Ever wondered what happened to your favorite 90s television icons? Find out where the biggest stars of 90s sitcoms, teen dramas, and cult hits are today—from Hollywood A-listers to behind-the-scenes directors.
In the 1990s, television actors were like extended members of our own families. Every week, we welcomed them into our living rooms, laughed at their punchlines, and rooted for their characters' romances and triumphs.
Decades later, many of these beloved actors have taken vastly different paths in life. Some continued their ascent to become Oscar winners and Hollywood titans, others transitioned into directing and producing, while some chose to step away from the limelight altogether for normal, private lives.
Here is a look at where the most memorable 90s TV stars are today.
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1. Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - 90s Role: The street-smart Philadelphia teen sent to live with wealthy relatives in Bel-Air. - Where He Is Now: Will Smith transitioned from television sensation to one of the biggest box office movie stars in Hollywood history (Men in Black, Independence Day, I Am Legend). He reached the pinnacle of his acting career by winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in King Richard (2021) and continues to lead major blockbuster franchises.
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2. Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - 90s Role: Buffy Summers, the high school cheerleader destined to fight the forces of darkness. - Where She Is Now: After reigning as the quintessential 90s and early 2000s scream queen and teen hero (Cruel Intentions, Scooby-Doo), Gellar expanded her career into business by co-founding Foodstirs, an organic baking brand. She has also returned to television with executive producing and starring roles in series like Wolf Pack.
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3. Jaleel White (Family Matters) - 90s Role: Steve Urkel, the high-pitched, suspender-wearing, accident-prone neighbor who became a global pop-culture phenomenon. - Where He Is Now: Beyond his iconic catchphrase ("Did I do that?"), White has enjoyed a steady career in voice acting (notably voicing Sonic the Hedgehog across multiple animated series), comedy appearances, writing, and hosting game shows. He has also embraced his legacy with his own lifestyle brand, ItsPurpl.
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4. Keri Russell (Felicity) - 90s Role: Felicity Porter, the thoughtful college student with the most talked-about hair on 1990s television. - Where She Is Now: Russell has become one of the most respected dramatic actresses working today. She earned critical acclaim and multiple Emmy nominations for her starring role in the espionage thriller The Americans, took on major franchise roles in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and starred in the hit political thriller The Diplomat.
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5. Alfonso Ribeiro (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - 90s Role: Carlton Banks, the preppy, sweater-wearing cousin with the world's most famous arm-swinging dance. - Where He Is Now: Ribeiro channeled his charisma and showmanship into a flourishing career as a premier television host. After winning Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, he became the long-running host of America's Funniest Home Videos and co-host of Dancing with the Stars.
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6. Melissa Joan Hart (Clarissa Explains It All & Sabrina the Teenage Witch) - 90s Role: Clarissa Darling and Sabrina Spellman—reigning as the undisputed queen of 90s youth TV. - Where She Is Now: Hart smoothly transitioned into directing, helming episodes of popular sitcoms like The Goldbergs and Young Sheldon. She also starred in the long-running comedy Melissa & Joey, directs holiday films, and hosts the popular podcast What Women Binge.
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7. Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Home Improvement) - 90s Role: Randy Taylor, the witty middle son and the ultimate 90s teen heartthrob (and voice of young Simba in The Lion King). - Where He Is Now: At the peak of his fame, Thomas famously chose to step away from acting to focus on higher education, studying at Harvard, Columbia, and St. Andrews. He later stepped behind the camera to direct episodes of Tim Allen's sitcom Last Man Standing and maintains a very private life away from Hollywood.
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8. Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) - 90s Role: Special Agent Dana Scully, the skeptical FBI medical doctor investigating paranormal phenomena. - Where She Is Now: Anderson has built an extraordinary, award-winning career across stage and screen. She earned global acclaim and Emmy Awards for her portrayals of Margaret Thatcher in The Crown, Jean Milburn in Netflix’s Sex Education, and Stella Gibson in The Fall.
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9. David Faustino (Married... with Children) - 90s Role: Bud Bundy, the sarcastic, hip-hop-aspiring younger brother in the notoriously dysfunctional Bundy household. - Where He Is Now: Faustino transitioned into a prolific voice-acting career, notably voicing Mako in Nickelodeon’s acclaimed animated series The Legend of Korra. He is also active as a radio host, DJ, and frequent pop-culture convention guest.
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10. Tiffani Thiessen (Saved by the Bell & Beverly Hills, 90210) - 90s Role: Kelly Kapowski (Bayside High’s golden girl) and later Valerie Malone (the vixen of 90210). - Where She Is Now: Following a successful starring run on USA Network’s White Collar, Thiessen turned her passion for cooking and lifestyle into a successful brand, hosting the Cooking Channel series Dinner at Tiffani’s and publishing bestselling cookbooks.
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Conclusion
Whether continuing to dominate award shows or pursuing new creative passions in directing, culinary arts, or voice acting, these 90s stars will always hold a special place in the hearts of television fans who grew up watching them.