What became of the careers of actors who defined the ’90s? For those who spent their formative years stuck to T.G.I.F. sitcoms or teen romantic comedies, these actors were not merely faces on screen they were a part of life. Two decades later, their careers have diverged spectacularly, as have their bank balances.
From breakout TV stars to box office sweethearts, some of them made empires while others retreated from Hollywood for calmer existences. This rundown looks at the money trail of 17 recognisable names, which ones cashed out big and which opted for a simpler way.
1. Melissa Joan Hart – $13 Million
Melissa Joan Hart was a household face with Clarissa Explains It All and then cemented her status in popular culture with Sabrina Spellman in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. With 163 episodes, she leveraged her stardom into work as an actress, director, and producer. She even teamed up with fellow ’90s personality Joey Lawrence for Melissa & Joey. Hart has previously said Us Weekly that her favorite on-set smooch was with Adrian Grenier on Drive Me Crazy, going on to say, “We had a blast together And he’s a good kisser” Her consistent screen time and camera presence has served her well in keeping a $13 million fortune.
2. Freddie Prinze Jr. – $30 Million
Freddie Prinze Jr. ruled teen films in late-’90s with blockbusters such as I Know What You Did Last Summer and She’s All That. He also did well at the box office during the early 2000s, and he is also famous for marrying Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress Sarah Michelle Gellar. Prinze Jr. told Us Weekly that they were close on a road trip in North Carolina when she didn’t even have a driver’s license, and he said, “We just would talk about life and we had completely different philosophies on just about everything.” Now, his career and business ventures have earned him an estimated $30 million net worth.
3. Brandy Norwood – $12 Million
Brandy evolved from support singer to R&B diva during the ’90s, in addition to appearing on Moesha. Her music life brought forth several chart-toppers, and her acting career widened her audience. Having connections to Ray J and cousin Snoop Dogg, she evolved into a multi-talented sensation. Her music royalties combined with her acting salaries have brought about an estimated $12 million fortune.
4. Alicia Silverstone – $20 Million
Alicia Silverstone’s stint as Cher in Clueless was an overnight cultural phenomenon, followed by a multi-million-dollar contract with Columbia Pictures. She starred in Batman & Robin as Batgirl, receiving MTV Movie Awards for Best Female Performer and Most Desirable Female. Although she never reached the stratospheric heights of Clueless, her initial career steam and subsequent undertakings have left her with a $20 million net worth.
5. Brendan Fraser – $20 Million
Brendan Fraser was omnipresent in the late ’90s and early 2000s, headlining The Mummy trilogy, Encino Man, and Journey to the Center of the Earth. His career stagnated from various surgeries and personal issues, but his earlier blockbuster profits still sustain an estimated $20 million net worth. His more recent comeback has renewed fans’ reasons why he was a top Hollywood box-office draw.
6. Jaleel White – $8 Million
Best recognized as Steve Urkel on Family Matters, Jaleel White made a memorable guest role into a pop phenomenon. After Urkel, he guest-starred on TV in Psych and The Game, and even provided the voice of Sonic in Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. His acting, producing, and voice-over work have totaled him approximately $8 million.
7. Skeet Ulrich – $5 Million
Skeet Ulrich’s ’90s movie background boasts cult classics such as The Craft and Scream. Defying open-heart surgery as a child at 10 years old, he established a career in both film and TV, going on to star in Jericho and Law & Order: LA. His varied work has garnered him an estimated $5 million net worth.
8. Kevin Sorbo – $14 Million
Kevin Sorbo’s six-year stint on Hercules The Legendary Journeys cemented him as an international TV icon. He went on to star in Andromeda and guest spots on television series such as Two and a Half Men. Sorbo also did some voice acting in video games. Having met his wife on the set of Hercules, he’s had the best of both worlds with family and consistent working hours, totaling around $14 million.
9. Daniel Stern – $20 Million
Daniel Stern’s comedic performance in Home Alone and its follow-up secured his status in ’90s films. He also appeared in City Slickers and directed Rookie of the Year. With decades of acting and directing under his belt, Stern’s body of work has raked in a $20 million fortune.
10 Jonathan Taylor Thomas – $12 Million
Jonathan Taylor Thomas departed Home Improvement during its final season to pursue education at Columbia, Harvard, and St. Andrew’s University. He explained to People, “I wanted to go to school, to travel, and have a bit of a break.” His voice acting as Simba in The Lion King and other projects have maintained his estimated net worth of $12 million even after leaving Hollywood.
11. Selma Blair – $6 Million
Selma Blair’s ’90s credits include Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde. Originally moving to New York for photography, she earned multiple degrees before embracing acting full-time. Her eclectic career and later roles have brought her an estimated $6 million.
12. Joey Lawrence – $250,000
Joey Lawrence’s charisma illuminated Blossom and then Melissa & Joey. Even with his popularity, financial difficulties saw a 2018 bankruptcy filing. His personal life has not been dull, having had several marriages and recently being reconciled with wife Samantha Cope. Lawrence’s business now includes the Brotherly Love Podcast with his brothers, but his net worth is currently at approximately $250,000.
13. Pauly Shore – $30 Million
Pauly Shore’s MTV stunts and movies such as Encino Man and Son in Law established him as a ’90s comedy staple. Being part of a family that owns The Comedy Store, Shore’s business connection and entertainment career have earned him an estimated $30 million net worth.
14. Jennifer Love Hewitt – $22 Million
Jennifer Love Hewitt became popular in Party of Five and again appeared in The Ghost Whisperer. Her acting career in I Know What You Did Last Summer further increased her popularity. Years of acting earned her a $22 million net worth.
15. Mark-Paul Gosselaar – $9 Million
Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s performance as Zack Morris in Saved by the Bell made him a teen heartthrob. He made the switch to dramas such as NYPD Blue and comedies such as Franklin & Bash. His perpetual TV presence has made him approximately $9 million.
16. Jennie Garth – $8 Million
Jennie Garth’s Kelly Taylor character on Beverly Hills, 90210 set her career for the ’90s. She went on to play the lead in What I Like About You and returned to her breakout role in the 90210 revival. Her directing and acting efforts have brought her an estimated $8 million.
17. Ian Ziering – $2 Million
Ian Ziering worked on Beverly Hills, 90210 for ten years and then went on to cult stardom with the Sharknado franchise. He also appeared on Dancing with the Stars, reaching the semi-finals. His diverse roles have earned him an estimated $2 million net worth. The post-career bank accounts of ’90s celebrities are as eclectic as their careers. Some invested in early stardom to achieve lasting fortune, while others walked away from Hollywood for personal satisfaction and traded smaller fortunes for a different type of triumph. To fans, these figures mean more than dollars and cents they’re portraits of how the stars of a favorite era handled life beyond the highlight.
