10 Celebrities Who Now Look Like Your Next Bar Crush

Maybe we weren’t hot—we were just young. These celebrities melted our hearts in the ’90s and 2000s. Back then, they seemed untouchable, like gods walking among us. But let’s be honest (and humble, zero hate here), time has done its thing, and now they look more like someone you’d swipe right on Tinder or flirt with at your local bar.

They were our ultimate teen crushes, but now they remind us of that cool cousin’s best friend we used to have a tiny crush on.

1. Tom Welling

Male celebrities before and after 1 - remember these hunks? 10 celebrities who now look like your next bar crush

Tom Welling stole our hearts as the dashing Clark Kent in Smallville, a role that made him the ultimate Superman of the early 2000s. For ten seasons, he made us believe in heroes, farm boy charm, and the power of a perfectly fitted flannel shirt. Post-Smallville, he continued to work in TV and film, including a recent return to the DC Universe in Crisis on Infinite Earths. These days, Welling keeps a relatively low profile, occasionally popping up on social media or in interviews to remind us why we fell for Clark Kent in the first place. He’s proof that some heroes age gracefully, even if they’re no longer saving the world in tights.

2. Robert Schwartzman

Before after male celebs 2 - remember these hunks? 10 celebrities who now look like your next bar crush

He captured our attention as the dreamy guitarist Michael in The Princess Diaries, stealing scenes (and our hearts) with his laid-back California vibe and musical talent. Beyond acting, Schwartzman is also a talented musician, fronting the band Rooney, which became a staple of early 2000s indie rock. In recent years, he’s shifted his focus to music production and filmmaking, directing projects that showcase his creative versatility. While he may no longer be the long-haired heartthrob from Mia Thermopolis’s world, Schwartzman has evolved into a multi-talented artist who feels like that cool, creative friend you’d run into at a music festival or indie film screening.

3. Nate Richert

Male celebrities before and after 3 - remember these hunks? 10 celebrities who now look like your next bar crush

Nate became a ’90s heartthrob thanks to his role as Harvey Kinkle, Sabrina’s dreamy boyfriend in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. With his floppy hair, shy smile, and leather jacket, he was the quintessential high school crush for an entire generation. After Sabrina, Richert stepped away from the spotlight to focus on music and a quieter life, releasing albums and exploring his passion for art. While he’s kept a low profile in recent years, he occasionally resurfaces to remind us why we fell for Harvey Kinkle in the first place. These days, he’s more like that cool, artsy friend you’d run into at a local coffee shop—still charming, just a little more low-key.

4. Erik von Detten

Male celebrities before and after 4 - remember these hunks? 10 celebrities who now look like your next bar crush

Erik von Detten won our hearts as the charming (but slightly clueless) Josh Bryant in The Princess Diaries. As Mia Thermopolis’s initial crush, he was the quintessential high school hottie—tall, confident, and always rocking that varsity jacket. Though his character didn’t end up with Mia, von Detten’s performance left a lasting impression, making us all wish we could attend Genovian royalty lessons just to catch his eye. After stepping away from acting, he transitioned into a successful career outside of Hollywood, proving there’s more to life than being a teen heartthrob. These days, he’s living his best life as an adorable family man, reminding us that even the coolest guys from high school grow up to be great dads.

5. Zachery Ty Bryan

Male celebrities before and after 5 - remember these hunks? 10 celebrities who now look like your next bar crush

Zachery Ty Bryan became a household name in the ’90s as the mischievous yet lovable Brad Taylor on Home Improvement. With his cheeky grin and endless antics, he was the quintessential older brother we all wished we had (or maybe related to a little too much). After the show ended, Bryan continued to act in various TV and film projects while also exploring a career in producing. However, in January 2025, he made headlines for a domestic violence arrest, a reminder that even our favorite TV stars face real-life challenges. While this incident has cast a shadow on his public image, we hope he finds the support and guidance he needs to move forward. These days, Bryan’s life is a mix of personal struggles and family commitments, reminding us that everyone has their battles—even those who once seemed larger than life on our TV screens.

6. Zac Efron

Male celebrities before and after 6 - remember these hunks? 10 celebrities who now look like your next bar crush

Okay, let’s be real: Zac Efron might still be out of our league. The man went from stealing our hearts as Troy Bolton in High School Musical to becoming a full-blown Hollywood heartthrob with abs that could probably cut glass. Whether he was singing on the basketball court, charming us in 17 Again, or transforming into a survivalist in The Iron Claw, Efron has proven he’s more than just a pretty face—he’s a legit talent. And let’s not even get started on his recent glow-up, which has us wondering if he’s discovered the fountain of youth. Sure, he’s no longer the boy-next-door we crushed on in the 2000s, but let’s face it: he’s still the guy we’d awkwardly avoid eye contact with at the gym because, well, he’s Zac Efron.

7. Rider Strong

Male celebrities before and after 7 - remember these hunks? 10 celebrities who now look like your next bar crush

Rider Strong will always be Shawn Hunter to us—the brooding, leather-jacket-wearing best friend from Boy Meets World who made us believe in the power of friendship and second chances. But let’s be honest: Rider has aged like a fine wine. These days, he’s less “teen heartthrob” and more “that hot dad at your kid’s school.” With his salt-and-pepper hair and effortless charm, he’s the kind of guy you’d see at a kindergarten pickup and think, “Wow, he’s the cool dad all the other moms secretly admire.” Plus, he’s still active in the entertainment world, directing and writing, which just adds to his appeal. Rider Strong: proof that some crushes never really fade—they just evolve into a more distinguished version of themselves.

8. Josh Hartnett

Male celebrities before and after 8 - remember these hunks? 10 celebrities who now look like your next bar crush

Josh Hartnett was the ultimate early 2000s heartthrob, stealing our hearts in movies like Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, and 40 Days and 40 Nights. With his brooding looks and mysterious aura, he was the guy every teen magazine cover promised would “make you swoon.” But just as quickly as he rose to fame, Hartnett stepped back from the Hollywood spotlight, choosing a quieter life away from the chaos. These days, he’s more like that enigmatic guy you’d see at a coffee shop—still ridiculously handsome, but now with a dad vibe that makes him even more intriguing. Whether he’s starring in indie films or just living his best life, Josh Hartnett reminds us that true charm never goes out of style—it just gets better with age.

9. Ryan Phillippe

Male celebrities before and after 9 - remember these hunks? 10 celebrities who now look like your next bar crush

Ryan Phillippe was the poster boy of the ’90s and early 2000s, melting hearts as the brooding bad boy in Cruel Intentions and the charming jock in I Know What You Did Last Summer. With his piercing blue eyes and effortless cool, he was the crush we all dreamed of taking to prom. Fast forward to today, and Phillippe has gracefully transitioned from teen idol to a respected actor with a diverse portfolio, including roles in Shooter and MacGruber. These days, he’s more like that guy you’d see at a trendy bar—still ridiculously good-looking, but now with a rugged, mature edge that makes him even more intriguing. Ryan Phillippe: proof that some crushes only get better with time, like a fine wine or a perfectly aged leather jacket.

10. Matthew Lawrence

Male celebrities before and after 10 - remember these hunks? 10 celebrities who now look like your next bar crush

Remember when Matthew Lawrence was the guy every ’90s kid had a crush on? Whether he was melting hearts as Jack Hunter in Boy Meets World or making us laugh as the adorable middle brother in Mrs. Doubtfire, he was the ultimate teen dream. But let’s fast forward to today: Matthew has traded in his boy-next-door vibe for a more… let’s call it “complicated” energy. You know the type—the guy in his 40s who’s still figuring things out, the one whose Tinder bio probably says something like, “Not sure what I’m looking for, but let’s see where this goes.” And honestly? It kind of works for him. He’s still got that mischievous smile and laid-back charm, but now he’s serving major “I’m here for a good time, not a long time” vibes.

Maybe They Didn’t Change—Maybe We Did

Maybe it’s not that they’ve become less attractive—it’s that we’ve grown into women who see them as equals rather than untouchable idols. Back in the day, they were the guys we plastered on our bedroom walls, the ones we dreamed about from afar. But now? We’re more confident, more secure, and a lot less likely to put anyone on a pedestal.

These days, they’re not just crushes—they’re potential matches, bar conversations, or even that guy you’d casually flirt with at a coffee shop. And honestly, that’s the real glow-up: not theirs, but ours. Here’s to growing up, leveling up, and realizing that the only person who’s truly out of our league is the one we were back then.