10 Celebrities Who Were Popular in the ’90s — Where Are They Now?

10 Celebrities Who Were Popular in the ’90s — Where Are They Now?

The 1990s brought us iconic music, unforgettable fashion trends, and stars who defined a generation. From sitcom sensations to chart-topping musicians, these celebrities were household names that plastered bedroom walls and magazine covers everywhere. While some have maintained their spotlight status, others took surprising career turns or stepped away from Hollywood altogether.

1. Jennifer Aniston

Rachel Green from “Friends” catapulted Jennifer Aniston to superstardom with her iconic haircut and relatable charm. After the show ended in 2004, many wondered if she could escape the Rachel typecast.

Aniston proved the doubters wrong. She successfully transitioned to film with hits like “Marley & Me” and “Horrible Bosses,” while earning critical acclaim for “The Morning Show” on Apple TV+.

Now 54, Aniston remains a Hollywood A-lister with her own production company, LolaVie haircare line, and continued acting success. Her personal life still makes headlines, but her business ventures and philanthropy work show she’s much more than a 90s sitcom star.

2. Mark-Paul Gosselaar

The blonde heartthrob who played Zack Morris on “Saved by the Bell” had teenagers rushing home after school to catch his latest schemes. His charismatic performance and fourth-wall-breaking narration made him a teen idol.

Following the bell’s final ring, Gosselaar faced the challenge of adult roles. He found success in series like “NYPD Blue,” “Franklin & Bash,” and more recently, “Mixed-ish.” He even revisited his Bayside High roots in the “Saved by the Bell” reboot.

Today at 49, the father of four hosts the “Zack to the Future” podcast where he rewatches and discusses the show that made him famous—often admitting he remembers very little from filming!

3. Brandy Norwood

Known simply as Brandy, this multi-talented performer dominated both music and television in the 90s. Her role as Moesha Mitchell and hit songs like “The Boy Is Mine” made her an entertainment powerhouse.

The Grammy winner continued recording music through the 2000s while expanding her acting portfolio. She made history as the first Black Cinderella in Disney’s 1997 adaptation and later shined on Broadway in productions like “Chicago.”

At 44, Brandy remains active in entertainment with recent music releases and acting roles. She’s become something of an internet icon too, with her vocals regularly going viral as younger generations discover her incredible range and technique that earned her the nickname “The Vocal Bible.”

4. Jonathan Taylor Thomas

JTT fever swept through the 90s as Jonathan Taylor Thomas won hearts playing middle son Randy Taylor on “Home Improvement.” His voice work as young Simba in “The Lion King” and teen magazine cover dominance cemented his status as the ultimate teen heartthrob.

Unlike many child stars, Thomas stepped away from Hollywood at the height of his fame to pursue education. He attended Harvard, Columbia, and St. Andrew’s University in Scotland, prioritizing academics over acting.

Now 42, Thomas maintains an intensely private life away from social media and public appearances. He occasionally directs and made brief acting returns, including guest spots on “Last Man Standing” alongside his former TV dad Tim Allen, but clearly prefers life outside the spotlight.

5. Tiffani Thiessen

From Bayside High’s cheerleader Kelly Kapowski to Beverly Hills 90210’s bad girl Valerie Malone, Tiffani Thiessen defined 90s teen television. Her character evolution between these iconic shows showcased her range and helped her avoid being typecast.

The transition to adult roles came through series like “White Collar” and “Saved by the Bell: The New Class.” She later revealed a passion for culinary arts with her Cooking Channel show “Dinner at Tiffani’s” and published a cookbook.

Today at 49, Thiessen balances acting with family life as a mother of two. She’s embraced her 90s legacy while building a diverse career that includes her food blog, children’s books, and hosting the MTV comedy clip show “Deliciousness.”

6. Macaulay Culkin

Home Alone’s screaming face and aftershave scene made Macaulay Culkin the highest-paid child actor of all time. His films grossed over $900 million worldwide, and his precocious charm made him universally recognizable.

Fame took its toll, leading to a complicated relationship with Hollywood and his parents. After legal battles to control his fortune and personal struggles, Culkin retreated from mainstream acting, occasionally appearing in independent films and starting a comedy rock band called The Pizza Underground.

At 43, Culkin has found stability with partner Brenda Song and their son Dakota. He runs the satirical website and podcast Bunny Ears, made a well-received appearance in “American Horror Story,” and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023.

7. Melissa Joan Hart

Teenage witch Sabrina Spellman and the title character in “Clarissa Explains It All” made Melissa Joan Hart a Nickelodeon and ABC staple. Her relatable characters navigated adolescence with humor and heart, speaking directly to 90s kids.

Hart smoothly transitioned to adult roles with “Melissa & Joey” alongside fellow 90s star Joey Lawrence. She expanded into directing and producing through Hartbreak Films, the production company she runs with her mother.

The 47-year-old mother of three now balances acting, directing, and entrepreneurship. She opened a candy shop called SweetHarts (later sold) and continues taking on holiday movies and faith-based projects. Her 2023 memoir “Magical Moments” reflects on her Sabrina years as she embraces her place in 90s pop culture history.

8. Devon Sawa

Teen girls swooned over Devon Sawa as sensitive football player Junior Floyd in “Little Giants” and the human version of friendly ghost Casper. His role in “Final Destination” and Eminem’s “Stan” music video showcased his transition to more mature material.

Unlike many teen heartthrobs, Sawa stepped back from Hollywood in his mid-twenties. He later revealed he needed time to grow up away from the pressures of fame and deal with personal issues before returning to acting.

Now 45, Sawa has experienced a career resurgence in horror projects like the “Chucky” TV series and films such as “Hunter Hunter.” The father of two embraces his 90s legacy with good humor on social media, often interacting with fans nostalgic for his early roles.

9. Neve Campbell

Balancing horror and heartfelt drama, Neve Campbell became a defining face of ’90s pop culture. As Scream’s Sidney Prescott and Party of Five’s Julia Salinger, she embodied both vulnerability and quiet strength—hallmarks of the definitive final girl.

After the fourth “Scream” film, Campbell explored independent cinema and returned to her dance roots (she was originally trained as a ballerina). She took supporting roles in series like “House of Cards” and made a brief return to network TV with “The Lincoln Lawyer.”

At 50, Campbell made headlines by declining to return for the sixth “Scream” film due to salary disputes, standing up for pay equity. She continues to act selectively while raising her two sons and recently announced she’ll return for the seventh installment in the horror franchise.

10. Jaleel White

Steve Urkel’s nasal catchphrase “Did I do that?” and suspenders-sporting geek persona made Jaleel White the breakout star of “Family Matters.” Originally intended as a one-off character, Urkel became a cultural phenomenon that dominated the show’s nine-season run.

White struggled with typecasting after the show ended. He graduated from UCLA film school and took voice acting roles, most notably as Sonic the Hedgehog in various animated series. He appeared in films like “Dreamgirls” and had guest spots on shows including “House” and “Psych.”

The 47-year-old embraces his Urkel legacy while pursuing diverse projects. He launched a cannabis brand called “Purple Urkle,” hosts the “Ever After” podcast about child stars, and continues acting in projects like “The Big Show Show” on Netflix.