Familiar Faces, Forgotten Names
Their faces are beautiful and familiar to anyone who watched television and went to the movies in the 90s. Their names, however? That’s a very different story. You might remember their characters, their shows, even their hairstyles. But how many could you actually name without a little help?
Amy Yasbeck
The red hair probably gives her away before anything else. Amy Yasbeck played Maid Marian in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” the reporter in “The Mask,” and Helen’s sister Casey on “Wings.” You could have watched her all through the decade without ever learning her name.
Screenshot from The Mask (1994), New Line Cinema (1994)
Jane Sibbett
If your first thought was “Ross’s ex-wife,” you’re already halfway there. Jane Sibbett played Carol on “Friends,” although Anita Barone played her in the character’s first appearance. Sibbett made the role her own afterward. She also played Heddy on “Herman’s Head,” giving sitcom fans another reason to recognize her.
Dina Meyer
Dina Meyer was Dizzy Flores in “Starship Troopers” and Jane, the bodyguard opposite Keanu Reeves, in “Johnny Mnemonic.” Those were very different versions of the future, but she looked comfortable handling both. Science fiction fans probably recognize her immediately, even if “Dizzy” is the name that comes to mind.
Elisa Donovan
That red hair and those competitive looks should take you straight back to “Clueless.” Elisa Donovan played Amber, Cher’s rival with an equally enthusiastic approach to getting dressed. She returned for the television adaptation, too. You might remember several of Amber’s outfits before remembering the actress who wore them.
Crystal Bernard
For eight seasons of “Wings,” Crystal Bernard played Helen Chappel, the airport lunch-counter operator with a Texas accent and dreams of becoming a professional cellist. Between Helen’s temper, her relationship with Joe, and that unmistakable voice, Bernard gave viewers plenty to remember. Her actual name might require more effort.
Lisa Nicole Carson
Lisa Nicole Carson gave 90s viewers two good reasons to recognize her. She played Ally’s roommate Renee on “Ally McBeal” and had a recurring role as Carla on “ER.” If you watched both shows, her face was probably much more familiar than the names scrolling through the credits.
Megan Ward
Megan Ward appeared in “Encino Man,” “PCU,” and “Joe’s Apartment,” then starred in the alien-conspiracy series “Dark Skies.” That’s a pretty solid tour of 90s entertainment. Depending on your viewing habits, you might remember her from a high-school comedy, a college comedy, or something considerably stranger.
Kathleen Robertson
Kathleen Robertson played Clare Arnold on “Beverly Hills, 90210” from 1994–1997. She wasn’t part of the original high-school crowd, but became a familiar face during the college years. You might remember Clare perfectly while still drawing a blank on the actress’s name. In that case, this list is doing its job.
Farrah Forke
“Wings” fans will remember Farrah Forke as Alex Lambert, the helicopter pilot who caught the attention of both Hackett brothers. She also played Mayson Drake on “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.” Two memorable television roles, but her name still makes a surprisingly difficult trivia question.
Rachel True
Rachel True played Rochelle, one of the four teenage witches in “The Craft.” Two years later, she was Mary Jane, Dave Chappelle’s love interest in “Half Baked.” Both movies developed devoted followings, giving her a familiar face among viewers whose 90s movie nights leaned toward cult favorites.
Ronald Siemoneit, Getty Images
Wendy Makkena
You might need to picture her in a nun’s habit. Wendy Makkena played the shy Sister Mary Robert in “Sister Act” and its sequel, then appeared as the mother in “Air Bud.” Once you make that connection, you’ll probably wonder how you didn’t recognize her sooner.
Gail O’Grady
Before you start guessing which detective she played, Gail O’Grady was Donna Abandando, the squad’s administrative assistant on “NYPD Blue.” Her blonde hair and glamorous appearance stood out in that famously gritty police station. If you watched the early seasons, she should be a very familiar face.
Leila Kenzle
Leila Kenzle played Fran Devanow, Jamie’s sarcastic best friend on “Mad About You.” Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser were the names most people remembered, but Kenzle was a familiar part of their television world. If you watched regularly, you probably remember Fran having an opinion about just about everything.
Christine Elise
Christine Elise played Emily Valentine on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” a character whose relationship with Brandon brought plenty of trouble. Movie fans might recognize her as Kyle from “Child’s Play 2.” Between those two roles, she certainly wasn’t stuck playing the sweet girl who quietly stayed out of everyone’s way.
Amy Pietz
Amy Pietz played Annie Spadaro, Caroline’s outspoken friend and neighbor, on “Caroline in the City.” Lea Thompson’s name was easier to remember, but Pietz was an important part of the show’s appeal. Her performance even earned an individual Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in 1999.
Josie Bissett
Josie Bissett was Jane Mancini on “Melrose Place,” which means you probably remember her dealing with a marriage that supplied more than its fair share of drama. Her short blonde hair makes her particularly easy to place. Remembering “Jane” is one thing. Coming up with “Josie Bissett” takes more work.
Brenda Bakke
Brenda Bakke played Michelle Huddleston opposite Charlie Sheen in “Hot Shots! Part Deux.” She also appeared in “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory” and “L.A. Confidential.” If you rented a lot of comedies and action movies during the decade, there’s a good chance you’ve seen her more than once.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
Bitty Schram
Remember the player who prompted Tom Hanks’s “There’s no crying in baseball!” outburst? That was Bitty Schram as Evelyn Gardner in “A League of Their Own.” The scene became one of the movie’s most memorable moments. Hanks got the famous line, but Schram gave him someone memorable to deliver it to.
Jessica Hecht
You probably know Jessica Hecht as Susan, Carol’s partner on “Friends.” Her dry exchanges with Ross made a small role feel much bigger, especially whenever he found another reason to get uncomfortable. She also starred on “The Single Guy,” giving regular NBC viewers another opportunity to recognize her.
Lisa Dean Ryan
Lisa Dean Ryan played Wanda Plenn, Doogie’s girlfriend on “Doogie Howser, M.D.” While Neil Patrick Harris’s name became considerably more famous, hers is much easier to lose track of. For early-90s viewers, though, Wanda should bring back memories of a teenage doctor trying to have a teenage life.
Laura Leighton
That red hair should send “Melrose Place” viewers straight back to Sydney Andrews. Laura Leighton played Jane’s younger sister, whose presence rarely made anyone’s life simpler. She later became familiar to another generation as Ashley Marin on “Pretty Little Liars,” but Sydney remains a particularly strong 90s calling card.
Paula Marshall
Paula Marshall was the reporter in the “Seinfeld” episode “The Outing,” then appeared on “Spin City” and starred opposite Jeremy Piven in “Cupid.” Her career supplied plenty of those “Where have I seen her?” moments. The answer could change depending on which night you usually watched television.
Mädchen Amick
As Shelly Johnson on “Twin Peaks,” Mädchen Amick was the beautiful waitress at the Double R Diner. In a town where almost everyone had something going on behind the scenes, Shelly had plenty of her own problems. You might remember the diner uniform more quickly than the actress’s name.
Nikki Cox
Nikki Cox played Tiffany Malloy on “Unhappily Ever After,” the sitcom whose family problems included a father who talked to a stuffed rabbit. Tiffany was smart, ambitious, and quite capable of getting her own way. If you watched the early WB lineup, Cox’s face should bring it back.
Rena Sofer
Daytime viewers knew Rena Sofer as Lois Cerullo on “General Hospital.” Prime-time viewers could catch her as Eve Cleary during the final season of “Melrose Place.” She’s one of those actresses whose face can feel immediately familiar even when you need a moment to remember which show put her there.
Sheryl Lee
You probably remember the name Laura Palmer. But did you remember the actress who played her? Sheryl Lee was central to the mystery of “Twin Peaks,” and she also played Laura’s cousin Maddy. One actress, two memorable characters, and a face that became closely associated with the show.
Ron Galella, Ltd, Getty Images
Robin Tunney
Robin Tunney played Sarah, the newcomer drawn into witchcraft in “The Craft.” She was also Deb in “Empire Records,” giving her two very different places in 90s movie nostalgia. You might recognize her from either film before remembering that the actress in both was the same person.
Kellie Shanygne Williams
If you watched “Family Matters,” you know this face. Kellie Shanygne Williams played Laura Winslow, the girl Steve Urkel spent years trying to impress. You probably remember her reactions to him perfectly. Whether you ever learned the name of the actress delivering those reactions is another question entirely.
Alexandra Wilson
Alexandra Wilson played Josie Watts on “Another World,” then Sarah Brewer on the period drama “Homefront.” “Beverly Hills, 90210” viewers might remember her as Brandon’s summer girlfriend Brooke. She’s a slightly tougher name to place, but those early-90s television appearances give you several chances to recognize her.
Screenshot from Another World, NBC (1964-1999)
Be Honest: How Many Names Did You Know?
Recognizing someone after reading the name is easy. Remembering “the woman from ‘Wings’” doesn’t quite count either. But if you could name several of these actresses before looking at the headings, congratulations. You were clearly paying more attention to the credits than the rest of us.
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