Even before all of the hype surrounding sequel series Girl Meets World began, people loved reminiscing about Boy Meets World. It was almost always the go-to example of 90s sitcoms, even though many other series were just as worthy of our nostalgia. One notable but often forgotten show is Step by Step . The series also aired as part of ABC's TGIF lineup from 1991 to 1998 and while many former 90s kids know exactly what Boy Meets World's Ben Savage and Rider Strong are up to, they may not be as familiar with the young stars of Step by Step. The cast has actually been so forgotten that Step by Step 's Al Lambert, or Christine Lakin, has been right in front of us this whole time, and we never even noticed.
Step by Step was Lakin's first major role. She joined the show at just 12 years old and remained for all seven seasons, taking Al from a preteen tomboy to an aspiring actress. While many of the series' other young stars stopped acting soon after Step by Step ended, Lakin has been pretty busy, working in theater, appearing in many movies and TV shows, and creating some things of her own.
So why didn't you recognize her? She's grown up a lot since 1998 and many of her roles have been smaller, supporting characters. She's probably been someone who you glimpsed in some movie and spent the next hour trying to remember where you knew her from. Here's what Lakin looks like now, so you have a better shot at recognizing her next time.
A lot has happened in the past 16 years. When Step by Step first ended, Lakin began attending UCLA while guest starring on a string of TV shows including 7th Heaven, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Promised Land, and Touched by An Angel, in addition to appearing in a few movies. She eventually received a communications degree from UCLA and continued her acting career.
In 2005, she starred in Showtime's Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical and appeared on Veronica Mars. Remember that Season 1 episode now famous for featuring both Leighton Meester and Adam Scott? Well Lakin was in it too, as Susan Knight, a fellow Neptune High student who had an affair with a teacher (Scott) and got pregnant. Her best friend Carrie Bishop (Meester) pretended to be the one involved in the affair to get justice for Susan. Lakin's character was actually very important to the story of this year's Veronica Mars movie, however since that significance stemmed from Susan's death, Lakin was only shown in photos.
After that, Lakin continued to pop up in various movies and shows, such as CSI: Miami, Georgia Rule, and The Game Plan. In 2008, she starred in the now infamous The Hottie & The Nottie as the titular nottie, opposite Paris Hilton's hottie. It's impossible to adequately describe this movie, so just watch the trailer below.
That same year, she starred in a short-lived series on The CW called Valentine and in 2009 began doing voice work for Family Guy as Joyce Kinney. Next came roles in Valentine's Day, NCIS, and You Again, where she reunited with Step by Step co-stars Patrick Duffy and Staci Keanan.
In 2011, while continuing to appear in various projects, Lakin started Worst Audition Ever, a recurring live show that features various actors sharing the stories of their most humiliating auditions. The following year, she created her own Hulu series, Lovin' Lakin, which parodied her life as a former child star searching for her next big role. All ten episodes are still available on Hulu and you can watch the series' intro video below.
Throughout the past few years, Lakin has continued to work on Family Guy and regularly appear in film and TV. Lakin will next be seen in the films Holiday Miracle and Bethlehem, both due out in December, and if she keeps up the busy schedule she's managed since 1998, probably much more.
Images: ABC, UPN,
