This Blonde '90s Teen Idol Now Has a Beard and Dark Hair — What Happened to Him After 'Saved by the Bell' Fame

A 1990s heartthrob, once famous for his golden hair and teen-idol charm, now sports a completely different look. These days, he's embraced a darker, more rugged appearance with dark hair and a beard. But his transformation isn't just skin deep—his life after "Saved by the Bell" has been one of personal reinvention and overcoming challenges.

He captured hearts in the hit TV series "Saved by the Bell," which aired from 1989 to 1992. As Zack Morris, h epitomized cool with his blonde hair and mischievous charm. But life after the show wasn't always smooth sailing.

While he secured roles in various projects, he faced the challenge of shaking off the shadow of his most famous character. Today, his rugged new look reflects his journey of reinvention and growth over the years. Let's explore his career evolution and personal life, with pictures of his transformation over the years.

The Rise of a Blonde '90s Teen Heartthrob

In the late 1980s, a young actor was making his way through Hollywood with roles in commercials and TV shows. Then came his big break: playing the quick-witted and effortlessly cool Zack Morris on the hit teen series "Saved by the Bell."

From 1989 to 1992, he captivated fans with his mischievous schemes and blonde hair, becoming a poster boy for the decade's pop culture. But fame came with its own set of challenges. While Zack Morris made him a household name, the character also became a tough label to shake.

The legacy of the high school prankster followed him long after the show ended, making it initially difficult for audiences to see him in a different light. "Saved by the Bell" had made him an icon, but it also put him in a box.

Navigating the Challenges of Hollywood

After stepping away from the halls of Bayside High, his career saw its fair share of ups and downs. While he took on significant roles in various TV shows, such as in "NYPD Blue" (2001-2005) and "Franklin & Bash" (2011-2014), where he showcased his versatility, finding a project that felt like home proved elusive until he landed a starring role in "Pitch."

The FOX drama followed the groundbreaking story of Major League Baseball's first female pitcher. The former teen icon played veteran catcher, Mike Lawson, a character worlds apart from Zack Morris. The role pushed him to new limits, both physically and emotionally.

For a brief period, it seemed like his reinvention was complete. But when the show was canceled after just ten episodes in 2017, the actor was devastated. "I wanted to quit the industry after that ended," he admitted. "It was sort of a gut punch."

The sudden loss of the series hit so hard that it affected his personal life. During therapy sessions with his wife, he reflected on how the aggressive, intense nature of his character had seeped into his behavior at home.

"My wife said in therapy sessions, 'That's not the guy I married,'" he revealed. While filming "Pitch" just thirty minutes from his house had allowed him to come home every day, transitioning between work and family life proved harder than expected. However, the actor was determined to make it all work.

Love, Marriage, and Other Personal Milestones

Despite the ups and downs of his Hollywood career, his personal life has been a source of joy and stability. In 2012, he married an advertising executive, and their love story is one of thoughtfulness and devotion.

Their story began with a heartfelt gesture of respect: before proposing, he asked her father for his blessing. "I wouldn't do it any other way," he said at the time. The proposal was just as carefully planned.

Before proposing, he poured months of effort into designing a custom engagement ring. "I had grown tired of inventing places I was, while secretly designing the ring," he shared.

Then one evening, after a family dinner at their seaside home, the couple and his two children from a previous marriage went for a sunset walk along the beach to collect shells.

With the children playing in the sand nearby, he got down on one knee and surprised his partner with a stunning custom-designed engagement ring. "It was so unexpected," she admitted. "I fell into his arms crying, saying, 'You're crazy, of course, yes!'"

The two then spent nine months planning their wedding, envisioning an event that combined elegance with natural beauty. The ceremony was held at the Villa at Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, California, with 135 guests in attendance.

The bride incorporated her Scottish heritage into the event by including a bagpiper and having family members wear traditional kilts. Local flowers and lavender adorned the venue, and the couple exchanged personal vows and performed a sand ceremony with his children to symbolize their unity as a family.

Against the scenic backdrop of the Santa Ynez hills, the couple shared their first dance at sunset, creating a memory cherished by all who attended. "He was so excited to have found the woman of his dreams," said Neil Lane, the designer of their wedding bands.

After the ceremony, the couple embarked on their honeymoon in Italy. For him, family became a defining priority, even as he balanced the demands of Hollywood and fatherhood.

On Parenthood and Balancing Family Life

As his career shifted over the years, his family became his anchor. Now a father of four, Mark-Paul Gosselaar juggles the demands of parenting with humor and practicality.

His two older children, Michael Charles, and Ava Lorenn, are from his first marriage, while his younger children, Dekker Edward and Lachlan Hope, are with his current wife, Catriona McGinn.

They fill his days with milestones that he and his wife carefully record in a family journal. "The minute Dekker sat up and Michael goes to bed without a nightlight, [or] Ava loses her tooth — there's literally milestones every single day with children," he explained.

Raising a blended family brought its share of challenges, especially as his older children adjusted to life with their younger siblings. When Dekker was six months old, he joked, "They still hate each other, but they love the baby, so all the love now goes to Dekker."

Over time, Michael and Ava embraced their roles as big brother and sister, finding ways to connect even amid the typical sibling squabbles. Parenting also meant navigating his children's dreams, especially as his son Michael expressed an interest in following in his father's footsteps.

While Gosselaar acknowledged Michael's talent and potential, he was firm about waiting until his son turned 18 to pursue a career in the industry. "I wouldn't want him to go through it as a child," he said.

In the documentary "Kid 90," he reflects on his own experiences as a young actor. "The rejection that you deal with as a kid, I thought it was pretty blunt growing up," he stated. "I don't want my children in it because I don't feel it's a place for children."

Even with the busy parenting schedule, he relished the everyday moments, from school drop-offs to family dinners. He joked about being a one-man delivery service, "We're busy in all aspects of parenting at the moment, from short-order cooks to Uber drivers to Postmates drivers to Amazon delivery drivers."

For Gosselaar, these moments weren't chores but opportunities to be present with his kids and embrace the unpredictability of family life. With his family firmly at the center of his world, his next transformation would show how he redefined himself on screen while keeping his priorities in focus.

The Transformation and New Identity

For much of his career, his boyish charm and iconic blonde hair made him instantly recognizable as Zack Morris from "Saved by the Bell." But as time passed, the actor sought to reinvent himself, both personally and professionally.

One of the most significant transformations came in 2016 when he starred in the short-lived FOX series, "Pitch." Dan Fogelman, the creator of the TV drama saw an opportunity to break that mold.

Playing the grizzled and determined catcher for the San Diego Padres, he fully embodied the part, gaining muscle and adopting a rugged appearance to match the intensity of the role.

"Dan was really the first to say, 'I want to break that. I don't want people to recognize you right away,'" Gosselaar explained. The dark hair and beard are essential parts of this shift, breaking the image audiences had long associated with him.

Today, he continues to embrace the darker-haired, bearded look that first marked his departure from the clean-cut image of his youth.

Even as he takes on new roles in 2024 and beyond, the rugged appearance remains a symbol of his journey. While he will forever hold a place in pop culture as the charming high schooler from the '90s, his career has proven he is far more than his teenage alter ego.

From portraying complex characters like Sir in "Found" to navigating life as a devoted husband and father, he has shown an ability to adapt and grow with grace. His enduring look serves as a reminder of the many chapters in his life, each one shaping the actor and man he has become.