What Happened to the Fame' Cast?
As Ms. Grant warned her students in the opening montage, "You've got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying ... in sweat." And sweat they did, for six seasons in an Emmy-winning TV series that ran from 1982 to '87 and drew from plenty of source material; not only was it based on a 1980 feature film, both the series and film were inspired by the real-life Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York.
Just like in real life, a few members of the cast went on to bigger and better things, while others faded into obscurity or, sadly, found out the true cost of fame. Here's a look at what happened to these talents after graduation. -- By Liane Bonin
Debbie Allen
Played: Teacher Lydia Grant (Seasons 1-6)
Then: Allen had conquered Broadway (and received a Tony nod) as Anita in a revival of 'West Side Story' and had also starred in the movie version of 'Fame.' Still, small-screen success had been harder to come by. Prior to the series, she'd landed a starring role on the short-lived show '3 Girls 3' and small roles on 'Good Times' and 'Roots: The Next Generations.'
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Debbie Allen
Played: Teacher Lydia Grant (Seasons 1-6)
Now: What hasn't Debbie Allen done since then? She's taught choreography to Paula Abdul, directed and produced 'The Cosby Show' spin-off 'A Different World,' helmed a slew of TV movies and opened a dance academy. Lately, she's been putting in time as a guest judge on 'So You Think You Can Dance' and is back on the big screen for 'Fame,' this time promoted to school principal.
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Lori Singer
Played: Student Julie Miller (Seasons 1-2)
Then: The real-life cello prodigy didn't just act the part, she lived it. A music prodigy, she was accepted to Julliard at age 14 and became the school's youngest student. The 5'10½'' beauty also briefly pursued a modeling career before following in her brother Marc "The Beastmaster" Singer's footsteps in the movie and TV versions of 'Fame.'
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Lori Singer
Played: Student Julie Miller (Seasons 1-2)
Now: Singer's acting career was red hot following 'Fame,' with starring roles in 'Footloose,' 'The Falcon and the Snowman' and 'Short Cuts,' but cooled off by the end of the '80s. Still, the multi-talented star remains busy with the bow, performing as a cello soloist at Carnegie Hall in 2008.
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Lee Curreri
Played: Student Bruno Martelli (Seasons 1-6)
Then: Curreri had played Bruno in the film; he also penned music and composed arrangements for the television show.
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Lee Curreri
Played: Student Bruno Martelli (Seasons 1-6)
Now: Later, the keyboardist and composer turned to music full time, producing for the likes of Natalie Cole and Kid Creole and the Coconuts, and composing scores to television series such as 'Chicago Hope' and 'Dangerous Minds.' He also released a full-length CD of his own music, 'Aquabox.' He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons.
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Erica Gimpel
Played: Student Coco Hernandez (Seasons 1-3)
Then: As a student at New York's High School of Performing Arts, Gimpel was one of several students plucked from the school to star in 'Fame.'
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Erica Gimpel
Played: Student Coco Hernandez (Seasons 1-3)
Now: The New Yorker has worked steadily since 'Fame,' landing recurring roles on 'ER,' 'Veronica Mars,' 'Profiler' 'Boston Legal' and 'Roswell.' She's also a singer-songwriter, performing with a jazz/pop trio around Los Angeles in her spare time.
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Valerie Landsburg
Played: Student Doris Schwartz (Seasons 1-4)
Then: The daughter of film and TV producer Alan ('Gimme a Break!'), the L.A.-born actress allegedly beat out none other than Madonna for her role on 'Fame.' But we're pretty sure Madonna's over it.
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Reader Comments (4)
David at 4:37AM on Sep 23rd 2009
Eric Pierpoint did NOT play the part of Det. San "George" Fransisco in the movie "Alien Nation"; it was Mandy Patinkin, late of the TV show, Criminal Minds.
Lynda at 9:54PM on Oct 4th 2009
Actually, David, they are referring to the TV SERIES "Alien Nation", not the movie.
In the TV show, Eric Pierrepont did indeed play Det.George Francisco, the first man to have a baby.
NENIG at 8:34PM on Oct 3rd 2009
Where does the World get off with punishing sinners? don't they know that lying, stealing,cheating, murder,etc. is the way of the world. They condemm each other for doing these acts. It is the way of the World. don't be surprised when your boss sleeps with his employees. That is the way of the World. Don't punish them with the Religious way of dealing with the problem. The are carnal and natural. That is the way of the world. I mean it's okay for old men 70 years old, to have 21 year old lovers. The movie stars do it all the time. Sin has no barriers. You arrest a person for DUI. Six
months later the Judge is caught doing the same thing. You arrest a person for child porn. Six months later the Arresting individual is found with a Computer with the same. Don't be Surprised. Look around, in the World every other person has a vice, if found out would fill the
jails and prisons. Where we know, that they are not about Reform, but adding more to the vices. So when they get out they can't do nothing but return again. Where is the answer? If My People
who are called by my name would---------. All evil has to do, to thrive is have goodness, do
nothing.
DaWaLi at 7:29PM on Oct 17th 2009
I love this old show! I also love the old crime drama 21 Jump Street. You can watch it and many other tv shows for free streaming online at http://www.superstreamtv.com