15 Most Popular Actresses of the 1990s (& Where They Are Now)

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The 1990s were a time of major change, most notably the end of the Cold War, and saw rapid advancements in technology like the growing internet. In film, the decade built on trends from the 1980s, with independent, low-budget movies remaining popular. The rise of home video also meant that films were increasingly made for both cinemas and television.

The 1990s featured many memorable actresses who continue to be popular and influential today. These talented women earned critical acclaim and awards for their iconic roles in classic films. Here’s a ranking of the most beloved actresses from that decade.

Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon launched her acting career in 1970 with the film Joe and has been a celebrated actress ever since, earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Throughout the 1990s, she received Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for her roles in Thelma & Louise, Lorenzo’s Oil, The Client, and Dead Man Walking. Other notable films from that decade include White Palace, Little Women, James and the Giant Peach, Stepmom, Anywhere but Here, and Cradle Will Rock. Sarandon was honored with the Women in Film Crystal Award in 1994 and received eight Golden Globe nominations, including nods for White Palace and Stepmom.

Susan Sarandon continues to challenge herself as an actress, recently returning to the stage in the UK premiere of Mary Page Marlowe. She also dedicates her time to humanitarian work as a goodwill ambassador and remains a passionate social activist. While known for her 90s films, some of Sarandon’s strongest performances came in the 2000s, including Igby Goes Down (2002) and Elizabethtown (2005). Her recent projects include the Netflix film Nonnas.

Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone began her film career with the movie The Crush in 1993, earning an award for her performance at the 1994 MTV Movie Awards. She quickly became well-known, appearing in Aerosmith’s “Cryin” music video and starring in the popular films Clueless (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997). Silverstone received numerous nominations and awards for her work in Clueless and The Crush, establishing herself as a prominent actress in 90s romantic comedies and delivering some of her most memorable performances.

Malia Silverstone is continuing to build her career after receiving praise for her role as Elizabeth Thomar-Brewer in the Netflix series The Baby-Sitters Club. She recently appeared in the critically acclaimed film Bugonia directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, and stars in the TV crime series Irish Blood, which has been renewed for a second season in 2025. Looking ahead, Silverstone is set to both star in and produce a sequel to Clueless for Peacock, potentially revisiting the role that launched her career.

Courteney Cox

Most people recognize Courteney Cox from her role as Monica on the popular 90s TV show Friends, but that wasn’t her only work during that decade. She appeared in several films throughout the 90s, but gained wider recognition after starring with Jim Carrey in the 1994 comedy Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. The following year, she became a central figure in the hugely successful Scream horror series, playing Gale Weathers – a character now considered a classic in the horror genre.

Courteney Cox reprised her role as Gale Weathers in the 2023 film Scream VI, and will return for Scream VII, scheduled for release in 2026. In addition to acting, she also develops both scripted and unscripted television shows through her production company, Coquette Productions.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz launched her film career in 1994 with a memorable appearance alongside Jim Carrey in the hit comedy The Mask, instantly gaining public attention. Throughout the rest of the ’90s, she starred in a string of popular movies like She’s the One, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Very Bad Things, Being John Malkovich, and There’s Something About Mary. Though she achieved even greater success in the 2000s with films like Shrek and Charlie’s Angels, it was the 1990s that truly established her as a rising star.

Cameron Diaz took a break from acting that lasted several years, beginning in 2014. She returned to the screen in 2025 with the Netflix film Back in Action, alongside Jamie Foxx. Diaz has said that changes in the industry, especially how women are treated since the #MeToo movement, made her more comfortable with acting again (according to People magazine).

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie started acting with her father in 1982 and gained recognition throughout the 1990s. During that decade, she appeared in films like Cyborg 2, Hackers, Love Is All There Is, Mojave Moon, George Wallace, Playing God, Hell’s Kitchen, Playing by Heart, Gia, and Girl, Interrupted, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. While she became famous for both acting and her humanitarian efforts in the 2000s, her early success in the 1990s launched her career and helped her become a global star.

It’s great to see Angelina Jolie back in the spotlight! After a bit of a break, she’s really hitting her stride again, both in front of and behind the camera. 2024 saw her directing the war drama Without Blood, and she’s got two interesting projects lined up: the biopic Maria and the fashion-world drama Couture. But it’s not just about the movies; I really admire her continued dedication to important causes. Just last November, she traveled to Ukraine, right to the front lines, to meet with those working there and bring attention to the ongoing crisis. It’s clear she’s using her platform for good, and that’s something I always appreciate.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore began her film career in 1981 with the movie Choices, and quickly gained recognition as part of the Brat Pack in the 1980s. She became even more famous in the 1990s, starring in blockbuster hits like Ghost, A Few Good Men, Indecent Proposal, Disclosure, The Juror, G.I. Jane, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her role in Ghost, and later made history as the highest-paid actress ever when she earned $12.5 million for Striptease – a record-breaking salary at the time.

2024 marked a comeback for Demi Moore, particularly with her critically acclaimed role as Elisabeth Sparkle in The Substance. While she didn’t receive an Oscar nomination, the film proved she remains a significant and evolving force in Hollywood. She’s also adding her talent to the cast of Landman, further solidifying her presence in the industry.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet started her acting career with a role in Dark Season at age fifteen. She gained recognition playing Marianne Dashwood in the 1995 film Sense and Sensibility. While she’s most famous for her role as Rose in Titanic, Winslet appeared in numerous other films and TV shows throughout the 90s, including Heavenly Creatures, Jude, Hamlet, Hideous Kinky, Holy Smoke!, and Faeries.

In 2025, Kate Winslet is set to direct her first film, a holiday drama called Goodbye June. The movie is based on a script written by her son, Joe Anders, and she will also star in it. Outside of her film work, Winslet is known for speaking out on important issues. Recently, she became an ambassador for The King’s Foundation, a UK organization dedicated to building sustainable communities and strengthening people’s connection with the natural world.

Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman started her acting career with the 1987 film Kiss Daddy Goodnight. She became widely known in the 1990s for her role as Mia Wallace in Quentin Tarantino’s acclaimed Pulp Fiction, a performance that earned her several awards and an Academy Award nomination. Other notable films Thurman appeared in during the 1990s include Mad Dog and Glory, Beautiful Girls, and Batman & Robin.

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After a period of setbacks, Thurman’s career saw a resurgence when she worked with Quentin Tarantino on Kill Bill in 2000. More recently, she’s been seen in the TV series Dexter: Resurrection and as the lead in Netflix’s superhero series, The Old Guard. However, it’s undeniable that she became one of the most prominent stars of the 1990s, and her Mia Wallace hairstyle remains iconic even today.

Winona Ryder

I remember first seeing Winona Ryder in Lucas way back in 1986, but she really became a huge star for me in the ’90s with movies like Edward Scissorhands, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Girl, Interrupted, and Little Women. She was even nominated for Oscars for both The Age of Innocence and Little Women! It was amazing to see her work with legendary directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, and Tim Burton so early on. And honestly, with her talent and her relationship with Johnny Depp, Winona was everywhere – you couldn’t avoid her, and I wasn’t trying to!

Winona Ryder has recently been praised for her performance as Joyce Byers in the popular Netflix series, Stranger Things. She carefully chooses her roles, but also enjoys revisiting and celebrating her iconic past work, like Heathers and Reality Bites, often participating in events that honor those films.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore became famous as a young actress in the 1982 movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004. She’s also won a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a British Academy Film Award, and seven Emmy Awards. Throughout the 1990s, she starred in many popular films, including Poison Ivy, Batman Forever, Scream, The Wedding Singer, Home Fries, Ever After, and Never Been Kissed. Her role in Scream is particularly memorable; the film cleverly used her established fame to make audiences feel safe, then shocked them by killing her character off in the very first scene.

As a movie fan, I’ve always loved Drew Barrymore, but honestly, I think 2025 is seeing her at her absolute peak! Her talk show is going strong into its fourth season and she’s become such a genuinely beloved host. But she’s not just in front of the camera – she’s also producing content for all the big streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. And if that wasn’t enough, she’s even made a splash in the beauty world with her own line, Barrymore Beauty. It’s amazing to see her doing so well in so many different areas!

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2025-12-25 02:13