20 Celebs From the ’90s Who Vanished From the Spotlight

The ’90s delivered a wave of stars who seemed to be everywhere, then quietly stepped away as life and priorities changed. Some chose school or family over film sets, while others moved into new careers far from cameras and red carpets. A few returned for brief projects, but most have kept low profiles and rarely give interviews. Here are twenty familiar names from that era and what pulled them out of the public eye.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas

He became a household name on ‘Home Improvement’ and voiced young Simba in ‘The Lion King’. By the mid 2000s he left acting to attend college and study history and philosophy. He made a few low key guest appearances on TV but avoided major roles. He has largely stayed out of the public eye and does not maintain active social media.

Phoebe Cates

She rose to fame in ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ and ‘Gremlins’ before stepping back in the ’90s. After marrying Kevin Kline she focused on raising their children. She later opened Blue Tree, a boutique on Madison Avenue in New York. Occasional charity and community appearances replaced film work as her main public presence.

Rick Moranis

Known for ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’ and ‘Ghostbusters’, he stepped away from live action roles in the late ’90s. He chose to raise his children after the death of his wife. Voice gigs and a few music projects kept him loosely connected to entertainment. Aside from a rare commercial appearance, he has remained mostly private.

Bridget Fonda

She starred in ‘Single White Female’ and ‘Jackie Brown’ and then stopped acting after the early 2000s. She focused on family life away from Hollywood events and publicity. Public sightings have been rare and she does not do interviews. Her earlier films continue to circulate on streaming while she keeps a very low profile.

Linda Fiorentino

She broke out with ‘The Last Seduction’ and appeared in ‘Men in Black’. After a small number of projects in the early 2000s her screen work slowed to a stop. Industry reports cited limited activity and few public appearances. She has maintained privacy while her ’90s performances remain cult favorites.

Leelee Sobieski

She earned acclaim in ‘Deep Impact’ and ‘Joan of Arc’ before shifting away from acting. Around the early 2010s she redirected her focus to visual art and family. She began exhibiting work under her married name and avoided red carpet events. Film and television roles have been minimal since that transition.

Andrew Keegan

He was a teen favorite in ’10 Things I Hate About You’ and ’90s television. In the 2010s he founded a community organization in Venice, California. Acting took a back seat as he concentrated on local projects and occasional indie work. He rarely appears in mainstream productions or press.

Karyn Parsons

Audiences knew her as Hilary Banks on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’. She stepped away from on camera roles after the ’90s. She launched the Sweet Blackberry Foundation to create educational content about Black history for children. Most of her creative efforts now happen behind the scenes and in publishing.

Nikki Cox

She was a regular face on ’90s series like ‘Unhappily Ever After’. By the 2010s her TV appearances became infrequent. She did limited voice and writing work while keeping a low profile. Public events and interviews have been rare in recent years.

Mara Wilson

She charmed audiences in ‘Matilda’ and ‘Mrs Doubtfire’ as a child actor. In her teens she chose to step away from film sets. She later returned to creative work as an author and voice performer. She occasionally appears at literary events but avoids traditional Hollywood roles.

Jake Lloyd

He became widely known as young Anakin Skywalker in ‘Star Wars Episode I’. Following that experience he retreated from acting. Over the years his family has discussed his preference for privacy and focus on health. He remains largely out of public view and does not seek media attention.

Bridgette Wilson

She was visible in ‘Billy Madison’ and ‘Mortal Kombat’ before leaving acting in the mid 2000s. She married tennis player Pete Sampras and focused on family life. Occasional charity and sports related appearances replaced red carpet events. She has not pursued regular film or television work since.

Yasmine Bleeth

Fame from ‘Baywatch’ brought heavy publicity in the ’90s. In the early 2000s she stepped back from acting. She has kept a quiet profile with rare media appearances. Her entertainment activity since then has been minimal.

Moira Kelly

She starred in ‘The Cutting Edge’ and worked steadily through the ’90s. After a long run on television she reduced her on screen roles. Voice work and family life took priority over new projects. She has kept a modest public profile in recent years.

Lark Voorhies

Known for ‘Saved by the Bell’, she worked intermittently after the original run. She released books and made selective TV appearances. For long stretches she maintained distance from Hollywood events. Occasional reunions brought brief returns, but she generally stays private.

Gene Hackman

A major presence in ’90s films, he retired from acting in 2004. He shifted to writing and coauthored several novels. His last film role remains from the early 2000s. He died in February, 2025.

Joe Pesci

He dominated the ’90s with crime dramas and comedies, then stepped back in the 2000s. He focused on music and occasional collaborations with longtime colleagues. Long breaks between projects became the norm. Outside of a few later releases he has largely avoided the spotlight.

Cameron Diaz

She was a fixture of ’90s and 2000s hits and then paused acting after the mid 2010s. During her break she wrote wellness books and co founded the wine brand Avaline. She kept a low profile away from red carpets and press tours. After years off screen she made a selective return while keeping her personal life private.

Edward Furlong

He broke out in ‘Terminator 2’ and worked through the ’90s. After that period his career slowed and he took long gaps between roles. He appeared in occasional independent projects with little promotion. Public appearances have been limited compared with his earlier fame.

Lisa Bonet

She was a familiar face from ‘The Cosby Show’ and ’90s film roles. In the 2000s and 2010s she accepted very few projects. She maintained a private family life and avoided heavy publicity. Her rare appearances kept interest in her earlier work while she stayed mostly off the grid.

Tell us which ’90s star you think disappeared too soon and share your thoughts in the comments.