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The Surprising New Lives Of The 'Step By Step' Cast: Who Became A Lawyer, A Professor, And A Gas Station Owner In 2025?

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The beloved family sitcom Step by Step remains one of the most iconic staples of ABC's legendary TGIF lineup, centering on the blended family chaos of the Lambert and Foster clans. The show, which ran from 1991 to 1998, followed the unexpected marriage of a free-spirited hairdresser, Carol Foster, and a laid-back contractor, Frank Lambert, and the subsequent merging of their six very different children. As of late December 2025, the lives of the actors who brought these characters to life have taken some truly surprising, and in one case, heartbreaking turns, with several stars leaving Hollywood entirely for fascinating new careers.

From a practicing attorney to a high school history teacher and a Southern California business owner, the cast has scattered across various professions. While one half of the iconic parental duo, Suzanne Somers, has sadly passed, the rest of the Foster-Lambert family continues to make headlines with their unexpected post-sitcom careers and personal milestones, proving that life after a hit show can be even more interesting than fiction.

The Step by Step Cast: Full Biography and Current Status (2025)

Here is a detailed look at the core cast, their roles, and what they are doing today, with the most current information available.

  • Suzanne Somers (Carol Foster Lambert): A successful businesswoman, author, and actress known for her roles in Three's Company and Step by Step. She sadly passed away in 2023.
  • Patrick Duffy (Frank Lambert): A veteran television actor best known for playing Bobby Ewing on Dallas and the patriarch of the Lambert family. He remains active in acting and is a vocal advocate for a cast reunion.
  • Staci Keanan (Dana Foster): The eldest Foster daughter, known for her quick wit and academic rivalry with J.T. Lambert. She has completely left acting for a highly respected professional career.
  • Brandon Call (J.T. Lambert): The oldest Lambert son, known for his laid-back, often lazy demeanor and his rivalry with Dana. He retired from acting immediately after the show ended and has maintained a private life.
  • Angela Watson (Karen Foster): The middle Foster daughter, portrayed as a fashion-obsessed aspiring model. She is now a mother and an advocate against child exploitation in the entertainment industry.
  • Christopher Castile (Mark Foster): The youngest Foster child, a nerdy, computer-loving intellectual. Like several co-stars, he pursued a career in academia after the show.
  • Christine Lakin (Alicia "Al" Lambert): The tomboy middle Lambert daughter. She has remained active in Hollywood, but has shifted her focus behind the camera in recent years.
  • Sasha Mitchell (Cody Lambert): Frank's dimwitted but lovable nephew who lived in the family's van. A trained martial artist, he continues to appear at fan conventions.
  • Jason Marsden (Rich Halke): J.T.'s best friend who later dated Dana Foster. He has become one of the most prolific voice actors in the industry.

The Heartbreaking Loss and Hopes for a Reunion

The most significant and somber update for fans of Step by Step is the passing of its co-lead, Suzanne Somers.

Suzanne Somers, who brought her signature charm and comedic timing to the role of Carol Foster Lambert, died on October 15, 2023, just one day shy of her 77th birthday. The cause of death was an aggressive form of breast cancer, which she had battled for over 23 years.

Her co-star and on-screen husband, Patrick Duffy, has often spoken about their close relationship and their desire to work together again. Duffy, who starred as Frank Lambert, has remained busy with various television projects since the show wrapped. Even after Somers' passing, Duffy has publicly expressed his hope for a two-hour Step by Step reunion special to honor the show and its legacy. The bond between Frank and Carol, and the actors who played them, clearly remains strong.

From Hollywood to the Classroom and the Courtroom: The Foster Kids Today

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the Step by Step cast is how several of the young actors chose to completely step away from the spotlight to pursue entirely new, highly professional careers. The Foster children, known for their academic leanings on the show, largely followed suit in real life.

Staci Keanan (Dana Foster): The Attorney

Staci Keanan, who played the highly intelligent and often condescending Dana Foster, transitioned from the set to the courtroom. She left acting to attend law school and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2013. Staci now practices law in the Los Angeles area under her birth name, Anastasia Sagorsky. She has also taken on an academic role, serving as an adjunct associate professor of law at Southwestern Law School, making her one of the most successful career-changers from the TGIF era.

Christopher Castile (Mark Foster): The Professor

Christopher Castile, who played the brainy Mark Foster, also chose academia over the entertainment industry. After the series ended, he earned a Master's degree and became a teacher. Today, Castile is a professor of political science at Biola University in La Mirada, California. He also teaches U.S. History at Downey High School, committing his career to education rather than Hollywood. This choice reflects the studious nature of his on-screen character, providing a satisfying parallel for fans.

Angela Watson (Karen Foster): New Mother and Advocate

Angela Watson, who played the fashion-conscious Karen Foster, has had a significant personal update in 2024. After leaving acting, she focused on advocacy, founding the organization Child Actors Supporting Themselves (CAST) to help former child stars manage their finances. In a major personal milestone, Watson and her husband welcomed a baby boy in July 2024, a joyful event she shared with fans. At 48, her journey from child star to advocate to new mother is a compelling story of resilience and new beginnings.

The Lambert Kids and Cody: Business, Directing, and Martial Arts

The Lambert side of the family, known for their more blue-collar and laid-back attitudes, have found their own unique paths outside of the acting world, with one notable exception.

Brandon Call (J.T. Lambert): The Gas Station Owner

Brandon Call, who played the lovable slacker J.T. Lambert, is arguably the most private former cast member. He retired from acting entirely after the show's finale in 1998. Today, Call lives a quiet life in Southern California and is reportedly married. In a surprising career move, he is now a business owner, operating a gas station and car wash with his parents, a stark contrast to his life as a teen heartthrob. This is one of the most unique and least-known "where are they now" stories in sitcom history.

Christine Lakin (Al Lambert): The Director

Christine Lakin, who played the tomboy Al Lambert, has successfully transitioned from acting to working behind the camera. She has become an accomplished director, with credits including over 20 episodes of television for networks like ABC and Apple+. Lakin has directed episodes of shows like The Goldbergs and Schooled. She also co-hosts a nostalgic podcast, "Keanan and Lakin Give You Déjà Vu," with her former co-star Staci Keanan, keeping her connected to her sitcom roots while building a formidable directing career.

Sasha Mitchell (Cody Lambert): The Martial Artist

Sasha Mitchell, who portrayed the fan-favorite, airheaded nephew Cody Lambert, is a trained martial artist and kickboxer in real life. He has continued to make appearances at fan conventions, including the popular 90s Con, where he reunited with his former castmates. While his acting roles have been sporadic, his presence at these events and his martial arts background keep him connected to his loyal fanbase.

Jason Marsden (Rich Halke): The Voice Acting Legend

Jason Marsden, who played J.T.'s best friend Rich Halke, has arguably had the most successful and prolific career in Hollywood, though his face is rarely seen. Marsden is a voice acting powerhouse, known for bringing countless animated characters to life. His credits include Max Goof in the A Goofy Movie franchise, Haku in the English dub of Spirited Away, and Chester McBadbat on The Fairly OddParents. He remains incredibly active, attending conventions and continuing his voice work, a career path he discussed in a recent April 2024 interview. Marsden’s work ensures that his voice is still a constant presence in modern family entertainment, a fitting continuation for a star of a beloved family sitcom.

cast of step by step
cast of step by step

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