Here’s What Happened to Our Favorite ’80s and ’90s TV Stars
We all spent a lot of time watching TV in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Whether it was Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, or Full House, we knew everyone’s names and we sang along to the opening theme song. But, where are they now? Of course, some have gone on to superstardom. Others have continued working, and some have dropped out of the entertainment business altogether. Let’s take a look at what happened to our favorite TV stars.
Gillian Anderson – The X Files
Incredibly, The X Files star Gillian Anderson once vowed that she would never work in television. Thankfully, Anderson broke her vow and went on to become Dana Scully, FBI agent. At only 24 years old, Anderson auditioned for the role, feeling inspired at the “strong, independent, intelligent” lead character.
Since then, Gillian Anderson played DSU Stella Gibson in BBC crime drama The Fall, and starred as therapist Jean Milburn on a popular Netflix teen comedy. She has an Emmy, and a Golden Globe Award.
Matt LeBlanc – Friends
Until the end of time, the phrase “How you doin’?” will be attributed to Friends character Joey Tribbiani, played by Matt LeBlanc. LeBlanc played ladies’ man Joey for ten years, between 1994 and 2004. After the hugely successful sitcom wrapped, LeBlanc got his own spin-off called Joey, which ran for two years.
LeBlanc played a fictionalized version of himself in British-American comedy Episodes, and co-hosted British car show Top Gear for three years. He also played the patriarch in the sitcom, Man With a Plan.
Bob Saget – Full House
Between 1987 and 1995, Bob Saget played Danny Tanner, a widowed single father raising three young daughters in sitcom Full House. At the same time, the actor and comedian hosted America’s Funniest Home Videos, making himself a recognizable mainstream star.
Since then, Saget has played the voice of the future Ted Mosby on the sitcom, How I Met Your Mother, and reprised his role for the Netflix reboot of Fuller House. Saget has also appeared on Broadway, and has a successful stand-up comedy career.
Rider Strong – Boy Meets World
Sitcom Boy Meets World aired for seven seasons on ABC between 1993 and 2000. The show followed the life of Cory Matthews and included a cast of his nearest and dearest, including best friend Shawn Hunter — played by Rider Strong.
Strong attended Occidental college alongside Anna Paquin, Julia Stiles, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He starred in 2002 horror movie Cabin Fever and went on to write and direct Irish Twins with his brother. In 2014, Strong announced he was reprising his role as Shawn Rider in spin-off Girl Meets World.