She was the 90s babe who dated two real-life brothers in different teen sitcoms... can you guess who she is?

Daily Mail​

07-06-2025

This 90s babe made headlines and history by romantically linking with two real-life brothers while starring in several beloved sitcoms.
Think you know who it is?
Born in California and raised on a ranch in Arizona, this actress got her start as a barrel racer before returning to the Golden State, where her path to fame began after being crowned Miss California American Pre-Teen in 1987.
Before breaking into Hollywood, she made an early TV appearance during Young People's Week on CBS's Card Sharks in 1986 - walking away with $3,200 in winnings.
At just 14 years old, she made her first major on-screen appearance as a guest star on the '90s sitcom Step By Step - often dubbed a modern-day Brady Bunch - marking the start of her ascent in the entertainment world.
She began to gain recognition through appearances in a variety of television specials and celebrated '90s series, including Blossom, Living Dolls and the coming-of-age classic The Wonder Years.
However, it wasn't until her sun-kissed blonde hair, approachable smile and all-American charm landed her a series regular role on the beloved '90s sitcom - set in an upscale West Coast beach town - that she truly became a household name.
This actress portrayed an understanding, bubbly bass player whose playful immaturity was balanced by her steady role as the anchor of her high school friend group.
Through her appearances, the blonde bombshell ultimately set a one-of-a-kind TV record - becoming the only actress to play a love interest to two real-life brothers on two separate sitcoms.
With a career now spanning 35 years, this actress has amassed more than 20 appearances across a wide range of films and television series.
Have you been able to guess who it is yet?
It's Kelly Packard!
The now 49-year-old actress perfectly embodied the laid-back, sun-soaked spirit of Tiffani Smith - the cool, beachy, bass-playing teen at the core of the hit 90s series, California Dreams.
Running for five seasons, Packard was a key force behind both the beachy West Coast charm - and the band - that defined the heart of the show.
Her easygoing warmth and natural magnetic energy allowed her to deeply connect with the other characters, often serving as the group's peacemaker and steady voice of reason whenever drama stirred among friends.
Like most teenagers, Tiffani faced her share of typical struggles - but she approached them with sincerity and optimism, offering viewers a relatable and grounded portrayal of teen life.
Reflecting on her time on the show during a 2024 episode of the Pop Culture Unplugged podcast, Packard credited California Dreams' success to its blend of friendship, music and the chill California beach vibe.
She described it as a natural successor to the popularity of Saved by the Bell, capturing a similar spirit.
The show changed her life virtually overnight, opening doors in both acting and music - including more mature roles on the big screen.
In no time, Packard landed a brief but notable stint on Boy Meets World, portraying two characters across just three episodes, and in doing so, made a bit of TV history.
'I just know how excited I was because I loved the show,' Packard said about booking Boy Meets World during a 2024 podcast episode of The Pod Meets World alongside costars.
'And then I obviously left an impression because they just kept asking me back,' she added.
During her brief time on the series, she played two separate characters - Tracy and Candy - appearing as a love interest to both Eric Matthews (played by Will Friedle) and Cory Matthews (played by Ben Savage).
When she played Susan Fisher on The Wonder Years as a love interest for Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage), she unknowingly set the stage for a mind-blowing TV milestone - later going on to date Fred's real-life brother, Ben Savage, on Boy Meets World.
When Packard played Susan Fisher on The Wonder Years as a love interest for Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage), she unknowingly set the stage for a mind-blowing TV milestone - later going on to date Fred's real-life brother, Ben Savage, on Boy Meets World
'It's those Savage boys that just kept me working. I owe them everything,' Packard said during on The Pod Meets World podcast episode.
In a more mature role, Packard went on to appear in a total of 50 episodes of Baywatch between 1991 and 1999, cementing her place as a familiar face on one of the most-watched television shows of the decade.
She starred alongside castmates Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra and David Hasselhoff.
What set this show apart was that she played four different roles - Joannie, a beach girl, Beth Campfield and April Giminski - making her only the second actress in series' history to portray multiple characters.
'Being on the number one show in the world, it took me to a whole different level in terms of my spiritual being,' Packard said during a previous in-depth interview about her journey on Baywatch.
'Just knowing that I could touch people out there… I have tried to do that every day in my life since then,' she added.
She later became a sought-after TV host, with one of her most notable roles on Ripley's Believe It or Not.
Traveling the globe, she reported on astonishing facts accomplished by extraordinary individuals for the show, captivating audiences with each unbelievable story she secured in the process.
In 2014, Packard and her family appeared in an episode of Wife Swap, in which she switched places with actress Tichina Arnold.
Today, Packard is actively engaged in both entertainment and family life, connecting with fans young and old through public events and social media - including several California Dreams reunions alongside fellow cast members.
She and co-star Jenny Kawn initiated the idea for these reunions, leading to sold-out performances in major cities like Los Angeles and New York, Packard shared on the Pop Culture Unplugged podcast.
During the podcast episode, Packard shared her desire to return to acting - feeling as though she has much more to offer the industry - and expressed openness to future auditions.
In 1996, she married Darrin Privett, an emergency medicine physician. Together, they have four children together - three daughters and one son - and reside in Newhall, California.
Daily Mail reached out to Packard for further comment.