Movies

He starred in iconic 1990s teen drama and had unrelenting crush on show’s star… can you guess who it is?

BBG News

In the 1990s, this actor played the role of the quirky neighbor living next door in an imaginary Pennsylvania town, which was the setting for a revolutionary teenage soap opera. The character was deeply smitten with the series’ leading actress.

Think you know who it is?

Born into a family where creativity thrived, this emerging talent grew up in Colorado as the child of a visual artist and the younger sibling of a music producer. Eventually, he moved to the Northern California region.

Following his move to Los Angeles, he stepped into his professional acting career at only ten years old, securing spots in various TV advertisements and eventually transitioning to television shows.

His significant debut in the entertainment world took place when he made a special appearance on the popular ’90s sitcom Dream On, signaling the start of his career’s ascent.

Afterwards, he made brief appearances as a guest star in numerous programs and films, among them My Girl 2. Eventually, he secured the part that would forever etch his name into TV lore.

In 1994, the young woman with golden hair and curls gained significant recognition during the brief run of an ABC show. Although it lasted just a single season, this series received nationwide acclaim for its authentic depiction of adolescent intricacies and societal challenges.

Portraying a thoughtful yet slightly awkward adolescent, his on-screen persona usually hung out on the fringes of the usual teenage clique, offering a contrast to the more emotionally volatile and defiant characters.

Of course, there’s also his fictional neighbor, whom he always finds a reason to chat with – this is due to the fact that he’s deeply smitten with her, though it could be challenging at times to witness his one-sided affection.

This actor boasts a professional journey that extends over three decades, during which they’ve garnered over 60 roles in both movies and TV shows, spanning various genres.

Have you been able to guess who it is yet?

It’s Devon Gummersall!

Currently, a 46-year-old actor vividly portrayed the complex character of Brian Krakow in the popular 1990s series, “My So-Called Life.

After the termination of the show, he has featured in multiple TV productions, such as AMC’s Mad Men and CMT’s Nashville.

He got married to actress Majandra Delfino in 2007 before they ended up splitting the next year. 

Currently, as per his social media accounts, Gummersall identifies himself as a filmmaker, content producer, author, performer, wave rider, and globetrotter; posting travel experiences accumulated throughout his life.

Despite its brief run, Gummersall is primarily recognized for the show “My So-Called Life,” which remains significant due to its authentic and enduring depiction of teenage life.

Last year, Gummersall expressed to Elle Magazine that, although we were all deeply saddened when it concluded, I still believe we are thankful for it being a fleeting yet almost ideal experience – something exceptional that transpired within a sheltered, almost magical environment.

‘It was over before it became huge, so it had a purity to it that was kind of unique and rare.’ 

The show centers around Claire Danes portraying 15-year-old Angela Chase, a teenage girl grappling with life in suburban Pittsburgh. The series delves into her turbulent relationships with her family and peers, as well as her intense infatuation with the enigmatic Jordan Catalano, played by Jared Leto.

The 90s one-hour drama, consisting of 19 episodes, vividly portrayed the turmoil of adolescence, tackling challenging topics such as homophobia, substance abuse, sexuality, homelessness, among others, with bravery.

However, a key factor that stood out in the series was Brian’s persistent infatuation with Angela, because their relationship went beyond mere romantic feelings.

Rather than focusing on specific topics, it primarily explored ideas about teenage self-discovery, fragility, and the tumultuous journey of adolescence.

The fact that his character harbored feelings for the well-liked high school student, which weren’t reciprocated, illustrates a common adolescent experience – having affection towards someone who doesn’t share the same feelings.

In the play, his yearning wasn’t overly theatrical or manipulative, but instead subtle, uneasy, and poignantly agonizing – resonating with the private worlds of numerous spectators, regardless of the era.

Instead, Angela found herself irresistibly attracted to the enigmatic and emotionally distant Jordan, a characterization that reflected the series’ exploration of how many teenagers tend to seek out danger and novelty over security and comfort.

As a diehard fan, I can’t help but lament the fact that My So-Called Life, a series renowned for its authentic portrayal of adolescence as complex and emotionally turbulent instead of a continuous whirlwind of fun and freedom, was abruptly cut short after only one season.

Indeed, the vividly created characters, particularly the nuanced performance of Gummersall as a secretly longing neighbor deeply smitten with the show’s protagonist, have solidified its status as an authentic cult favorite for all time.

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2025-06-01 14:43

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