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The forgotten actors we used to watch on the big screen are like stars in the night sky. Some shine brighter, taking the stage, while others fade away, not quite as memorable. When the cosmos’ stars disappear, they go out with a bang, while forgotten actors and actresses fade away. From personal decisions to the stereotypical characters they always portray — several factors lead forgotten stars down the path of fading away.

A big part of these forgettable actors and actresses comes from ‘90s movies and series. They dominated the screen and even launched their successful careers in the 2000s and the 2010s. Sadly, these stars from the ‘90s either worked in the field for a long time or crashed and burned, repeating the same role till their passion destroyed them. For example, Pauly Shore, known for his Duffy characters, became known for only those roles, thus pushing himself into the same circle of work. On the other hand, some stars in the ‘90s faded away due to more personal decisions, like retiring. Bridget Fonda, a prominent actress, quit her career and began a new life, acting-free.

Some actors might have been forgotten on the screens of theaters, but this list is here to remind you about them. Below, we have compiled a collection of the most famous actresses and actors of the ‘90s, 2000s, and other decades that have since been forgotten. With so many iconic faces, leave an upvote on the actors and actresses you still remember. On the other hand, if you have anything else to share about them, you can do so in the comments below.

#1

Heather Graham

Heather Graham looking surprised

In the 1990s, Heather Graham was one of the most eye-catching actresses. Well-known films like Boogie Nights, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Lost in Space, and Bowfinger, gave Graham a chance to prove her talent. She has continued to work in film and television since then but hasn't reached the same peak of fame.

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    #2

    Sinbad

    Sinbad looking surprised

    Sinbad might have been forgotten, but he lives on through memes and reputation in some people's minds. He appeared in several well-known Hollywood comedies, including Jingle All the Way, hosted the late-night discussion show on Vibe, and even had his own sitcom, The Sinbad Show.

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    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Plus that movie wherein he was a genie that many people remember—including me—even though it never existed on this timeline. Prime example of the Mandela Effect.

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    #3

    Clancy Brown

    Clancy Brown looking suspicious

    Clancy Brown, a tall, wavy-haired American actor with a rich, deep voice, has distinguished himself as a multifaceted performer by making outstanding contributions to theater, feature films, television shows, and even animation. Today, he is more known for The Shawshank Redemption and the voice he gave to Mr. Krabs in SpongeBob SquarePants.

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    Craftsman 64
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "There can be only one". "Nuns, no sense of humor." And of course Starship Troopers.

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    #4

    Larisa Oleynik

    Larisa Oleynik Looking at someone in a bathroom

    During the middle of the 1990s, Larisa Oleynik became well-known for her role as Alex Mack in the children's television series The Secret World of Alex Mack. She later starred as Bianca Stratford in the film 10 Things I Hate About You, and she also had recurring roles in 3rd Rock from the Sun, but she has had a very quiet profile ever since.

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    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember seeing her in 10 Things I Hate About You with Joseph Gordon Levitt which was so cool after their time on 3rd Rock from the Sun.

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    #5

    Sarah Polley

    Sarah Polley looking sad at someone

    Sometimes, a celebrity might fade away from the acting world but resurge in other categories, like writing and directing. Sarah Polley was one of the more known actresses in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Since then, she has become more known for her other accomplishments, like winning an Oscar in 2023 for her screenplay.

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    #6

    Billy Baldwin

    Billy Baldwin looking at someone in the dark

    While his older brother, Alec Baldwin, might be more famous, Billy Baldwin put up a decent fight for popularity in the ’90s and 2000s. Except for Backdraft, most of the big-budget films Billy was in bombed at the box office. He is also famous for dating Chynna Phillips, an American singer.

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    #7

    Christian Slater

    Christian Slater looking at someone in a room

    Mr. Robot himself, Christian Slater, was everywhere in the ’90s. Starring in Tony Scott’s True Romance, acting alongside Kevin Costner in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and John Travolta in Broken Arrow — Slater had a good start to his career. Sadly, due to alcohol abuse and domestic violence, Slater was unable to follow his ‘90s success.

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    #8

    Jonathan Taylor Thomas

    Jonathan Taylor Thomas standing in a forest

    Jonathan Taylor Thomas was a great sensation in the 1990s. He played a prominent role in Home Improvement, but after working there for a while, he quit to concentrate on his studies. Thomas appeared as a guest star on Last Man Standing, although he is more interested in giving acting the back burner and focusing on writing and directing.

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    Kyle D
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's "fading away" and quitting/retiring from the business, which is what he did.

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    #9

    Fred Savage

    Fred Savage looking at someone suspiciously

    Fred Savage rose to fame as Kevin Arnold in The Wonder Years — a role that made him a household name. He now primarily performs background work. Boy Meets World, That's So Raven, Hannah Montana, and Wizards of Waverly Place are just a few of the TV shows he has directed episodes for.

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    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Then he directed the Wonder Years reboot and got kicked off it for misconduct. Pretty sad when he seemed so nice and reliable.

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    #10

    Ethan Embry

    Ethan Embry playing with some toys

    Ethan Embry acted in at least two movies a year throughout the 1990s. He appeared in some of the most popular motion pictures of the decade, such as Can't Hardly Wait, Empire Records, White Squall, and Vegas Vacation. However, Embry faded away after 1999 from major roles and in Hollywood overall.

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    #11

    Tommy Rettig

    Tommy Rettig hugging a dog

    Tommy Rettig was a popular young actor in 1954 when he was chosen from 500 candidates to portray Jeff Miller in the CBS television series Lassie, which debuted on September 12, 1954. He was the first boy to chase after Lassie throughout the 20 years the legendary collie was on the network. He worked on the program for four years.

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    Vermonta
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I loved Lassie but more like 1964. I don't know if I ever saw it in color

    #12

    Adrienne Barbeau

    Adrienne Barbeau talking to a cellphone

    She appeared in the John Carpenter-related films Someone's Watching Me!, The Fog and Escape from New York early in her career. She occasionally worked with George A. Romero on films like Two Evil Eyes and the Stephen King anthology Creepshow. Swamp Thing is one of the horror films she is most remembered for.

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    #13

    Joe Turkel

    Joe Turkel standing in a bar

    Joe Turkel is known for playing Dr. Eldon Tyrell in Blade Runner and for appearing in Stanley Kubrick's The Killing, Paths of Glory, and The Shining. Additionally, he played in three of Bert I. Gordon's movies. Before going up the acting ladder, Turkel enlisted in the American Army and saw action in the European Theater of Operations throughout World War II.

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    #14

    Devon Sawa

    Devon Sawa looking scared in the dark

    Devon Sawa made his big screen debut in Casper. He went on to star in Wild America, Idle Hands, SLC Punk!, and Final Destination, among others. He appeared in the music video for "Stan" by Eminem, where he played the lead role of an obsessed fan, and after that, Sawa became practically invisible in Hollywood.

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    #15

    Matthew Lillard

    Matthew Lillard looking scared and a ghost behind him

    In the 1990s, Matthew Lillard appeared in some of the best and most popular decade-defining movies, such as Hackers, Scream, and She's All That. Even though he still acts, his career has significantly slowed down. Lillard did have a role in the Oscar-nominated movie The Descendants.

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    #16

    Richard Grieco

    Richard Grieco looking at someone with a cigarette in his mouth

    Richard Grieco was one of the original members of 21 Jump Street, even before Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum popularized it to the world. Grieco started as Detective Dennis Booker on 21 Jump Street and the spinoff Booker in 1988. After that, he had lesser roles and even appeared in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

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    #17

    Lara Flynn Boyle

    Lara Flynn Boyle looking at someone while sitting

    Lara Flynn Boyle was one of Twin Peaks breakout stars in the '90s when the world watched David Lynch's deliciously bizarre cultural phenomenon. She later made appearances in other notable movies, including Wayne's World and Baby's Day Out, as well as in Andrew Fleming's Threesome and Tom Holland's The Temp.

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    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We all know why she hasn't worked. She's an infamous example of getting bad plastic surgery.

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    #18

    Campbell Scott

    Campbell Scott sitting happy with his hands crossed

    After Pretty Woman premiered, Campbell Scott was the next person to be the love interest of Julia Robert. Scott also played the starring role in Cameron Crowe's grunge-inspired ensemble comedy Singles. Today, he is more known for his portrayal of Richard Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man movies.

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    #19

    Stacy Keach

    Stacy Keach looking at someone in the dark

    Stacy Keach is one of the foremost American Shakespearean actors. He has performed on both the classic and modern stages with tremendous success. In 1984, Keach served six months in prison due to possession of some illegal substances. Today, he is more known for his role in American History X and Prison Break.

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    #20

    Barbara Hershey

    Barbara Hershey looking at someone while holding a pen

    Barbara Hershey has been working in Hollywood, in movies and series, for more than 50 years already. Peaking in the ‘90s with her roles in The Portrait of a Lady and A Killing in a Small Town, she continued to star in smaller roles in the coming decades but couldn't reach the same level of fame as before.

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