Rider Strong Explains Why He Opposed Matthew Lawrence’s Boy Meets World Role

Rider Strong, the 46-year-old American actor and director who played Shawn Hunter in Boy Meets World, has shared his thoughts on why he initially opposed Matthew Lawrence’s inclusion in the iconic TV series. On the recent episode of the Lawrence brothers’ podcast, Brotherly Love, Matthew asked Rider what he thought about him during his appearance on Boy Meets World.

The host, who portrayed Jack Hunter in the show, confessed that although he felt “much shyer and kind of introverted than people quite understand,” his nervousness only made him seem more formidable. He described feeling like a “kind of an ass.”

Rider acknowledged, “We figured you out within the first year.” He continued, “I would say all three of you guys were very intimidating because you were like the established Hollywood people.”

For them, Matthew, Joey, and Andrew Lawrence—famed as the successful set of brothers who had become superstars—were “the very successful set of brothers who had done all this stuff.” For Boy Meets World’s cast members, including William Daniels, Danielle Fishel, Ben Savage, Will Friedle, and Betsy Randle, his appearance seemed to come with a sense of “Oh God, the Lawrences are coming.”

The Lawrence brothers’ success overshadowed their own show, making them “intimidating” in comparison. This dynamic played out vividly on screen as Boy Meets World grappled with growing pains and changing dynamics within its ensemble cast.

Boys Meets World starred William Daniels, Danielle Fishel, Ben Savage, Will Friedle, and Betsy Randle among others.