Who is Joey Lawrence? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Joseph Lawrence Mignogna Jr

Age: 47 Years, 47 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Chandie Yawn-Nelson (m. 2005), Michelle Vella (m. 2002–2005)

father: Joseph Lawrence Mignogna Sr.

mother: Donna

siblings: Matt and Andy

children: Charleston Lawrence, Liberty Grace Lawrence

Actors Singers

Height: 5'8" (173 cm), 5'8" Males

Notable Alumni: Abington Friends School

U.S. State: Pennsylvania

Ancestry: British American, Italian American

More Facts

education: University Of Southern California, Abington Friends School

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Childhood & Early Life

Joey Lawrence was born Joseph Lawrence Mignogna Jr. on April 20, 1976, in Abington, Pennsylvania, USA, to Joseph Lawrence Mignogna Sr. and Donna. Lawrence, who is of Italian and British descent, grew up along with his younger brothers Andrew ‘Andy’ James Lawrence and Matthew ‘Matt’ William Lawrence.

He went to the ‘Abington Friends School’ in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania from where he graduated in 1994. He then went to the ‘University of Southern California’ in Los Angeles. Lawrence had started his acting career even before graduating from high school. His first acting role was in a commercial for the popular American snack brand ‘Cracker Jack.’

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Early Career

When he was just five years old, Lawrence appeared as a guest on the popular talk show ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.’ During the show, he showcased his singing skills by performing the song ‘Give My Regards to Broadway.’ In 1982, he played Sparky in Harry Harris-directed television movie ‘Scamps.’ In the same year, he was seen in television series, such as ‘Silver Spoons’ and ‘Diff'rent Strokes.’

He landed his breakthrough role in 1983 when he was cast to play Joey Donovan in the popular American sitcom ‘Gimme a Break!’ He played the role from 1983 to 1987, appearing in 77 episodes. Meanwhile, he made his theatrical film debut in 1985 when he played Bobby Chester in Carl Reiner-directed comedy film ‘Summer Rental.’

In 1988, he voiced Oliver in Disney's animated musical film ‘Oliver & Company.’ From 1990 to 1995, he played one of the main roles in the popular television sitcom ‘Blossom.’ In 1995, he voiced Chad in Disney's animated musical comedy film ‘A Goofy Movie.’ He also continued playing minor roles in television series, such as ‘The John Larroquette Show’ and ‘Something Wilder.’

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Career

From 1995 to 1997, he played Joe Roman in 40 episodes of sitcom series ‘Brotherly Love.’ In the series, he was seen alongside his real life brothers. He made his theatrical film comeback in 2000 when he played Graham Manning in John Ottman-directed slasher film ‘Urban Legends: Final Cut.’

From 2002 to 2003, he played Michael Brooks in 11 episodes of ‘NBC’ network's television drama series ‘American Dreams.’ In 2003, he was cast to play the main role of Kurt Franklin in a sitcom series titled ‘Run of the House.’ He played the role from 2003 to 2004, appearing in 19 episodes.

In 2005, he was seen in a couple of television movies, namely ‘Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber’ and ‘Bow.’ In the same year, he was also cast to play the recurring role of Brett Mahoney in the popular television series ‘Half & Half.’ He played Mahoney from 2005 to 2006, appearing in nine episodes.

In 2006, he played Officer Michael Deacon in a video titled ‘Rest Stop.’ He then appeared as himself in the 2008 Robert Englund-directed comedy-horror film ‘Killer Pad.’ In the same year, he played Carey Krzyznyk in a video titled ‘Together Again For The First Time.’ In 2010, he played Louie 'Pipes' Pepitone in James Quattrochi-directed action-crime biographical film ‘Sinatra Club.’

Lawrence landed the main role of Joe Longo in the popular sitcom television series ‘Melissa & Joey’ in 2010. He played Longo from 2010 to 2015, appearing in 104 episodes. Meanwhile, he was also seen playing important roles in television movies, such as ‘The Dog Who Saved Halloween,’ ‘Hitched for the Holidays,’ and ‘The Dog Who Saved The Holidays.’

In 2013, he co-hosted a competition-based reality television show titled ‘Splash’ alongside Charissa Thompson. In 2016, he competed in the tenth season of reality competition series ‘Cupcake Wars’ where he finished second. In the same year, he was seen in four films, namely ‘Saved By Grace,’ ‘Emma's Chance,’ ‘Arlo: The Burping Pig,’ and ‘Isle of the Dead.’

In 2018, he played prominent roles in films, such as ‘My Brothers Keeper’ and ‘Sk8 Dawg.’ In 2019, he took part in the famous reality television series ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ and finished ninth. In the same year, he was also cast to play Robert Byrn in a political legal drama film titled ‘Roe v. Wade.’

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Music Career

Joey Lawrence released his eponymous album in 1993. The album housed singles, such as ‘Nothin' My Love Can't Fix,’ ‘I Can't Help Myself,’ and ‘Stay Forever.’ The album ‘Joey Lawrence’ peaked at number 74 in the ‘Billboard 200’ record chart.

In 1997, Lawrence released his second album ‘Soulmates.’ The album's most favored single ‘Never Gonna Change My Mind’ peaked at number 49 in the ‘UK Singles Chart.’ Apart from the two albums that he has released so far, Lawrence has also released singles, such as ‘Rolled,’ ‘Our Time,’ ‘Imagine,’ and ‘Christmas Time.’

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Family & Personal Life

Joey Lawrence got married to Michelle Vella on August 24, 2002. Their marriage ended after a couple of years as they got divorced on April 10, 2005. On July 3, 2005, Lawrence married Chandie Yawn-Nelson whom he had met in ‘Disney World’ when he was a teenager. On May 10, 2006, Lawrence and Yawn-Nelson were blessed with a daughter named Charleston 'Charli' Lawrence. On March 4, 2010, Yawn-Nelson gave birth to their second daughter Liberty Grace Lawrence.

Lawrence’s father Joseph Lawrence Mignogna Sr. works as an insurance broker. His mother Donna is a former elementary school teacher. His younger brother Matthew Lawrence is an actor and singer, best known for playing supporting roles in films like ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ and ‘Tales from the Darkside: The Movie.’ His youngest brother Andrew Lawrence is also an actor and singer, known for playing Andy Roman in ‘Brotherly Love.’

Joey Lawrence Biography