17 Teens from the '90s Who STILL Rule the School
Christine Laskodi
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The '90s was great for many things - fashion, music, movies, and most importantly, an incredible amount of small-screen talent.
They were Tiger Beat gorgeous - all of them - but they had the ambition and skills to stick around and not fade into obscurity.
It's hard to believe how many amazing stars popped up over the decade, and still pop up on our televisions today!
If we've forgotten your favorite, feel free to add them in the comments below!
1. Mark Paul Gosselaar - Saved by the Bell
Just as Ginny Baker had Mike Lawrence on her wall as a young girl, what girl didn't have Mark Paul Gosselaar on hers? Zack Morris had cool hair, a cool cell phone, and a killer band (ZACK ATTACK FOREVER)! He's never left TV, moving from Bayside to NYPD Blue to Franklin & Bash, and now crushing it as the aformentioned Mike Lawrence on Pitch.
2. Claire Danes - My So-Called Life
My So-Called Life may have been brief, but it showed the world that Claire Danes was a superstar in the making. She moved on to films before coming back to television to star on Homeland, a role which has earned her massive critical acclaim once again. If only Angela Chase had known what she'd grow up to be!
3. Joshua Jackson - Dawson's Creek
In the late '90s, Joshua Jackson stole Joey's (and everyone else's) heart. Fresh off his stint as Charlie in the Mighty Ducks movies, Jackson was already a heartthrob. And he'd still stealing our hearts in the present day on The Affair, but we had a hunch that greatness was in store for this guy!
4. Brandy - Moesha
Brandy was already a music star, but she gained a lot of acclaim as the titular character on Moesha, became a role model to teens everywhere, and showing that she had staying power. After a bit of a hiatus from the spotlight, Brandy returned to television as a judge on America's Got Talent, and starred and produced Zoe Ever After, but we're holding out hope that she'll pop on Being Mary Jane! (Wouldn't THAT be amazing?!)
5. Fred Savage - The Wonder Years
Fred Savage adorned the walls of many teenage girls' walls in the early '90s for his role as Kevin Arnold on The Wonder Years, a coming of age show about a boy in the '60s and '70s. While he spent many years behind the camera directing, he returned to our televisions to star as Stuart Sanderson on The Grinder.
6. Candace Cameron - Full House
What teenage girl didn't look up to DJ Tanner in the early '90s? She was a model student, had a super cool wardrobe, and a hottie for a boyfriend! Candace Cameron was equally as cool, and we couldn't help but idolize her. In present day, she's sharing her opinions on everything from politics to kitchen care on The View, and reprising the role of DJ Tanner on Fuller House.
7. Joseph Gordon-Levitt - 3rd Rock from the Sun
While learning from some of the best in the business on 3rd Rock, Gordon-Levitt soared into a stellar film career as an adult. He took a brief break between blockbuster films to create and host Hit RECord on TV, a variety show on the Pivot network, in which thousands of artists around the world collaborate on one singular topic. The show won him an Emmy.
8. Jessica Biel - 7th Heaven
Mary Camden was just the coolest big sister ever - and one gorgeous young lady. It's no surprise that after her turn on 7th Heaven that a movie career was right around the corner. She's not totally opposed to returning to the small screen - she popped up on New Girl, and lent her voice to Family Guy and BoJack Horseman.
9. Joey Lawrence - Blossom
Joey Lawrence was a dreamboat, starring as Blossom's older brother. Along with his acting career, he tried his hand at music (ain't nothin' my love can't fix for you, baby!), but went on to star in Brotherly Love, with his real life brothers, Matthew and Andy, and then returned again alongside fellow '90s alum Melissa Joan Hart for Melissa and Joey on ABC Family.
10. Leonardo DiCaprio - Growing Pains
It's really hard to believe it, but the Academy Award winner got his start as a wayward teen on Growing Pains. DiCaprio immediately stole hearts for his turn as Luke, but when movies came calling, the world agreed - he was a bonafide star that was too big for the small screen.
11. Mayim Bialik - Blossom
Admit it: when you watch Mayim Bialik on The Big Bang Theory, you're still picturing her in big flower hats, doing those sweet '90s moves that she used to dance her way into our hearts permanently. We'll never forget her performance as Blossom, no matter how "big" she gets.
12. Jonathan Jackson - General Hospital
He made big headlines as the son of beloved General Hospital couple, Luke and Laura. But he wouldn't be "Lucky" forever. When he was done trading longing glances at Liz in Port Charles, he moved on to Nashville, where he trades longing glances with Juliette and shows off his singing chops.
13. Mila Kunis - That '70s Show
Was there ever any doubt in the late '90s that Mila Kunis would take over Hollywood? Her turn as Jackie on That '70s Show showcased those comedy chops that she uses today in her films. But along with that, she's never truly left the small screen, voicing Meg on Family Guy since 1999.
14. Ben Savage - Boy Meets World
Ben Savage won us over as the quirky-but-cute Cory Matthews. And today, he's winning us over as, well, quirky-but-cute Cory Matthews. Savage returned to television to reprise the role that made him a household name on Boy Meets World's continuation, Girl Meets World.
15. Sarah Michelle Gellar - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sarah Michelle Gellar was an "it" girl in the '90s, winning an Emmy for her role on All My Children, and then kicking ass as Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After a few okay films, she returned to television with Ringer and The Crazy Ones, and can soon be seen reprising her film role of Katherine on NBC's Cruel Intentions re-boot.
16. Tia and Tamera Mowry - Sister, Sister
These twin sisters were a TGIF dream! We loved watching their wholesome hijinks. Tia moved on to The Game and Instant Mom, and Mistresses, while Tamara went on to Roomates, Things We Do For Love, and as a co-host of the daytime talk show, The Real.
17. Melissa Joan Hart - Clarissa Explains It All & Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Melissa Joan Hart OWNED the '90s. She showed us how to be cool as Clarissa, and then showed us a little extra magic as Sabrina the Teenage Witch. In the present day, she co-starred alongside fellow '90s alum, Joey Lawrence, on Melissa & Joey.
