An Appreciation Post for '90s Heartthrobs Who Have Been 'Foine' My Whole Life: See Morris Chestnut, Usher and More Then and Now

Mar. 15, 2025

Morris Chestnut, Usher, Mario Lopez.Photo:Amy Sussman/Getty; Daniele Venturelli/Getty; Presley Ann/Getty

Amy Sussman/Getty; Daniele Venturelli/Getty; Presley Ann/Getty

What’s great about these ’90s heartthrobs is the fact that not only has their art stood the test of time — turning into classics and, in some cases, providing the blueprint for newer works — but the OGs have also been able to maintain stellar careers (and uh, aged like a fine wine). The same swag that was so enamoring to my sister back then has only gotten better and is just as appealing today.

Below, take a look at 14 Hollywood stars who have been fine my whole life.

01of 14Morris ChestnutMorris Chestnut.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Amy Sussman/GettyI can still vividly remember the first moment I saw Morris Chestnut on screen. I might have been nine years old, crashing my sister’s Saturday movie night, watchingTwo Can Play That Game.He came on screen wearing a grey suit, a purple shirt with a low fade and perfect smile. Even at my young age, I knew I was witnessing something special.Since then, Chestnut has maintained a steady career, starring inThe Brothers,Like Mike, The Best Man Holiday, Rosewood, The Residentamong many other notable works.These days, Chestnut stars as the titular character in CBS’Watson.The 56-year-old actor has been married to wife of 30 years,Pam Byse. They share two kids, a son named Grant and daughter named Paige.

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Morris Chestnut

Morris Chestnut.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Amy Sussman/Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Amy Sussman/Getty

I can still vividly remember the first moment I saw Morris Chestnut on screen. I might have been nine years old, crashing my sister’s Saturday movie night, watchingTwo Can Play That Game.

He came on screen wearing a grey suit, a purple shirt with a low fade and perfect smile. Even at my young age, I knew I was witnessing something special.

Since then, Chestnut has maintained a steady career, starring inThe Brothers,Like Mike, The Best Man Holiday, Rosewood, The Residentamong many other notable works.

These days, Chestnut stars as the titular character in CBS’Watson.

The 56-year-old actor has been married to wife of 30 years,Pam Byse. They share two kids, a son named Grant and daughter named Paige.

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Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore.Maureen Donaldson/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Maureen Donaldson/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Starring inThe Brotherswith Chestnut wasShemar Moore, whose photo has been on my metaphorical bulletin board since the beginning.

In my pre-teens not only was he charming in the romantic dramas, but he was also making the ladies swoon and breaking hearts in the soap opera world, starring as Malcolm Winters in theYoung and the Restless.

Moore leftCriminal Mindsin 2016 and now stars as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson in CBS’S.W.A.T.

03of 14Taye DiggsTaye Diggs.J. Vespa/WireImage; VALERIE MACON/AFP via GettyAnother one of Chestnut’s costars,Taye Diggsand theWatsonactor have shared the screen multiple times forThe Best Manand its subsequent reboots.But what makes Diggs so enchating isn’t just the perfect smile and exquisitely moisturized skin, it’s also his ability to let loose and have a good time — no matter who’s watching. The actor can be seen singing, dancing and generally living his best life on Instagram and TikTok.Diggs shares a 15-year-old son namedWalker Nathanielwith ex-wife Idina Menzel.

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Taye Diggs

Taye Diggs.J. Vespa/WireImage; VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

J. Vespa/WireImage; VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

Another one of Chestnut’s costars,Taye Diggsand theWatsonactor have shared the screen multiple times forThe Best Manand its subsequent reboots.

But what makes Diggs so enchating isn’t just the perfect smile and exquisitely moisturized skin, it’s also his ability to let loose and have a good time — no matter who’s watching. The actor can be seen singing, dancing and generally living his best life on Instagram and TikTok.

Diggs shares a 15-year-old son namedWalker Nathanielwith ex-wife Idina Menzel.

04of 14Denzel WashingtonDenzel Washington.Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty; Noam Galai/GettyDenzel Washingtonhas had the ladies pinning for him for a solid four decades now — from his days as Dr. Philip Chandler inSt. Elsewhereto his box office hits such asTraining Day, The Preacher’s Wife, Malcolm X, and of course,Devil in a Blue Dress. (And lest we forget,PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1996.)And even thoughthe actor turned 70 in December, he had the internet abuzz as he appeared as the quintessential silver fox inGladiator IIthis past fall.The two-time Oscar winner has been happily married to wifePauletta Washingtonfor a staggering 41 years. They sharefour children— John David, Katia and twins Malcolm and Olivia.

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Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington.Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty; Noam Galai/Getty

Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty; Noam Galai/Getty

Denzel Washingtonhas had the ladies pinning for him for a solid four decades now — from his days as Dr. Philip Chandler inSt. Elsewhereto his box office hits such asTraining Day, The Preacher’s Wife, Malcolm X, and of course,Devil in a Blue Dress. (And lest we forget,PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1996.)

And even thoughthe actor turned 70 in December, he had the internet abuzz as he appeared as the quintessential silver fox inGladiator IIthis past fall.

The two-time Oscar winner has been happily married to wifePauletta Washingtonfor a staggering 41 years. They sharefour children— John David, Katia and twins Malcolm and Olivia.

05of 14UsherUsher.Ebet Roberts/Redferns; Kevin Mazur/GettyOh, Usher. Where to even start? The vocals, the dance moves, the dimples, the perfect smile, the abs. When it comes to R&B singers, perhaps no one has had the girls locked in the way Usher has throughout his career. I mean, if you didn’t fantasize about rocking that that “U” chain, did you even live through the early aughts?Most recently, the eight-time Grammy award-winner had fans swarming to his Las Vegas residency, which took place from 2021 to 2023, before he launched his “Past, Present, Future Tour” which picks back up in March.The 46-year-old singer is a father of four — Sovereign Bo, 4, and Sire Castrello whom he shares with wife Jenn Goicoechea, as well as older kids Usher V, 17, and Naviyd Ely, 16, whom he welcomed in his previous marriage to Tameka Foster.

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Usher

Usher.Ebet Roberts/Redferns; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Ebet Roberts/Redferns; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Oh, Usher. Where to even start? The vocals, the dance moves, the dimples, the perfect smile, the abs. When it comes to R&B singers, perhaps no one has had the girls locked in the way Usher has throughout his career. I mean, if you didn’t fantasize about rocking that that “U” chain, did you even live through the early aughts?

Most recently, the eight-time Grammy award-winner had fans swarming to his Las Vegas residency, which took place from 2021 to 2023, before he launched his “Past, Present, Future Tour” which picks back up in March.

The 46-year-old singer is a father of four — Sovereign Bo, 4, and Sire Castrello whom he shares with wife Jenn Goicoechea, as well as older kids Usher V, 17, and Naviyd Ely, 16, whom he welcomed in his previous marriage to Tameka Foster.

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Damon Wayans

Damon Wayans.Raymond Boyd/Getty; Lisa/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Raymond Boyd/Getty; Lisa/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

After some time away from the limelight, the 64-year-old has now come back to the small screen and stars inPoppa’s Housealongside hislookalike sonDamon Jr.

07of 14Mario LopezMario Lopez.Ron Wolfson/Getty; Presley Ann/GettyThe dimples, the curly hair, the chiseled bod: It was almost impossible not to fall in love withMario Lopezas A.C. Slater. And he hasn’t changed much, decades later.This past Golden Globes, the 51-year-old red carpet correspondent was captured passing out tequila shots to attendees and even got a special shout-out fromwinner Kieran Culkin, who revealed he was feeling a little buzzed during his acceptance speech.Lopez has been married toCourtneysince 2012. The couple share three kids — daughter Gia Francesca and sons Dominic “Nico” Luciano and Santino Rafael.

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Mario Lopez

Mario Lopez.Ron Wolfson/Getty; Presley Ann/Getty

Ron Wolfson/Getty; Presley Ann/Getty

The dimples, the curly hair, the chiseled bod: It was almost impossible not to fall in love withMario Lopezas A.C. Slater. And he hasn’t changed much, decades later.

This past Golden Globes, the 51-year-old red carpet correspondent was captured passing out tequila shots to attendees and even got a special shout-out fromwinner Kieran Culkin, who revealed he was feeling a little buzzed during his acceptance speech.

Lopez has been married toCourtneysince 2012. The couple share three kids — daughter Gia Francesca and sons Dominic “Nico” Luciano and Santino Rafael.

08of 14Tyson BeckfordTyson Beckford.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Dimitrios Kambouris/GettyWhen it came to male models in the ’90s, no one was touchingTyson Beckford. He was on dozens of covers, walked tons of runway shows and was, most notably, the face of Polo Ralph Lauren. Eagle-eyed millennials will also remember he was the handsome biker in Britney Spears' “Toxic” music video.These days, the 53-year-old Jamaican-American model chooses to lay low, but fans can follow him and his picture-perfect physiqueon Instagramand other platforms.Tyson shares a son named Jordan with his ex April Roomet.

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Tyson Beckford

Tyson Beckford.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

When it came to male models in the ’90s, no one was touchingTyson Beckford. He was on dozens of covers, walked tons of runway shows and was, most notably, the face of Polo Ralph Lauren. Eagle-eyed millennials will also remember he was the handsome biker in Britney Spears' “Toxic” music video.

These days, the 53-year-old Jamaican-American model chooses to lay low, but fans can follow him and his picture-perfect physiqueon Instagramand other platforms.

Tyson shares a son named Jordan with his ex April Roomet.

09of 14LL Cool JL.L. Cool J.Raymond Boyd/Getty; Gilbert Flores/Variety via GettyHe didn’t get the name Ladies Love Cool James for no reason! LL Cool J brought the sexy to rap long before it was cool to do so and had the ladies pining with hits such as “I Need Love,” “Doin' It” “Luv U Better” among many more hits.The multi-faceted New Yorker also flexed his acting skills, staring in classics such asDeliver Us from Eva, Kingdom Come, Deep Blue SeaandLast Holiday. In 2009, he landed a gig playing special agent Sam Hanna onNCIS: Los Angeles,which he starred in until the series ended in 2023.With his amiable persona and undeniable swag, LL also hosted the Grammys five years in row, from 2012 to 2016.Last year, he went back to his musical roots, releasing his first album in 11 years titledThe Force.At 57 years old, LL Cool J has been married to his wife Simone Smith since 1995. The longterm couple are parents to four kids — Najee, Italia, Samaria and Nina — and they’re also grandparents to three young children.

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LL Cool J

L.L. Cool J.Raymond Boyd/Getty; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Raymond Boyd/Getty; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

He didn’t get the name Ladies Love Cool James for no reason! LL Cool J brought the sexy to rap long before it was cool to do so and had the ladies pining with hits such as “I Need Love,” “Doin' It” “Luv U Better” among many more hits.

The multi-faceted New Yorker also flexed his acting skills, staring in classics such asDeliver Us from Eva, Kingdom Come, Deep Blue SeaandLast Holiday. In 2009, he landed a gig playing special agent Sam Hanna onNCIS: Los Angeles,which he starred in until the series ended in 2023.

With his amiable persona and undeniable swag, LL also hosted the Grammys five years in row, from 2012 to 2016.

Last year, he went back to his musical roots, releasing his first album in 11 years titledThe Force.

At 57 years old, LL Cool J has been married to his wife Simone Smith since 1995. The longterm couple are parents to four kids — Najee, Italia, Samaria and Nina — and they’re also grandparents to three young children.

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Will Smith

Will Smith.Harry Langdon/Getty; Hector Vivas/Getty

Harry Langdon/Getty; Hector Vivas/Getty

He was the fresh prince and in my opinion, what madeWill Smithso alluring back then wasn’t just the fact that he was handsome, but the fact that there was an air of freedom around him.

Whether it was acting goofy in theFresh Prince of Bel-Airor wearing bright colors in music videos, he just always appeared to be willing to express himself in whatever way felt the most authentic.

Not to mention the fact that he had an incredible box office run earning over $9 billion globally throughout his career, with movies such asBad Boys, The Pursuit of Happiness, Seven Pounds, Independence Day, I Am Legendand more.

Though they’ve been through some ups and downs in recent years, asource told PEOPLEthe pair “are still together,” but “have had separate homes for years.”

11of 14Method ManMethod Man.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc; Sara Jaye/GettyIf the expression “grown and sexy” were a person, it would beMethod Man. While the Wu-Tang Clan rapper had the ladies swooning back in the day, his impact has only increased as he’s aged, thanks, in part, to social media.In fact, the ladies are so enamored with him that he had to remind everyone that he was more than just a pretty face onGMA 3last June. “It feels good, I’m not gonna lie. It feels great,” the rapper said of his “great second act.“He continued, “I have to stress again that there is more than just the outer. There is the inner part that’s shining even brighter than what the appearance is.“Away from the stage, the 53-year-old has also showcased his acting talents, starring in cult classics such asHow High and Soul Planeback in the day. More recently, he played Davis MacClean inPower Book II: Ghost.Notoriously private about his family life, Method Man has been married to wife, Tamika Smith since 2001. The couple share three children — son Shakuan and fraternal twins Raekwon and Cheyenne.

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Method Man

Method Man.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc; Sara Jaye/Getty

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc; Sara Jaye/Getty

If the expression “grown and sexy” were a person, it would beMethod Man. While the Wu-Tang Clan rapper had the ladies swooning back in the day, his impact has only increased as he’s aged, thanks, in part, to social media.

In fact, the ladies are so enamored with him that he had to remind everyone that he was more than just a pretty face onGMA 3last June. “It feels good, I’m not gonna lie. It feels great,” the rapper said of his “great second act.”

He continued, “I have to stress again that there is more than just the outer. There is the inner part that’s shining even brighter than what the appearance is.”

Away from the stage, the 53-year-old has also showcased his acting talents, starring in cult classics such asHow High and Soul Planeback in the day. More recently, he played Davis MacClean inPower Book II: Ghost.

Notoriously private about his family life, Method Man has been married to wife, Tamika Smith since 2001. The couple share three children — son Shakuan and fraternal twins Raekwon and Cheyenne.

12of 14

Blair Underwood

Blair Underwood.Harry Langdon/Getty; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

Harry Langdon/Getty; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

And though the internet might never forget he played Carlos — an abusive, controlling and sinister husband — inMadea’s Family Reunion,his real-life charm and warmth certainly makes it easier to overlook.

Underwoodmarried his longtime friendJosie Hart in 2023. Before Underwood began dating Hart, he was married to Desiree DaCosta for 27 years and they welcomed three children — sons Paris and Blake, plus daughter Brielle — before theysplit in 2021.

13of 14Benjamin BrattBenjamin Bratt.Bei/Shutterstock; Matt Winkelmeyer/GettyBenjamin Brattdoes not get enough credit for his ability to play the handsome love interest in the early aughts. The California native played the lovestruck detective Tom Lone inCatwomanand then the bad-boy-turned-lover-boy as agent Eric Matthews inMiss Congeniality.And though it seems Bratt has a knack for playing law enforcement officers in all his roles, his turn as the chaotic ex-husband to Sofia Vergara’s character inModern Familyremains one of my favorites.Bratt has been married to wifeTalisa Sotosince 2002. They share two children — Sophia, born in 2002, and son Mateo, born in 2005.

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Benjamin Bratt

Benjamin Bratt.Bei/Shutterstock; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Bei/Shutterstock; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Benjamin Brattdoes not get enough credit for his ability to play the handsome love interest in the early aughts. The California native played the lovestruck detective Tom Lone inCatwomanand then the bad-boy-turned-lover-boy as agent Eric Matthews inMiss Congeniality.

And though it seems Bratt has a knack for playing law enforcement officers in all his roles, his turn as the chaotic ex-husband to Sofia Vergara’s character inModern Familyremains one of my favorites.

Bratt has been married to wifeTalisa Sotosince 2002. They share two children — Sophia, born in 2002, and son Mateo, born in 2005.

14of 14Larenz TateLarenz Tate.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Jared Siskin/GettyLarenz Tate’s brilliant smile hasn’t dimmed one bit since the ’90s. The actor rose to prominence starring in films such asMenace II Society, Why Do Fools Fall in Love,and of course,Love Jones.Over the years, he has continued to build his career and remain the ladies’ favorite as he snagged roles inWaist Deep, Crash, Rayas well asPowerandPower Book II: Ghost.Also supremely private, Tate shares four kids with wife Tomasina, whom he wed in 2006.

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Larenz Tate

Larenz Tate.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Jared Siskin/Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Jared Siskin/Getty

Larenz Tate’s brilliant smile hasn’t dimmed one bit since the ’90s. The actor rose to prominence starring in films such asMenace II Society, Why Do Fools Fall in Love,and of course,Love Jones.

Over the years, he has continued to build his career and remain the ladies' favorite as he snagged roles inWaist Deep, Crash, Rayas well asPowerandPower Book II: Ghost.

Also supremely private, Tate shares four kids with wife Tomasina, whom he wed in 2006.

source: people.com