Joey Lawrence Movies and Career Information

Joseph "Joey" Lawrence (born April 20, 1976) is an American actor, singer, and television host. In television he is best known for his roles in TV series Gimme a Break!, Blossom, and Melissa & Joey. Lawrence was born Joseph Lawrence Mignogna, Jr. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Donna Mignogna, a personnel manager, and Joseph Lawrence Mignogna, Sr., an insurance broker. His family's surname was changed to "Lawrence" during his childhood. He has two younger brothers, Matthew and Andrew, who are also actors. He graduated from Abington Friends School in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania in 1994, and later attended the University of Southern California. Lawrence's first acting role was in a Cracker Jack commercial. At the age of five, he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, where he performed the song "Give My Regards to Broadway". After appearing in guest spots on Diff'rent Strokes and Silver Spoons, Lawrence won the role of Joey Donovan on the hit NBC sitcom Gimme a Break! in 1983. He continued in that role until the series ended in 1987. Lawrence provided the voice of the Oliver, the protagonist in the 1988 Disney film Oliver & Company. From 1991 to 1995, Lawrence