Generation X has frequently been the “middle child” of popular culture—stuck between the Boomers and the Millennials. Raising their children during the era of MTV, latchkey afternoons, and the early days of personal computers, Gen Xers enjoyed a distinct cultural experience, but their celebrities are all too often forgotten in current nostalgia circuits. The stars who set the ’80s and ’90s in motion—those familiar faces on movie posters, TV shows, and cover stories—have slipped away quietly into the background. Let’s roll back the tape and give props to 10 Gen X film and television celebrities who are due for another shine.
10. Christian Slater
After being the height of ’90s cool, Christian Slater added a bad-boy attitude to movies such as Pump Up the Volume and True Romance. The teen heartthrob with attitude, he was ubiquitous in the ’90s. While time faded his stardom, recent performances such as Mr. Robot remind everyone that he still possesses the skill and charm that made him a household name.
9. Bridget Fonda
Hollywood royalty and a reliable presence in romantic dramas and comedies, Bridget Fonda enchanted crowds in Singles and It Could Happen to You. While never becoming a superstar on the level of Julia Roberts, her earthy performances earned her a Gen X darling. Having retired from acting, fans have long speculated on what else she might have accomplished.
8. Campbell Scott
The son of acting royalty, Campbell Scott lent depth and sensitivity to performances in Dying Young and Singles. Despite talent and memorable performances, he never became a household name, so he’s a subtle but integral figure in Gen X pop culture.
7. Lara Flynn Boyle
From Twin Peaks to Wayne’s World and The Practice, Lara Flynn Boyle was a familiar face of ’90s television and film. Emmy-nominated and best known, she contributed an air of mystery and presence to her characters, but the latter part of the decade found her slowly vanishing from mainstream sight.
6. Billy Baldwin
While Alec Baldwin commanded most of the attention, Billy Baldwin enjoyed his time as a leading man in movies such as Backdraft. Good looks and acting ability suggested that he was destined for greater fame, but the cloud of his siblings and lack of box office success held him back from achieving household status.
5. Sarah Polley
Before becoming a renowned director, Sarah Polley was the indie sweetheart of her era. From Road to Avonlea to Go, her reflective sensibility captivated viewers in search of authenticity rather than glamour. Today, she is perhaps more famously known behind the lens, but her body of work as an actor is still a touchstone of ’90s cool.
4. Sinbad
Arguably the most omnipresent comedian of the ’90s, Sinbad topped movies such as Jingle All the Way, had his own sitcom, and ruled stand-up stages. But towards the end of the decade, he was nowhere to be found, and today many think of him more in terms of a cultural touchstone than a movie star.
3. Moira Kelly
Most famously referred to as the “poor man’s Winona Ryder,” Moira Kelly enjoyed a varied career, from The Cutting Edge to performing the voice of Nala in The Lion King. She was talented, but with a solid resume, she slipped out of the limelight unnoticed, eclipsed by larger stars of her time.
2. Richard Grieco
Before 21 Jump Street was a teen comedy, Richard Grieco left his imprint on the original TV drama and its spin-off, Booker. For a few years, he was everywhere, even dubbed Male Star of Tomorrow along with Julia Roberts. These days, he’s a deep-cut reference for genuine ’90s buffs.
1. Tia Carrere
Tia Carrere swooned ’90s teens as Cassandra in Wayne’s World. She was funny, talented, and a great singer as well, and she also starred in True Lies, provided voice work in Lilo & Stitch, and headed her own series, Relic Hunter. And yet, though she was talented and charismatic, she’s become one of those “whatever happened to her?” stars, a symbol of how many Gen X icons have slipped into obscurity.
These actors weren’t just entertainers—they were avatars of a generation growing up in a rapidly changing world of technology and media. Gen Xers, the first to experience MTV, personal computers, and cable TV, were culturally savvy in ways unique to their time. Yet the stars who shaped their formative years are often overshadowed by nostalgia for other generations.
Media coverage hasn’t always been kind, especially to women. Take Shannen Doherty, who was branded a “troublemaker” during her prime. Hundreds of Gen X women in Hollywood were stereotyped as villains or renegades, only to be reassessed decades later as pioneers. The next time you unearth an old VHS or browse through streaming choices, take a moment to recall these Gen X icons. They may not be at the top of social media trends, but for those who grew up on mixtapes, late-night flicks, and ’90s pop culture, they’ll always be special in memory.