As time goes on, the ’90s feel like a surreal memory. Boy bands, heartthrob actors, and those blockbuster hits are still in our memory. The pop culture from that decade left such a mark that it’s still a big deal today. Many of us wonder what happened to certain actors from that time, whose fame seemed to vanish along with the decade. Despite the abundance of pop culture icons, the ’90s also saw numerous stars whose celebrity waned as the years passed.
1. Moises Arias
Moises Arias may have risen to fame as the lovable Rico on Disney Channel’s hit series, Hannah Montana, but he’s come a long way since then. Since then, Arias has been busy pursuing a wide range of acting projects, including a recurring role as Matt in ABC’s The Middle and a challenging turn as Bonzo Madrid in Ender’s Game. Despite his busy schedule, Arias still finds time for his passion, photography. His website, 490tx, features a collection of his stunning work that showcases his skills behind the lens.
2. Alicia Silverstone
© Clueless / Paramount Pictures and co-producers, © aliciasilverstone / Instagram
Alicia Silverstone was a big deal in the ’90s for teenagers. She played famous roles like Cher in Clueless and Batgirl in Batman and Robin, which many kids looked up to. Silverstone became an integral part of countless ’90s kids’ formative years. While she has continued her acting journey, she hasn’t quite remained in the limelight as prominently since then.
Silverstone had a supporting role in Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Killing of a Sacred Deer in 2017, playing Martin’s mother. She’s made a few TV appearances, like in American Woman and Netflix’s The Babysitter’s Club, but hasn’t had anything to keep her in the spotlight like before.
3. Mara Wilson
© Matilda / TriStar Pictures and co-producers, © marawilson / Instagram
In the 1990s, Mara Wilson was one of Hollywood’s most recognizable child stars. With beloved roles in films like Matilda, Miracle on 34th Street, and Mrs. Doubtfire, Wilson captured hearts around the world. However, she stepped away from the spotlight at just 13 years old after reaching the peak of her success.
As an adult, Wilson has returned to acting but has opted for less mainstream projects. Today, at 36 years old, she continues to captivate audiences with her talent and outspoken views on the entertainment industry’s treatment of young performers.
4. Jason Earles
© Hannah Montana / The Walt Disney Studios, © realdukeofearles / Instagram
Jason Earles is best known for his role as Jackson on the hit Disney Channel show, Hannah Montana. Despite his success on the show, Earles never expected it to become the massive hit it did when it first premiered in 2006. In fact, Earles initially had reservations about his character’s portrayal in the pilot episode, feeling that the original concept was too childish. However, after some changes were made, Jackson became the character fans came to know and love.
Over a decade later, Earles is returning to his Disney roots in the third season of High School Musical: The Series. This latest project is sure to be a hit with fans of the original High School Musical movies, and Earles is excited to be a part of it.
5. Macaulay Culkin
© Home Alone / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers, © culkamania / Instagram
In the 1990s, Macaulay Culkin became really famous as a kid actor. He was known for playing Kevin in Home Alone and its sequel. He was also in movies like My Girl, The Good Son, and Getting Even with Dad.
Since the 2000s, Culkin hasn’t been in many movies or TV shows. He made a few guest appearances on shows like Will & Grace and American Horror Story, but he mostly stopped acting. Even though he’s still known for playing Kevin McCallister, he’s not in the spotlight as much as before.
6. Rick Moranis
Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection/East News, © Prop Culture / ABC Signature and co-producer
Rick Moranis was once one of the most beloved comedians in Hollywood, but you may have noticed that he hasn’t appeared on-screen in quite some time. In fact, his last live-action film role was in Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves in 1997. But Moranis, who is now 70 years old, had a good reason for stepping back from acting as he had to raise his kids alone. And, as he explained in a rare interview, he would need a compelling reason to return to the big screen.
Despite his absence from the spotlight, Moranis has remained busy with other projects. He created the animated show, Bob & Doug, based on SCTV characters, and has continued to take on voice roles in films such as Brother Bear and Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Kids. He has also written for The New York Times.
7. Fairuza Balk
© The Craft / Columbia Pictures and co-producers, © Greg2600 / Wikimedia Commons, © CC-BY-SA-2.0
Fairuza Balk became famous in the ’90s for her unique goth style. She stood out as Nancy Downs in The Craft and got nominated for an award. She also acted in American History X and The Waterboy, showing she could do serious and funny roles. In the 2000s, she was in Almost Famous but then took smaller roles. Recently, she’s been in movies like Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans and shows like Paradise City.
8. Billy Baldwin
© Flatliners / Columbia Pictures and co-producers, LISA O’CONNOR/AFP/East News
William Baldwin rose to fame in the early 1990s thanks to his charming performances in hit movies like Sliver and Backdraft. However, his acting career had humble beginnings, starting out as a fashion model for Calvin Klein. Throughout the 1990s, Baldwin appeared in several successful movies, including Flatliners, Three of Hearts, and Sliver, in which he gave a particularly memorable performance.
Despite his early success, Baldwin has continued to work on a variety of projects throughout his career, including roles in TV movies and voice work in video games. His work has earned him a loyal fan base, and his career continues to thrive.
9. Madeline Zima
© The Nanny / TriStar Television and co-producers, © maddyzima / Instagram
Madeline Zima’s acting career started at the early age of just 2 and a half years old after she was selected for a Downey commercial at an audition where she was the only baby who wasn’t crying. Her big break came when she landed the significant role of Grace Sheffield in the TV show, The Nanny. Although she had other TV shows and movie projects going on simultaneously, she appeared in all 145 episodes of The Nanny.
Madeline Zima continues to act in film and television and has been seen in recent television series, such as Perry Mason, NCIS: Hawaii, and Hacks. Her filmography includes movies like Bombshell, Bliss, and Insight.
10. Danielle Fishel
© Full House / Warner Bros. Television and co-producers, © daniellefishel / Instagram
Danielle Fishel started acting professionally when she was just 10 years old, making numerous guest appearances on TV shows like Full House and Harry and the Hendersons. However, her breakthrough role came when she landed the part of Topanga Lawrence on ABC’s popular series, Boy Meets World.After leaving the show, Fishel decided to pursue a higher education and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Psychology from California State University Fullerton.
In 2014, she returned to the role of Topanga in the Disney Channel spin-off series, Girl Meets World, where she not only acted but also discovered her passion for directing. Currently, Fishel is focused on directing and has co-written several projects for children’s entertainment. She is actively pitching these projects to various networks in the hope of bringing them to life.
11. Jaleel White
© Family Matters / Warner Bros. Television and co-producers, © jaleelwhite / Instagram
Jaleel White is an American actor known for his role as Steve Urkel, the nerdy neighbor in the popular TV show, Family Matters. His famous catchphrase, “Did I do that?” became an iconic part of ’90s pop culture. After the show ended in 1997, White continued his career by lending his voice to Sonic the Hedgehog in various animated series, including Sonic Underground.
He also appeared in cameo roles in popular TV shows, such as Boston Legal, House, and Psych. In 2021, White joined season 14 of Dancing With the Stars and finished in 7th place. Recently, White appeared on the Netflix series, The Big Show Show, playing the recurring role of Terry in 2020.
12. Nicholas Brendon
© Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Mutant Enemy Productions and co-producers, © NicholasBrendon / Wikimedia Commons, © CC-BY-4.0
Nicholas Brendon gained fame for his role as Xander Harris on the hit series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and also for portraying Kevin Lynch in Criminal Minds. He later co-created the webcomic, Very Bad Koalas. In February 2021, Brendon revealed on Instagram that he was undergoing spinal surgery after a fall earlier in the month.
Brendon has continued to make appearances on television shows and in films. He remains an active presence on social media, where he interacts with fans and shares updates on his life and career.
13. Freddie Prinze Jr.
