Melissa Joan Hart Is 48! Enjoy 10 Perfectly Magical '90s Photos of the 'Teenage Witch' in Her TV Heyday

'Tiny, tiny' bangs! Spaghetti straps! Slip dresses! The former teen star rocked them all

No matter how many years pass, Melissa Joan Hart will always be a '90s It Girl. From her red carpet style to her beloved performances on Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Clarissa Explains It All, the young actress cast her spell on Hollywood from the very beginning of her career. Today, as the mom of three teenage boys, Hart remains a fountain of nostalgia for fans of her TV roles and retro fashion.

In honor of Hart's 48th birthday on April 18, 2024, here are 10 throwback photos from the enchanting star's early days in the spotlight.

From the Start

Melissa Joan Hart nabbed her first major TV role at age 15, starring as the title character in the Nickelodeon coming-of-age series Clarissa Explains It All.

Although the show has been off the air since 1994, Hart still looks back fondly on her time playing the lead character. She even wore Clarissa's iconic Dr. Martens boots to a '90s Con panel in 2022, where she told the crowd she was determined to wear the "actual" pair of shoes, although that meant replacing the since-snapped original laces.

Years of Magic

After Clarissa Explains It All wrapped in 1994, Melissa Joan Hart continued her teen sitcom stardom as the titular character in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. The show's first season premiered in September 1996, and it ran for seven seasons until its finale in 2002.

On set, the star was joined by Beth Broderick and Caroline Rhea, who played her on-screen aunts Zelda and Hilda Spellman. Michelle Beaudoin played Sabrina's best friend, Jenny, while Jenna Leigh Green took on the role of her high school nemesis, Libby. Nate Richert starred as Harvey, Sabrina's love interest.

Fond Memories

The successful Sabrina franchise spawned some movies as well. Melissa Joan Hart costarred with Ryan Reynolds in the first film spinoff, and looking back decades later, the seasoned actress admitted there were off-screen sparks between the pair.

"We were smitten and cute. He was adorable. He was a really nice guy," she told Australia's Studio 10 talk show in 2017.

In the Public Eye

As child star, Melissa Joan Hart got comfortable in the spotlight from an early age. She walked red carpets throughout her adolescent and young adult years, posing for photos at premieres, major events and award ceremonies, including the 1994 Cable Ace Awards in L.A.

It Girl

From her spunky hairstyles to her sweet and stylish wardrobe, the TV icon reigned as a young trendsetter before and after the turn of the century.

Staying on Trend

Speaking to Today in October 2017, Melissa Joan Hart reflected on red carpet looks from her early career and shared some insight about her style choices. Her short-cut bangs, the Melissa & Joey star recalled, were all the rage for people her age.

"That was very in at the time," she said of the cropped, fringed 'do. "You wanted to do the tiny, tiny bangs. I rocked that for a little while."

Red-y or Not

She also told Today that the 1994 Kids' Choice Awards marked her first red carpet appearance.

Retro Red Carpet Style

In perfect '90s style, the actress stepped out in a chevron halter top for the premiere of 54 in Los Angeles in 1998.

Haute Looks

At another L.A. screening event, Hart wore a trendy slip dress.

A Family Affair

As the eldest of seven siblings, Melissa Joan Hart's bustling career didn't excuse her from regular big sister duties. The No Good Nick star often brought her younger family members to red carpet events, like the 1997 premiere of Good Burger.

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