Skip To Content

    What Iconic '90s Teen Heartthrobs Look Like Today

    The golden era of middle parts and frosted tips.

    1. Jonathan Taylor Thomas

    Then: Was EVERYWHERE in the late '90s. You couldn't escape him.

    Now: Could release an album titled Me. I Am JTT... The Elusive Thespian, ’cause he has basically left the public's eye (the "now" photo is from 2013).

    2. Joshua Jackson

    Then: Stole your heart as Pacey on Dawson's Creek.

    Now: Currently starring on Showtime's The Affair, which is also probably the title of the fantasy you're having about Joshua right now.

    3. Hanson

    Then: Were literally a bunch of kids.

    Now: Are currently embarking on a tour in honor of the band's 25th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of their album Middle of Nowhere. (I'm sure you sprouted a gray hair just reading that.)

    4. Freddie Prinze Jr.

    Then: Starred in a bunch of classic teen movies.

    Now: Stars as the voice of Kanan Jarrus on Star Wars Rebels (an already classic animated series).

    5. Jared Leto

    Then: Played bad boy Jordan Catalano on My So-Called Life.

    Now: Is an ageless vampire and could still play a teenage Jordan Catalano.

    6. Luke Perry

    Then: Played the rebel heartthrob of West Beverly High on Beverly Hills, 90210.

    Now: Plays the dad of heartthrob and wannabe rebel Archie on Riverdale.

    7. Joseph Gordon-Levitt

    Then: Was the kid from 3rd Rock from the Sun with the epic middle part.

    Now: Ditched the middle part and is now an even BIGGER star.

    8. Andrew Keegan

    Then: Starred in tween/teen classics 10 Things I Hate About You, 7th Heaven, and Party of Five.

    Now: Started his own religion.

    9. Jason Priestley

    Then: Played goody two-shoes Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210.

    Now: Is working on the upcoming series Private Eyes.

    10. Mario Lopez

    Then: Said the word "preppy" a lot on Saved by the Bell.

    Now: The peppy host of Extra.

    11. Mark-Paul Gosselaar

    Then: Was a stereotypical blonde California surfer dude.

    Now: Basically turned into a lumberjack.

    12. Usher

    Then: Was the baby-faced singer that made teenage girls' pulses rise.

    Now: Still making pulses rise.

    13. Devon Sawa

    Then: Earrings, a middle part, and embraced by girls who loved Casper.

    Now: Ditched the earrings and middle part and embraced leather.

    14. Scott Wolf

    Then: Looked like Tom Cruise.

    Now: Still looks like Tom Cruise.

    15. Erik von Detten

    Then: Twink!

    Now: Dad!

    16. Rider Strong

    Then: Was Shawn on Boy Meets World.

    Now: Was Uncle Shawn on Girl Meets World.

    17. Ethan Embry

    Then: Starred opposite ’90s teen icon Jennifer Love Hewitt in Can't Hardly Wait.

    Now: Stars opposite LIVING TREASURES and ICONS Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin on Grace and Frankie.

    18. Matthew Lawrence

    Then: Was one of the Lawrence brothers.

    Now: Determined by BuzzFeed to be the best Lawrence brother. Sorry, Joey and Andrew.

    19. Leonardo DiCaprio

    Then: Great up-and-coming actor who dated twentysomething models.

    Now: Great actor who dates twentysomething models.

    20. Will Smith

    Then: Was a rapper turned sitcom actor.

    Now: Turning into Uncle Phil!

    CORRECTION

    OMG! In a previous version of this post we misspelled Freddie Prinze Jr.'s name.