The 2000s were a decade of pop culture that continues to resonate with us today. From the low-rise jeans and butterfly clips to the reality TV shows and celebrity culture, it was a time of iconic fashion, memorable moments, and unforgettable stars. But what happened to these celebrities after they left the spotlight? Let's take a journey down memory lane and revisit some of the biggest names from the 2000s, and explore where they are now.
The Heartthrob
One of the most iconic teen heartthrobs of the 2000s was Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Best remembered for his role as Randy Taylor in 'Home Improvement', Thomas chose to focus on his education after a taste of the spotlight, attending both Harvard and Columbia. While he may not have continued acting, his legacy as a heartthrob lives on, and he remains a beloved figure in the hearts of many fans.
The Comedy Star
Another celebrity who made the 2000s what it was, was Amanda Bynes. She led the way on Shakespeare adaptation 'She's the Man', Colin Firth comedy 'What a Girl Wants', and modern fairytale 'Sydney White'. However, Bynes stepped back from the spotlight in 2010 to focus on her education and personal wellbeing. In 2023, she made a brief return to the public eye as a co-host on an episode of 'Amanda Bynes & Paul Sieminski: The Podcast'.
The Leading Man
Freddie Prinze Jr. was one of the decade's definitive leading men, with roles in 'She's All That', 'Head Over Heels', and 'Scooby-Doo'. He married his regular co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar in 2002, and later transitioned into scriptwriting and production roles for WWE. While he may not have continued acting, his legacy as a leading man lives on, and he remains a beloved figure in the hearts of many fans.
The Rising Star
Teddy Dunn's career grew alongside the 2000s, with roles in 'Gilmore Girls' and 'Grey's Anatomy'. However, after his final role in 'Kill Theory' in 2009, Dunn headed back to school and graduated with a law doctorate from Boston College Law School in 2013. While he may not have continued acting, his legacy as a rising star lives on, and he remains a beloved figure in the hearts of many fans.
The Iconic Name
Leelee Sobieski became a famous name as a teen star during the late '90s with roles in 'Never Been Kissed' and 'Eyes Wide Shut'. Moving into the 2000s, she worked on 'The Glass House' and 'Joy Ride'. However, she retired from acting to focus on being a mother and later described showbiz as a 'gross industry'.
The Disney Channel Star
Jennifer Stone starred as Harper Finkle on 'Wizards of Waverly Place', which ran between 2007 and 2012. She's had several smaller roles since and returned to her magical role for the show's reboot. Stone chose to major in psychology before receiving a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, which prompted a shift to a career in nursing. It seems she's heading for a return onscreen with several upcoming roles.
The Comedy Legend
Seann William Scott brought the loud, brash Steve Stifler to life alongside 'American Pie's core four. While he may not have continued acting, his legacy as a comedy legend lives on, and he remains a beloved figure in the hearts of many fans.
The TV Star
Evangeline Lilly starred in all six seasons of 'Lost' as Kate Austen. Into the 2010s, she worked on 'The Hobbit' as warrior elf Tauriel and has a recurring role as Hope van Dyne in 'Ant-Man'. In 2024, she announced that she was stepping away from acting for the foreseeable future to focus on her humanitarian work and writing.
The New Slayer
Eliza Dushku became a staple on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', joining the show in its third season as Faith. The actress returned to the role in spin-off 'Angel' and continues to be a fan-favourite today. Through the 2000s, Dushku starred in 'Bring It On' and 'Dollhouse', which she also produced. Eliza has since left acting behind, graduating with a master's degree in 2025 and becoming a certified therapist.
The Late Late Show Host
Craig Kilborn took over hosting duties on 'The Late Late Show' from Tom Snyder between 1999-2004. The comedian and TV host originally worked in sports reporting but has also given Hollywood a spin with romps like 'Old School' (2003) and 'Full of It' (2007). He currently runs a podcast called 'The Life Gorgeous with Craig Kilborn', which invites listeners to join the host on 'a journey to improve your life'.
The Comedy Royalty
Jay Mohr was comedy royalty through the '90s and '00s, appearing in crime flick 'Go' (1999), Tom Cruise romance 'Jerry Maguire' (1996), and 'Pay It Forward' (2000). The comedian is still performing on stage with live sets and hosts podcast 'Mohr Stories' on YouTube, currently sitting at almost 600 episodes.
The Disney Channel Star 2.0
Bridgit Mendler was soaring into the A-list through the '00s and into the 2010s. With roles on 'Wizards of Waverly Place', 'The Clique', and 'Good Luck Charlie', the actress defined Disney Channel fame, alongside a successful music career. She continues to impress fans today in a different sector entirely: this time Bridgit is shooting for the stars rather than working to become one. The former actress is now CEO and co-founder of satellite data company Northwood Space.
The Comedy Co-Star
Chris Kattan co-starred with Jennifer Coolidge and Will Ferrell in 1998 comedy 'A Night at the Roxbury' and crime romp 'Corky Romano' (2001). One of his most iconic '00s roles cast Chris as Frankie Heck's pitiable co-worker Bob in 'The Middle'. Nowadays, Chris Kattan is active as a comedian and co-host of the 'What's Up Peeps?!' podcast with his wife, journalist and actress Maria Libri.
The Reality Star
Lauren Conrad starred in several of the 2000s most iconic reality shows, including 'The Hills' and 'Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County'. She's keeping busy away from the screen as a mother of two shared with husband William Tell and focusing her energy on building her fashion brand LC Lauren Conrad and Little Co. by Lauren Conrad.
The Rom-Com Star
Dane Cook took the world of 2000s rom-coms by storm with roles in 'Good Luck Chuck', 'Employee of the Month', and 'My Best Friend's Girl'. He has also worked in the music sector, releasing several comedy albums, the second of which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. Dane has continued working in comedy and still performs onstage as well as regularly keeping his fans updated via his Instagram page.
The Musical Icon
If you were growing up in the 2000s and had access to a radio or a particularly whimsical bus driver, then you're almost guaranteed to have come across Jason Mraz's best-known tracks 'I'm Yours' and 'I Won't Give Up'. The first song has over 2 billion streams on Spotify while the latter currently sits at just over 1 billion. Today, Jason is still singing and touring, continuing to bring his music to fans around the world.
The Comedy Genius
Andy Milonakis is a rapper, comedian, and actor famous for 2000s MTV comedy 'The Andy Milonakis Show'. He's still easily accessible for fans today, though in shorter, vertical format on his Instagram page which he regularly posts to. He's still acting occasionally today with roles in 2022 superhero satire 'The Guardians of Justice' and 2023 coming-of-age drama 'The Sweet East'.
The Teen Heartthrob 2.0
Before there were TikTok celebs or a new crush-worthy megastar every month, cinema fans in the 2000s had an enduring relationship with their teen heartthrob of choice. Oliver James is surely one of the celebs that many will remember pining over as he played opposite Amanda Bynes in 'What a Girl Wants' (2003). His last acting role was in 2012 and Oliver now works as a psychotherapist in Guildford.
