12 Celebrities Who Were Huge in the ’90s and Then Disappeared
These ‘90s stars were once household names, but after reaching their peak, they vanished from the spotlight—leaving fans wondering, "Where did they go?"
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
The ’90s were abuzz with rising stars who flooded television and cinema, only to somehow drop out of sight. Some quit for a more serene life, and others could not catch a break in scripts that would equal their early success. Even decades down the line, their vanishing acts still keep fans stumped—where did they go, and will they ever come back?
1. Bridget Fonda
Image from IMDb
Bridget Fonda was a hot Hollywood actress during the ’90s, starring in box-office hits such as Singles, Point of No Return, and Jackie Brown. However, she inexplicably abandoned acting in 2002 after a serious motor vehicle accident and concentrated on family life. Since then, she has never been seen publicly and has rejected every offer to revive her career.
2. Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Image from Wikipedia
Best known as Randy Taylor on Home Improvement, Jonathan Taylor Thomas was a teen heartthrob in the ’90s. He also provided the voice for Young Simba in The Lion King and appeared in some family movies. By the early 2000s, he quit Hollywood to concentrate on school, attending Harvard and Columbia University, and has only returned sparingly since.
3. Phoebe Cates
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Phoebe Cates became an icon in the ’80s and ’90s with Gremlins and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. In 1994, she retired from acting to raise a family with her husband, Kevin Kline, and eventually opened a New York boutique. Although she was occasionally spotted in public, she never returned to Hollywood full-time.
4. Andrew Keegan
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Andrew Keegan was a teen idol recognized for 7th Heaven, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Party of Five. His acting career declined during the 2000s, and he later became famous for founding a spiritual movement called Full Circle. Nowadays, he maintains a low profile and sometimes takes on small acting parts.
5. Michael Schoeffling
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Michael Schoeffling, aka Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles, was a dedicated fan favorite during the ’80s and ’90s. After failing to secure decent roles, he retired from Hollywood and started a handcrafted furniture company. His absence from Hollywood only served to further his cult following, with many still asking what became of him.
6. Macaulay Culkin (Before His Comeback)
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Macaulay Culkin was one of the biggest child stars in the ’90s due to Home Alone and Richie Rich. However, he retreated from Hollywood during the early 2000s, resulting in years of rumors regarding his private life. Even though he has been a huge success recently, there was a prolonged stretch where he was nowhere to be seen.
7. Lori Petty
Image from Rotten Tomatoes
Lori Petty was ubiquitous in the ’90s, appearing in Point Break, A League of Their Own, and Tank Girl. She struggled to find significant work in the 2000s and all but vanished from Hollywood. Although she had a brief resurgence with Orange Is the New Black, she never achieved the same level of fame as she did in the ’90s.
8. Kellie Martin
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Kellie Martin was a fixture on ’90s TV, acting in Life Goes On and ER. She dropped out of mainstream Hollywood to be with her family and pursue a degree in art history. She still makes occasional appearances in Hallmark films, but otherwise, she has taken a step back from the industry.
9. Josh Hartnett
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Josh Hartnett was destined to be the next Hollywood superstar after Pearl Harbor, The Faculty, and Black Hawk Down. He quit working for big studio films in the early 2000s and decided to lead a more laid-back life beyond Los Angeles. Although he returned to independent films, his mass popularity never got back to where it was at its best.
10. Jenna von Oÿ
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Jenna von Oÿ was a popular star playing Six LeMeure on Blossom during the ’90s. After the series concluded, she did a few roles but eventually left Hollywood to pursue country music and writing. She has since retired from Hollywood and lives a private life with her family.
11. Rick Moranis
Image from Rotten Tomatoes
Rick Moranis was a comedy icon during the ’80s and ’90s, appearing in Ghostbusters, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and Spaceballs. In the late ’90s, he left acting to raise his children after his wife died. Although he has done some voice work, he has largely avoided the spotlight.
12. Vincent Kartheiser (Pre-Mad Men)
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Prior to Mad Men, Vincent Kartheiser was a promising star in the ’90s with appearances in Alaska and Masterminds. When he failed to make the leap to adult roles, he all but vanished from Hollywood until his return as Pete Campbell. Although he has worked steadily since, his stardom was close to being lost before Mad Men rescued him.
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