Then/Now: The Cast of 'Step By Step'

When Frank Lambert (Patrick Duffy) married Carol Foster (Suzanne Somers), 'Step By Step' became the 'Brady Bunch' of the 90s. Viewers settled in to watch the family sitcom on Friday evenings from 1991 to 1998. Where are the former Fosters and Lamberts now?

To the gen-Xers who missed his role as Bobby Ewing on ‘Dallas,’ Patrick Duffy will live on as contractor Frank Lambert, the divorced dad of three who marries Suzanne Somer’s character, creating the blended family of ‘Step by Step.’ The actor directed 49 episodes of the show.  ‘Knots Landing’ and ‘Man from Atlantis’ are among Duffy’s early credits. In 1983, Duffy had a hit on the European pop charts with ‘Together We’re Strong.’  (AP)

Since ‘Step By Step, ‘Duffy appeared in ‘Dallas’ reunion movies and has continued to guest on various shows, including ‘Touched by an Angel,’ ‘Justice League,’ and ‘Family Guy.’ Recently he’s starred in television movies like ‘Falling in Love With the Girl Next Door.’ He began an on-off run on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ in 2006, and hosted ‘Bingo America’ last year.  Now 60, Duffy is married with two children.  (REUTERS)

Before she was widowed beautician Carol Foster, Somers was famous for her 1970s ‘Three’s Company’ role and her ‘Playboy’ pictorials. She also appeared in 1973 movie ‘American Graffiti’ and the 1987 series ‘She’s the Sheriff.’ 

After the show, Somers hosted ‘Candid Camera,’ but became known for schilling the ‘Thighmaster.’ Since announcing battle with breast cancer in 2001, Somers has touted homeopathic treatments. In 2003 she sold her line of products, Somersize, on HSN. She has many books out on subjects ranging from menopause, cancer, and weight loss to poetry and autobiographies. In 2005 Somers made her Broadway debut with her one-woman show, ‘The Blonde in the Thunderbird.’ The actress, 63, is on her second marriage and has one son. In 2007, it was reported that a Southern California fire had destroyed her Malibu beach home.  (AP)

Call began his career as a child actor, appearing on shows like ‘Simon & Simon’ and ‘Hotel.’ He was a regular on soap ‘Santa Barbara’ and portrayed Hobie on the first season of ‘Baywatch.’ Call landed the role of Frank’s slacker son J.T. on ‘Step By Step.’   (AP)

After ‘Step By Step,’ Call, now 33, retired from acting. Maybe being shot in both arms after leaving the set in 1996 had something to do with his decision… He has two children and reportedly lives in San Diego, working at his parents’ gas station. (The photo at left is not recent.)

Before being cast as Carol’s hostile daughter Dana, Keanan was known for her starring role in 80s sitcom ‘My Two Dads.’

After the show, Keanan (born Anastasia Sagorsky) reportedly attended UCLA as an art history major. The actress, now 34, appeared in movies ‘Stolen Poem’ and ‘Hidden Secrets’ and filmed comedy ‘Holyman Undercover’ this year.

Before playing Carol’s youngest child, “nerd” Mark, Castile was known for his roles in kids’ movies ‘Beethoven’ and ‘Beethoven’s 2nd’ and Fox childrens safety segments, ‘Totally For Kids.’ He also voiced a character in 1996 animated series ‘Hey Arnold!’ and wrote his autobiography, ‘Being You is Most Definitely Cool.’ 

Now 29, Castile is married and reportedly teaches political science and history at Biola University.    (Photo at left is not recent)

Lakin was a child actor featured in commercials before landing the role of tomboy Alicia “Al” Lambert.

After ‘Step By Step,’ Lakin appeared in Showtime’s ‘Reefer Madness.’ In 2006 she was a regular on MTV comedy show ‘Wild ‘n Out’ and appeared in a Bud Light Super Bowl XLI commercial.  The actress regained visibility in 2008, when she co-starred with Paris Hilton in comedy bomb ‘The Hottie and the Nottie.’ Lakin, now 30, has several films in production and appeared in The Rock movies ‘The Game Plan’ and ‘Race to Witch Mountain.’  (REUTERS)

Before ‘Step By Step,’ Byrne had appeared on episodes of series like ‘Who’s The Boss?’  Frank’s youngest son Brendan Lambert disappeared unexpectedly after season six.

Now 25, Byrne hasn’t been seen onscreen or publicly since the show, so there aren’t any recent industry photos of the former actor.  He’s rumored to be a renaissance fair enthusiast living in Southern California.

Watson got her start as a Florida beauty pageant queen before playing Carol's ditzy daughter Karen Foster.

In 2000 Watson, now 34, started Child Actors Supporting Themselves (CAST), an organization to help child actors handle their finances. She was reportedly motivated to found CAST after discovering that her parents spent her ‘Step by Step’ earnings.  Watson hasn’t been seen much since the show, but is reportedly working on a country music group.  (Katherine Burgers/WENN)

Mitchell got his start as a Calvin Klein model and appeared on ‘Dallas’ with future ‘Step By Step’ co-star Patrick Duffy. From 1990-1993 Mitchell, a black belt in tae kwon do, took over the ‘Kickboxer’ film series from Jean-Claude Van Damme.  Eccentric cousin Cody lived on the family’s driveway in a van, but was forced off ‘Step By Step’ in 1996 following allegations of domestic violence. “Ch-yeah!”  (AP)

The divorced actor, 42, reportedly has custody of his four children. Since the show, Mitchell has acted in direct-to-video movies and made appearances in series like ‘JAG,’ ‘NYPD Blue,’ and ‘E.R.’