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Joey Lawrence and Brothers Reveal Family Name and Nostalgic Reflections on Fame
In a recent appearance at 90s Con, the Lawrence brothers—Joey, Matthew, and Andrew—shared an unexpected detail with fans: their real last name is Mignogna. The trio, who gained fame in the entertainment industry as child actors, discussed the reasoning behind their choice to adopt “Lawrence” as their stage surname during their rise to stardom.
Joey Lawrence, 48, explained that his legal name is Joseph Lawrence Mignogna. Highlighting the challenges of their original surname, he commented, “No one can pronounce Mignogna. That’s not a name people will say.” During the early days of their careers in the 1980s, the brothers and their family felt it necessary to simplify their name for easier recognition and pronunciation in an industry that favored accessibility.
Reflecting on the cultural landscape of that era, Joey stated, “Today, things like that are celebrated. In the ’80s, it was like, ‘We’re going to need to water this down.’ There are silent Gs, after all.” He humorously noted that the unusual spelling, likening their last name to “filet mignon,” contributed to the decision to adopt a more straightforward surname.
The decision to use the surname “Lawrence” extended to Matthew and Andrew when they embarked on their acting careers. Joey remarked that it was a natural choice for his brothers to follow suit, allowing them to utilize a name that was already recognized in the industry.
Matthew weighed in on the protective aspect of this name change, suggesting that their parents, Joseph and Donna Mignogna, understood the benefits. “There was an insulation factor,” he said. “Before the internet, you could hide behind that at school. Some people might check in old-school ways, but it would be very, very hard to find us.” The brothers recognized this as a crucial advantage in maintaining some semblance of privacy during their childhoods.
Despite the initial benefits of changing their last name, the Lawrence brothers have expressed regret over the decision. Andrew pointed out the complexities of having two names, stating that it can be quite tedious and confusing, particularly when proving their identities. “It would have made it easier,” he said. “It’s really a pain in the butt, honestly, having two names.” Matthew echoed similar sentiments, sharing struggles he faced with international travel due to discrepancies between his two names. “Now I’m just stuck with two different names, and I can’t travel internationally,” he explained, detailing how his official documents didn’t correlate with his identity as a child actor.
The Lawrence brothers’ entertainment journey began early on. Joey kicked off his career at age 5 with a Cracker Jack commercial and rose to prominence in the NBC sitcom “Gimme a Break!” from 1983 to 1987. He later became a household name playing Joey Russo on the iconic series “Blossom.” Matthew started acting at just three years old and became known for his roles in shows like “Dynasty” and films like “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Andrew, who also began acting at age three, gained fame for voicing T.J. Detweiler in the animated series “Recess” as well as appearing on “Blossom.”
The three siblings showcased their close-knit bond on-screen as brothers in the sitcom “Brotherly Love,” which aired from 1995 to 1997. More recently, they have partnered in the “Brotherly Love Podcast,” launched in 2023, where they continue to share their experiences and insights from their unique upbringing in the world of entertainment.
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