Where Are They Now: The Cast Of ‘Blossom’

The ’90s was the decade of sitcoms. Some of the best situation comedies were airing during this time period, including Full House, Friends, Family Matters, and Saved By The Bell. Many sitcoms focus on a group of friends or the traditional family structure plus eccentric extended family. What makes Blossom unique is that it focused on a teenage girl, her two older brothers, and her divorced father, instead of a typical nuclear family. It also created a voice for nerdy girls everywhere, instead of focusing on a typical bombshell female protagonist.

Blossom was a successful sitcom that ran for five seasons from 1990 to 1995. Many TV shows paid homage to Blossom, including The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live, and The Big Bang Theory. And it focused on heavy issues, such as alcoholism, drug abuse, and divorce. The lead of the sitcom, Blossom, moved on from the show to become an Emmy-nominated actress in another geeky sitcom, The Big Bang Theory. Most of the other cast members aren’t quite as present in the public eye. Some of them continued acting, while other favorite cast members took on different endeavors. Read on to find out what the cast of Blossom is doing in their lives today:

Joey Lawrence: Then

Joey Lawrence Blossom
Images: ABC / Blossom

You definitely remember Joey Russo saying ”Whoa!” in Blossom. There is a certain charisma to Joey Russo’s character. That’s why he played the school heartthrob, the athlete, and the middle child. (Everyone knows that the middle children are the most memorable.) His character unsurprisingly chose to play professional baseball over attending university. While Joey Lawrence was on Blossom, he released a self-titled album in February 1993 at the age of 16. His single ”Nothin’ My Love Can’t Fix” ranked #19 on Billboard Top 100. He was invited to perform on MTV’s Spring Break, The Arsenio Hall Show, and the British show, Top of the Pops.

Joey Lawrence: Now

Joey Lawrence Now
Images: Twitter / Joey Lawrence

After Blossom, Joey Lawrence played Joe Longo in TV sitcom Melissa and Joey from 2010 to 2015. He also went on many reality TV shows. These shows include Splash, Celebrity Family Feud, Cupcake Wars, Celebrity Big Brother, and Dancing With The Stars. He also continued his music career. Joey released two singles called ”Rolled” and ”Give It To Ya” in 2011. He also started a band called Still 3 in 2017 with his two brothers. Joey got married twice. He married his first wife in 2002 and got divorced in 2005. He married his second wife in 2005, who he shares two children with.

Mayim Bialik: Then

Mayim Bialik Blossom
Images: ABC / Blossom

Mayim Bialik played the youngest daughter and the lead role in TV sitcom Blossom. Blossom’s character is inspired by Holden Caulfield from The Catcher In The Rye. The producer originally wanted to make the emotionally-charged character a boy named Richie. Luckily, the character was changed to Blossom, the girl we know and love. This proved that girls can also play complex characters and do not have to be limited to tropes. In the beginning, Blossom and her siblings have a nuclear, conservative family. This suddenly changes when her mom leaves her family in the series. Blossom struggles with the effects of divorce, feeling abandoned by her mother, and blended families throughout the series.

Mayim Bialik: Now

Mayim Bialik Now
Images: Twitter / Mayim Bialik

After starring as Blossom in the popular sitcom, Mayim went on to have a successful acting career. She is also well known for her role as Amy Farrah Fowler in The Big Bang Theory. She has been nominated for four Emmy Awards and won two Critics’ Choice Awards. Mayim is not just an actress. She graduated from UCLA in 2007 with her Ph.D. in neuroscience. She created her website, Grok Nation, in 2015. Mayim wrote four books, two with pediatrician Jay Gordon from 2012 to 2018. She also wrote an op-ed in the New York Times in 2017 after the Harvey Weinstein allegations came out.

Michael Stoyanov: Then

Michael Stoyanov Blossom
Images: ABC / Blossom

Michael Stoyanov played the complex oldest brother on Blossom. Tony struggled with alcohol and substance abuse due to his parents’ divorce. He turned his life around and became a paramedic. Tony is very close to his younger siblings Joey and Blossom. Blossom comes to him when she needs advice. He dated Rhonda Applegate, a Playboy bunny, long term before he got married to Shelly at the spur of the moment. They decide to stay together despite their impulse marriage and they have a kid together. Tony was a popular character in Blossom. Michael appeared on The Late Night Show With Conan O’ Brien in 1993 as a guest before he became a writer for the show in 1996.

Michael Stoyanov: Now

Michael Stoyanov now
Images: IMDB / Michael Stoyanov

After Michael Stoyanov left Blossom to write for Late Night With Conan O’ Brien, he moved on from the talk show after a year. He continued to write for shows such as Mad TV and Mr. Show. He also acted in The Dark Knight as the Joker’s goon. He starred in drama TV series, such Gotham, Billions, Justified, and The Mentalist. Michael most recently starred in the popular video game, Red Dead Redemption. He got married to the voice actress, Carolyn Lawrence, who voiced Sandy Cheeks and Cindy Vortex from the hit Nickelodeon cartoons. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce. You can tell from his Instagram that he still keeps in contact with his Blossom co-stars.

Jenna Von Oy: Then

Jenna Von Oy Blossom
Images: ABC / Blossom

Jenna Von Oy played Blossom’s best friend, Six Dorothy Lemeure. Six was bubbly and likable and spoke very quickly when she was happy, upset, or nervous. She came from a troubled family, so she saw Blossom’s family as her own. Six dealt with many issues throughout the series including alcoholism, dating a married man, and a pregnancy scare. It is hard to imagine someone other than Jenna portraying the lovable Six Lemeure. She was nominated for the Young Artist Awards from 1991 to 1994 for Best Young Artist Co-Starring in a Television Series. She won two Young Artist Awards in 1993 and 1994.

Jenna von Oy: Now

Jenna Von Oy Instagram
Instagram / @jennavonoy

Jenna von Oy starred in several roles after Blossom. Some roles were animated such as A Goofy Movie, An Extremely Goofy Movie, Pepper Ann, and Family Guy. She also starred in sitcoms, such as 7th Heaven, Martin, Moesha, Saved by the Bell: The College Years, and The Parkers. Jenna wrote a book called Situation Momedy in 2015. She also released two music albums titled ”Breathing Room” in 2007 and ”Coffee and Men” in 2009. Jenna got married to a computer data consultant in 2010. They had two daughters together in 2012 and 2014. According to her Instagram, she separated from her husband and got engaged to a woman named Kaleigh.

Ted Wass: Then

Ted Wass Blossom
Images: ABC / Blossom

Ted Wass played the patriarch of the Russo family, Nick Russo. He worked as a piano player. He took on many gigs after his ex-wife, Maddy Russo, left the family. Nick Russo was not only a father to his three children. Since he was so caring, he also served as a father figure for Blossom’s best friend, Six. He became a stepfather to Carol’s young daughter, Kennedy. He also became a grandfather at the end of the series to Tony and Shelly’s child, Nash. Ted Wass was not just an actor. He also directed eighteen episodes of Blossom while he acted on the show.

Ted Wass: Now

Ted Wass Now
Images: IMDB / Ted Wass

When Blossom ended in 1995, Ted Wass retired from acting at the age of 43. He directed over 40 TV episodes, including 2 Broke Girls, Melissa and Joey, and Two and a Half Men. After his wife died from ovarian cancer at the age of 50, he got remarried to his current wife in 1998. He had two children with his first wife. He went on to have a daughter named Stella with his current wife, who was born in 2004. Ted Wass is also a grandfather. His son, Julian, grew up to become a composer. He got married in 2006 and had a daughter in 2008.

David Lascher: Then

David Lascher Blossom
Images: ABC / Blossom

David played Blossom’s on-and-off boyfriend, Vinnie. He counterparts Blossom, since he plays the irresistible tough guy while Blossom plays the nerdy good girl. Even though Vinnie wants to be seen as tough, he lets his guard down every once in a while to show his soft side. Due to his reputation, Blossom’s dad does not like him at first. Throughout the series, Nick grows to like Vinnie and the Russo family accepts him as part of the family. Before he played Vinnie, David played Ted in Nickelodeon series, Hey Dude and Kyle in Beverly Hills 90210. He also played Rick in an episode of ”Full House”.

David Lascher: Now

David Lascher Now
Images: IMDB / David Lascher

Following his role as Vinnie on Blossom, David Lascher went on to star in several television sitcoms. This included Clueless, Veronica’s Closet, Two of a Kind, and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. He most recently starred in the sitcom Melissa and Joey in 2014. He also produced, co-wrote, and directed a film titled ”Sister” in 2014. The film was presented at the Tribeca Film Festival that year. This film brought awareness to children with ADHD. David got married in 1995. They got divorced since, and he got remarried in 1999. He had two children with his current wife.

Barnard Hughes: Then

Barnard Hughes Blossom
Images: Hallmark Channel / Barnard Hughes

Barnard Hughes played the eccentric Buzz Richman in Blossom. He was Blossom’s maternal grandfather and one of her closest family members. He served the country during the war but was a veteran in the show. Buzz moved into the Russo household at one point during the series. Buzz loves women and brags about how many times he has been married in his lifetime. Blossom’s grandmother Ruby was his first wife and Maddy was his first daughter. He is often seen with a cigar in his hand telling a joke with his family. Barnard played a regular role in Blossom until its third season, when he stepped down as a ”reoccurring role” in the series. During this time, he played Father Maurice in The Sister Act sequel.

Barnard Hughes: Now

Barnard Hughes Now
Images: Broadway / Barnard Hughes

Barnard Hughes made several TV appearances after Blossom. He acted in movies, such as Trick of the Eye, The Fantasticks, The Odd Couple II, and Cradle Way Rock. He acted in TV series such as The Marshal, Homicide: Life On the Street, and most recently Deadline in 2000. Since he is older, he often took on the role of a judge. His son, Doug Hughes, went on to direct Broadway and Off-Broadway plays. Barnard died in 2006 a few days before his 91st birthday. Barnard and his wife were both interred at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in New York City.

Finola Hughes: Then

Finola Hughes Blossom
Images: ABC / Blossom

Finola Hughes played the role of Nick’s wife and Blossom’s stepmother, Carol. She has a young daughter named Kennedy and she gets pregnant with her second child at the end of the series. Throughout the series, Blossom shows a disliking for her father’s new girlfriend turned wife. However, Blossom eventually warms up to her stepmother. Finola did not only act in Blossom. She is most well known for her role in General Hospital as Anna Devane since 1985. Finola was nominated for eight Soap Opera Digest Awards and two Daytime Emmys for her role in General Hospital between 1986 and 1992. She won two Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1990 and 1991. She also won an Emmy in 1991.

Finola Hughes: Now

Finola Hughes Now
Instagram / @finolahughes

Along with her role as Carol on Blossom, Finola Hughes is also well known for her role as Anna Devane and Anna’s twin sister, Alexandra Devane Mack, on All My Children and General Hospital. Finola was nominated for two Emmys for her role on All My Children. She also won the Soap Opera Digest Award in 2000 for Favorite Return in the popular soap opera. Finola permanently returned to General Hospital in 2012. She was nominated for three Emmys for her role in General Hospital from 2015 to 2017. Finola got married in 1992 and had three children. She gave birth to her first son in 2000 and adopted a second son born in 2005 and a daughter born in 2007.

Portia Dawson: Then

Portia Dawson
Images: ABC / Blossom

Portia Dawson was Anthony’s beautiful girlfriend, Rhonda Applegate on Blossom. She was a Playboy model who Anthony dated on and off. Blossom’s brother, Joey, had a crush on her. Their relationship ultimately ended after Tony got married to Shelly at a Las Vegas wedding. After graduating from Beverly Hills High School, she took her first movie role as Tracy from Vanilla Ice’s movie, Cool As Ice. Even though Cool As Ice had negative reviews, the exposure from the movie helped jump-start her acting career. She also acted in TV shows, such as Freshman Dorm and Sisters during her time on Blossom.

Portia Dawson: Now

Portia Dawson Now
Images: Facebook / Portia Furst

Portia Dawson took on many roles after playing as Anthony’s girlfriend, Rhonda Jo Applegate, in Blossom. Portia was also part of TV shows, such as Scrubs, Nip/Tuck, and Hercules. She starred in movies, such as The Trouble With Romance, First Snow, and The Matador. She is currently working as a home designer for her company titled Portia Designs in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica since 2015. Portia got married to her husband Sean Furst, who works for an entertainment company, in 2002. She shares two children with him, a daughter and a son. She supports many charities and organizations, such as Locks of Love, the Lymphoma Club, and Connecting to Cure Crohn’s and Colitis.

Courtney Chase: Then

Courtney Chase Blossom
Images: ABC / Blossom

Courtney Chase played the role of Carol’s daughter, Kennedy, at the young age of six years old, who has an English mother and a Scottish father. She is Nick Russo’s stepdaughter and Blossom’s step-sister. Kennedy got along well with Blossom and her siblings and she also developed a crush on Blossom’s brother, Joey. She did not have her first role at six. She started her Hollywood career at three months old as a Gerber baby. Little Courtney also starred on The Baby-Sitters Club as Katherine Fieldings when she was only two years old. She also was on the soap opera, One Life To Live, between the ages of four and six.

Courtney Chase: Now

Courtney Chase Now
Images: Instagram / @courtythedreamchaser

After her role on Blossom, she starred in movies such as Nick of Time and Rose Hill. She also starred on several TV series, including Soul Man, The Education of Max Bickford, and Still Standing. She also started writing music at 20 years old and released her first album in 2011. Courtney Chase has a wife named Rebecca Foss who is a photographer. They have a son together who was born in November 2018. Courtney writes on her website, Dreams2Chase about traveling, parenthood, marriage, lifestyle, health, and finance. She plans to self-publish her first children’s book later in 2019.

Samaria Graham: Then

Samaria Graham Blossom
Images: ABC / Blossom

Samaria Graham played the role of Tony’s wife, Shelly. Shelly gets married to Tony sporadically after a crazy night in Las Vegas. They manage to make their marriage work despite its nontraditional start. They even have a child together, Nash, in 1994. Shelly and Tony were one of the most memorable interracial couples in sitcom history. Interestingly enough, Samaria was not enthusiastic about playing Shelly in Blossom. She describes it in a Los Angeles Times interview as ”just another job” in 1994. Before she played as Shelly in Blossom, Samaria played the role of a police officer on Law And Order in 1990.

Samaria Graham: Now

Samaria Graham Now
Images: Facebook / Samaria Graham

Samaria Graham took on plenty of gigs after she played Shelly Russo on Blossom. She starred in movies such as Nothing To Lose, On The Line, and Shake, Rattle and Roll. She starred in TV shows, such as Girlfriends, The Wayans Bros., and Beverly Hills 90210. Samaria created a project called Pet Squad in 2013. She was also involved in an organization to end government corruption called Wolf-Pac from 2014 to 2015. She currently lives in Cherryville, North Carolina. Samaria often posts on her Facebook page about politics and social justice. That’s why it is no surprise that she ran for the U.S. House of Representatives as an Independent Party candidate in 2018.

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