Ever wonder what happened to those actors and actresses you would regularly tune in to watch back in the 1980s and 1990s? Did they continue on their path of fame and fortune or were bad hair and fugly outfits as good as it got for them?
We’ve sniffed around and come up with the following info...
Tiffani Amber Thiessen: Beverly Hills 90210 Best known for her bad girl role of Valerie Malone in the hugely popular, long running Beverly Hills 90210, Tiffani also starred in the late 80s show Saved by the Bell. She then went on to star in the sitcom Two Guys and a Girl but never found the same level of success when she attempted to get her break in movies. Tiffani now has her own production company and became one of the cast members in What About Brian early 2007.
Neil Patrick Harris: Doogie Howser MD Even now at 34 years of age, there is no mistaking that Neil Patrick was Doogie Howser MD; he still looks exactly the same! Neil moved to theatre and acted on Broadway in both musical and dramatic roles. He received critical acclaim for his performance in Cabaret. Neil is currently a core cast member in the TV series How I Met Your Mother. Although everyone pretty much knew, in 2006 he publicly announced that he is gay.
Jodie Sweetin: Full House Of course, we all know the story of the Olsen twins, but what about Jodie Sweeten who was Stephanie Tanner, the middle sis? Well, in 2002 she married and shortly after began using crystal meth. In 2006, she appeared on Good Morning America, publicly announced the addiction, and added that five of her teeth had rotted away. Gross. Now sober, she has since remarried and gives speeches about her recovery from meth addiction.
Mark Paul Gosselaar: Saved by the Bell Mark is probably most famous for his lead role as Zack Morris, in Saved by the Bell, which played over the late 80s/early 90s. He played Detective John Clark in NYPD Blue throughout 2001-2005 and also joined the cast of Commander in Chief. Mark has been married since 1996 and has a son and daughter. Evidently, he’s a major sports car enthusiast, race car driver, track cyclist and pilot.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas: Home Improvement We watched Jonathan grow up on TV, as Randy Taylor, the cutey-pie son of ‘Tim the Tool man Taylor’. He became a teen heartthrob with his face pictured on many magazine covers. Jonathan has appeared in various movies and also been involved with animated projects. He was the voice of Simba in The Lion King and played Pinocchio.
Rick Schroeder: Silver Spoons Rick played Rick Stratton in Silver Spoons. Perfect blonde hair and clean-cut good looks ensured Rick was a favourite with the girls in the 80s. He made it big second time around when he joined the NYPD Blue team in later years. Along with his family, Rick then waved goodbye to Hollywood for a time as he moved out to a ranch. He's also had appearances in Scrubs and in 2007 became a recurring character as a CTU Agent in 24.
Erik Estrada: CHIPS ‘Ponch’ - well remembered for his tight fitting highway patrol uniform and appearance on NZ’s Telethon, strutting his stuff. Since the 80s Erik Estrada has appeared in music videos including Eminem’s “Just Lose It”. He’s made guest appearances in various shows including The Wayans Bros and Scrubs. Reality TV and infomercials came knocking on his door with Erik starring in The Surreal Life and Discovery Health Body Challenge as well as being involved with a series of infomercials selling real estate property.
Fred Savage: The Wonder Years In the late 80s Fred Savage won our hearts with his role on The Wonder Years as Kevin Arnold. At 13, he received two Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations and was the youngest actor to receive this honour. Since The Wonder Years, Fred has appeared in support and guest spots on different programs like Boy Meets World. He’s also lent his voice to a number of animated shows. In 1999 Fred started directing a series aimed at kids for Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel.
Scott Baio: Charles in Charge Aaaah… the irresistible ‘Charles’, played by Scott Baio. Recently, Scott has had a recurring role on Arrested Development. He’s another actor who’s since headed down the path of reality TV with his show Scott Baio is 45… and Single. The show is about Scott’s quest to find out why he’s still single. Hmmmmmm, sounds like quality television. A second season of the reality series is in the works.
Tracey Gold: Growing Pains Tracey Gold was part of the Growing Pains family, playing Carol Seaver for seven years. She continued to be successful after the show ended, starring in a long list of television movies. Tracey had a well-publicised battle with anorexia for a long period, but by her 30s she had maintained a normal and healthy weight, and went on to have three children as well as speaking about the dangers of eating disorders. In 2004, Tracey was arrested for driving under the influence after a car accident where two of her three children were injured. She is currently hosting a TVGuide channel mini-show.
Tiffani Amber Thiessen: Beverly Hills 90210
Neil Patrick Harris: Doogie Howser MD
Jodie Sweetin: Full House
Mark Paul Gosselaar: Saved by the Bell
We watched Jonathan grow up on TV, as Randy Taylor, the cutey-pie son of ‘Tim the Tool man Taylor’. He became a teen heartthrob with his face pictured on many magazine covers. Jonathan has appeared in various movies and also been involved with animated projects. He was the voice of Simba in The Lion King and played Pinocchio.
with the girls in the 80s. He made it big second time around when he joined the NYPD Blue team in later years. Along with his family, Rick then waved goodbye to Hollywood for a time as he moved out to a ranch. He's also had appearances in Scrubs and in 2007 became a recurring character as a CTU Agent in 24. 
NZ’s Telethon, strutting his stuff. Since the 80s Erik Estrada has appeared in music videos including Eminem’s “Just Lose It”. He’s made guest appearances in various shows including The Wayans Bros and Scrubs. Reality TV and infomercials came knocking on his door with Erik starring in The Surreal Life and Discovery Health Body Challenge as well as being involved with a series of infomercials selling real estate property.
won our hearts with his role on The Wonder Years as Kevin Arnold. At 13, he received two Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations and was the youngest actor to receive this honour. Since The Wonder Years, Fred has appeared in support and guest spots on different programs like Boy Meets World. He’s also lent his voice to a number of animated shows. In 1999 Fred started directing a series aimed at kids for Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel.
Aaaah… the irresistible ‘Charles’, played by Scott Baio. Recently, Scott has had a recurring role on Arrested Development. He’s another actor who’s since headed down the path of reality TV with his show Scott Baio is 45… and Single. The show is about Scott’s quest to find out why he’s still single. Hmmmmmm, sounds like quality television. A second season of the reality series is in the works.
Carol Seaver for seven years. She continued to be successful after the show ended, starring in a long list of television movies. Tracey had a well-publicised battle with anorexia for a long period, but by her 30s she had maintained a normal and healthy weight, and went on to have three children as well as speaking about the dangers of eating disorders. In 2004, Tracey was arrested for driving under the influence after a car accident where two of her three children were injured. She is currently hosting a TVGuide channel mini-show.