These Former Teen Heartthrobs Still Have Fans Talking About Them Today
Some stars become famous when they are very young. Many of them were the biggest crushes of the 1980s and 1990s. Fans covered their bedroom walls with posters, watched every movie, and never missed an episode of their favorite TV shows.
Years have passed, but these celebrities are still making headlines. Some are acting in new movies and TV shows. Others have built long careers in entertainment. Here’s a look at where these famous teen heartthrobs are now and why fans still remember them.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar is still busy on TV
Back in the 1990s, Mark-Paul Gosselaar became a huge favorite after playing Zack Morris in Saved by the Bell. His blond hair, smile, and funny personality made him one of the biggest teen stars of his time.
Today, Gosselaar is still acting. He has appeared in many TV dramas over the years, including Franklin & Bash, NYPD Blue, The Passage, and most recently Found. Even after decades in Hollywood, fans still remember him as one of television’s classic teen idols.
Freddie Prinze Jr. continues to entertain fans
Freddie Prinze Jr. won millions of hearts with hit movies like She’s All That and I Know What You Did Last Summer. During the late 1990s, he was one of the most popular young actors in Hollywood.
He is still acting today. Fans recently saw him in The Girl in the Pool in 2024. He also returned to the I Know What You Did Last Summer series in the 2025 film. While many remember his younger days, he continues to work in movies.
Jason Priestley remains a familiar face
Jason Priestley became a star after playing Brandon Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210. His good looks and calm personality made him one of the biggest TV heartthrobs of the 1990s.
He has stayed active in acting for many years. Most recently, he appeared in the 2025 movie All There Is. Fans who grew up watching him still enjoy seeing him on screen.
Joey Lawrence never left the spotlight
Joey Lawrence became famous as Joey Russo in the sitcom Blossom. His charming smile and fun personality helped make him one of the best-known teen stars of the decade.
He still works in television and movies. In recent years, he appeared in Marry Christmas in 2024 and later starred in the 2025 films Diamond Rose and The Great Christmas Snow-In. His long career has kept him connected with both old and new fans.
Ben Savage is remembered for growing up on screen
Many people watched Ben Savage grow up while he played Cory Matthews in Boy Meets World. His kind nature and relatable character made him one of Disney’s most loved young stars.
Although he appears less often today, Savage has continued acting. One of his recent projects was the 2022 movie Girl in the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez. Fans still have strong memories of the role that made him famous.
Johnny Depp became much more than a teen idol
Johnny Depp first caught the attention of young fans in the TV series 21 Jump Street. At the time, many people admired his style and quiet charm.
As the years went by, Depp built one of Hollywood’s biggest careers. He became famous for playing unforgettable characters, including Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. His early heartthrob days may be long gone, but his career has stayed in the spotlight.
Zac Efron successfully moved into adult roles
Zac Efron became one of the biggest teen stars of the 2000s after playing Troy Bolton in the High School Musical movies. His singing, dancing, and friendly smile made him a favorite with young audiences around the world.
Today, Efron continues to take on different kinds of acting roles. One of his most talked-about performances was playing Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. He has shown that he can do much more than the teen roles that first made him famous.
Paul Rudd is still one of Hollywood’s favorites
Paul Rudd became a heartthrob after appearing in the 1995 comedy Clueless. His easygoing style and sense of humor quickly won over audiences.
These days, he is best known for playing Ant-Man in the Marvel movies. Even after many years in Hollywood, fans often joke that he hardly seems to age. His popularity has only grown over time.
Mario Lopez stays close to the entertainment world
Mario Lopez became a fan favorite by playing A.C. Slater in Saved by the Bell. His athletic look and confident personality helped make him one of television’s biggest young stars.
He has remained active for years as both an actor and a television host. In 2024, he appeared in the holiday movie Once Upon a Christmas Wish. Fans still enjoy seeing him on screen after all these years.
Every generation has its favorite teen heartthrobs. These actors were known for their youthful charm, famous TV roles, and popular movies when they first became stars. While time has changed their careers, many of them are still working and finding new audiences.
Some have taken on serious acting roles. Others have stayed close to family movies, television, or hosting shows. No matter where life has taken them, they continue to remind fans of the shows and films that made growing up a little more fun.
Featured Image Source: Shutterstock
