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Where Are They Now? The Shocking New Lives Of The 'Step By Step' Cast In 2025

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The iconic 90s sitcom *Step by Step* remains a cornerstone of the classic TGIF lineup, but over three decades later, the blended Foster-Lambert family has undergone some truly stunning transformations. As of late 2024 and throughout 2025, fans are buzzing about the cast’s current lives, which include dramatic career shifts into law and academia, alongside an emotional reunion that paid tribute to the late, beloved matriarch, Suzanne Somers. This article dives deep into the latest updates, revealing the shocking new paths taken by the stars of one of television’s most cherished family comedies.

The show, which aired from 1991 to 1998, centered on the marriage of Frank Lambert (Patrick Duffy), a construction contractor, and Carol Foster (Suzanne Somers), a beautician, and the chaos of merging their two families of three children each in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The enduring appeal of the series lies in its portrayal of a modern, blended family navigating life's challenges with humor and heart. The most current news, however, focuses on the cast’s lives today and the powerful, bittersweet moments they continue to share.

The Foster-Lambert Family: Complete Cast Biography and Current Status (2025)

The core cast of *Step by Step* has largely stepped away from the spotlight, pursuing careers that are worlds apart from their sitcom roles. Here is a complete profile of the main actors, their characters, and their most recent, fresh updates as of 2025:

  • Suzanne Somers (Carol Foster Lambert):
    • Born: October 16, 1946, San Bruno, California.
    • Key Role: Carol Foster Lambert, the energetic, sometimes neurotic, mother of the Foster children.
    • Status Update (2025): Somers tragically passed away on October 15, 2023, one day before her 77th birthday, following a long battle with breast cancer. Her legacy as a television icon, health advocate, and entrepreneur continues to inspire her co-stars and fans worldwide.
  • Patrick Duffy (Frank Lambert):
    • Born: March 17, 1949, Townsend, Montana.
    • Key Role: Frank Lambert, the fun-loving, laid-back father of the Lambert children.
    • Status Update (2025): Duffy remains active in acting, but has also focused heavily on his personal life and passions, including his Oregon farm. He has been in a long-term, public relationship with *Happy Days* star Linda Purl since 2020, and their partnership is often featured in lifestyle updates, demonstrating his grounded, non-Hollywood life.
  • Staci Keanan (Dana Foster):
    • Born: Anastasia Love Sagorsky, June 6, 1975, Devon, Pennsylvania.
    • Key Role: Dana Foster, the intelligent, feminist, and often antagonistic eldest Foster daughter.
    • Status Update (2025): In one of the most surprising career shifts, Keanan has fully retired from acting. She is now a practicing Deputy District Attorney and an adjunct associate professor in California, focusing on law. She recently reunited with co-star Christine Lakin for their podcast, *The Keanan and Lakin Show*.
  • Christopher Castile (Mark Foster):
    • Born: June 15, 1980, Orange County, California.
    • Key Role: Mark Foster, the nerdy, academically gifted middle Foster child.
    • Status Update (2025): Castile also left acting after the show ended. He earned a master's degree and is currently a Political Science Professor at Biola University in La Mirada, California. His transition from child star to academic is a major point of interest for fans.
  • Christine Lakin (Alicia "Al" Lambert):
    • Born: January 25, 1979, Dallas, Texas.
    • Key Role: Al Lambert, the sporty, tomboyish middle Lambert daughter.
    • Status Update (2025): Lakin is the most active in the entertainment industry. She is a successful voice actress, comedian, and podcast host (*The Keanan and Lakin Show*). She frequently discusses her *Step by Step* experiences and was a key figure in the recent cast reunion.
  • Brandon Call (John Thomas "J.T." Lambert):
    • Born: November 17, 1976, Torrance, California.
    • Key Role: J.T. Lambert, the dim-witted but good-hearted eldest Lambert son.
    • Status Update (2025): Call retired completely from acting after *Step by Step*. He has maintained a very private life and is reportedly involved in a car wash business in Southern California. He rarely attends public events or reunions.
  • Angela Watson (Karen Foster):
    • Born: November 12, 1975, Danville, Illinois.
    • Key Role: Karen Foster, the beautiful, aspiring model and pageant queen Foster daughter.
    • Status Update (2025): Watson is an activist. After revealing she was robbed of her earnings by her parents, she founded the organization Child Actors Supporting Themselves (CAST) to help other child stars manage their finances and careers.
  • Sasha Mitchell (Cody Lambert):
    • Born: July 27, 1967, Los Angeles, California.
    • Key Role: Cody Lambert, Frank's dim-witted but lovable nephew who lived in the van.
    • Status Update (2025): Mitchell continues to act in various projects and is a highly respected martial artist. His personal life, which included some public legal issues during the show's run, has been a topic of much discussion, though he has since focused on his career and family.

The Bittersweet Step by Step Cast Reunion at 90s Con

The most significant and current event for *Step by Step* fans in 2024–2025 was the emotional cast reunion at 90s Con. This gathering brought together Patrick Duffy, Staci Keanan, Angela Watson, Christine Lakin, Christopher Castile, Jason Marsden (Rich Halke), and Sasha Mitchell. The reunion was framed by the absence of Suzanne Somers, who passed away shortly before the event.

The cast spent much of the panel sharing heartfelt memories of Somers, emphasizing her warmth, professionalism, and mentorship on set. Duffy, in particular, spoke movingly about his on-screen wife, highlighting the genuine connection they shared both as co-stars and friends. This public tribute solidified the cast’s bond and offered fans a moment of collective remembrance for the woman who anchored the Foster-Lambert family.

The reunion also provided a rare opportunity to see the non-acting cast members, Staci Keanan and Christopher Castile, back in the public eye. Their participation, despite their new careers as a Deputy DA and a Political Science Professor, respectively, demonstrates the deep, lasting affection they hold for their television family.

Behind the Smiles: Darker Secrets and Sitcom Controversies

While *Step by Step* was a lighthearted, family-friendly sitcom, its production history and the lives of its cast members were not without significant drama, making it a prime example of the complex realities behind the TGIF curtain. These behind-the-scenes stories add topical authority and depth to the show's legacy, showing the contrast between the on-screen perfection and off-screen struggles.

The Cody Lambert Controversy and Actor's Legal Troubles

Sasha Mitchell, who played the fan-favorite character Cody Lambert, was temporarily written off the show during its run due to personal legal issues. His character, known for his signature "Whoa!" catchphrase and living in his van, suddenly disappeared, with the storyline explaining he was traveling. This real-life controversy was a difficult period for the show, forcing a creative solution to address the actor's absence.

Child Star Financial Exploitation

Angela Watson (Karen Foster) revealed years after the show ended that her parents had stolen her earnings from the sitcom. This shocking event led her to become a staunch advocate for child actors' financial protection, founding the organization CAST (Child Actors Supporting Themselves). Her activism has since had a tangible impact on the industry, shedding light on the vulnerability of young performers.

The Original Mark Foster

A little-known fact is that Christopher Castile was not the first actor cast as Mark Foster. Jarrett Lennon was initially cast in the role, but the part was recast after the pilot episode was filmed, a common but often unpublicized occurrence in television production. Castile ultimately defined the role of the brainy, socially awkward middle child for the show's entire run.

The Enduring Legacy of the Blended Family Sitcom

*Step by Step* ran for seven seasons, six on ABC's famous TGIF block and a final season on CBS. Its success, along with other popular shows like *Full House* and *Family Matters*, cemented the blended family sitcom as a genre staple of the 1990s. The show tackled complex themes—divorce, stepparenting, sibling rivalry, and the challenges of merging two distinct family cultures—all with a signature light touch.

The chemistry between Patrick Duffy (Frank) and Suzanne Somers (Carol) was the heart of the show. Their relationship provided the necessary foundation for the chaotic, yet loving, dynamic between the three Foster children (Dana, Karen, Mark) and the three Lambert children (J.T., Al, Brendan). The show's central theme of finding common ground and learning to love your new family remains profoundly resonant with audiences today, ensuring its continued popularity in syndication and streaming. The recent 2025 updates and reunions prove that the bond forged on the set of this beloved show is as strong as the fictional family it portrayed.

step by step sitcom
step by step sitcom

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