For nine seasons in the ’70s, viewers eagerly tuned in to watch the iconic Archie and Edith Bunker on All in the Family. This groundbreaking show, considered one of the greatest in television history, fearlessly tackled taboo topics such as racism, homosexuality, religion, and infidelity. Despite a rocky start in its first season, All in the Family soared to success, holding the number one slot in the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive years.
In the final season, the Bunkers welcomed an unexpected guest: Archie’s nine-year-old niece, Stephanie, abandoned by her troubled father at their doorstep. Child actress Danielle Brisebois brought Stephanie to life, a role she later reprised in the spin-off Archie Bunker’s Place. Now 52, Brisebois has built an impressive career since her days on the show. Here’s a look at her journey and what she’s accomplished since then.
A Flourishing Acting Career in the ’70s and ’80s
Danielle Brisebois began her acting career as a child, debuting in the 1976 movie The Premonition at just seven years old. A year later, she starred in the original Broadway cast of Annie as the young orphan Molly. She joined the cast of All in the Family in the late ’70s, continuing to play Stephanie into the early ’80s on Archie Bunker’s Place. Her performance earned her nominations for several awards, including a Young Artist Award and a Golden Globe.
After the shows ended, Brisebois continued to act throughout the early ’80s, appearing on Battle of the Network Stars, Circus of the Stars, Knots Landing, Hotel, Mr. Belvedere, Murder, She Wrote, Tales from the Darkside, and Days of Our Lives.
A Successful Music Career
In the late ’80s, Brisebois shifted her focus to music. She teamed up with songwriter and singer Gregg Alexander to co-found the alt-rock band New Radicals, where she played keyboard, percussion, and provided vocals. Their hit song “You Get What You Give” reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart in 1998.
Besides her work with New Radicals, Brisebois recorded two solo albums and co-wrote several songs for other artists. Two of her most popular hits, “Unwritten” and “Pocketful of Sunshine,” were performed by Natasha Bedingfield.
Performing at Biden’s Presidential Inauguration
Though New Radicals only released one studio album, their impact was lasting. Over two decades later, the band reunited to play “You Get What You Give” at President Joe Biden’s 2020 inauguration. Biden had a personal connection to the song, as it reminded him of his late son, Beau Biden. “During breakfast, Beau would often make me listen to what I thought was his theme song, ‘You Get What You Give’ by the New Radicals,” Biden wrote in his 2017 autobiography. “Even though Beau never stopped fighting and his will to live was stronger than most—I think he knew that this day might come. The words to the song are: ‘This whole damn world can fall apart. You’ll be ok, follow your heart.'”
Gregg Alexander expressed the band’s honor in being invited to the inauguration. “If there’s one thing on Earth that would possibly make us get the band together, if only for a day, it is the hope that our song could be even the tiniest beacon of light in such a dark time,” he said in a statement to Rolling Stone.
Oscar Nomination and Continuing Collaboration
Brisebois and Alexander continued their collaboration, co-writing the song “Lost Stars” for the 2013 movie Begin Again. Performed by Keira Knightley and Adam Levine, the track earned them an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. “Oddly enough, we’ve had various successes here and there—independent of each other,” Alexander told ABC before the awards show. “This is the first time [since New Radicals] that we’ve done something that actually got out there and got heard properly.”
Brisebois valued their decades-long friendship above all. “I think our friendship works regardless if there was an Oscar nomination or not, and that’s always the most important thing to us—or to me—about our relationship, is always being friends,” she said.
From her early days as a child actress to her successful music career and enduring collaborations, Danielle Brisebois has had an impressive and varied career, continually captivating audiences with her talent and dedication.