Punky Brewster disappeared from the face of the Generation X world in 1986 when the show was canceled despite its success. So where is Punky now? Hey, isn't that her on the cover of this issue...? Yeah, I think so. . .

"Punky Power!" I can still hear that fun loving spirited eight year old's voice echoing down the corridors of my television memories. From time to time, when I am missing my childhood, a faint memory pops up of her in my mind. It usually happens when I am at my wits ends and in a dilemma about what to do about something. In the midst of my crisis, I will ponder, "Now what would Punky do...hmm?" About that time, I find myself laughing aloud about Punky Brewster's antics and then let out a sigh and exclaim, "I wonder what ever happened to her...?" Then I think... "Yeah, what did happen to her!"

Punky's real name is Soleil Moon Frye. Yeah, I thought it was kinda weird too. Apparently, the word soleil means sun in french and french is always cool, right? Rumor has it that her name comes from a song in the musical, Annie Get Your Gun that's lyrics say, "I got the sun in the morning (and the moon at night)." Soleil comes from an acting family and that is how she got into the biz at the tender age of five.

In 1982, Soleil made an appearance in the made for tv movie Missing Children-A Mother's Story . At the age of eight (1984), she starred in the lead role that made her forever famous-Punky Brewster in the sitcom of the same name. Punky was a fun spirited kid with no one to call her own until she met Henry, a grumpy old man and Brandon, mans best friend. The series ran successfully for two seasons before getting the axe. It ran another two years in syndication before completely disappearing. A cartoon spun from the show and each Saturday morning children everywhere watched more antics of Punky only this time in animation.

Soleil disappeared from the spotlight after Punky Brewster for about six years. That is until she had to undergo a breast reduction because of cronnic back problems. Yes, our little Punky was growing up and seemed to be struck quite brutally with puberty. Surgery seemed the only answer to relief. Soleil's reduction brought her down from a D cup to a more comfortable C. However, after this brief bit of unwanted fame Soleil disappeared from the spotlight once again.

New York City is the next surfacing of Soleil. After completing her high school education, she moved there to attend the New York School of Social Research. While there, she studied social psychology, drama, and literature. During this time, Soleil began to write and express an interest in directing. She colaborated with her half-brother (actor/director) Meeno Peluco on her directorial debut, Lunch Time Special (Wild Horses). The film went unnoticed by her fans.

However, Soleil trudged on in her need to act and be creative. She had roles in movies like Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings, Piranha, and Trial and Error . None of which had any real success. Yet, Soleil never had much of a problem finding more parts to play whether for television or movies. Her ability to act was being well established despite her childhood stardom. In the late 90's, she was offered a guest appearance on the ever popular tv show Friends where she would play Katie a girl that hits Joey.

Wedding bells are in the air on October 25, 1998 as Soleil marries producer Jason Goldberg. However, that doesn't mean that her creativity or acting career will take a backseat. Computer savy Soleil co-founded the website WebStation.com in 2000. Being very interested in computers and having a business oriented mind lead to the sites creation where Soleil intend it to be a place to air fashion shows, concerts, and extreme sports events. However, its success was not to be as only months later it ended in disaster due to inexperience in the business world of the Web.

Where would she surface next? Well, the WB of course. In the fall of 2000, Soleil enters the life of Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) as her cynical college roommate, Roxie King in the hit show Sabrina, the Teen Witch. The new role revives Soleil's career and brings her fans back singing her praises.

Today, Soleil continues her role as Roxie in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch while looking for more interesting acting and directing opportunities. She also has created her own line of clothing called Petite Moon. Soleil continues to reach for her dreams as each day she finds another successful outlet for her creative mojo. That in itself makes her a success because she has never given up but always rolled with the punches. However, no matter where she goes or what other roles bring her success, she will always be inspirational Punky to me. "Soleil, You go girl...umm...I mean... Punky Power!"

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Sheli Casteel a successful online author and publisher. By day she works for a non-profit law organization as a legal administrative assistant in her home state of Alabama. She is recently married to a very charming man that gives her tons of material to write about in her spare time. Her greatest weakness could only be her need to please everyone if it is in her power to do so. The most important thing in her life is family without whom she would not have the inspiration to write.