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.
Undated picture of the '90s icon as Zachary "Zack" Morris | Source: Getty Images
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.
Undated picture of the '90s heartthrob | Source: Getty Images
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."
The actor as Zachary "Zack" Morris in "Saved by the Bell" | Source: Getty Images
The '90s icon as Zachary "Zack" Morris in "Saved by the Bell" | Source: Getty Images
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 actor with fellow actress, Anne Tremko, in "Saved by the Bell" | Source: Getty Images
The actor during an episode of "Saved by the Bell" in 1994 | Source: Getty Images
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.
The actor attends the NBC All-Star Winter Press Tour on January 8, 1994 | Source: Getty Images
The actor attends the 18th Annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Grand Prix - Press Day on April 5, 1994 | Source: Getty Images
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 former teen icon during an episode on "Pitch" in December 2016 | Source: Getty Images
The actor attends a WB television network press tour event in January 2000 | Source: Getty Images
The actor poses for a portrait for the television series "Beer Money" on July 25, 2001 | Source: Getty Images
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.
The actor poses during ABC's Up Front Party on May 15, 2001 | Source: Getty Images
The TV icon attends the 7th American Veteran Awards on December 1, 2001 | Source: Getty Images
The TV icon at Mann Village Theatre on June 30, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
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 actor poses on September 12, 2004 | Source: Getty Images
The actor attends TV Guide & Inside TV's Emmy Awards after party on September 18, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
The actor poses on November 16, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
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.
The actor participates in the 2007 Nautica Malibu Triathlon on September 16, 2007 | Source: Getty Images
The actor competes in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon on September 14, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
The actor poses at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on April 21, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
"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.
The actor poses on July 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
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.
The actor, his then girlfriend, and his children pictured on December 15, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
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.
The actor attends the premiere of Disney Pixar's "Brave" on June 18, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
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 actor attends the Carter's Kids Golf Tournament on October 15, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
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.
The actor with his children on June 13, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
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.
The actor attends Junior Chef Academy with Sandra Lee on July 15, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
The former teen heartthrob pictured on September 9, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Catriona McGinn, and their children attend the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's 26th A Time For Heroes family festival on October 25, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Mark Paul Gosselaar arrives at the Safe Kids Day with his family on April 5, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
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."
Mark Paul Gosselaar, Catriona McGinn, and children Michael, Dekker, and Ava attend Mattel's 5th Annual Party on October 5, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar pictured on July 31, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar and his sons Michael and Dekker arrive at Monster Jam Celebrity Event on February 24, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
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."
Mark-Paul Gosselaar attends the 2018 Fox Network Upfront on May 14, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Mark-Paul Gosselaar pictured on September 14, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
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."
Mark-Paul Gosselaar pictured in 2020 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Catriona McGinn and Mark-Paul Gosselaar attend the premiere of Fox's "Pitch" on September 13, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar attends the premiere of Fox's "Pitch" on September 13, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar during the 2024 TCA Summer Press Tour on July 14, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
"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.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Sir in the TV series, "Found," on May 23, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Today, he continues to embrace the darker-haired, bearded look that first marked his departure from the clean-cut image of his youth.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Sir in "Found," on April 22, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Sir with fellow actor Gabrielle Walsh as Lacey, in a scene from "Found," on March 14, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
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.