Soleil Moon Frye stepped out in Los Angeles on Wednesday for an al fresco meal with two of her daughters to celebrate her 50th birthday. The actress-director-writer enjoyed the outdoor lunch outing one day before reaching her milestone birthday.
Frye stayed cool during the Los Angeles summer heatwave by wearing her long brunette tresses piled on top of her head. She wore a sleeveless white top, black cargo trousers, and black sneakers as she strolled down the sidewalk with her family.
Her daughters Poet Sienna Rose, 20, and Jagger Joseph Blue, 18, accompanied her for the birthday stroll. The trio dined together at Mercedes restaurant during the sunny afternoon.
While dining at Mercedes restaurant, Frye appeared exceptionally happy when a woman carrying a baby passed by their table. The mother of four was spotted making funny faces at the babe in arms.
Family and Children
In addition to her two daughters, Frye has two sons, Lyric Sonny Roads, 12, and Story Indigo Moon, 10. She shares all four of her children with her ex-husband, Jason Goldberg, whom she divorced in 2020 after 22 years of marriage.
Playing a foster child on television left a strong impression on Frye, who recalled wanting a very large family when she was younger. As a little girl, she frequently told her mother that she wanted to have 100 children.
"When I was a little girl, I used to tell my mom I wanted 100 kids," she told People shortly before the birth of her fourth child. "Then as an adult, I thought that our family was so big with three. Then we have this amazing, incredible surprise with four, and I'm just so thrilled and excited and literally cannot believe it."
Punky Brewster and Television Career
Frye began her television career as a child star playing Penelope "Punky" Brewster on the classic 1980s sitcom Punky Brewster. Her character was introduced as a bright and precocious tot abandoned by her mother in a shopping center before finding a loving home with a retired photographer.
Viewers fell in love with her indomitable spirit, signature side ponytails, mismatched clothes, and bright, colorful outfits. The hit sitcom was famous for delving into emotional and "very special episode" storylines alongside its lighthearted mischief.
The character was a major success among children. After the original network canceled the series after two years, it was picked up on the syndication market for an additional two years of broadcast.
In 2021, Frye reprised her iconic role by starring in a Punky Brewster reboot series. Although Peacock canceled the revival after one season, all 10 episodes remain available for streaming alongside the original show.
Frye continues to attend fan events and pop culture conventions across the country, where she signs autographs and celebrates her legacy as Punky Brewster. She has maintained the same expressive features and bright smile that fans recognized during her childhood acting days.
Television Roles and Voice Acting
Following the conclusion of the original Punky Brewster series, Frye made guest appearances on several hit television shows. Her guest spots included roles on The Wonder Years, Saved By the Bell, and Friends.
From 2000 to 2003, she played Roxie King in the final seasons of Sabrina, The Teenage Witch alongside her friend and series producer Melissa Joan Hart. Coincidentally, Hart had originally auditioned for the title role in Punky Brewster before losing the part to Frye.
Frye expanded into voice acting in 2005 when she provided the voice for Jade, a Bratz character, in Bratz Rocks Angelz. She continued to voice Jade for the subsequent Bratz television series, video games, and animated movies.
Directing Career and Mental Health Advocacy
Frye began developing an interest in film directing during the late 1990s. She moved to New York City in 1996 to study at The New School, and she directed her first feature film, Wild Horses, two years later in 1998.
In 2004, Frye directed the documentary Sonny Boy, which chronicled a two-week trip she took with her father, Virgil, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. She later directed the 2021 documentary Kid 90, constructed from personal archival footage she recorded throughout the 1990s.
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio served as executive producer on Kid 90, which was released by Hulu in March 2021. The documentary provided an intimate look at her life and peers during her teenage years.
During her youth, Frye underwent a breast reduction surgery at age 16. According to People, she made the decision following years of physical pain and cruel taunts from peers as a young teenager.
Today, Frye works as a documentary director, voice actress, and advocate for children. She is currently partnered with the Kids Mental Health Foundation to promote awareness surrounding children's mental health issues.
Throughout her career, Frye has expressed ongoing appreciation for the character that launched her stardom. Speaking about her connection to Punky Brewster, she emphasized how deeply intertwined her identity remains with the role.
"Punky has always been such a huge part of my heart. I don't know where she ends and I begin because we're the same in so many ways," she told TVLine in 2021. "I'm that person that, literally, if I'm 88 years old and people are still calling me Punky, I'm down. I love her so much. And I am just so grateful."
