Former Child Star Christine Lakin Shares Story of Landing "Step by Step" Role: 'Tracking Down the Kid from That Audition Tape'

Christine Lakin recently opened up about the journey that led her to join the cast of Step by Step. At the age of 12, she was cast as Alicia "Al" Lambert, the tomboy of the blended family, starring alongside Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Somers.

On the December 2 episode of the Hey Dude... The 90s Called! podcast, Lakin, now 46, reflected on her early acting days in Atlanta and the skills that helped her stand out. "I have almost a photographic memory for lines and the ability to cry on cue," she shared.

In 1990, Lakin and her mother traveled to Los Angeles to meet with a manager and create a demo tape for auditions. By chance, executive producer Robert Boyett happened to walk by while she was filming her monologue. Lakin explained, "I was performing a scene from the 1984 film Irreconcilable Differences, the part where Drew Barrymore's character is in court divorcing her parents." The recording was initially just a favor on a set, but it caught Boyett's attention.

She recalled, "He saw me performing and asked, 'Who's this kid?' They explained it was a demo tape, and he noted it quietly."

Months later, as the Step by Step casting process continued, the production secured Suzanne Somers and Patrick Duffy as the parents. When the role of Al became difficult to fill, Boyett suggested, "Let's find the kid from that tape." This led to Lakin landing the part and joining the family sitcom.

After her time as a child star, Lakin transitioned behind the camera. She worked as a choreographer on shows like True Blood, Westworld, and The Goldbergs, eventually moving into directing.

Author: Connor Blake