Everyone Was in Love with Him in the '90s – Now Fans Can't Believe How He Looks Today

He once ruled the big screen as one of the most sought-after leading men of the 1990s, capturing hearts with his charm and boy-next-door appeal. Decades later, his life looks very different — and so does he — leaving fans both nostalgic and surprised by his transformation.

He was once a '90s heartthrob, adored by fans everywhere, before choosing a quieter life as a devoted family man. Today, he’s not only the kind of husband many dreamed about back then, but also a loving father of two.

For him, fatherhood has always come first.

Having grown up without a father, the actor made it his top priority to become a "full-time father." To him, being a dad isn’t just a responsibility — it’s what he truly loves to do.

A Childhood Marked by Tragedy

His own childhood was shaped by tragedy. His father died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head when he was just 10 months old. After the loss, his mother, Kathy, packed up their belongings and moved them to Albuquerque, hoping to shield her son from the harsh realities of Los Angeles.

For years, the truth about his father’s death was kept from him. The subject was avoided, and whenever he asked questions, he was told instead about his father’s struggles with prescription pill addiction. That experience stayed with him — and deeply influenced the kind of parent he wanted to be.

Choosing Fatherhood Over Hollywood

So when he and his wife, an actress, welcomed their first child in 2009, he discovered a new calling. "I wanted to be a stay-at-home dad," he admitted. "I wanted to cook breakfast and dinner for my kids every day."

Although he continued working in Hollywood for a few more years — with one of his most notable roles on "24" — his heart was already shifting away from the industry. He no longer felt the same passion. "That's when you kind of realize, 'Hey, I don't think I have the passion for this,'" he once said.

Instead of chasing one project after another, he slowed down. He worked on a cookbook, "Back to the Kitchen," and took on select hosting roles, including one on Dana Carvey's "First Impressions."

At the same time, he found himself reflecting on his past — particularly his father’s story. Choosing to return to Hollywood, in part, was his way of rewriting that narrative.

He wanted to create "one more chapter that was positive," especially given how his family had dealt with his father’s legacy and untimely death. "You can't end the book on that or it's a Shakespearean tragedy. It's a Greek tragedy."

Within just two years of his debut on an episode of "Family Matters," he landed roles in several memorable late '90s films, including "I Know What You Did Last Summer," "Down to You," "Summer Catch," "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer," and "She's All That."

While these movies didn’t always earn critical acclaim, they became lasting pop culture favorites. His presence helped make "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer an iconic track, and his influence even extended to inspiring parody portrayals — including one in "Not Another Teen Movie," which helped boost Chris Evans’ rise to fame.

A Lasting Marriage Away from the Spotlight

Despite his fame, he and his wife have always chosen to keep their personal lives private. The couple has been intentional about staying out of the spotlight, adding that it's been "deliberate" that fans don’t see much of them in the media.

Instead of frequenting high-profile Hollywood hotspots, they prefer local restaurants — places where paparazzi don’t linger. "We just don't like that life. You know?" he said.

He also noted that his wife, a New Yorker growing up, had already experienced the party scene and nightlife at a young age, making it something neither of them felt drawn to during their marriage. At home, his focus has always been on family life.

Raising two children has brought its own joys and challenges. He has shared how different his kids are — while he can have meaningful conversations with his eldest daughter, he once joked that his youngest son needs a "weapon" to stay engaged.

Now teenagers, the siblings have grown up well together, strengthening the family bond he worked so hard to build.

Fans React to His Transformation

Still, time has changed how the public sees him. Though once a beloved heartthrob, some fans are surprised by how much he’s aged. When he appears at events or in interviews, he’s not always instantly recognizable.

"WOW i couldn't reconize him. But hey time passes to everybody..❤❤❤, [sic]" one fan said on YouTube. "Aged so much," another agreed. "Omg he looks so old. 😊🫂," a third person echoed.

At the same time, many fans continue to look back fondly on his impact.

"We were all in love with him," one fan gushed on TikTok. "My 90's celebrity crush, [sic]" another agreed. "He was the love of my life in the 90's, [sic]" a third added. "Like one of the hottest guys of the 90s, [sic]" a fourth fan declared.

The man behind the story is Freddie Prinze Jr., who met his wife, Sarah Michelle Gellar, while filming the 1997 hit "I Know What You Did Last Summer." The couple married in September 2002 and later welcomed two children, Charlotte and Rocky, building the family life he had always dreamed of.

While his appearance may have changed over the years, for many fans, he remains the same '90s heartthrob they once adored — only now, with a story that goes far beyond Hollywood fame.