What ’90s Heartthrobs Look Like Now
There were many well-known films and television programs in the 1990s. More considerably, this era produced some of the most desirable male celebrities ever. These ’90s heartthrobs had us swooning, whether their faces were plastered on your bedroom walls or were listed when you played M.A.S.H. with your friends. View the current appearances of your favorite ’90s crushes.
Ryan Phillippe
Even though the plot of the movie Cruel Intentions was pretty shocking, the main focus of the film was actually on the performance of the actor Ryan Phillippe.
Ryan Phillippe
Although he had previously appeared in the teen horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer, his portrayal of Sebastian in the dark drama Cruel Intentions was what really cemented his reputation as one of the decade’s biggest heartthrobs. Phillippe has kept acting and was most recently spotted in the ABC drama Big Sky and the USA Network drama Shooter.
Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser, an actor, must be mentioned in any discussion of ’90s heartthrobs. Fraser made appearances in almost every type of movie because he was gifted with good looks and comedic timing. films for the whole family, like George of the Jungle and The Mummy, to potent dramas like School Ties.
Brendan Fraser
Fraser made a comeback to acting in Doom Patrol and, most recently, the crime movie No Sudden Move after a protracted absence. The “Brenaissance” of his return to Hollywood has been coined.
Nick Carter
One of the biggest music groups in the world in the late 1990s was the Backstreet Boys. Nick Carter was one of the most well-liked options when it came to boy-bander crushes, despite the fact that fans typically had a favorite band member. In addition to being a part of the Backstreet Boys, Carter also launched three solo albums, including one with Jordan Knight, another ’90s heartthrob.
Nick Carter
Carter has had a number of recent appearances on reality television. He most recently made an appearance on The Masked Singer’s fourth season.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar
The teen drama Saved by the Bell stands out among the many sitcoms that the 1990s produced. As high school student Zack Morris, one of the show’s stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar quickly rose to fame. Gosselaar performed in a variety of film and television roles after the series ended in 1993.
The teen drama Saved by the Bell stands out among the many sitcoms that the 1990s produced. As high school student Zack Morris, one of the show’s stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar quickly rose to fame. Gosselaar performed in a variety of film and television roles after the series ended in 1993.
Devon Sawa
Thanks to movies like Casper, Wild America, and Idle Hands, Devon Sawa quickly became well-known during the 1990s. In addition to becoming one of the most well-known actors of that decade, Sawa’s fame continued to grow well into the early 2000s as a result of his roles in memorable movies like the slasher flick Final Destination.
Sawa has kept up her consistent work in both film and television. With a lead role in the television series Chucky in 2021, Sawa made a comeback to his horror film roots.
Skeet Ulrich
The 1990s may have provided a wide range of heartthrobs to suit every taste, but when it comes to the quintessential bad boy of the decade, Skeet Ulrich is the first name that comes to mind. Ulrich gained notoriety as a bad boy crush in the cult horror classic The Craft in the 1990s after acting as an extra in several movies.
Ulrich then made an appearance in the vintage slasher horror movie Scream. Ulrich has continued to act, most recently making an appearance in The CW’s Riverdale, a teen drama, and lending his voice to a Robot Chicken character.
Johnny Depp
Despite getting his big break on the TV show 21 Jump Street in the late 1980s, Johnny Depp’s fame and status as a Hollywood heartthrob only grew in the 1990s. In movies like Edward Scissorhands, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, and Cry-Baby, Depp started experimenting with darker roles.
With the years, Depp’s skill and fan base have only expanded. Depp is currently one of the most well-known actors in the world thanks to his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and other high-profile movies.
Rider Strong
In the 1990s, Rider Strong gained notoriety for his lead performance in the hit show Boy Meets World. Strong portrayed Shawn Hunter, the show’s rebellious and frequently troubled best friend of Cory Matthews, the show’s main character.
In the early 2000s, Strong ventured beyond sitcoms and into more mature material, making appearances in a number of independent films and the horror movie Cabin Fever. He returned to the Girl Meets World series in 2014 as Shawn Hunter.
Kyle MacLachlan
On the early 1990s cult film Twin Peaks, Kyle MacLachlan unexpectedly rose to the status of heartthrob. In the program, MacLachlan portrayed special agent Dale Cooper, an enigmatic FBI agent stationed in the sleepy Washington town of Twin Peaks. MacLachlan’s sharp suits and strong jawline quickly drew the attention of the audience.
Next, MacLachlan starred in Showgirls, another cult classic, which followed Twin Peaks. Popular television shows such as Portlandia and Twin Peaks’ limited-edition revival have recently featured MacLachlan’s work. In Peacock’s Joe Exotic, MacLachlan will appear.
Fabio
The early 1990s saw a lot of Fabio, from television commercials to the aisles of your favorite bookstore. The Italian actor and model became well-known by appearing on numerous romance book covers.
Fabio not only appeared in a number of fashion advertisements and campaigns, but he also dabbled in writing. Fabio has continued to follow his strict workout schedule these days. He just recently unveiled a line of grooming supplies for men.
David Hasselhoff
Actor David Hasselhoff had appeared in a number of television programs, but in the 1980s, he rose to prominence as the star of Knight Rider. Early in the 1990s, he began acting in Baywatch, which catapulted him to the top of Hollywood’s list of heartthrobs.
One of the most well-known television stars in the world, Hasselhoff became because of his role in the program. Hasselhoff is reconnecting with his German heritage these days. The actor is anticipated to make an appearance on Ze Network, a German television program.
Dean Cain
Dean Cain donned the costume of Superman after an injury abruptly ended his promising football career. After making appearances on several television programs, Cain was given the opportunity to play the renowned superhero on the hit show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
He had a sizable following thanks to his role and rugged appearance. Cain has continued to perform in a number of religious productions in recent years. With Little Angels, his feature film debut, he has also tried his hand at directing.
LL Cool J
It’s no surprise that LL Cool J was the top heartthrob of the 1990s thanks to his smooth lyrics and washboard abs. The rapper ruled the hip-hop charts in the 1990s with songs like “Mama Said Knock You Out” and “Doin’ It.” He began acting and went on to appear in several films, such as Any Given Sunday and S.W.A.T.
He currently plays Special Agent Sam Hanna on the venerable crime drama NCIS: Los Angeles. He also serves as the host of Lip Sync Battle, a reality music competition show.
Chris O’ Donnell
One of Hollywood’s most promising young actors, Chris O’Donnell appeared in movies like School Ties and Scent of a Woman. The actor quickly rose to fame as one of the biggest heartthrobs of the 1990s thanks to his boyish smile and blue eyes.
O’Donnell briefly left the entertainment industry after a string of underwhelming film roles. He has recently made appearances on American Dad and the CBS crime series NCIS: Los Angeles.
Ryan Merriman
It was difficult to turn on the Disney Channel in the late 1990s and not see Ryan Merriman. The actor starred in a number of movies made specifically for television, such as Smart House and later The Luck of the Irish.
Merriman kept acting, showing up in movies like Just Looking and The Deep End of the Ocean. Merriman has recently made appearances in Robot Riot and Pretty Little Liars, two sci-fi/action television series.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Jonathan Taylor Thomas has to be included on any list of 1990s heartthrobs. Few people could claim to not have at least one J.T.T. poster hanging on their bedroom wall during the 1990s.
The actor first gained notoriety in the ABC comedy series Home Improvement, but he later provided the voice of Simba in The Lion King. Thomas chose to avoid the spotlight after making a brief appearance on the ABC sitcom Last Man Standing.
Christian Slater
Hollywood bad boys were plentiful in the 1990s, but none were as infamous as the actor Christian Slater. Slater went on to appear in hit movies like Interview With the Vampire, True Romance, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves after the success of his dark teen drama Heathers.
Slater is now primarily recognized for his highly praised small-screen roles in Mr. Robot, Dirty John, and Dr. Death.
Jason Priestley
Everyone in Beverly Hills, 90210, knew the zip code off by heart in the early 1990s. Jason Priestley, a Peach Pit patron and school hunk, rose to prominence on the program. Priestly left the program in 1998 after dominating as one of the biggest teen idols.
Since then, he has made several appearances in Canadian comedies and sitcoms, including Raising Expectations and Private Eyes.
Andrew Shue
Many people consider the 1990s to be the heyday of teen-focused soap operas. The drama Melrose Place was one of the most popular programs of the decade. The soap opera’s Billy Campell, played by actor Andrew Shue, quickly won over fans.
Following the end of the show, Shue tried his hand at playing professional soccer and later teaching at a school in Zimbabwe. Shue entered the high-tech industry recently as a co-founder of the well-known website CafeMom.
Val Kilmer
Although Kilmer had gained notoriety in the 1980s through roles in comedic movies and stage productions, his reputation as a leading man in Hollywood was cemented in the 1990s. Kilmer became one of the biggest stars of the decade thanks to his performances in movies like The Doors, Tombstone, and Heat.
Kilmer has continued to play a variety of roles in movies and television shows even though he is no longer the leading man. Kilmer recently made headlines when the stirring biographical film Val, which detailed his health struggles, was released.
Joshua Jackson
Joshua Jackson didn’t have the classic Hollywood good looks, but his portrayal of Pacey Witter in the enduring teen drama Dawson’s Creek helped him become one of the most recognizable love interests on television.
Jackson appeared in several darker movies like Cruel Intentions and The Skulls after becoming a teen idol. Jackson has continued to work in a variety of film and television roles, and his most recent appearances were in the series Dr. Death and Little Fires Everywhere.
Erik von Detten
Von Betten began his career in soap operas, just like many other 1990s celebrities. Later, he made guest appearances in a number of Disney Channel shows, including Brink! and So Weird. With roles in The Princess Diaries and Escape to Witch Mountain, Von Detten continued acting and winning hearts.
After years of working in the entertainment industry, von Detten made the decision to essentially leave Hollywood. Today, von Detten has moved past his teenage crush and is employed by a Los Angeles commodities brokerage company.
John Stamos
While playing Jesse on Full House, John Stamos quickly rose to the top of Hollywood’s television crushes, despite having his big break on the venerable soap opera General Hospital.
Fans adored Stamos as the “cool” uncle of the Tanner family sporting a mullet. Stamos continued to work in television after his success on the show, making appearances in ER and the Lifetime/Netflix thriller You, among others. Stamos portrays a basketball coach in the current season of the Disney+ series Big Shot.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio had starred in a number of critically acclaimed movies, including What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, The Basketball Diaries, and Romeo + Juliet, but it wasn’t until his portrayal of Jack Dawson in the box office sensation Titanic that the actor became a Hollywood heartthrob.
Following the 1990s’ “Leo-Mania,” as it was aptly called, DiCaprio has gone on to become one of the most accomplished actors in the business. DiCaprio has continued acting while also producing and spreading awareness of various environmental issues. His most recent appearance was in the comedy Don’t Look Up on Netflix.
Freddie Prinze Jr.
The undisputed king of the teen film in the 1990s and the early 2000s was Freddie Prinze Jr. He became an instant Hollywood heartthrob thanks to his roles in She’s All That and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
The actor’s career unexpectedly took a turn when he entered the world of professional wrestling after making several appearances on television programs like Friends and Boston Legal. Prinze Jr. recently debuted WWFreddie-Wrestling With Freddie, a podcast devoted to wrestling news.
James Van Der Beek
Some of the most enduring teen dramas, such as Dawson’s Creek, came out in the 1990s. Every week, viewers tuned in to see how their favorite stars’ love lives would play out on the show. While some female viewers preferred the Pacey character, others loved James Van Der Beek’s portrayal of Dawson Leery.
Van Der Beek quickly rose to fame among teenagers and landed leading roles in classic ’90s movies like Varsity Blues. Van Der Beek has kept up his television career by appearing in CSI: Cyber and FX’s Pose.
Usher
Usher put out a number of albums and hit singles in the 1990s. The singer quickly established himself as one of the biggest heartthrobs in the music business by becoming well-known for both his abs and his smooth R&B sound.
Since the release of his singles “Nice & Slow” and “You Make Me Wanna,” Usher has established a very lucrative career outside of the music industry. He has acted in a number of movies and has consulted for the music reality competition The Voice. His residency at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas just started.
Mario Lopez
Mario Lopez was the ultimate teen crush in the 1990s thanks to his dimples and charismatic personality. The role of school jock A.C. Slater on the hit sitcom Saved by the Bell gave the actor his big break.
Lopez discovered his niche as the host of his own radio show, On With Mario Lopez, and as the host of the entertainment news program, Access Hollywood, following a number of appearances on television programs.
David Charvet
On Baywatch, there was no shortage of toned and sexy lifeguards, but David Charvet, a young actor, quickly won over the audience. In 1992, Charvet appeared as resident lifeguard and heartthrob Matt Brody while wearing the fabled red bathing suit.
In his native France, Charvet was able to have a prosperous music career in addition to his acting career. Charvet has transitioned away from the entertainment sector and into real estate and property development in recent years.
Lorenzo Lamas
The Renegade character played by Lorenzo Lamas, with his long hair and rebellious personality, had a successful run as television’s most desirable bad boy. Even though he had appeared on the CBS series Falcon Crest, Reno Raines was the role that elevated him to the status of one of the most attractive men in media.
Lamas made the decision to leave Hollywood and pursue a career as a commercial helicopter and airplane pilot years after his long hair and motorcycle days. Lamas is a licensed helicopter flight instructor and offers aerial tours of Los Angeles.
Tyrese Gibson
Tyrese Gibson debuted his number-one single, “Nobody Else,” after appearing in numerous commercials for well-known brands like Guess and Coca-Cola. His music’s popularity allowed him to land MTV VJ gigs.
Gibson has successfully converted his notoriety into a successful film career, with recurring parts in blockbusters like the Fast & Furious and Transformers franchises. Gibson is still active in the music business. He will appear in the upcoming Morbius movie from Marvel Comics.
David Boreanaz
We’re not sure if it was his perfectly spiked hair or his friendship with Buffy, but David Boreanaz held our attention in the 1990s. When he portrayed Angel on the popular television series Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Boreanaz’s popularity soared.
A new spin-off series called Angel was developed because the actor and the character were so well-liked. Boreanaz has made a comeback to the small screen with the military drama SEAL Team, years after his renowned performance as the dashing and brooding vampire.
Brian Austin Green
Brian Austin Green portrayed the popular high schooler on the hit teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210 decades before he was in the news for his love life.
With the release of his album, One Stop Carnival, Brian Austin Green started to consider a career in music and DJing as his popularity on the television program grew. Green has continued to make appearances on numerous television programs, such as The Conners, The Masked Singer, and Dancing With the Stars.
Joey Lawrence
Few people will admit that watching Joey Lawrence on television made us utter the familiar “Whoa!” phrase used by his Blossom character. It’s not surprising that his posters covered the walls of teen rooms all over in the 1990s given his long hair and muscular build.
Lawrence has kept acting after a successful run on Blossom and Brotherly Love. He most recently made an appearance in Swim, Mistletoe Mixup, and a Deadly Deed, a Tubi Original movie.
Jeremy London
When Jeremy London made appearances on the highly regarded television program I’ll Fly Away, he gained notoriety very quickly. He then played a recurring part on the popular series Party of Five. His role as T.S. Quint in the cult classic movie Mallrats further cemented his reputation as a ’90s heartthrob.
The actor recently revealed that he would be making a comeback with the thriller Open, despite the fact that he has since struggled with substance abuse issues.
Stephen Dorff
There were many “bad boys” in the 1990s, but few were as notorious as the actor Stephen Dorff. After playing Alicia Silverstone’s boyfriend in the explicit Aerosmith music video for “Cryin’,” Dorff went on to star alongside Reese Witherspoon in S.F.W.
In the Marvel Comics movie Blade toward the end of the decade, Dorff portrayed the vampire Deacon Frost in his most enduring performance to date. Dorff is still acting today, appearing in the films Kid 90 and Embattled.
Barry Watson
Hollywood in the 1990s was full of “bad boys,” but there were also some sweeter crushes, like Barry Watson. After making appearances in a number of well-known television programs, Watson’s role as the elder Camden family member on 7th Heaven served as his big break.
He quickly became a favorite among the crowd thanks to his perfectly styled long hair and attractive appearance. Watson has kept acting after the success of 7th Heaven, appearing in roles on Into the Dark and soon in Naomi, a superhero series on The CW.
Ginuwine
Nearly two decades before Channing Tatum performed “Pony” while naked, the song’s original performer was making audiences feel “So Anxious.” The music video for the song, which showcased Ginuwine’s sultry voice and toned physique, contributed to the song’s success.
One of the most significant R&B songs of all time, “Pony” is still regarded as such today. Despite the fact that his later music didn’t enjoy the same level of success, Ginuwine has kept on touring and performing.
Andrew Keegan
In the 1990s, Andrew Keegan played a variety of roles on television and in movies, frequently being cast as the bad guy or the bully. Keegan’s appearances on TV shows like Party of Five and 7th Heaven helped him to gain the most notoriety.
With his portrayal of the well-liked bully Joey Donner in 10 Things I Hate About You, he continued to play the villain. Keegan continued to appear in television programs, but his career took an odd turn when he founded Full Circle, his own religious cult.
Luke Perry
It was challenging to choose your favorite television show heartthrob in the 1990s. However, Luke Perry, who portrayed Dylan McKay of Beverly Hills, 90210, was a no-brainer for many fans. After making an appearance in the teen drama, Perry’s career took off and he became a teen hero to millions of adoring fans.
Perry maintained a strong career even though he was never able to match the fame from 90210. On the well-known CW series Riverdale, Perry played Fred Andrews before his tragic death in 2019.