We loved them before we were old enough to really know what love was. Not only did we see every one of their movies or TV episodes, wait in endless lines to buy all their music albums – memorizing every word to their songs along the way – and learn every one of their dance moves, but we also plastered their pictures all over our bedroom walls so their faces would be the first and last thing we saw each day. These 90s celebrities were the childhood crushes from film and TV that we were totally obsessed with. And if we’re honest, we’re still not over them.
Even as adults, we haven’t really given up that dream of one day bumping into them on some busy street, falling madly in love, and living happily ever after, have we? What are our favorite childhood crushes — like Tiffani Amber Thiessen, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Jessica Biel — up to these days? Some have fallen out of the spotlight and some are embracing it more than ever. The sight of them still gives us those same butterflies in our stomach.
Jessica Biel
Another one of those starlets who just seems to be getting more and more beautiful with time. Remember when you first laid eyes on Mary Camden – a.k.a. Jessica Biel – from WB’s longest-running series ever, 7th Heaven? Along with her successful film and TV roles, Biel participates in numerous charitable causes, giving back to those less fortunate than she has been, and oh yeah, married Justin Timberlake. Yeah, those are some major crushing points right there.
Halle Berry
Some may remember Halle Berry from some early appearances in Hollywood films, but it was really a second-place finish in the 1986 Miss USA pageant that put Berry on the map. She turned that near-win into an incredible career in modeling and acting that’s seen numerous accolades fall her way. Her 2002 Academy Award win for Best Actress (Monster’s Ball) is probably the crowning achievement of her highly successful career.
Jennifer Connelly
Is it just us, or does Jennifer Connelly look just as incredible now as she did back in the 1980s, when she earned her first big starring role opposite David Bowie in the movie Labyrinth? In fact, it’s been more than 30 years, and one could argue that Connelly is aging backwards. Oh yeah, there’s also that little thing of becoming one of the most critically acclaimed actresses in Hollywood. We expect to see Connelly on the big and small screen for years to come.
Tiffani Amber Thiessen
Oh, Kelly Kapowski … Who wasn’t madly in love with this star at one point in their lives? Kelly Kapowski was probably the most popular crush of the 90s. We were all devastated when Saved by the Bell finally came to an end, but lucky for us, we wouldn’t have to go too long without seeing this star’s beautiful face on our television. Tiffani Amber Thiessen quickly landed the role of Valerie Malone on the teen hit drama Beverly Hills, 90210 – a show with an even bigger cult following than Saved by the Bell. The wholesome girl next door turned into a sultry vixen before our eyes. More recently, you could catch her starring in USA’s hit series White Collar. 30 years later, we’re still nowhere near done crushing on her.
Emma Watson
We’ve watched her grow up and rise to fame starring as the studious Hermione Granger in all eight Harry Potter movies. Turns out she’s got a lot in common with her on-screen counterpart. Emma Watson is incredibly hardworking, studious, and intelligent. After filming for Harry Potter finally ended, Watson went on to earn degrees at Brown and Oxford, and today she is making headlines for her countless humanitarian efforts. She was appointed the Goodwill Ambassador for U.N. women. She’s also the face of Lancome, confirming yet again what we already knew: She’s one gorgeous gal. Beauty, brains, and a kind heart … Yep, we’re still fully crushing on Emma Watson.
Marley Shelton
Every guy’s fantasy was for lifeguard Wendy Peffercorn from The Sandlot to give them mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Well that fantasy is still very much alive, and so is our crush on this childhood star. It’s crazy to think that at 41, she just keeps getting better. The former Miss Peffercorn went on to have prominent roles in movies like Pleasantville, Never Been Kissed, Sugar & Spice, and Uptown Girls – to name a few – and more recently you could find her appearing in episodes of the hit TV series Mad Men.
Stacey Dash
We were all crushing on Stacey Dash when she landed her breakout role in 1995’s Clueless. But it was really her appearance in the 1988 movie Moving (pictured left), with Richard Pryor, that put Dash in the spotlight. She then showed up in the critically acclaimed St. Elsewhere TV series. Dash has continued to work in both TV and film, but most may recognize her these days as a regular contributor on the Fox News network.
Kirsten Dunst
We first got to know her when she starred opposite Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in Interview With the Vampire, and following that, at just 13, this star was named one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People. At the time, Kirsten Dunst told People, “I’d like to grow up and be beautiful. I know it doesn’t matter … but it doesn’t hurt.” Well, mission accomplished, Ms. Dunst. The crazy thing is, this star doesn’t even look like she’s aged a bit, so of course we’re still crushing on her.
Soleil Moon Frye
Who would have imagined that Punky Brewster – known for her trademark pigtails, face full of freckles, and bright colored clothing – would grow up to become such a hottie? Soleil Moon Frye continued to act for some years after Punky Brewster, but in recent years she’s stepped behind the camera to direct films such as Wild Horses and Sonny Boy, which won Best Documentary at the San Diego Film Festival. Frye is also an entrepreneur, the co-founder of a party kit company, and a published author.
Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Milano started off her acting career playing Tony Danza’s adorable daughter on the hit show Who’s The Boss?, which was on the air for eight years. In that time we watched her cuteness turn to hotness, and that hotness landed her a role on the steamy primetime soap opera Melrose Place, which she would keep until her next big break, landing a starring role on The WB’s hit series Charmed. Milano is also an outspoken political activist with numerous philanthropic pursuits.
Christine Lakin
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