Danielle Fishel first rose to fame as Topanga on the hit sitcom “Boy Meets World,” and now she’s taking on the ballroom in “Dancing With the Stars” Season 34, airing tonight on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET.
Ahead of the season debut, here are five fast facts you need to know about Fishel’s husband, Jensen Karp, and their two kids.
1. Danielle Fishel Married Jensen Karp in 2018
Actress Danielle Fishel married writer and comedian Jensen Karp on Nov. 4, 2018. The ceremony took place at Carondelet House in Los Angeles, with family and friends in attendance.
According to People, Fishel’s bridal party included her “Girl Meets World” costar Sabrina Carpenter, while musician John Mayer, a close friend of Karp’s, not only stood as a groomsman but also performed the couple’s first dance song — Beyoncé’s “XO.” Fishel later called Mayer’s presence “a generous spirit” and one of the highlights of the day.
2. Danielle Fishel & Jensen Karp Share Two Sons, Adler & Keaton
The couple welcomed their first son, Adler Lawrence, on June 24, 2019. Born a month early, Adler spent three weeks in the NICU due to fluid in his lungs, but he made a full recovery. His middle name honors Karp’s late father.
In 2021, their second son, Keaton Joseph, arrived on Aug. 29. According to Fishel’s Instagram post, his birth carried special meaning — he was born on his late grandfather’s birthday, and his middle name honors Fishel’s own father.
3. Fishel’s Parenthood Journey Has Been Honest & Candid
Fishel has openly shared her experiences with motherhood, including her feelings of “mom guilt” when Adler faced medical complications following a premature delivery. Despite early challenges, she said her son was “a chill baby” and full of curiosity. With Keaton, Fishel found the transition smoother, though she admitted adjusting to life with two kids was still a learning curve. She told Romper that her ultimate hope is for her children to see that she lived authentically and with purpose.
4. Jensen Karp Has a Colorful Career Beyond Comedy
Karp has explored many corners of the entertainment industry. Early in his career, he performed under the rap name Hot Karl and even signed a record deal, according to People. He later transitioned into behind-the-scenes work, producing the TBS series “Drop the Mic,” hosting on Los Angeles radio station KROQ, and appearing in the VH1 parody series “Barely Famous.” Blending business with romance, he and Fishel also cohosted the cameo-focused podcast “Talk Ain’t Cheap.”
5. The Family Often Goes Viral for Unexpected Reasons
In 2021, Karp made headlines after claiming he found shrimp tails in a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, sparking a viral Twitter exchange with General Mills. Years earlier, in 2019, the family had a more lighthearted viral moment when Olive Garden gifted them custom shoes for their first son, after Karp had jokingly commissioned branded sneakers for himself. While humorous, these viral moments show the family’s ability to connect with audiences outside traditional Hollywood circles.
Danielle Fishel and Jensen Karp’s love story has unfolded over decades, beginning as high school classmates and blossoming into a marriage and family. Together with their sons Adler and Keaton, the couple balances Hollywood careers, parenthood, and the occasional viral moment — all while keeping family at the center.
