90s' actors you may have forgotten about

He made two of the most influential movies of the 90s: 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991) and 'American History X' (1998). However, his problems with various substances turned him into a shadow of his former self.

Do you recognize him? Yes, it's David Hasselhoff in an umpteenth tribute to 'Knight Rider' (1982-86). To many, it was 'Baywatch' (1989-2000) that elevated him to legendary status and made him a millionaire. Tarantino once commented that he would not mind recovering The Hoff as a true actor in one of his films, but it never materialized... so far.

At the end of the 90s, he was the face of the new teen wave, crowned with 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' (1997). It was precisely on this shoot that he met Sarah Michelle Gellar, his current wife. Freddie Prinze Jr left acting to take care of their children. He has continued to make his little dabbling on screen, but only occasionally so.

Chris O'Donnell (1970) was the perfect son-in-law in the 90s. However, after playing Batman's sidekick Robin, in 'Batman & Robin' (1997), his star declined. Of course, in 2009, the series 'NCIS: Los Angeles' premiered, and it's still there, but O'Donnell's career is not at the level of expectations that it once aroused.

The legendary Dawson from 'Dawson's Creek' (1998-2003) was typecast in his most recognizable role. James Van der Beek (1977) has continued to make television but with moderate success. He will always be Dawson. The most famous thing he currently has is his crying meme.

Brandon Walsh is back and the world is turned upside down. Of course, Jason Priestley (1969) is not, not even remotely, the young man who started 'Beverly Hills, 90210' (1990-2000) at the age of 23. Brandon's success was such that he could never surpass it. He's still acting, but the series are smaller than BH90210.

He made 'The Faculty', 'Halloween H20', and 'The Virgin S-' between 1998 and 1999, making him an instant star. Despite having continued to work since then, Josh Hartnett (1978) has never had the relevance of those important years.

How Pacey stole the series and Dawson's girlfriend in 'Dawson's Creek' (1998-2003) is TV history. Joshua Jackson (1979) has been very selective with his work on television and has picked two really good shows: 'Fringe' (2008-13) and 'The Affair' (2014-19). In film he's been less successful: he made more than 30 titles, almost none of which are noteworthy.

He gave life to the muscular AC Slater, in 'Saved by the Bell' until 1995. Today, Mario López (1975) continues to work but as a host of 'The X Factor.' In cinema and series, he had less success.

Joey and Chandler are the guys from 'Friends' (1994-2004). The legendary comedy ended in 2004 and Matt LeBlanc (1967) and Matthew Perry (1969) have never reached the same fame again. Of course, Matt LeBlanc did try, and he even won a Golden Globe for his role in 'Episodes'.

Okay, Nick Carter (1980) is a singer and not an actor, but he was on TV so much in the 90s that we can add him here. The most popular Backstreet Boy had a career that took a turn for the worse. The band is back, but you have to admit, they no longer rule the world.

He gave life to Shawn Hunter, Cory's best friend in 'Boy Meets World,' from 1993 to 2000. Strong's resume has been long since then, but few titles are memorable. In fact, a lot of people wouldn't recognize Rider Strong (1979) by name, even if they loved him as Shawn in the '90s.

He entered the 1990s as an established star at just 20 years old. Hybris and bad company led him to excesses that cost him his life. He died in 1993 of an overdose at The Viper Room, the trendy venue owned by Johnny Depp.

Zack Morris was an icon of the 90s. 'Saved by the Bell' (1989-92) elevated him to the category of heartbreaker in many teenage lives. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (1974) has not stopped working on television, but now he is unrecognizable. More muscular and bearded, in fact.

'Cruel Intentions' (1999) and 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' (1997) are some of the jewels that he made in the 90s. He's an actor with the face of an angel and the body of a scandal. He keeps making TV and films but not with the same appeal as in the 90s.

Why haven't we seen Will Friedle (1976) on television again, after the end of 'Boy Meets World' (1993-2000)? Well, the actor has dedicated himself to dubbing animated series ever since.

'I'll Be Home for Christmas' (1998) was one of the best Christmas movies of the 90s. Jonathan Taylor Thomas (1981), a teen icon from 'Home Improvement' (1991-98) made the film a hit. However, in 2015 he decided to give up acting altogether, his last work being 'Last Man Standing' (2013-15).

He appeared for two minutes in 'Casper' (1995) but it was enough for the world to love him. Devon Sawa (1978) was the new teen dream in the world and films like 'Idle Hands' (1998), and 'Final Destination' (2000) confirmed it. However, he opted for independent cinema and his star faded. In our memory remains the video of 'Stan' (2000), Eminem's song, in which he played a disturbed fan.

Dean Cain's resume (1966) is endless but almost everything is concentrated on the 90s and 2000s. Despite this, he will always be remembered for being Superman in 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman' (1993-97). Handsome, muscular, and with charisma, he was even rumored to become the superhero in movies but, as life would have it, he was beaten by Brandon Routh.

Fox Mulder placed him as one of the television references of the 90s. 'The X Files' (1993-2018) is history, though, and so is David Duchovny (1960). He repeated some level of success with 'Californication' (2007-14), but, except for the reboot of 'The X Files', he hasn't been up to much.

One of the most desired protagonists of 'Baywatch' (1992-96), and 'Melrose Place' (1996-98) disappeared too quickly from television. David Charvet (1972) tried it with music, without much success. As an actor, he hasn't done anything since 2013 ('Prisoners of the Sun').

The young and naive David in 'Beverly Hills, 90210' (1990-2000) continued to work after the series but never with regular or relevant roles, except in 'Anger Management' (2012-14). Brian Austin Green (1973) began dating Megan Fox in 2004 and his partner's fame overshadowed him. Following their breakup, he has kept a low profile.

Carlton Banks stole the hearts of half the world in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air' (1990-96). Lovably hateful, the character became the actor and Alfonso Ribeiro (1971) is still, for many, Carlton Banks. In fact, does anyone remember any other roles of the actor?