrity crush. [It was] Jonathan Taylor Thomas and me. You really had the teen magazine thing covered way through the ’90s.”

The Girl Meets World alum later told listeners that she also tested out her chemistry with Savage, who played her TV love interest Cory Matthews for seven seasons in the ‘90s and three seasons of the 2000s spinoff.

“[Ben and I] looked at each other after all these weeks of playing boyfriend and girlfriend [and] all the kissing and we just looked at each other like, ‘Should we just go to dinner one night?’” Fishel recalled. “It was very quickly into the meal that we realized this was a hard boundary to jump. … it was very obvious that no, what we had was just a very fun, non-romantic [connection].”

The Arizona native eventually started dating people outside of her Disney bubble, including Tim Belusko, whom she wed in October 2013. However, the pair’s marriage was short lived and they called it quits in March 2016.

Fishel found love for a second time with Karp, whom she was first linked to in June 2017 after the Unleashed producer shared a sweet snap of her with a cat via his Instagram page.

The twosome said “I do” in November 2018 after getting engaged earlier that year.

“I would say that it is medium and I am going to say that it’s not traditional,” Fishel exclusively told Us Weekly of the wedding plans in October 2018. “It’s a little bit quirky, just like we are.”

She added: “I am [on] cloud nine. He is the most amazing partner anybody could ever hope for. And so I’m just thrilled. I’m really looking forward to building a life with him.”

On the couple’s one-year anniversary, Karp gushed over his wife and the life they had built together.

“One year ago today, I married the greatest person on earth. I know people say stuff like that all the time, and it’s hyperbole — but I truly believe she is. She has made every day brighter, every joke funnier and every hug more comfortable,” the filmmaker wrote via Instagram in November 2019. “We’ve been through so much in the past year, including welcoming our young Marv Albert into this world, and yet you’ve been able to take on the job of mother with even more passion and highly detailed Navy SEAL-like precision than I could have expected. You’re my partner, my best friend and my wife for one year already! Love you very much.”

The pair, who share two sons, have continued to sing each other’s praises since tying the knot. On Fishel’s birthday in May 2020, Karp called her the “greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Scroll down to relive Fishel and Karp’s relationship from the beginning:

Credit: Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Danielle Fishel and Husband Jensen Karp’s Relationship Timeline: From Married With Kids to Coworkers and Beyond

Girl meets boy! Danielle Fishel found her happily ever after in husband Jensen Karp — and their love story is still going strong.While many fans shipped the Boy Meets World alum with one of her several former costars, including Ben Savage and Rider Strong, Fishel never thought of either one as more than a childhood crush.“I had a crush on Rider. He was so smart and … one of my favorite things about Rider — and it continues to this day — Rider is very effusive,” Fishel confessed during an August 2022 episode of “Pod Meets World,” which she cohosts with Strong and Will Friedle. “He will tell you how he feels and he’s very free with his compliments, but he doesn’t throw them out willy-nilly. When he compliments you, it is thoughtful, it has meaning, and you can tell it’s coming from a very real place.”Strong, who played Shawn Hunter on the Disney Channel series alongside Fishel’s Topanga Lawrence, was taken aback by the revelation.“That’s not true. That’s not true, you never told me that. You saved that for 30 years?” he asked. “So … I was your first celebrity crush. [It was] Jonathan Taylor Thomas and me. You really had the teen magazine thing covered way through the ’90s.”The Girl Meets World alum later told listeners that she also tested out her chemistry with Savage, who played her TV love interest Cory Matthews for seven seasons in the ‘90s and three seasons of the 2000s spinoff.“[Ben and I] looked at each other after all these weeks of playing boyfriend and girlfriend [and] all the kissing and we just looked at each other like, ‘Should we just go to dinner one night?'” Fishel recalled. “It was very quickly into the meal that we realized this was a hard boundary to jump. … it was very obvious that no, what we had was just a very fun, non-romantic [connection].”[sendtonews type="float" key="vZtD2wIo2P-2832066-14453"]The Arizona native eventually started dating people outside of her Disney bubble, including Tim Belusko, whom she wed in October 2013. However, the pair’s marriage was short lived and they called it quits in March 2016.Fishel found love for a second time with Karp, whom she was first linked to in June 2017 after the Unleashed producer shared a sweet snap of her with a cat via his Instagram page.The twosome said “I do” in November 2018 after getting engaged earlier that year.“I would say that it is medium and I am going to say that it’s not traditional,” Fishel exclusively told Us Weekly of the wedding plans in October 2018. “It’s a little bit quirky, just like we are.”She added: “I am [on] cloud nine. He is the most amazing partner anybody could ever hope for. And so I’m just thrilled. I’m really looking forward to building a life with him.”On the couple’s one-year anniversary, Karp gushed over his wife and the life they had built together.“One year ago today, I married the greatest person on earth. I know people say stuff like that all the time, and it’s hyperbole — but I truly believe she is. She has made every day brighter, every joke funnier and every hug more comfortable,” the filmmaker wrote via Instagram in November 2019. “We’ve been through so much in the past year, including welcoming our young Marv Albert into this world, and yet you’ve been able to take on the job of mother with even more passion and highly detailed Navy SEAL-like precision than I could have expected. You’re my partner, my best friend and my wife for one year already! Love you very much.”The pair, who share two sons, have continued to sing each other’s praises since tying the knot. On Fishel’s birthday in May 2020, Karp called her the “greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”Scroll down to relive Fishel and Karp’s relationship from the beginning:

Credit: Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Danielle Fishel and Husband Jensen Karp’s Relationship Timeline: From Married With Kids to Coworkers and Beyond

Girl meets boy! Danielle Fishel found her happily ever after in husband Jensen Karp — and their love story is still going strong.While many fans shipped the Boy Meets World alum with one of her several former costars, including Ben Savage and Rider Strong, Fishel never thought of either one as more than a childhood crush.“I had a crush on Rider. He was so smart and … one of my favorite things about Rider — and it continues to this day — Rider is very effusive,” Fishel confessed during an August 2022 episode of “Pod Meets World,” which she cohosts with Strong and Will Friedle. “He will tell you how he feels and he’s very free with his compliments, but he doesn’t throw them out willy-nilly. When he compliments you, it is thoughtful, it has meaning, and you can tell it’s coming from a very real place.”Strong, who played Shawn Hunter on the Disney Channel series alongside Fishel’s Topanga Lawrence, was taken aback by the revelation.“That’s not true. That’s not true, you never told me that. You saved that for 30 years?” he asked. “So … I was your first celebrity crush. [It was] Jonathan Taylor Thomas and me. You really had the teen magazine thing covered way through the ’90s.”The Girl Meets World alum later told listeners that she also tested out her chemistry with Savage, who played her TV love interest Cory Matthews for seven seasons in the ‘90s and three seasons of the 2000s spinoff.“[Ben and I] looked at each other after all these weeks of playing boyfriend and girlfriend [and] all the kissing and we just looked at each other like, ‘Should we just go to dinner one night?'” Fishel recalled. “It was very quickly into the meal that we realized this was a hard boundary to jump. … it was very obvious that no, what we had was just a very fun, non-romantic [connection].”[sendtonews type="float" key="vZtD2wIo2P-2832066-14453"]The Arizona native eventually started dating people outside of her Disney bubble, including Tim Belusko, whom she wed in October 2013. However, the pair’s marriage was short lived and they called it quits in March 2016.Fishel found love for a second time with Karp, whom she was first linked to in June 2017 after the Unleashed producer shared a sweet snap of her with a cat via his Instagram page.The twosome said “I do” in November 2018 after getting engaged earlier that year.“I would say that it is medium and I am going to say that it’s not traditional,” Fishel exclusively told Us Weekly of the wedding plans in October 2018. “It’s a little bit quirky, just like we are.”She added: “I am [on] cloud nine. He is the most amazing partner anybody could ever hope for. And so I’m just thrilled. I’m really looking forward to building a life with him.”On the couple’s one-year anniversary, Karp gushed over his wife and the life they had built together.“One year ago today, I married the greatest person on earth. I know people say stuff like that all the time, and it’s hyperbole — but I truly believe she is. She has made every day brighter, every joke funnier and every hug more comfortable,” the filmmaker wrote via Instagram in November 2019. “We’ve been through so much in the past year, including welcoming our young Marv Albert into this world, and yet you’ve been able to take on the job of mother with even more passion and highly detailed Navy SEAL-like precision than I could have expected. You’re my partner, my best friend and my wife for one year already! Love you very much.”The pair, who share two sons, have continued to sing each other’s praises since tying the knot. On Fishel’s birthday in May 2020, Karp called her the “greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”Scroll down to relive Fishel and Karp’s relationship from the beginning:

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

Summer 2017

The duo went public with their relationship by sharing photos via Instagram together, including snaps from a trip to Montana over the 4th of July weekend.

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

November 2017

“I’m not fond of public happy birthday messages but you’re my exception. With certainty I can say there’s not a single person who knows you who wouldn’t say you’ve made his or her life better in some way,” Fishel wrote via social media on her beau’s special day. “You encourage and motivate people to be the best version of themselves, partially because you’ve worked so hard on yourself and know the benefits of self improvement first-hand. Your intelligence and sense of humor are without rival and despite always having at least seventy-two plates spinning at a time, you don’t take your stress out on anyone.”

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

January 2018

The couple jetted off to an exotic location and played with elephants.

Credit: Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

March 2018

The former child star announced her engagement via Instagram, joking that she ruined the romantic gesture. “I woke up today thinking it would be a normal day and it was anything but normal. I put on my Genghis Cohen t-shirt and went to see @jensenclan88 at work where I proceeded to screw up a very romantic marriage proposal by being too efficient (this is very on brand for me),” Fishel explained. “The future Mr. and Mrs. Karp are now engaged and no one is more excited than I am.”

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

November 2018

The duo tied the knot on November 4 in what appeared to be an intimate California ceremony.

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

January 2019

The Boiling Point actress announced her first pregnancy by sharing a picture of three pairs of sneakers on social media. “I'm eating for two. I'm napping with wild abandon. Baby shoes. Baby clothes. (I'm shopping). I'm nesting. I'm reading books,” she revealed. “I'm madly in love with my husband. I cry at commercials. I'm a walking cliché. I've got baby apps. I'm confident. I feel inadequate. I'm showing one day and the next I'm not. I'm nervous. I'm excited. He's due in July. We can't wait. #BabyKarp2019.”

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

June 2019

The pair welcomed their son, Alder, on June 24, one month ahead of his due date. Three weeks later, they were able to bring him home after his stay in the NICU.

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

November 2019

“Happy anniversary to the love of my life, @jensenkarp. Thank you for putting a smile on my face *this big* at least once every single day, even during the most difficult days of our lives,” Fishel wrote in an Instagram tribute for her first wedding anniversary. “You're the best thing that ever happened to me and I don't tell you that enough. I'll love you forever, in this life and the next.”

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

March 2020

The twosome hosted a virtual game night called SCORANTINE! amid the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns.

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

May 2021

The Raven’s Home director toasted to her 40th birthday by announcing that she was pregnant with her second child. “I've never been more excited or hopeful for the next decade of my life,” she revealed via Instagram. “I couldn't be more grateful to enter my 40's with my amazing husband and son, excitedly expecting the arrival of baby boy #2. My birthday wish is for all of you to tell someone how much you love them and walk through today with more patience than you normally might.”

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

May 2021

Karp gushed over his wife on her milestone celebration. “Happy 40th birthday to my life partner, a team captain and the greatest mom to our now soon to be 2 boys,” he wrote via an Instagram tribute. “My heart was made to be here with her and though she should be celebrated every day, today is a milestone occasion. Love you.”

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

August 2021

The pair’s second son, Keaton, arrived on August 29. “He was born on his deceased grandfather’s birthday (like I prayed for!) and his middle name is an homage to his great grandfather who is still here to meet him at almost 98 years old,” Fishel announced at the time.

Credit: Courtesy of Jensen Karp/Instagram

May 2022

“Having your birthday near Mother’s Day means double the celebration for @daniellefishel. But more importantly, it means two pics on the main grid,” Karp joked. “She’s an incredible mother steering the ship for us idiot dudes. Happy Mother’s Day @daniellefishel. We love you so much and would be lost without you — from Da Bois.”

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

June 2022

“Happy Father's Day to @jensenkarp. Father of two humans and two fur children (Brunch and Bill) and an endless source of fun, love, and calm in a house that radiates so much boy energy,” the Girl Meets World producer wrote of her husband. “I am so grateful you're my partner and that neither of us have to navigate this parenting thing alone. We love you and are so lucky you're ours. ♥️.”

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

October 2022

The duo teamed up to create a movie for Tubi called Classmates. Fishel directed the film, while Karp wrote the screenplay.

Credit: Courtesy of Danielle Fishel/Instagram

January 2023

“I could not be more proud of @daniellefishel and the team @befreebydaniellefishel,” Karp wrote via Instagram in support of his wife’s beauty line, Be Free, coming to QVC. “When she first launched the brand, her dream was to be on @qvc. And here she is. Tune in 1/21 and buy stuff!”

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Danielle Fishel, Husband Jensen Karp’s Relationship Timeline (2024)

FAQs

How did Jensen Karp and Danielle Fishel meet? ›

Danielle Fishel may be known for her character Topanga's iconic relationship with Cory in Boy Meets World, but in real life, her husband Jensen Karp has her heart. Fishel and Karp met in 1995 when they were both attending Calabasas High School.

Did Cory and Topanga date in real life? ›

When asked on Saturday if she ever had a relationship with her costar from the popular coming-of-age 1990s sitcom, Fishel said, "No, we never dated." However, after a couple of years of playing childhood sweethearts Cory Matthews and Topanga Lawrence, Fishel admitted that she and Savage did try to give it a shot.

How long has Danielle Fishel been married? ›

At 90's Con in 2022, Fishel — who has been married to comedian Jensen Karp since 2018 — said she and her costar “never dated” properly, but they did give things a shot a few years into filming.

Did Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel ever actually date? ›

But Fishel confirmed the two never had a romantic relationship in real life, although they did give it a try. According to People, at '90s Con, held in Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday, Fishel revealed that she and Savage went on a single date together during their show's run.

Did any of the cast of Boy Meets World date? ›

Deal of the Day

There was, however, one Boy Meets World cast member who did manage to steal Fishel's heart. “The only person on the show I ever had a romantic relationship with was Matthew Lawrence,” she explained, adding that they kept the relationship secret from the rest of the cast during filming.

Who was originally supposed to play Topanga on Boy Meets World? ›

Actress Bonnie Morgan was almost cast as Topanga Lawrence on “Boy Meets World,” but says she lost the role because director David Trainer did not think she was “pretty enough.”

Did Topanga have a crush on Shawn in real life? ›

"I'll go first," said Fishel, who played Topanga Lawrence. "I had a crush on Rider [Strong]." "That's not true," said a surprised Strong, 42, who played bad boy Shawn Hunter. "You've never told me that."

How old was Topanga in season 1? ›

In 1993, at the age of 12, Fishel began her well-known role as Topanga Lawrence-Matthews on the ABC series Boy Meets World. Originally written as a small part, Topanga became a recurring role. After a successful first year, Fishel became a show regular.

What age did Cory and Topanga get pregnant? ›

Cory and Topanga have their daughter Riley on December 8, 2001 a few years after this episode is set. They are 21 at the time.

Who did Danielle Fishel have a crush on? ›

Danielle Fishel revealed to Rider Strong on their podcast that she had a crush on him when they were young. She said that the pair had "a very nice, deep friendship" at the time she developed feelings. Fishel also elaborated on why she and Ben Savage knew that they could never date in real life.

Did Danielle Fishel have kids? ›

Danielle Fishel's life has gotten a lot sweeter since welcoming her kids, Adler Lawrence Karp and Keaton Joseph Karp. After the Boy Meets World actress and her husband, Jensen Karp, married in 2018, the couple started a family with the birth of their son Adler in June 2019.

Who did Danielle Fishel go to prom with? ›

Danielle Fishel of 'Boy Meets World' looks back on going to prom with Lance Bass.

Did Shawn and Topanga ever kiss? ›

After a director has Shawn and Topanga kiss while making a promotional film, Cory-certain the duo are harboring romantic feelings for one another-directs them to go on a date and explore their emotions.

Did Cory and Topanga sleep together? ›

Their friendship hits a bit of a snag when they stay late after school to finish an assignment. They fall asleep together and the whole school believes they “slept” together. Cory goes with it to be popular and doesn't realize until she confronts him that he's really hurt Topanga.

Did Shawn and Topanga date? ›

Topanga and Shawn have gone out before, and have even made out passionately, albeit fake passion. A momentarily overwhelmed Shawn "took his shot" with Topanga after seeing the impressive results of her make-over in "Hair Today, Goon Tomorrow."

How old was Danielle Fishel during Boy Meets World? ›

Fishel played Topanga Lawrence for seven seasons on the ABC show Boy Meets World, starting at age 12 in 1993, with the show ending in 2000. She later reprised the Topanga role as an adult for its Disney Channel spin-off, Girl Meets World, from 2014 to 2017.

What did Danielle Fishel do after Boy Meets World? ›

Following Boy Meets World, Fishel began to work heavily in television, and in 2003 co-hosted Say What? Karaoke on MTV for one season. Fishel also appeared in several films, including National Lampoon's Dorm Daze.

Who did Danielle Fishel date from Boy Meets World? ›

Ben Savage

The actor, who became a fan favorite for his role as Cory, went on one date with his costar Danielle Fishel when they were teens. Since then, the Girl Meets World alum has preferred not to address his personal life.

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