’90s Sitcom and TV Stars, Then & Now

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'90s Sitcom and TV Stars, Then & Now

Some of the biggest stars on TV in the '90s have gone on to colorful and storied careers — see how household names like Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing, and Stacey Dash have changed.

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'90s Sitcom and TV Stars, Then & Now

Some of the biggest stars on TV in the '90s have gone on to colorful and storied careers — see how household names like Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing, and Stacey Dash have changed.

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Courteney Cox

Uppity though she was, Courteney Cox’s Friends character Monica Gellar was beloved by fans of the sitcom throughout its 10-season run (1994-2004). Cox has stayed active in Hollywood, playing a cynical tabloid editor in the FX drama Dirt for two seasons before signing on to star on the ABC/TBS comedy Cougar Town.

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus

As a star on one of TV’s most iconic series — Seinfeld — Julia Louis-Dreyfus kept the boys in check as quick-witted Elaine Benes for eight solid seasons (1990-1998). After the sitcom ended, she continued her success on the small screen with a whole laundry list of popular shows through the new decade, including roles on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Web Therapy, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and most recently, Veep.

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Brandy

Does anyone else remember that catchy intro tune to Moesha? Back in the '90s, Brandy made her name as both a singer and an actress. Her first album, which was self-titled, dropped in 1994, while her starring role in the UPN sitcom brought her major fame and staying power in '90s pop culture (1996-2001). These days, Brandy has added another major achievement to her resume: Broadway star. She made her stage debut as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago in April 2015. And in January 2016, she debuted Zoe Ever After, a sitcom on BET that she stars in, co-produces and co-created.  

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Christina Applegate

Cue hair flip! Christina Applegate first captured America’s attention as blonde-haired, bumbling Kelly Bundy on Married With Children, TV’s answer to a typical, dysfunctional family (1987-1997). Applegate has pushed past her wide-eyed role as Kelly Bundy to other parts on the small screen, including starring roles on Samantha Who? and Up All Night. She’s also a staple in the popular Anchorman films. 

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David Schwimmer

Better known as his TV alter ego Ross, David Schwimmer frustrated and captivated Friends fans with his will-they-won’t-they romance with Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) for 10 seasons (1994-2004). Since the popular NBC sitcom ended, Schwimmer has built an impressive portfolio of work both on the big screen (Madagascar) and on the small screen (Web Therapy). Most recently, he portrays the late Robert Kardashian, one of O.J. Simpson's lawyers, on American Crime Story.

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Jenny McCarthy

Loud-mouthed, unfiltered and always up for some mischievous fun, Jenny McCarthy made a name for herself in the early '90s as the cohost of Singled Out and star of the sketch comedy show The Jenny McCarthy Show and the scripted series Jenny (1997-1998). Now a mother to son Evan, McCarthy has turned her attentions to advocating for parents to be aware of the potentially damaging links between vaccines and autism. She also starred as Courtney opposite Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer on Two and a Half Men and briefly cohosted The View.

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Jennifer Aniston

With her winning smile and bubbly personality, Jennifer Aniston was the perfect actress to step into the role of America’s Sweetheart as loveable Rachel on Friends (1994-2004). Aniston has starred in numerous comedies since she officially retired Rachel as a character, including He’s Just Not That Into You, Horrible Bosses, We’re the Millers, and most recently, Gary Marshall’s fun ensemble flick Mother’s Day. She also earned a Golden Globe nomination for the drama Cake. On TV, she has guest starred on good pal (and former Friends castmate) Courteney Cox’s show Cougar Town.

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Debra Messing

The Grace to his Will. Debra Messing was a bundle of energy and nerves as Grace on the late '90s sitcom Will & Grace, opposite Eric McCormack as best friend and confidant Will (1998-2006). Messing never really left the screen, landing a starring role on the TV mini-series The Starter Wife in 2007 and then showing off her vocal prowess on the short-lived series Smash from 2012-2013. She currently stars on The Mysteries of Laura.

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Stacey Dash

Back in the day, Stacey Dash was best known as Alicia Silverstone’s BFF Dionne “Dee” Davenport in the popular 1995 chick flick Clueless; she would go on to play the same part in the TV series (1996-1999). Dash most recently made headlines when she spoke up during the 2016 #OscarsSoWhite controversy, saying that she didn’t understand the point of Black History Month, and that BET promoted segregation rather than integration. She currently serves as a contributor for Fox News.

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Pamela Anderson

After landing her first Playboy cover in 1989, buxom beauty Pamela Anderson made her way into the pop culture lexicon clad in a red one-piece swimsuit as sexy C.J. Parker on the classic '90s beachside drama Baywatch (1992-1997). Since her time at shore came to an end in 1997, Anderson has continued to reinvent herself in Hollywood, voicing the animated, erotic series Stripperella in 2003 and later tackling one-off roles on Stacked and Package Deal.