David Kendall, a former Boy Meets World star, passed away at the age of 68.
Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, and Rider Strong, the stars of the popular comedy from the 1990s, posted a photo of Kendall grinning on their Pod Meets World Instagram page on Saturday to announce his loss.
“To say that David Kendall was instrumental in the creation of Boy Meets World would be an understatement,” their joint statement started. The reason of death has not yet been revealed.In addition to directing, writing, and executive producing our program, he contributed to the development of some of the most iconic sitcoms on television, such as Hannah Montana and Growing Pains.
Kendall “worked with stars like Austin Butler, Zendaya, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas brothers in the early stages of their careers” in addition to helping to shape the “young creative voices” of Friedle, Strong, and Fishel, who recently disclosed that criticism of her weight as a teenager almost destroyed her career.
In the second season of the ABC coming-of-age sitcom Boy Meets World, which combined poignant life lessons with slapstick humour, Kendall joined as executive producer. He continued to work on the drama until its seventh and last season in 2000.
In addition to writing an episode for the show in 1994, the prolific writer, director, and producer also directed 13 episodes between 1995 and 1999.
At the age of 68, David Kendall, the creative mind behind Boy Meets World, Growing Pains, Hannah Montana, Melissa & Joey, passed away.
Will Friedle, Danielle Fishel, and Rider Strong, the actors of the popular comedy Boy Meets World from the 1990s, revealed his passing on their Pod Meets World Instagram page on Saturday (seen in September 2023).
Boy Meets World chronicled Cory Matthews’ (Ben Savage) struggles navigating romance, friendship, and family from junior high school to college. Cory had a close bond with best friend Shawn (Strong), had a falling out with older brother Eric (Friedle), and investigated a developing relationship with Topanga (Fishel).
“We are devastated to lose such an important person in our lives, both personally and professionally,” Fishel, Friedle, and Strong wrote in their poignant post.
The mainstay of mainstream television also appeared on the Pod Meets World podcast, which began broadcasting in June 2022, as a guest and behind-the-scenes expert.
We are grateful that we were able to share David’s amazing personality with our Pod Meets World listeners, as we have all stayed in touch with him over the past thirty years. We have lost a significant member of our family, but we ask that you remember our dear Kendall the next time you watch the program, particularly Seasons 2 and 3 (when he was showrunner).
“We love you, David,” the three said in closing. May you rest in peace. Not a single note
In the comments section, fans hurried to offer their condolences.
“Thank you, @podmeetsworldshow, for highlighting the numerous other amazing and gifted individuals who enable BMW.” Feeling like we knew a little bit of him was such a delight. One fan responded, “We’re so sorry for your loss—thank you for sharing him with us.” We appreciate you letting us use the Pod to get to know him. Another person wrote, “Condolences to you all and his family.”It would be an understatement to suggest that David Kendall played a significant role in the development of Boy Meets World, according to their joint statement.
The ABC family sitcom Growing Pains, which starred Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Jeremy Miller, and Tracey Gold, was Kendall’s first producing role.
Hannah Montana actress Miley Cyrus’s early career was greatly influenced by the huge television fixture.
Along with being the show’s creator, writer, and executive producer, Kendall also directed a number of episodes of the 2010–2015 sitcom Melissa & Joey, which starred Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence. In 2014, Hart, Tim Conway, Lawrence, and Kendall are shown from left to right.
Didi Destefano, a former member of the Boy Meets World production crew, said, “I was fortunate to have been in touch with him as recently as last month.” He left a void in our hearts and was a courageous, amazing gentlemen. David, have a safe journey. This is very depressing to witness. You are one in a million. I hear Will stating, “I’m gonna text Kendall and see” about something. A Pod Meets World follower said, “Happy we were able to learn about him and share your joy of working with him through the pod.”
Kendall, who was born on October 2, 1957, began his career in show business by writing and directing the comic film Luggage of the Gods in 1983! From 1988 to 1991, he worked as a co-executive producer and producer for seasons four through six of the ABC family sitcom Growing Pains, which starred Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, and Kirk Cameron.
In addition to being the show’s creator, writer, and executive producer, Kendall directed multiple episodes of the 2010–2015 sitcom Melissa & Joey, which starred Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence.
