Many film enthusiasts consider the 1990s to be the best period in Hollywood history. During that decade, numerous legendary hits were released, from “Titanic” to “Forrest Gump.” This era also brought success to many young filmmakers, including talented and beautiful actresses.
Stars who rose to fame in the 90s are still beloved by many people. Here are the 5 most iconic actresses of that time who captured the public’s hearts.
Sharon Stone
Undoubtedly, Sharon Stone is one of the sexiest actresses of her generation. She began her active film career in the 1980s but reached her creative peak in the following decade.
The 1990s started for the actress with the sci-fi action-adventure “Total Recall” (1990). A couple of years later, another hit featuring her was released, the detective thriller “Basic Instinct” (1992). Catherine Tramell, Sharon’s character from the film, became one of the most memorable femme fatales in cinema history. This role turned Stone into a sex symbol and earned her her first Golden Globe nomination (though also a Razzie nomination).
Sharon Stone proved her talent as a dramatic actress with the gangster drama “Casino” (1995). Her performance was recognized with a Golden Globe and her only Oscar nomination to date.
By the end of the 90s, Sharon Stone’s career started to decline, but she continues to regularly appear in various film and television projects. Among her recent successful works are the series “Mosaic” (2018), “Ratched” (2020–…), and “The Flight Attendant” (2020–2022).
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is one of the actresses associated with Hollywood in the 90s. The red-haired beauty with a million-dollar smile made her entry into the decade with “Pretty Woman” (1990). Subsequently, she enjoyed nearly continuous success for the following years.
Her role as Vivian Ward in “Pretty Woman” made her a global superstar. Along with the public’s love, she received recognition from colleagues and critics, earning her second Golden Globe (the first was for “Steel Magnolias” a year earlier) and a second Oscar nomination (the first was for the same “Steel Magnolias”).
Following films solidified Roberts’ fame and her status as a box office movie star. “Flatliners” (1990), “Sleeping with the Enemy” (1991), “Hook” (1991), “The Pelican Brief” (1993), “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997), “Notting Hill” (1999), and “Runaway Bride” (1999) were among her successful films. She appeared in various genres but was particularly prominent in romantic comedies.
In the 2000s and 2010s, Julia Roberts continued to work diligently and received numerous interesting offers from studios. Using her star status, she had the freedom to choose projects that suited her. She remains one of the most sought-after and popular Hollywood celebrities. For instance, the recent series “Gaslit” (2022) featured her.
Sandra Bullock
Debuting in film with the lead role in the modest thriller “Hangmen” (1987), Sandra Bullock persistently worked her way to conquer both the big and small screens. In the early 90s, she appeared in films and series that are largely forgotten today. However, a breakthrough came with the thrilling action movie “Speed” (1994).
Playing the charming bus driver Annie, Bullock captured the hearts of the audience. “Speed” became one of the biggest blockbusters of its time, and Sandra embarked on her journey to A-list stardom.
In the 1990s, Bullock had several other hits, including “While You Were Sleeping” (1995) and “A Time to Kill” (1996). Most importantly, she established herself as a beloved actress whose name could draw people to the theaters.
In the new millennium, Sandra Bullock’s career reached new heights. She was invited to various film projects across different genres, from police comedies to science fiction dramas. Recently, for example, the action-comedy “The Lost City” (2022) featured her. However, after the release of this film, the actress decided to take a break and dedicate more time to her family.
Demi Moore
The 1990s started strongly for Demi Moore. She starred in the fantasy romance “Ghost” (1990), which unexpectedly became a major blockbuster.
“Ghost” was followed by hit films like “A Few Good Men” (1992), “Indecent Proposal” (1993), “Disclosure” (1994), as well as the Disney animated film “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996), where she voiced Esmeralda.
However, Demi’s biggest success came with the crime dramedy “Striptease” (1996). While the film received critical panning and very low audience ratings, Moore earned the highest paycheck of her career at that time, $12.5 million. This unprecedented salary made her the highest-paid actress in history at that moment.
Unfortunately, Demi Moore’s fame largely remained in the first half of the 1990s. She received an impressive $11 million for the military action drama “G.I. Jane” (1997), but this project, like many others she was part of, experienced financial failure. Currently, Demi Moore can occasionally be seen in film and television projects, such as the film “Corporate Animals” (2019). However, her star hour has not repeated itself so far.
Meg Ryan
Meg Ryan’s career took off thanks to the romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally” (1989), which has become a genre classic. With the arrival of the 1990s, she became the queen of romantic comedies, easily maintaining this title throughout the decade.
Of course, Meg dabbled in genres beyond romantic comedy but didn’t achieve the same level of success. For example, she appeared in the musical biopic “The Doors” (1991), the historical drama “Restoration” (1995), and the action film “Courage Under Fire” (1996). However, romantic comedies were her specialty.
Her main on-screen partner in the 1990s was Tom Hanks. They appeared together in three romantic comedies: “Joe Versus the Volcano” (1990), “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993), and “You’ve Got Mail” (1998). “Sleepless in Seattle” was a significant hit and helped Meg secure high paychecks. For “You’ve Got Mail,” she received $10.5 million, and for the thriller “Proof of Life” (2000) and the fantasy rom-com “Kate & Leopold” (2001), she received $15 million each.
Unfortunately, an unsuccessful plastic surgery procedure affected Meg Ryan’s career. In the 2000s, she appeared on the screen much less frequently, focusing on her personal life and family. Her most recent project to date is the war drama “Ithaca” (2015), which marked her directorial debut. By the way, she invited Tom Hanks to appear in one of the roles in this film.
