31 "Hot Guys" From '90s And '00s Teen TV Shows Then Vs. Now
1.James Van Der Beek in 1998:
His teen show: Dawson's Creek
James Van Der Beek now:
What he's up to now: After Dawson's Creek, James starred on shows like Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (playing a comedic version of himself) and Friends With Better Lives. He and his wife Kimberly are the parents of six children.
2.Joshua Jackson in 1999:
His teen show: Dawson's Creek
Joshua Jackson now:
What he's up to now: Since Dawson's Creek Joshua has starred on shows like Fringe, The Affair, and Dr. Death. Most recently he starred opposite Lizzy Caplan in this year's TV adaptation of Fatal Attraction. Joshua is married to Jodie Turner-Smith and they have a daughter together.
3.Barry Watson in 1999:
His teen show: 7th Heaven
Barry Watson now:
What he's up to now: Soon after 7th Heaven, Barry was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and after six months of chemotherapy, he was in remission — but his life and approach to acting projects changed forever. While he acted on shows like Samantha Who? and What About Brian, he also turned down many roles to focus on his family and being a father. Most recently, he starred on The CW's short-lived series Naomi.
4.Will Smith in 1990:
His teen show: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Will Smith now:
What he's up to now: Of course, Will Smith went on to have a massive music and acting career. He's been nominated for three Academy Awards for his performances in Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness, and King Richard, which he won at the 2022 Academy Awards. Of course, the 2022 Academy Awards were also mired in controversy for Will after he slapped Chris Rock on stage. He was banned from the ceremony for 10 years as a result.
5.David Boreanaz in 1999:
His teen show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
David Boreanaz now:
What he's up to now: After his Buffy and Angel days, David went on to star on Bones. Now, he stars on SEAL Team.
6.Scott Speedman in 1998:
His teen show: Felicity
Scott Speedman now:
What he's up to now: These days, Scott Speedman is a series regular on Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Nick Marsh and he also appeared on You in 2021.
7.Scott Foley in 1998:
His teen show: Felicity
Scott Foley now:
What he's up to now: Like his fellow Felicity Scott, Scott Foley appeared on Grey's Anatomy and he also starred on Scandal. Most recently, he starred in the comedy series The Big Leap and starred in The Thanksgiving Play on Broadway.
8.Milo Ventimiglia in 2002:
His teen show: Gilmore Girls
Milo Ventimiglia now:
What he's up to now: Of course, Milo eventually starred on This Is Us as Jack, famously making all of us rethink ever owning a Crock-Pot. Most recently, he starred in the ABC drama, The Company You Keep.
9.Jared Padalecki in 2001:
His teen show: Gilmore Girls
Jared Padalecki now:
What he's up to now: After Gilmore Girls, Jared went on to star on Supernatural for all 15 seasons. Now, he stars on Walker as, well, Walker.
10.Robert Ri'Chard in 1999:
His teen shows: One on One, Cousin Skeeter
Robert Ri'Chard now:
What he's up to now: Robert has appeared on shows like Empire and Harlem, and appears in the 2023 film Sweetwater.
11.James Lafferty in 2003:
His teen show: One Tree Hill
James Lafferty now:
What he's up to now: Recently, James has stepped behind the camera as a director on All American, and he even appeared in an episode. He was also in The Haunting of Hill House and starred in Everyone Is Doing Great opposite his OTH costar and friend, Stephen Colletti.
12.Chad Michael Murray in 2001:
His teen shows: Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill
Chad Michael Murray now:
What he's up to now: Recently, CMM stayed in the CW family and appeared as cult leader Edgar Evernever on Riverdale. He has also starred in a number of Hallmark Christmas movies, including Toying With the Holidays most recently.
13.Jason Dohring in 2004:
His teen show: Veronica Mars
Jason Dohring now:
What he's up to now: Of course, Jason returned for Hulu's Season 4 of Veronica Mars (I'm STILL not ready to talk about it!). He has also appeared on All Rise and SEAL Team.
14.Percy Daggs in 2005:
His teen show: Veronica Mars
Percy Daggs now:
What he's up to now: Percy returned for Veronica Mars Season 4 as well. He has also starred in the Christmas movie Christmas in Louisiana and the short film Infraction.
15.Francis Capra in 2004:
His teen show: Veronica Mars
Francis Capra now:
What he's up to now: Like his costars, Francis returned for Season 4. He also starred in the 2022 film Shadows.
16.Tristan Wilds in 2008:
His teen show: 90210
Tristan Wilds now:
What he's up to now: After his time on 90210, Tristan released two albums. He later appeared in Adele's "Hello" music video. He also appeared in the Apple TV+ series Swagger and hosted the four-part documentary Profiled: The Black Man.
17.Matt Lanter in 2009:
His teen show: 90210
Matt Lanter now:
What he's up to now: Since his teen heartthrob days, Matt has voiced Anakin Skywalker in several animated Star Wars projects including Star Wars: The Clone Wars and more recently, Disney+'s Tales of the Jedi. He also appeared in an episode of The Mandalorian.
18.Dustin Milligan in 2008:
His teen show: 90210
Dustin Milligan now:
What he's up to now: Of course, Dustin appeared as Ted on Schitt's Creek and he also starred on the short-lived comedy, Rutherford Falls.
19.Jason Priestley in 1990:
His teen show: Beverly Hills, 90210
Jason Priestley now:
What he's up to now: Jason was involved with the Beverly Hills, 90210 spinoff BH90210 in 2019. He also starred in the Canadian show, Private Eyes.
20.Marques Houston in 2003:
His teen show: Sister, Sister
Marques Houston now:
What he's up to now: Marques is, of course, also known for his music. After nine years, he released a new album in February 2022. He also recently starred in the Apple TV+ series Sacrifice.
21.Chace Crawford in 2008:
His teen show: Gossip Girl
Chace Crawford now:
What he's up to now: These days, Chace stars on the massive hit Prime Video show, The Boys.
22.Penn Badgley in 2006:
His teen show: Gossip Girl
Penn Badgley now:
What he's up to now: Since 2020, Penn has starred in the massively popular series You. Hello, you.
23.Benjamin McKenzie in 2003:
His teen show: The O.C.
Benjamin McKenzie now:
What he's up to now: After The O.C. Ben starred on Gotham as James Gordon. He also appeared in the movie I Want You Back as the father to a teenager. Last month, Ben actually co-wrote a book about cryptocurrency (a topic which he talks about a lot) called Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud.
24.Adam Brody in 2003:
His teen show: The O.C.
Adam Brody now:
What he's up to now: Adam still acts a bunch — most recently, he starred in the show Fleishman Is In Trouble and has also acted in movies like Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Kid Detective, and Promising Young Woman. IRL, he's married to fellow Teen TV Drama alum, Leighton Meester.
25.Drake (aka Aubrey Graham) in 2005:
His teen show: Degrassi: The Next Generation
Drake now:
What he's up to now: Of course, Aubrey pivoted to Drake. He's massively famous for his music and, you know, being Drake.
26.Jake Epstein in 2004:
His teen show: Degrassi: The Next Generation
Jake Epstein now:
What he's up to now: Jake has acted a bunch on TV (The Umbrella Academy, The Hardy Boys, Star Trek: Discovery), in Lifetime holiday movies, and on Broadway.
27.Mark-Paul Gosselaar in 1991:
His teen show: Saved by the Bell
Mark-Paul Gosselaar now:
What he's up to now: Mark-Paul reprised his role as Zack on Peacock's short-lived Saved by the Bell reboot. He has also appeared on shows like Will Trent and Barry.
28.Mario Lopez in 1991:
His teen show: Saved by the Bell
Mario Lopez now:
What he's up to now: Mario also reprised his role in the Saved by the Bell reboot. Additionally, he has really made a career as an announcer and host on shows like Extra and Access Hollywood.
29.Taylor Kitsch in 2006:
His teen show: Friday Night Lights
Taylor Kitsch now:
What he's up to now: Most recently, Taylor starred in the Netflix series Painkiller. He also starred on Prime Video's The Terminal List and appeared in movies like 21 Bridges.
30.Gaius Charles in 2006:
His teen show: Friday Night Lights
Gaius Charles now:
What he's up to now: Gaius has had a thriving TV acting career since Friday Night Lights with roles on Grey's Anatomy, God Friended Me, Roswell: New Mexico, and most recently, The Walking Dead: Dead City.
31.Zach Gilford in 2006:
His teen show: Friday Night Lights
Zach Gilford now:
What he's up to now: Zach has pivoted to horror, and has starred in projects like Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club, and his upcoming The Fall of the House of Usher. He also stars in the upcoming film There's Something Wrong with the Children.
