Staci Keanan, born Anastasia Sagorsky on June 6, 1975, in Devon, Pennsylvania, is an American lawyer, law professor, and former actress. She began her career at the young age of four, engaging in fashion shows and magazine work. Eventually, Keanan moved with her family to New York City, where she broadened her portfolio by delving into theater while maintaining a strong academic performance.
Keanan gained widespread recognition for her roles on popular television sitcoms. From 1987 to 1990, she portrayed Nicole Bradford on NBC’s “My Two Dads”. She continued her success on screen with Dana Foster’s character in ABC/CBS’s “Step by Step” from 1991 to 1998. Despite her early start in the entertainment industry, Keanan later pivoted towards academics, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History, with a minor in French from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2002.
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Early Life and Education
Staci Keanan was born Anastasia Sagorsky on June 6, 1975, in Devon, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. She is the daughter of Jacqueline Sagorsky (née Love) and Irv Sagorsky, a car salesman. Keanan has an older sister named Pilar.
Keanan’s academic achievements began at an early age. While living in Pennsylvania, she won the City of New York Essay Contest, which led to her gaining recognition as a promising young writer. Additionally, Keanan participated in the National Language Arts Olympiad and received multiple Scholastic Awards for her literary talents.
In pursuit of her career, at the age of eight, Keanan and her family relocated to New York City, where she juggled a modeling career, budding theater work, and academic responsibilities. She demonstrated a keen interest in performance arts, participating in advertisements for various brands and even singing jingles for commercials.
Keanan continued her pursuit of education and eventually graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and a minor in French from UCLA in 2002. While attending UCLA, she was an esteemed member of the Golden Key International Honour Society and the Phi Beta Kappa honor societies, showcasing her academic prowess and dedication to her studies.
Modelling Career
Staci Keanan began her career in the modeling industry at a young age. As a child model, she started with fashion shows and magazine work. In addition to her assignments on the runway and in print, she also appeared in various radio, television commercials, and voiceovers. Some of her notable appearances include advertisements for My Little Pony, Burger King, and Hershey’s Kisses.
At the age of eight, Keanan and her family decided to move to New York City, where she pursued both a modeling and theater career. To adapt to her new life, she began using the name “Staci Love” at this time. Staci balanced her continued modeling work with her budding theater career, successfully participating in numerous summer stock productions during this period.
Throughout her time as a model and actor, Staci Keanan demonstrated a strong work ethic and adaptability. While pursuing her passion for modeling and acting, she also maintained high academic standards and managed to attend school. This determination and dedication eventually led her to transition from acting to a career in law, where she continues to apply her talents today.
Acting Career
Staci Keanan, born as Anastasia Love Sagorsky, began her journey in the entertainment industry as a child model. She eventually transitioned into acting, landing roles in commercials, voiceovers, and jingles. Her first significant part came in the form of Nicole Bradford in the NBC sitcom My Two Dads. The show aired from 1987 to 1990 and featured Paul Reiser and Greg Evigan as her on-screen fathers.
Keanan went on to achieve greater fame with her role as Dana Foster in the popular ABC/CBS sitcom Step by Step. The show ran for seven seasons from 1991 to 1998 and portrayed a blended family navigating their new life together. She appeared in a total of 160 episodes of Step by Step, showcasing her acting skills and earning a place in viewers’ hearts as the independent and sharp-witted Dana Foster.
In between her work on My Two Dads and Step by Step, Keanan landed a role in the short-lived 1990-1991 sitcom Going Places. Although the show only lasted one season, it helped to solidify her presence within the situation comedy genre.
Keanan’s filmography also includes a few big-screen appearances, with her most notable role being in the 1990 horror film Lisa. Additionally, she guest-starred in an episode of the hit series Boy Meets World.
Despite her initial success in television and film, Keanan’s acting career took a brief detour into theater. She performed in multiple summer stock productions, further honing her craft and exploring various aspects of the entertainment industry.
Throughout her acting career, Staci Keanan received several accolades for her performances. These include a Youth in Film Award, a Young Artist Award, and recognition as one of Sixteen magazine’s Top TV Newcomers.
Keanan eventually transitioned away from acting and has since pursued a successful law career. Today, she is a law professor and deputy district attorney, leaving behind her former life as a beloved sitcom actress.
Notable Roles and Characters
Staci Keanan, born as Anastasia Love Sagorsky, is a former actress known for her roles in popular sitcoms during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Keanan began her acting career in New York City before relocating to Los Angeles, which ultimately led to her obtaining several remarkable roles.
One of Keanan’s most memorable characters is Nicole Bradford from the NBC sitcom “My Two Dads” (1987-1990). As a 12-year-old Nicole, Keanan portrayed the daughter of two men who are awarded joint custody of her. The show ran for three seasons and featured Keanan in 60 episodes, establishing her as a talented young actress.
Another notable role for Staci Keanan was as Lisa in the short-lived sitcom “Going Places” (1990-1991). The show lasted for only one season with 19 episodes, but Keanan’s performance still garnered attention for her ability to adapt and engage viewers in various roles.
Keanan’s most recognized role came in the form of Dana Foster on the ABC sitcom “Step by Step” (1991-1998). Starring as the oldest daughter of Suzanne Somers’ character, Keanan showcased her comedic timing and talent over the series’ seven-season run, which helped establish her as a household name during the ’90s.
In addition to her television roles, two lesser-known characters played by Keanan include Staci Love and Lindsay Bowen. Although they did not gain as much prominence as her previous roles, these characters allowed Keanan to explore a variety of acting opportunities during her career.
Further Career in Entertainment Industry
After gaining recognition for her roles in popular sitcoms like My Two Dads and Step by Step, Staci Keanan continued her acting career with various projects. She lent her voice to the 1986 animated television series My Little Pony, in which she played the character of Baby Chrissy.
Keanan also appeared in several commercials throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, showcasing her ability to perform in diverse formats. Her experience in the entertainment industry expanded further as she participated in the 1993 miniseries The Keys, portraying an intriguing character named Jennifer.
In 1996, Keanan starred in the comedy film Downhill Willie as Bree Carrington, proving her knack for comedy roles. Her career took a more dramatic turn with the 2006 film Hidden Secrets, in which she played the role of Rachel Stone. This film allowed her to showcase her versatility as an actress, demonstrating her ability to adapt to different genres.
The talented actress went on to appear in the 2010 film Stolen Poem, which would become one of her last acting projects before she decided to focus on her legal career. Throughout her time in the entertainment industry, Staci Keanan managed to leave a lasting impression with her memorable performances and diverse portfolio of work.
Transition to Law Career
Staci Keanan’s journey from acting to a career in law began with her pursuit of higher education. After leaving the entertainment industry, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she studied Art History. Excelling in her studies, Keanan graduated Cum Laude and was inducted into both the Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key honor societies.
Upon completing her studies at UCLA, Keanan decided to attend Southwestern Law School. It was during this time that she truly began making headway in her new career path. In 2013, after years of hard work and determination, she earned her Juris Doctor (JD) degree and was subsequently admitted to the State Bar of California.
Staci Keanan is now a practicing lawyer in Los Angeles, California, specializing in various areas, including domestic violence, sex crimes, gang crimes, and homicide. In addition to her legal practice, Keanan has taken on the role of Adjunct Associate Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School. In this position, she shares her knowledge and experience with the next generation of aspiring lawyers while also contributing to the ongoing development of the legal field.
Legal Career and Achievements
Staci Keanan, having transitioned from a successful acting career, pursued her interests in law. She studied at Southwestern Law School and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2013. Today, she is a full-time attorney in Los Angeles and also works as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Law.
During her time as a Deputy District Attorney, Keanan has gained experience in prosecuting a wide range of criminal matters. Her work has primarily focused on:
- Domestic Violence: Addressing cases involving physical or emotional harm within intimate relationships
- Sex Crimes: Prosecuting offenses that involve nonconsensual sexual conduct or exploitation
- Gang Crimes: Targeting organized criminal groups and their activities
- Homicide: Handling cases involving the unlawful taking of a human life
In her role as a prosecutor, Keanan has been involved in various stages of the legal process, from charge evaluation through jury trial. Her dedication to the field of law has positively impacted the community through her involvement in Project LEAD, a program initiated by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. This program allows prosecutors and other professionals to provide education on the legal system to elementary school students, improving their understanding of the law and its role in society.
Keanan’s legal career and achievements showcase her versatility and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others, as she continues to excel in her profession and contribute to academia.
Personal Life and Profile
Staci Keanan, born Anastasia Sagorsky on June 6, 1975, in Devon, Pennsylvania, is an American actress known for her roles as Dana Foster in the ABC/CBS romantic comedy sitcom Step by Step and Nicole Bradford in the NBC comedy sitcom My Two Dads. She started her career in the entertainment industry at a young age, working as a model at the age of four and participating in fashion shows and magazine work.
Staci has a diverse heritage, with her ancestry rooted in both French and Slavic backgrounds. Moreover, she is known for her petite stature, standing at a height of5′ 3″ (1.60 m).
In recent years, Staci experienced a shift in her career focus. Her last acting project was the 2010 film Death and Cremation, which marked her decision to retire from acting. Despite having an illustrious career, Staci chose to step away from the limelight and settle into a quieter life.
On February 11, 2017, Staci married actor and producer Guy Birtwhistle. The couple now resides in Los Angeles, California, where they enjoy spending time together away from the public eye.
In conclusion, Staci Keanan’s personal life and professional profile provide an interesting insight into the journey of a talented actress who made her mark in the entertainment industry and then decided to pursue a more private life.
