JOEY LAWRENCE

Name, Age & Place of Birth

Full Name: Joseph Lawrence Mignogna III
Born: April 20, 1976 (age 49)
Birthplace: Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — a Philadelphia suburb 

Family Background & Early Life

Joey is the eldest of three sons, born to Donna Lynn (née Shaw), a former schoolteacher turned personnel manager, and Joseph Mignogna Jr., an insurance broker . His brothers, Matthew and Andrew Lawrence, followed him into acting. Early in his career, the boys adopted “Lawrence” (Joey’s middle name) as their stage surname to simplify pronunciation, a change he now reflects on as a mixed blessing .

Child Actor Career Beginnings

Joey’s first taste of the spotlight came at just five years old in a Cracker Jack commercial. Not long after, he tap-danced and sang “Give My Regards to Broadway” on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson . Over the 1980s, he appeared in Gimme a Break! (1983–87) and made his first film appearance in Summer Rental (1985) and the animated classic Oliver & Company (1988) .

Breakthrough Roles: Blossom & Sitcom Success

At age 14, Joey captured teenage hearts across America by playing Joey Russo on NBC’s Blossom (1990–1995). His charming performance, dressed with the memorable catchphrase, “Whoa!”, made him a cultural icon . He also co-starred in Brotherly Love (1995–1997) alongside his real-life brothers, further cementing the Lawrence family’s place in TV history .

Music & Entertainment Beyond Acting

Joey didn’t stop at acting—he ventured into music in 1993 with his self-titled debut album. The standout single, “Nothin’ My Love Can’t Fix”, climbed to #19 on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking a successful crossover to pop . He also showcased his musical talents by composing theme tunes for Brotherly Love and Melissa & Joey .

TV Comeback: Melissa & Joey & Beyond

Reviving his sitcom fame, Joey led ABC Family’s Melissa & Joey (2010–2015) opposite Melissa Joan Hart. Playing Joe Longo—a bankrupt commodities trader turned nanny—he not only starred but also served as an executive producer and directed episodes . More recently, he’s appeared in films like Frankie Meets Jack (2023), which he co-wrote and produced, alongside his wife Samantha Cope and brother Andrew .

Awards & Notable Achievements

Joey earned a 1993 Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Comedian in a TV series (for Blossom) amid several nominations in the '80s and '90s . He was named one of People magazine's “50 Most Beautiful People” in 1994 and ranked among VH1's "100 Greatest Kid Stars" .

Personal Life & Family

Joey has been married three times: to Michelle Vella (2002–2005), Chandie Yawn‑Nelson (2005–2022), with whom he has two daughters (born 2006 & 2010), and to Samantha Cope, whom he wed in May 2022 . In January 2023, they welcomed a daughter, Dylan Rose . In August 2024, Cope filed for divorce but the couple reconciled by December 2024 .

Legacy & Current Engagements

Today, Joey remains active in entertainment—acting, producing, writing for projects, and supporting reflections on his early fame. He and his brothers host the Brotherly Love podcast (launched 2023), where they dig into nostalgic memories and discuss life today.

Joey Lawrence’s career arcs from a talented five-year-old performer to a multi-dimensional entertainer—actor, singer, composer, producer, and podcaster. His ability to transform charm into meaningful creativity makes him a lasting figure in pop culture.