How Fred Savage went from onscreen kid to behindthescenes pro Ricardo RamirezNovember 2, 2025 at 12:56 AM 0 Whatever happened to Fred Savage? In a 2012 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Fred Savage revealed words he spoke at age thirteen that proved prophetic: "On the set, they call me 'Little Opie' because Ron Howard started as a child actor and grew up to direct. He could be a role model for me.
- - How Fred Savage went from on-screen kid to behind-the-scenes pro
Ricardo RamirezNovember 2, 2025 at 12:56 AM
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Whatever happened to Fred Savage?
In a 2012 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Fred Savage revealed words he spoke at age thirteen that proved prophetic: "On the set, they call me 'Little Opie' because Ron Howard started as a child actor and grew up to direct. He could be a role model for me." This article explores how the beloved star of "The Wonder Years" transformed himself into one of television's most sought-after comedy directors, building a lucrative career entirely behind the camera.
From Kevin Arnold to calling the shots
Savage captured hearts across America portraying Kevin Arnold on "The Wonder Years" from 1988 to 1993, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations at just thirteen years old. His performance made him the youngest actor ever to receive such honors, cementing his status as one of television's most recognizable child stars. Yet even during those formative years on set, Savage found himself drawn to what happened behind the scenes. He watched directors frame shots, studied their techniques, and absorbed every aspect of the craft. After the series ended, he chose education over immediate career opportunities, enrolling at Stanford University, where he graduated in 1999 with a degree in English.
Building a directing empire through persistence
Savage launched his directing career methodically and strategically, spending years shadowing industry legends like James Burrows on "Will & Grace" and Amy Sherman-Palladino on "Gilmore Girls." He treated the experience as personal film school, arriving at call time and remaining until the crews wrapped. His breakthrough came with "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," where he directed nineteen episodes and served as producer. That experience opened doors to prestigious projects including "Modern Family," "2 Broke Girls," "Happy Endings," and "Party Down." Showrunners valued his unique perspective, as he understood both sides of the camera. By 2012, he had earned four Directors Guild nominations and helmed over one hundred television episodes.
The wisdom of working behind the scenes
Savage's transition represented more than career evolution; it demonstrated remarkable self-awareness about sustainable success in Hollywood. He recognized that directing offered longevity, creative control, and the ability to maintain a private life that acting never could. His hands-on approach and genuine enthusiasm won over industry veterans in a notoriously jaded business. He established his own production company and developed projects from conception. However, his career hit an obstacle in May 2022 when he was terminated as executive producer and director of "The Wonder Years" reboot following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct.
Conclusion
Despite the setback, Savage's transformation from child star to television director remains a testament to strategic career planning and genuine passion for the craft. He avoided the pitfalls that claimed so many contemporaries by prioritizing education, seeking mentorship, and building skills methodically over the years. His work across dozens of hit shows generated substantial wealth while keeping him largely out of the spotlight; he once inhabited as Kevin Arnold. Whether his directing career continues remains uncertain, but his journey demonstrates that sometimes the most brilliant move for a former child star is stepping away from what made them famous and mastering something entirely new.
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Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: November 01, 2025 at 04:45PM on Source: EVENING MAG
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