Top 10 Unforgettable 2000s Actresses And What Are They Up To

The 2000s were a golden age of pop culture—a time when low-rise jeans ruled, soundtracks were everything, and movies like The Girl Next Door, EuroTrip, and American Pie were practically playing on a loop. But it wasn’t all laughs and lip gloss—the era also gave us heavier, thought-provoking gems like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sex and the City, and The Butterfly Effect. The stars from that time felt like our big sisters, our crushes, our ride-or-die besties—and then, just like that, many faded from the spotlight. Some walked away quietly to prioritize health or family. Others hit turbulence they couldn’t hide. But where are they now? Let’s rewind, reconnect, and see what’s become of the screen queens who once defined a generation.

1. Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba was everywhere in the 2000s — Dark Angel, Honey, Fantastic Four — a total fixture on red carpets and teenage bedroom posters alike. She brought both edge and heart to every role, often playing characters who were tougher than they looked. But while Hollywood kept casting her as the pretty face, Alba had other plans. She stepped back from acting to co-found The Honest Company, building an ethical wellness brand that skyrocketed into a billion-dollar empire. Today, she’s a hands-on mom, a savvy entrepreneur, and still an occasional on-screen presence—proof that reinvention can be just as powerful as staying in the spotlight.

2. Denise Richards

Denise blew up mainly thanks to Starship Troopers and went on to be a Bond girl in The World Is Not Enough. But then came the messy marriage to Charlie Sheen, which dragged her into tabloid drama. That, along with some questionable role choices, hurt her career. Still, she powered through, adopted kids, and in 2018, married Canadian actor Aaron Phypers. In her fifties, she’s more famous for controversy than acting, especially after doing risqué photoshoots.

3. Christina Applegate

You might remember Applegate from Married With Children, Anchorman, or The Sweetest Thing. Since 2013, she’s been married to musician Martyn LeNoble. Unfortunately, Christina received a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2021. By 2023, she officially stepped away from acting because long filming days had become impossible. She’s been candid about the daily struggles, from needing diapers to struggling with basic tasks like showering. Still, she was thrilled to get her own shining Hollywood Walk of Fame star and now co-hosts a podcast.

4. Jennifer Love Hewitt

Back in the 2000s, Jennifer Love Hewitt was a real heartthrob, especially in Heartbreakers, where she played a sultry con artist. Hollywood seemed to love typecasting her as the “hot girl,” so she got stuck in similar roles. In 2010, while filming The Client List, she met Brian Hallisay. Sparks flew, she got pregnant, and they eventually tied the knot and had three kids—two boys and a girl. Her career slowed down a lot after that. Some say it was her choice; others claim it was the “stage diva” behavior. After her second pregnancy, she gained a bit of weight, and Hollywood said, “We’ll get back to you if anything pops up,” only to never actually call her back. In 2014, she briefly joined Criminal Minds but lasted only one season. Today Hewitt rarely shows up at red-carpet events, but when she does, the fans are thrilled.

5. Alyssa Milano

Alyssa Milano moved from playing one of the three sister witches on Charmed to being a full-on activist. She launched Project Runway: All Stars, wrote a cyber-thriller comic series (Hacktivist), and has been front and center of the #MeToo movement. All that while regularly getting TV and movie roles in projects like Mistresses, Insatiable, and Elbeth. She’s an outspoken vegetarian, PETA supporter, breastfeeding advocate, and a UNICEF ambassador. She’s not just playing heroes on screen—she’s trying to be one in real life.

6. Amy Smart

Amy Smart’s adorable face was everywhere in the 2000s. She started as a model but soon broke out in Road Trip, The Butterfly Effect, and that weird action flick Crank with Jason Statham. But after 2010, her career was put on a back burner. Instead, she found love and married Carter Oosterhouse in 2011. Nowadays, Amy bounces between acting, philanthropy, and running a sustainable bedding brand with her husband. She’s also been working with ocean conservation groups in California for over a decade. These days, in her late forties, she’s embraced a quieter, more eco-conscious lifestyle.

7. Hilary Duff

Remember Lizzie McGuire? Well, she grew up, became a mom to a son named Luca, and never stopped hustling. She starred in Younger, took on the role of Sharon Tate in a thriller, and even co-wrote a YA novel called Elixir. On the fashion front, she teamed up with DKNY to launch a denim line called Femme. These days, her life’s a full plate—three kids, a busy acting career, and a steady stream of real-life moments shared on Instagram. Honestly, even just one of those things sounds like a full-time job.

8. Alyson Hannigan

Alyson Hannigan skyrocketed to fame with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and How I Met Your Mother. She was America’s favorite quirky redhead. In later years, she transitioned to smaller TV projects. But behind the scenes, she found her happy place—marrying co-star Alexis Denisof from Buffy. They now raise two daughters together. Although she still acts but mostly stays out of the Hollywood spotlight, focusing on family and occasionally hosting gigs like Dancing with the Stars in 2023.

9. Elisha Cuthbert

Thanks to The Girl Next Door and Love Actually, Elisha became a household name in Hollywood. She also graced quite a few men’s magazine covers back in the day. Fun fact: she’s a massive hockey fan and even had a blog on NHL.com! In 2013, she married NHL player Dion Phaneuf, and they have a daughter born in 2017. In 2022, the couple had a son whom they named Fable. Her last big movie was Bandit (2022), and now she keeps a low profile and rarely appears in public.

10. Sarah Jessica Parker

Although Sex and the City began in 1998, it significantly influenced pop culture during the early 2000s. Carrie Bradshaw became every fashion-forward woman’s icon and a living template for hooking up with men. While most female leads at the time were all about glamorized sex appeal, Parker gave us a quirky, over-the-top fashionista who could be messy but still desirable. The original series ended in 2004, but the style it set still influences wardrobes today. Since then, SJP has made appearances in numerous movies and TV shows such as Hocus Pocus 2, Did You Hear About the Morgans?, Glee, And just like that… yet she has never surpassed her heyday.