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Donald Faison Hit Fame in the '90s — See How He's Changed Over the Years
See Donald Faison as he goes from a new breakout star in Clueless to seasoned comedy veteran.
It’s been nearly 30 years since Donald Faison burst onto the scene in the iconic '90s movie Clueless.
Since then he’s starred in the coming-of-age college drama Felicity, played the lovable Dr. Christopher Turk on Scrubs for nearly a decade, spent four seasons on The Exes, voiced some memorable animated characters, and made his mark on Kick-Ass 2.
Now, Faison is starring in NBC’s new comedy Extended Family alongside Jon Cryer and Abigail Spencer.
But his long list of accomplishments doesn't end there, Faison is also a dedicated husband, loving father, and of course, a bestie to Scrubs costar Zach Braff.
Let’s revisit some of his most memorable moments — both on and off screen — over the last three decades to find out how Faison got to where he is today:
1995: Donald Faison Bursts onto the Scene in Clueless
It’s been nearly 30 years since the cult classic Clueless first hit the silver screen in 1995, forever transforming ‘90s fashion and adding “as if” to nearly every teen’s vernacular. Faison played the memorable role of Murray Duvall, the witty boyfriend to Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash).
"I talk about Scrubs a lot, but if it wasn't for Clueless, I would've never gotten Scrubs," Faison told PEOPLE in 2022 of the film’s impact on his career. "I would've never gotten anything. Clueless is by far is one of my biggest accomplishments."
Faison not only played Murray in the movie, but he also reprised the role for three seasons in the television series of the same name, which ran from 1996 to 1999.
2001: Donald Faison Strikes Adorable Pose with First Wife Lisa Askey
With his career on an upward trajectory, Faison took a moment to pose at a screening of the animated film Evolution with his pregnant first wife, Lisa Askey, on June 1, 2001.
The couple started dating in 1997 and welcomed twins, son Dade and daughter Kaya, together two years later. Their third child, a son named Kobe, was born in 2001, according to PEOPLE.
Faison has credited Askey, a nurse, with helping him manage his newfound stardom.
"I spent money on stupid things. A motorcycle, a big-screen TV," Faison told PEOPLE in 2002. "I was lazy and she straightened me out."
The couple, who were married in 2001, got divorced four years later in 2005, but continued to co-parent together until Askey’s death in March 2017.
“She and I never really saw eye to eye but one thing we did share was our love for our children. RIP Lisa,” Faison wrote in a tribute on Instagram at the time. “You raised three beautiful children into fine adults and I am forever grateful for that. May god bless your soul with light and love.”
2001: Donald Faison Lands Career-Making Role on Scrubs
Paging Dr. Christopher Turk! One of Faison’s most memorable roles was as the highly competitive and hilarious Dr. Christopher Turk on Scrubs. The show, which premiered in 2001, ran for a total of nine seasons and began one of the greatest long-running friendships in Hollywood between Faison and Braff.
2003: A Champion of Charity
With newfound fame, Faison also found ways to give back. In 2003, he joined fellow '90s legends Joey Fatone, Beverley Mitchell, Trevor Penick, and Gabrielle Union along with the Miami Dolphin cheerleaders at *NSYNC's Challenge for the Children V Scavenger Hunt.
2004: Donald Faison Takes Home BET Comedy Award
It didn’t take long for Faison to be formally recognized for his comedic talents. Faison took home the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on Scrubs at the 2004 BET Comedy Awards.
2005: Scrubs Celebrates 100 Episode Milestone
Scrubs quickly became a fan-favorite, and the quirky medical comedy celebrated its 100th episode in 2005. To mark the occasion, Faison and his costars, including Judy Reyes, producer Bill Lawrence, Ken Jenkins, Sarah Chalke, Zach Braff, Neil Flynn, and John C. McGinley, celebrated appropriately with a large scrubs-shaped cake.
2007: Donald Faison Takes to the Court for Charity
Faison never missed an opportunity to play some hoops and was a regular at charity celebrity basketball games. In 2007, he showed off his dribbling skills at the LA Stars Celebrity All Star Charity Weekend in Los Angeles, California.
2008: Donald Faison Poses with Future Wife CaCee Cobb
Romance was in full bloom when Faison stepped out in 2008 with his future wife, CaCee Cobb, famously known for being Jessica Simpson’s best friend. The couple attended the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Poker Fundraiser together in Hollywood, California.
Faison and Cobb got married four years later in 2012 in a lavish Southern-inspired wedding, according to PEOPLE. Simpson served as the maid of honor while Braff took on the role of best man.
2012: Donald Faison Appears on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live
Faison dropped in on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in 2012, appearing on the popular late night show’s 7th season with his former Clueless co-star Jeremy Sisto.
2014: Donald Faison Celebrates Season 4 of The Exes
Faison also played a recently divorced sports agent on the sitcom The Exes. The show followed three divorced men who were living in an apartment that was owned by their divorce attorney. It ran for four seasons, beginning in 2011.
The cast marked their Season 4 premiere in October 2014 with an Oktoberfest celebration. Faison happily posed at the event with Kristen Johnston, David Alan Basche, Kelly Stables, Wayne Knight, and Leah Remini.
2016: Donald Faison Strikes Adorable Pose with Family
It was a family affair at the 2016 Safe Kids Day at Smashbox Studios. Faison and his wife happily posed with their two young children, son Rocco and daughter Wilder Frances, at the safety-themed event.
Faison is a father of six. Along with the children he shares with Cobb, Faison has three children from his first marriage to Askey and a son from a previous relationship.
The self-described “Disney Dad” once told PEOPLE in 2019 that it was “rare that I discipline.”
“I’m the one that you can count on for the laughs and the fun times,” he said, admitting the strategy did have its faults.
“As my kids have gotten older, I’ve become … not more opinionated, but I feel like I’ve had to use my experiences in life to explain to them why what they’re doing isn’t going to work,” he continued. “But as far as being strict, no. And that’s good and bad.”
2018: Donald Faison Engages in Some Friendly Competition on NBC’s Hollywood Game Night
It was all fun and games for Faison during an appearance as a celebrity guest on NBC’s Hollywood Game Night in 2018. Faison, who appeared alongside actors Rob Riggle and David Arquette in the 2018 episode “Nothing Faison’s This Super Game Night,” made regular guest appearances on the lively game show throughout its six-year run.
2018: Scrubs Cast Reunites at Vulture Festival
Reunited and it feels so good! Eight years after Scrubs went off the air, the cast was back together at the “Scrubs Reunion” during the Vulture Festival presented by AT&T on Nov. 17, 2018.
Faison is seen laughing with his fellow co-stars John C. McGinley and Judy Reyes as the cast reminisced about their time on the hit show.
2023: Donald Faison and Zach Braff Gets Laughs at iHeartRadio Music Awards
Some friendships are forever. Faison and Braff proved they still have what it takes to go the distance at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards. The dynamic duo took the stage together to present Doja Cat with the award for most played artist of the year, according to The Daily Mail.
While both now have busy careers of their own, the best friends still take time out to be together and even host the podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends, where they relive each episode of the hit medical comedy that first brought them together.
2023: Donald Faison Stars in New NBC Comedy Extended Family
Faison will once again show off his comedic talents in NBC’s new half-hour series Extended Family. Faison plays Trey, the owner of a major sports team who falls for the recently divorced Julia (Abigail Spencer). The only challenge? He’ll now have to navigate co-parenting alongside Julia and her ex Jim, played by Jon Cryer.
The half-hour comedy airs on Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC. It will also be available streaming next day on Peacock.
