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’90s Stars Back Then and Today
It feels like the 1990s was just yesterday, so it’s hard to believe it’s been over 20 years since the entire decade ended. And while so many of the stars who were popular then are still shining in Hollywood today, it’s crazy to see those who had their debuts back then flourishing today.
In the quarter century or so since their first big breaks, many stars of the 90s became the industry favorites in the decades that have followed. But it’s crazy to see how far they’ve come in just a short amount of time. Read ahead to see where your favorite 90s stars are today!
Jennifer Love Hewitt — Then
Jennifer rose to prominence in the teen drama Party of Five and then I Know What You Did Last Summer, but before that she started out her career as a TV commercial star.
Jennifer Love Hewitt — Now
She maintained her acting career through 2015 when she left the show Criminal Minds because of her pregnancy with her second child. She hasn’t done anything since then, preferring instead to pursue her career as a mother of two.
Claire Danes — Then
At one point, Claire was the young rising star and the center of every fangirl’s envy when she starred as Leo DiCaprio’s romantic counterpart in 1996’s Romeo and Juliet. She’s also won an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in Temple Grandin.
Claire Danes — Now
Though she’s hardly the star she once was, Claire has still kept busy in smaller roles — most notably in the series Homeland (which is still running).
Alyssa Milano — Then
Anyone who watched Who’s the Boss? during the mid ‘80s into the ‘90s will definitely remember the energetic Alyssa. The majority of her career was based off of television (Melrose Place, Charmed, etc.).
Alyssa Milano — Now
She’s aged, to be sure, but Alyssa never abandoned her career. She’s showed up in recent shows like Mistresses and Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later,
Bug Hall — Then
Bug Hall was famous during the ‘90s for his performance as the little scamp Alfalfa in The Little Rascals. He used the show as a springboard for a budding career, but it never much went beyond some smaller television roles and minor voice acting
Bug Hall — Now
Unfortunately, he never could shake that Alfalfa persona that everyone associated him with, and his career dwindled as he aged. He couldn’t manage to land a role that didn’t last for a single episode on various shows or wasn’t a tiny low-budget film.
Courtney Love — Then
Though she had a grunge band of her own (called Hole), Courtney’s claim to fame was her two-year marriage to grunge rockstar Kurt Cobain prior to his death. What she looks like now, though….
Courtney Love — Now
In the years following Cobain’s death, Courtney focused heavily on raising their daughter Frances. She did, however, tour with Lana Del Rey in 2015 as her opening act, as well as take on roles in shows like Sons of Anarchy.
Luke Perry — Then
By the early ‘90s Perry had become a teenage heartthrob through and through. He was making it big in shows like Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Normal Life, and American Strays.
Luke Perry — Now
Though he’s kept up his acting career, he obviously isn’t nearly as famous as his teen idol days. Currently he can be seen in the new show Riverdale
Sarah Michelle Gellar — Then
As soon as she starred in All My Children as Kendall Hart, Sarah became a recognizable face. But it wasn’t until she became a part of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that she solidified herself as a bonafide star — known for her strong female presence on screen.
Sarah Michelle Gellar — Now
Though she kept up her career over the years with Robot Chicken and more recently in Star Wars: Rebels, she also co-founded with her husband Freddie Prinze Jr. a company called Foodstirs, which manufactures baking craft kits for kids. She also released her very own cookbook this past year.
Denise Richards — Then
Denise was famous during the ‘90s for her roles in Saved by the Bell, Seinfeld, and Melrose Place….as well as her physical attributes. But it was in 1997’s Starship Troopers that she became a star, which launched a career in film instead of just television.
Denise Richards — Now
She hasn’t allowed her career to falter, appearing in many television and film roles on a consistent yearly basis. Some of her highlights include Vanity and Twisted.
Alicia Silverstone — Then
Alicia’s career all began starring in Aerosmith music videos, but then she moved on to bigger and better things. She turned heads in the popular comedy Clueless and was projected to be the next rising star when she was cast in Batman and Robin
Alicia Silverstone — Now
Batman and Robin was such a flop that it really hurt her career for many years following. She never did become the big-time actress that everyone thought she’d become, but she did manage to keep up her career in a minor way, as well as becoming a Broadway star!
Jaleel White — Then
“Did I do that?” was the classic catchphrase of Jaleel’s Steve Urkel from Family Matters. He was a dorky but lovable wiseass who was originally only supposed to be in a single episode but was written in as a regular when his popularity exploded. But it was his most popular role that also ended up ruining his career….
Jaleel White — Now
Everyone became so accustomed to seeing Jaleel with his rainbow suspenders and enormous nerd glasses that he had difficulty landing any other roles. He did more recently appear in SyFy’s
Christina Applegate — Then
For one full decade fans of Married With Children tuned in every week to watch the lovely Christina Applegate. Unlike most stars, however, she was able to break out of her Married… With Children
Christina Applegate — Now
Despite showing clear signs of aging, Christina is still very much the same pillar of grace that she’s always been. She returned for the recent Anchorman sequel and has appeared in movies like Bad Moms
Jonathan Taylor Thomas — Then
Though Tim Allen was beloved in Home Improvement, it was really little Randy who ended up stealing the show for its seven-year run. He also voiced young Simba in The Lion King
Jonathan Taylor Thomas — Now
Following Home Improvement Jonathan became a Harvard and Columbia graduate, staying mostly away from acting. Tim Allen did convince him to appear in his recent show
Tyra Banks — Then
Prior to her appearance in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Tyra was a successful model and was the first black woman to appear on the GQ front cover in 1996, as well as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Tyra Banks — Now
Tyra eventually found great success hosting America’s Next Top Model from 2003 to 2015 as well as her own show from 2008 to 2010. She just recently appeared as America’s Got Talent’s backstage hostess.
Ariana Grande — Then
Ariana was a ‘90s kid who started out singing aboard cruise ship karaoke lounges. Her first television performance was singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” for a Florida Panthers game, soon after finding prominence in the Broadway show 13 and then Nickelodeon’s Victorious.
Ariana Grande — Now
Now she’s 24 years old and already one of the most prominent singers. She released her first album in 2013 and has branded herself as one of the most recognizable singing voices.
Tori Spelling — Then
Tori was the blond bombshell character in Beverly Hills, 90210 which spring-boarded a career in many various television roles.
Tori Spelling — Now
In 2009 Tori starred in her Beverly Hills reboot series titled 90210, and since then she’s become a six-time book publisher (and, of course, a mother).
Sarah Jessica Parker — Then
Though the series Equal Justice and the movie Hocus Pocus put her on the map, her real claim to fame was in her Sex and the City show from 1998 to 2004.
Sarah Jessica Parker — Now
Besides being the butt of many “face of a horse” jokes, she’s used her Sex and the City success to launch two sequels as well as to star in countless comedies.
Winona Ryder — Then
The ‘90s decade was Winona’s decade, as she first appeared in her Golden Globe-nominated role in Mermaids. She then appeared in Edward Scissorhands, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and then Alien: Resurrection.
Winona Ryder — Now
Her acting career came to a halt in 2001 when she was arrested for shoplifting, but now she’s back to acting — most notably in the current Netflix show Stranger Things.
Minnie Driver — Then
From her successful role in Circle of Friends, Minnie was able to go straight into GoldenEye and Good Will Hunting (after which she and Matt Damon started dating).
Minnie Driver — Now
Minnie has found fame in some recent shows such as About a Boy, Will & Grace, and Speechless.
Haley Joel Osment — Then
Haley had the opportunity to be in some pretty prominent films including Forrest Gump, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and The Sixth Sense.
Haley Joel Osment — Now
You wouldn’t even recognize him now! Though he hasn’t done anything as significant as The Sixth Sense, he’s still kept up his minor acting career in small film parts and in television.
Gaby Hoffmann — Then
Gaby was well known in Hollywood for her roles in Now & Then, Volcano, and Sleepless in Seattle.
Gaby Hoffmann — Now
She’s maintained her acting chops by appearing in HBO’s Girls and High Maintenance as well as Amazon’s Transparent.
Yasmine Bleeth — Then
Yasmine gained huge popularity once she starred in the beach flick Baywatch, which led to other roles like Nash Bridges.
Yasmine Bleeth — Now
You could say that she’s let herself go just a bit! Following a large period of time dealing with drug addiction, the 48-year-old actress finally managed to get clean, but the process cost her a career.
Anna Chlumsky — Then
Anyone who watched My Girl and its sequel instantly fell in love with the adorable Anna. She only stopped acting so she could focus on a college career, but that was 25 years ago….
Anna Chlumsky — Now
After graduating from college, Anna never could land a role quite as popular as in My Girl, but she can currently be seen in the shows Veep and Halt and Catch Fire.
Tiffani Thiessen — Then
Tiffani was every teen boy’s crush in her youth in the hit teen show Saved by the Bell, and then she went on to star in Beverly Hills, 90210.
Tiffani Thiessen — Now
Tiffany has done pretty well for herself! She was a regular on the show White Collar and now hosts her own cooking show called Dinner at Tiffani’s.
Jessie James — Then
By age 15 Jessie was making a name for herself in the Nashville country music circle, with her first album cracking the top 25.
Jessie James — Now
Jessie is still putting out albums, but she also married NFL wide receiver Eric Decker.
Jamie Lynn Spears — Then
Her claim to fame may have been as Britney Spears’ little sister, but she was determined to forge her own name. She starred in the comedy sketch All That and by 2002 she was starring in movies. Then she had to end her career when she became pregnant at 16.
Jamie Lynn Spears — Now
Though her acting career ended after her pregnancy, Jamie still managed to keep her name going by becoming a country singer.
Melissa Joan Hart — Then
Anybody who grew up during the ‘90s likely watched Hart in such shows as Clarissa Explains it All and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She eventually took the character of Sabrina on to five other shows, including Clueless and Boy Meets World.
Melissa Joan Hart — Now
After taking a hiatus to be a mother, Hart got back into the television scene in 2010 on Melissa & Joey which ran for five years. More recently she was in God’s Not Dead 2 and the TV movie Broadcasting Christmas.
Debbe Dunning — Then
Anybody who watched Home Improvement should fondly remember Heidi Keppert, the Tool Time Girl. She was a popular recurring character from 1992-1999.
Debbe Dunning — Now
Dunning never really did find another successful role like on Home Improvement, but she did marry volleyball star Steve Timmons and raise three kids.
Julia Stiles — Then
Stiles first hit it big alongside Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt in 1997’s The Devil’s Own, going on to star in Wicked and then the Heath Ledger comedy 10 Things I Hate About You. Then she hit gold when she got a part in the Bourne trilogy.
Julia Stiles — Now
She’s continued to maintain her acting career, most notably in 2012’s box office hit Silver Linings Playbook. She also reprised her role from the Bourne movies in last year’s Jason Bourne.
Mandy Moore — Then
Moore was practically a ‘90s superstar for both her acting abilities and her immense singing and songwriting talents. Her musical career led her to tour with the Backstreet Boys and N*SYNC.
Mandy Moore — Now
She really hasn’t changed all that much! Mandy became a Disney princess when she voiced Rapunzel in 2010’s Tangled. Currently she can be seen in the NBC series This Is Us.
Amy Jo Johnson — Then
As Kimberly Hart (the Pink Ranger) in the classic Mighty Morphin Power Rangers show, Johnson made pink a color for both girls and boys. She played the part from 1993 to 1999.
Amy Jo Johnson — Now
She’s kept up her acting chops in various television movies and shows, but just this past year she wrote, directed, and starred in her own comedy The Space Between.
Brandy Norwood — Then
Brandy was a singer/actress icon during the ‘90s with her first album quickly going platinum when released in 1994. One of her more prominent achievements was as Karla in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.
Brandy Norwood — Now
If you watched The Game from 2012 to 2015 then you likely saw Brandy, but for almost two years she’s been playing the title role in the series Zoe Ever After.
Elizabeth Hurley — Then
Hurley originally gained popularity as Hugh Grant’s girlfriend, but by the late ‘90s she was landing roles in films like Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Bedazzled.
Elizabeth Hurley — Now
Currently she can be seen playing Queen Helena on The Royals. Even though they’ve been long split up she still considers Hugh Grant to be one of her best friends.
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