12 Stars From the ’90s We Don’t See That Often Anymore

Career transitions are a common part of life, and even famous actors are not immune to this. Many actors have shifted gears and pursued new passions. While some may have fallen off the radar for a while, they are still making their mark in new areas, or they’ve simply taken on projects that are not as big and successful as the shows they were once popular on. Their career transitions serve as a reminder that it’s never too late to pursue a new passion or embark on a new journey.

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. Mara Wilson

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.

3. Edward Furlong

Edward Furlong’s Hollywood journey began with his iconic role as John Connor in the blockbuster hit, Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Since then, Furlong has had his ups and downs, but he’s been steadily making a comeback in recent years. After his rehabilitation in 2013, Furlong has been landing consistent work, primarily in smaller projects, such as Renegades, a Star Trek fan film, The Reunion, and Awaken.

However, he has not lost his passion for acting, and his dedication to his craft is evident in his recent projects. Currently, Furlong has 3 upcoming projects in production: Charlie’s Horse, Karma, and The Endless Whispers. These films are highly anticipated by fans eager to see Furlong’s return to the big screen.

4. Jason Earles

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. Rick Moranis

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.

6. Billy Baldwin

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.

7. Madeline Zima

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.

8. Danielle Fishel

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.

9. Jaleel White

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.

10. Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman rose to fame in the 1980s as one of the most sought-after actors of the time, starring in cult classics, such as The Goonies, Gremlins, and Stand by Me. While he has continued to work in the entertainment industry, none of his later projects have reached the same level of success as his ’80s movie hits.

Recently, Feldman has been focusing on his music career, releasing his latest album, Love Returns, in 2021. He has also been doing voice work for animated TV shows and has acted in horror flicks, like 13 Fanboy and The Sunday Night Slaughter. In 2016, Feldman made headlines with his band, The Angels, after appearing on Today.

11. Nicholas Brendon

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.

12. Madeleine Stowe

Madeleine Stowe is a talented actress known for her breakout role in the 1987 movie, Stakeout, which debuted at the top of the box office. She continued to star in popular movies, including Tropical Snow, Worth Winning, and The Two Jakes alongside Jack Nicholson. Her most recent acting credit is from the 2019 Netflix series, Soundtrack.

In a recent interview, Stowe discussed the changes in the movie industry since the 1990s, when her career was at its peak. She noted that actors now tend to prefer television shows due to the limited number of movies being produced today.

If you are wondering about some other stars from the past that you haven’t seen in years, we have a few other articles you might enjoy:

• What Some Forgotten Disney Channel Celebs Look Like and What They Do Today
• 11 Celebrities Who First Disappeared From the Big Screen and Then Suddenly Made a Comeback
• 12 Popular Actresses From the Early 2000s Who Suddenly Disappeared From the Public Eye