The 1990s were a golden era for pop culture, birthing an entirely new wave of fashion trends, TV obsessions, and rising stars. Among them were the “It Girls” — women who captured the zeitgeist of the decade with their beauty, charisma, and presence on red carpets, movie screens, and magazine covers. Whether they were leading teen dramas, headlining box office hits, or dominating tabloids, these stars defined an era. But as trends evolved and Hollywood moved on, many of these once-ubiquitous icons faded from the spotlight. Here are 35 forgotten former ‘It Girls’ of the 1990s and what they’re up to now.
35. Nicole Eggert
Nicole Eggert made waves as Summer Quinn on Baywatch and as Jamie Powell on the sitcom Charles in Charge. With her California girl looks and beachy blonde hair, she became a teen idol and a fixture in teen magazines. However, her stardom faded as she transitioned out of acting roles in the 2000s. In recent years, Eggert has spoken out about challenges in Hollywood and has pursued entrepreneurial ventures, including operating an ice cream truck business. She’s also become a vocal advocate for abuse survivors in the entertainment industry.
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34. Angie Everhart
Angie Everhart rose to fame as a red-haired bombshell in the ’90s, gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated and Playboy before transitioning to acting. She appeared in films like Jade, Bordello of Blood, and Last Action Hero, often cast in sultry, seductive roles that matched her glamorous persona. Though she never broke into leading-lady status in major blockbusters, she remained a fixture on red carpets and in tabloid coverage. Her acting career slowed significantly in the 2000s, and she later faced health issues that pulled her further away from the spotlight. Today, she’s remembered as one of the quintessential glam goddesses of the ’90s.
33. Ami Dolenz
Daughter of The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz, Ami Dolenz starred in 1990s cult favorites like She’s Out of Control and Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway. She also made guest appearances on Saved by the Bell and Murder, She Wrote, earning her spot as a rising scream queen and teen favorite. Despite her charm and comedic timing, her Hollywood career never quite took off, and she transitioned into voice work and art. Dolenz now runs a memorabilia and photo business with her husband. Her fanbase remains devoted thanks to her nostalgic film roles.
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32. Stacey Dash
Stacey Dash skyrocketed to fame as Dionne Davenport in the 1995 teen classic Clueless. With her sharp fashion sense and comedic timing, she became an instant pop culture icon. While she reprised her role in the Clueless TV series, her acting career slowly faded. In recent years, Dash has made headlines more for her controversial political views than her film work. She’s since stepped back from the spotlight and expressed regret over some of her more divisive stances.
31. Kari Wuhrer
With roles in Sliders, Anaconda, and Eight Legged Freaks, Kari Wuhrer had both the acting chops and sex appeal to become a 1990s sensation. She began her career on MTV’s Remote Control and was often featured in men’s magazines of the era. Despite a steady stream of genre film appearances, Wuhrer never quite broke into A-list territory. She’s mostly stepped away from Hollywood but remains a cult favorite among horror and sci-fi fans. Wuhrer has also pursued music and continues to occasionally appear at fan conventions.
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30. Thora Birch
Thora Birch transitioned from child star in Hocus Pocus and Now and Then to critical acclaim with American Beauty in 1999. That film marked her as a serious actress with range and promise. However, creative conflicts and industry politics reportedly contributed to her retreat from major roles. Though she’s acted intermittently in indie films and made a recent directorial debut, she remains mostly out of the spotlight. Birch’s unique screen presence remains missed by fans of her early work.
29. Famke Janssen
Famke Janssen dazzled audiences as femme fatale Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye and as Jean Grey in X-Men, roles that bookended her ’90s and early 2000s stardom. With her statuesque presence and sharp performances, she became a favorite in action and fantasy films. Though she continued acting, Janssen was later noticeably absent from newer X-Men installments, and her mainstream visibility declined. She’s since taken on smaller roles in indie projects and international films. Despite the shift, her ’90s appeal and commanding screen presence made her a standout during the era.
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28. Vanessa Angel
Vanessa Angel became a fan favorite thanks to her role as Lisa in the TV adaptation of Weird Science. She also had a memorable part in the cult comedy Kingpin opposite Woody Harrelson. With her striking looks and charming presence, many believed she was on the cusp of stardom. However, a missed opportunity — being cast and then replaced in Xena: Warrior Princess — seemed to stall her momentum. Though she has appeared in smaller projects since, she largely faded from the mainstream spotlight.
27. Rebecca Gayheart
Dubbed “The Noxzema Girl” for her commercial work, Rebecca Gayheart parlayed that fame into roles in films like Urban Legend and Jawbreaker. She quickly became a horror staple and a teen movie icon. But her rising star was dimmed by a tragic accident in 2001, which led to a lengthy hiatus from the spotlight. She married actor Eric Dane and focused on her family life for many years. Though she’s made small comebacks, her Hollywood ascent was never quite recovered.
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26. Rachael Leigh Cook
Rachael Leigh Cook was catapulted to fame as the artsy girl-next-door in the 1999 teen hit She’s All That. With her doe-eyed charm and indie film appeal, she became a favorite for both studio and arthouse projects. But after the early 2000s, Cook’s mainstream visibility dwindled. She shifted her focus to voice work and television movies, including Hallmark films and rom-coms. Though she’s still working steadily, her days as a pop culture fixture are a fond memory for many fans of ’90s teen cinema.
25. Elisabeth Shue
While Elisabeth Shue had already broken through in the ’80s with The Karate Kid and Adventures in Babysitting, the ’90s solidified her status with powerful performances in Leaving Las Vegas and The Saint. She was nominated for an Academy Award and was seen as one of the decade’s most promising actresses. Yet, despite her talent, major leading roles became less frequent in the 2000s. Shue continued to work in film and TV, including a role in The Boys, but never reclaimed her ’90s “It Girl” glow. She remains respected, though often overlooked in today’s pop culture conversations.
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24. Yasmine Bleeth
Few stars embodied 1990s beauty ideals like Baywatch star Yasmine Bleeth. Her role as Caroline Holden made her a household name, and she frequently topped “sexiest women” lists of the era. However, struggles with substance abuse and legal issues derailed her career in the early 2000s. After stepping away from acting, she retreated from public life almost entirely. Despite her absence, fans still associate her with the golden era of Baywatch glamour.
23. Linda Fiorentino
Linda Fiorentino commanded attention in the 1990s with her razor-sharp performance in The Last Seduction, which earned her critical acclaim and cult status. She later starred in big-budget films like Men in Black and Dogma, showcasing her wit, intensity, and sultry screen presence. However, Fiorentino’s career took a mysterious downturn in the early 2000s amid rumors of being “difficult” on set and tensions with Hollywood insiders. She all but vanished from the industry and has remained out of the public eye for years. Still, her bold, no-nonsense characters helped redefine the femme fatale for a new generation.
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22. Fairuza Balk
Fairuza Balk became a cult sensation in the ’90s, most famously as Nancy in the gothic teen favorite The Craft. Her edgy persona and offbeat beauty made her a standout in an era of polished teen stars. She also appeared in films like American History X and The Waterboy, carving a niche as a fearless and unconventional actress. Despite a dedicated fan base, Balk gradually stepped away from mainstream roles. In recent years, she’s returned to indie projects and music, but her reign as a 1990s dark darling remains her most iconic era.
21. Melissa Joan Hart
From Clarissa Explains It All to Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Melissa Joan Hart was a staple of ’90s teen television. She was beloved for her relatability, comic timing, and girl-next-door appeal. As she aged out of teen roles, Hart moved into directing and family-focused content, often appearing in made-for-TV movies. She’s continued working steadily, but without the cultural buzz that surrounded her during her Nickelodeon and TGIF reign. Her ’90s fame remains iconic for a generation that grew up watching her cast spells and solve teenage dilemmas.
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20. Tara Reid
Tara Reid was everywhere in the late ’90s, from her breakout in American Pie to roles in Urban Legend and Josie and the Pussycats. She was a red carpet regular and appeared in countless tabloids and teen magazines. However, a string of personal controversies and poorly received films, like Alone in the Dark, caused her career to derail. Reid reinvented herself somewhat with the Sharknado franchise but never recaptured her initial buzz. She remains one of the most infamous cautionary tales of fleeting fame in the teen star era.
19. Nikki Cox
Nikki Cox became a familiar face in the ’90s through roles on Unhappily Ever After, The Norm Show, and Las Vegas. She was often cast as the smart, sexy supporting character and became a red-carpet regular. As the 2000s progressed, her acting career slowed and she largely disappeared from the public eye. Rumors and reports of plastic surgery changes further shifted focus away from her career to tabloid speculation. Today, she lives a private life, but for a time, she was one of television’s most promising young stars.
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18. Tiffani-Amber Thiessen
As Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen was every teen’s dream girl in the early ’90s. She later transitioned to a more mature role as Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210, cementing her as a certified ‘It Girl’. By the 2000s, her presence in Hollywood began to decline, although she took on a few smaller roles and hosted a cooking show. While she has found success outside of acting, including in lifestyle and family-focused media, she’s no longer the omnipresent face of teen stardom she once was. Thiessen continues to embrace her nostalgic status and occasionally reunites with her Saved by the Bell co-stars.
17. Elizabeth Berkley
Elizabeth Berkley was catapulted to fame as Jessie Spano on Saved by the Bell, the brainy and assertive counterpart to the more traditionally popular Kelly Kapowski — though, if I’m being honest, I always had the bigger crush on Jessie. Berkley shocked audiences when she took a bold turn with her provocative role in Showgirls. The film was panned at the time and the backlash seriously impacted her career, though it’s since found a devoted cult following. In recent years, Berkley has embraced her legacy, even returning for Saved by the Bell reboots with a sense of humor and resilience. While her “It Girl” trajectory may have been disrupted, she remains one of the most fascinating and daring figures to come out of ’90s Hollywood.
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16. Neve Campbell
With her starring roles in Party of Five and Scream, Neve Campbell was the quintessential ’90s final girl — intelligent, tough, and vulnerable. As Sidney Prescott, she led one of the most successful horror franchises of all time. However, Campbell chose to take a step back from the Hollywood grind in the 2000s, preferring theater and low-profile roles. Though she recently returned to the Scream series, her time as a constant on magazine covers and red carpets feels like a distant past. She’s still beloved, but no longer the cultural fixture she once was.
15. Rose McGowan
Rose McGowan became a breakout star in the late ’90s with her memorable performance in the horror hit Scream and her leading role in the dark teen comedy Jawbreaker. Known for her edgy beauty, bold fashion choices, and off-screen relationship with Marilyn Manson, she quickly became a rebellious alternative to the era’s girl-next-door stars. She later joined the cast of Charmed, further solidifying her place in pop culture. However, McGowan’s Hollywood career took a backseat in the 2010s as she emerged as a leading voice in the #MeToo movement, openly criticizing the industry’s power structures. While no longer part of mainstream entertainment, her legacy as a daring and outspoken ’90s icon remains powerful and deeply relevant.
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14. Lacey Chabert
Lacey Chabert was a young star on Party of Five and later voiced Eliza Thornberry on The Wild Thornberrys, becoming a familiar voice and face in the ’90s. Though she reached her peak cultural relevance in the 2000s with Mean Girls, her early work laid the foundation for her “It Girl” status. As she aged out of teen roles, Chabert became a queen of Hallmark Channel movies. She’s maintained a steady career, but her days as a mainstream teen icon are often overlooked. Still, she holds a beloved spot in ’90s pop culture memory.
13. Denise Richards
Denise Richards epitomized the late ’90s allure with her breakout roles in Starship Troopers, Wild Things, and The World Is Not Enough, where she played a Bond girl opposite Pierce Brosnan. Her striking beauty and sultry screen presence made her an instant “It Girl” and a constant on red carpets and magazine covers. However, despite her initial momentum, Richards’ acting career became overshadowed by her high-profile personal life, including her tumultuous marriage to Charlie Sheen and reality TV appearances. She later embraced the spotlight again through The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but her days as a leading lady in Hollywood blockbusters are now a distant memory. Still, Richards remains a pop culture icon of the 1990s, forever linked to some of the decade’s most talked-about films.
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12. Lara Flynn Boyle
With a breakout role in Twin Peaks and later starring in The Practice, Lara Flynn Boyle was both a fashion icon and dramatic actress in the ’90s. Her edgy beauty and sharp performances made her a red carpet-staple. However, her fame was complicated by tabloid attention and career choices that led to fewer roles in the 2000s. In recent years, she’s rarely appeared on screen and has been candid about the pressures of aging in Hollywood. Though her public appearances have become rare, her style and performances defined an era.
11. Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson was one of the most recognizable faces of the 1990s, thanks to her role as C.J. Parker on Baywatch and frequent appearances in Playboy. With her platinum blonde hair and bombshell figure, she became a global sex symbol and tabloid staple. Though she maintained a public presence through reality TV and activism, her acting career cooled off in the 2000s. In recent years, Anderson has earned renewed respect for her activism, memoir, and Netflix documentary. Still, her “It Girl” status was never bigger than during her Baywatch-era dominance.
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10. Liv Tyler
Liv Tyler enchanted audiences in the 1990s with her ethereal beauty and breakout roles in Empire Records, Stealing Beauty, and That Thing You Do!. As the daughter of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, she also gained notoriety starring in the band’s Crazy music video. Her biggest commercial success came later with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but she was at her cultural peak during her dreamy 1990s film run. Though she has continued acting, she has taken long breaks from the spotlight. Today, she’s admired for her quiet elegance and work in both indie and genre projects.
9. Eliza Dushku
With roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bring It On, and True Lies, Eliza Dushku became a ’90s fan favorite, known for her tough-girl attitude and undeniable screen presence. She was often cast as the edgy, rebellious counterpart to more wholesome leads, which earned her a loyal cult following. Despite being on the brink of A-list fame, Dushku shifted away from acting in the 2010s. She later went public about harassment she experienced in the industry and has since focused on advocacy and motherhood. Though she’s stepped away from Hollywood, fans still rewatch her iconic roles.
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8. Danielle Fishel
Best known as Topanga Lawrence on Boy Meets World, Danielle Fishel was one of the most beloved teen stars of the 1990s. Her iconic hair and wise-beyond-her-years persona made her a favorite among young viewers. After the show ended, her acting opportunities dwindled, and she shifted into hosting and working behind the scenes. Though she briefly reprised her role in Girl Meets World, she hasn’t been a regular face in Hollywood since her teenage years. Still, Topanga remains one of the most iconic characters from ’90s TV.
7. Jennifer Love Hewitt
Jennifer Love Hewitt dominated the late ’90s with her roles in Party of Five, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Can’t Hardly Wait. Her blend of girl-next-door innocence and screen presence made her a favorite among teens, men’s magazines, and casting directors alike. Though she enjoyed a successful run into the early 2000s, she gradually shifted toward more niche television work. These days, she’s known more for her role on 9-1-1 and her family life than as the red carpet regular she once was. Still, her impact on ’90s teen media remains significant.
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6. Shannon Elizabeth
Shannon Elizabeth became a household name almost overnight after her unforgettable role in American Pie as foreign exchange student Nadia. Her beauty and comedic timing quickly led to roles in Scary Movie, Tomcats, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. But after a flurry of fame, her acting opportunities declined. Elizabeth shifted her focus to animal rights activism and professional poker, even founding her own non-profit. While her impact on 1990s teen comedies is still remembered, she’s now far removed from her Hollywood heyday.
5. Bridget Fonda
Bridget Fonda was once considered one of the most promising actresses of her generation, with standout performances in The Godfather Part III, Point of No Return, and Jackie Brown. Coming from a legendary acting family, she had both pedigree and talent. Yet in the early 2000s, she stepped away from acting entirely after a serious car accident and her marriage to composer Danny Elfman. Fonda has since embraced a private life, rarely making public appearances. Her sudden retreat from fame only added to the mystique surrounding her.
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4. Christina Applegate
As Kelly Bundy on Married… with Children, Christina Applegate became a poster girl for rebellious ’90s TV. She later proved her range with performances in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead and Anchorman. While she continued working into the 2000s and earned Emmy recognition, her early “It Girl” glow dimmed with health challenges and selective roles. Recently, she’s made a powerful comeback with Dead to Me, though she’s also been open about her MS diagnosis. Her journey from ‘90s bombshell to respected actress has been both inspiring and bittersweet.
3. Heather Graham
Heather Graham turned heads in Boogie Nights and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, establishing herself as one of the decade’s most alluring screen presences. She became a red carpet regular and was a go-to actress for quirky, sexy roles. But by the mid-2000s, her career had slowed, and she was no longer landing the high-profile parts she once did. Graham continues to act in indie films and TV, but without the mainstream buzz of her prime years. Despite that, she remains a ’90s icon in the eyes of many.
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2. Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder was the ultimate ’90s “It Girl,” seamlessly transitioning between goth queen in Beetlejuice and Heathers to prestige actress in The Age of Innocence and Little Women. With her delicate beauty and emotional depth, she was the face of a generation. However, a high-profile shoplifting scandal in the early 2000s marked the beginning of a long period away from Hollywood’s A-list. Though she made a triumphant comeback with Stranger Things, her peak as the most talked-about star of the ’90s still defines her legacy. Ryder remains iconic, but her days as the decade’s reigning indie darling are a moment in time many are nostalgic for.
1. Alicia Silverstone
Alicia Silverstone ruled the ’90s as Cher Horowitz in Clueless, a role that made her a generational fashion icon and teen idol. She also landed a major studio deal and starred in films like Batman & Robin and Excess Baggage, though they didn’t match the success of Clueless. A mix of industry backlash and changing audience tastes led to a lull in her career. Silverstone has since focused on indie projects, activism, and motherhood. While she’s still active in the business, she’ll always be remembered first and foremost for her stylish reign in the ’90s.
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