Danielle Fishel’s Heartwarming “Boy Meets World” Reunion on Dancing With the Stars

Danielle Fishel is orchestrating a touching reunion that has “Boy Meets World” fans buzzing with excitement. The 44-year-old actress, who portrayed the iconic Topanga Lawrence on the beloved ’90s sitcom, recently announced that eight of her former castmates will join her in the “Dancing With the Stars” ballroom for a special Dedication Night performance. In a heartfelt Instagram post featuring photos of her costars, Fishel revealed that Bill Daniels (Mr. Feeny), Will Friedle (Eric Matthews), Matthew Lawrence (Jack Hunter), Betsy Randle (Amy Matthews), William Russ (Alan Matthews), Trina McGee (Angela Moore), Bonnie Bartlett (Dean Bolander), and Alex Désert (Eli Williams) will all be present to support her. She expressed feeling “an overwhelming responsibility” to deliver a joyous, celebratory dance dedicated to Daniels, whom she credits for inspiring “thousands of people becoming teachers” and “helping raise multiple generations.” While Rider Strong, who played Shawn Hunter, won’t attend due to work commitments, the reunion has still been playfully dubbed “our Coachella” by the “Pod Meets World” podcast team.

The special performance promises to be a nostalgic treat for fans of “Boy Meets World,” which aired from 1993 to 2000 and followed Ben Savage as Cory Matthews navigating the complexities of friendship, school, family, and romance. Fishel and her dance partner Pasha Pashkov will perform a jive to the show’s iconic theme song—likely the one that played during seasons 5 through 7. What makes this even more special is that 98-year-old Bill Daniels will join them on the ballroom floor and participate in the dance. As Fishel explained on her “Danielle With the Stars” podcast, “Saying it out loud feels crazy. But yes, we get to dance to the Boy Meets World theme song, the one you all know and love.” This performance is particularly meaningful considering the emotional connection between the characters and Mr. Feeny, culminating in the series finale’s tear-jerking goodbye scene where he advised them to “Dream, try, do good.”

For Fishel, this dance represents more than just a television reunion—it’s a heartfelt tribute to a man who has profoundly impacted her life and career. “It’s really a dedication to Bill and the role he has played in my life and the role Boy Meets World has played in my life,” she explained in her announcement. “He’s just such an inspiration to so many of us. And to be able to say thank you to him and to give him this kind of a platform for him to receive the love that he deserves is going to be very memorable.” In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, she further expressed admiration for Daniels’ “most incredible” career, noting how it has inspired her own professional journey. “I feel like I’m having a second act in my life and in my career at 44 years old,” she reflected. “To see him at 98 still going to conventions, he’s gonna be on the ballroom floor next week, and he was part of a show that completely changed my life.”

The significance of this reunion extends beyond mere nostalgia—it highlights the lasting impact of “Boy Meets World” on both its cast and audience. The show remains a touchstone for generations who grew up watching Cory, Topanga, Shawn, and the rest of the characters navigate life’s challenges under Mr. Feeny’s wise guidance. The relationship between Feeny and his students formed the emotional backbone of the series, with the teacher following them from middle school through college, offering timeless wisdom and support. For many viewers, Mr. Feeny represented the ideal educator—one who cared deeply about his students’ academic and personal development—which explains why Fishel feels so strongly about honoring him through this dance. The fact that so many cast members are gathering to support both Fishel and Daniels speaks to the family-like bond they formed during their years working together.

While this reunion celebration approaches, Fishel and Pashkov continue to navigate the competitive landscape of “Dancing With the Stars” season 34. Despite receiving feedback that they’ve been in the “middle of the pack” throughout the competition, the pair faced a challenging moment during Disney Night on October 7 when they found themselves in the bottom three. They narrowly escaped elimination when Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko were sent home instead. Undeterred by this close call, Fishel remains committed to improvement, telling Us Weekly, “We’re going to continue to take the judge’s feedback. They’re really good at giving us very specific notes. I’m gonna go home and watch the tape, and see if I can see what they’re talking about with the area where there was a bit of a mess-up in the lindy hop [section], and then I’m just gonna see what I can improve. I just want to get better every week.”

This dedication to growth mirrors the life lessons that “Boy Meets World” itself taught viewers for seven seasons—perseverance, self-improvement, and the value of supportive relationships. As Fishel prepares for this emotionally charged performance, she embodies the same determination that made Topanga such a beloved character. The upcoming Dedication Night represents a beautiful collision of past and present, allowing Fishel to honor her television family while pursuing a new challenge in her career. For fans of the show, seeing Mr. Feeny on the dance floor at 98 years old—still inspiring his former “student” decades later—will undoubtedly be a powerful reminder of the show’s enduring message that learning and growing never truly end. “Dancing With the Stars” airs on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesdays, with episodes available to stream the next day on Hulu, giving viewers multiple ways to witness this heartwarming “Boy Meets World” reunion and celebration of one of television’s most influential teachers.