Most people see a picture of Christine Lakin and immediately think of a baseball cap and a tomboy attitude. It's the "Al Lambert" effect. If you grew up in the 90s, she was basically your sister or your first crush on the TGIF lineup. But if you think her career ended when the Step by Step coaster stopped at the end of the opening credits, you’re missing about 80% of the story.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how much she’s done since then. We aren't just talking about a few guest spots on procedurals. She has navigated a path that most child stars fail to find. She didn't burn out; she leveled up. From voicing major characters in Family Guy to directing some of the funniest episodes of The Goldbergs, her resume is a masterclass in Hollywood survival.
The Step by Step Era: More Than a Tomboy
Let’s get the big one out of the way. Christine Lakin movies and tv shows will always be anchored by Step by Step. She played Alicia "Al" Lambert for seven seasons, from 1991 to 1998.
Here’s a fun bit of trivia most people forget: she almost didn't get the part. She was a kid from Atlanta who happened to be in LA recording a demo tape. An executive producer, Robert Boyett, saw her doing a monologue from Irreconcilable Differences in a booth and kept her in mind. When the original actress for Al didn't work out, he literally told his team to "find the kid from that tape."
Being 12 years old and working alongside Suzanne Somers and Patrick Duffy is a lot. But Lakin leaned into the "one of the guys" persona, which made her stand out in a sea of overly polished child actors.
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Shifting Into the 2000s: The Comedy Grind
The post-sitcom years are usually where child actors disappear. Lakin didn't. She went to UCLA, got her degree, and then dove headfirst into the "working actor" life.
You’ve probably seen her in The Hottie and the Nottie (2008). Yeah, the Paris Hilton movie. She played June Phigg, the "ugly" friend in a lot of prosthetic makeup. While the movie got panned, Lakin's performance was actually the only thing critics liked. She’s also popped up in Valentine's Day and You Again, usually bringing that sharp, comedic timing she honed as a kid.
But she also did some weird, cult-classic stuff. Ever seen Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical? She played Joan of Arc. It’s campy, bizarre, and shows off her musical theater roots that most TV fans don't know she has.
The Voice of Joyce Kinney and Beyond
If you don't recognize her face in recent years, you definitely recognize the voice. Since 2010, she has been the voice of Joyce Kinney on Family Guy.
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Voice acting is a different beast. It requires a specific kind of energy, and Lakin has voiced characters in everything from The Cleveland Show to huge video games like Uncharted: Golden Abyss and The Walking Dead (Season 2).
Recent Directing and Producing Hits
This is where the real "expert" level of her career kicks in. In the last decade, she stopped waiting for the phone to ring and started making her own calls.
- Directing: She has directed over a dozen episodes of The Goldbergs. She also helmed episodes of Schooled, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and The Rookie.
- Choreography: Because she grew up as a competitive dancer, she’s the secret weapon behind the choreography in The Goldbergs and even Westworld.
- Podcasting: If you’re a 90s kid, you need to listen to Keanan and Lakin Give You Déjà Vu. She teamed back up with her TV sister Staci Keanan (who is now a lawyer!) to rewatch Step by Step. It’s hilarious because Staci had literally never seen the show before they started the podcast.
Why She Still Matters in 2026
Christine Lakin represents a very specific kind of success. She didn't need a massive "comeback" because she never actually left. She transitioned from the "cute kid" to the "reliable professional."
Recently, she has been deep in the world of independent film and directing. In late 2025, she was attached to a project called I Won't Dance, a rom-com that leverages her choreography skills. It’s a female-led production that basically sums up her current vibe: taking charge of the narrative rather than just waiting for a script.
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The Best Way to Watch Her Work
If you want to catch up on the best of Christine Lakin movies and tv shows, don't just stick to the reruns.
- For Nostalgia: Watch the "Christmas" episodes of Step by Step. The chemistry with Patrick Duffy is genuinely sweet.
- For a Laugh: Find Lovin' Lakin. It’s a mockumentary web series she did that satirizes her own life as a former child star. It’s self-deprecating and brilliant.
- For the "Wait, That's Her?" Factor: Check out her voice work as Joyce Kinney in Family Guy episodes like "And I'm Joyce Kinney."
- Behind the Scenes: Watch The Goldbergs episodes she directed. You can tell a director knows comedy when the physical gags land perfectly—that’s her influence.
Instead of just looking for her in front of the camera, start looking for her name in the credits. Whether she's directing, choreographing, or narrating one of the 200+ audiobooks she’s recorded (like the Bosch series by Michael Connelly), she’s everywhere.
Go ahead and subscribe to her podcast Keanan and Lakin Give You Déjà Vu for the behind-the-scenes dirt on 90s Hollywood. It’s the best way to see the person behind the "Al" persona.