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25 '90s Actors Every Cool Girl Crushed On, As Evident By Her Wall-To-Wall Posters

by Jill Di Donato

Oh, the '90s. I may have outgrown my love of Girbaud jeans, but I don't think I'll ever outgrow the boys whose pictures made my walls. Yep, I'm talking about those 90s actors that every girl crushed on throughout the decade.

Unlike those who came before and after them, the '90s actors were vulnerable and angst-ridden. They were sullen yet sensitive. They retained an aura of mystery about them, which made fans swoon even harder over them. Because I guess a girl always wants what she can't have, right?

And the beauty of these '90s beaus is that most of them are still majorly crush-worthy. In fact, some of them are in their prime years of hotness (and acting too I suppose.) So you don't have to feel too bad if you still the poster of Leo hanging in your childhood bedroom (or adult bedroom — I'm not here to judge.)

Crushing on the unattainable teen idol is hallmark of every girl's adolescence, not just girls who grew up in the '90s. We just happened to have a better selection of guys to choose from. So pull out your of issues of Tiger Beat and get ready take a trip down the hottest memory lane of all time. Because once you have a look at these crush-worthy actors from the '90s, you made need to take a little time to yourself.

1

Jared Leto

He was the face behind Jordan Catalano, a man who was tortured in all the right ways. It's no wonder women continue to fawn over him, even with his long as hell locks.

2

Freddie Prinze Jr.

I mean, come on. Just look at that face. And he managed to marry Sarah Michelel Gellar. Enough said.

3

Ryan Phillippe

Phillippe was basically the '90s version of James Spader. Am I right?

4

Paul Walker

He might not have gained the recognition (as an actor and humanitarian) he deserved until the Fast and Furious franchise, but Paul Walker was super fly in She's All That and Varsity Blues. My heart melts a little writing this.

5

Tupac

Not only was he a poet, rapper, hip-hop legend, Tupac was a damn fine actor. #RestInPower.

6

Brad Pitt

His tooth-sucking bad boy may have screwed over Thelma and Louise, but watching Brad Pitt on screen sure was fun.

7

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp could do no wrong in the '90s. But as Edward Scissorhands, he conveyed a sense of innocence and alienation every girl could relate to, which made him extra crush-worthy in this role.

8

Eddie Furlong

At 13 years old, Furlong's performance as a devoted son who saved the world from apocalypse in Terminator 2: Judgment Day made many gals swoon. Myself included.

9

Luke Perry

How many of you named your kid Dylan or have friends who named their kids Dylan? Here's why.

10

River Phoenix

Oh, River Phoenix. You made me feel things I'd never felt before. From touting veganism before it was popular, to writing his own monologues for My Private Idaho, Phoenix was more than a teen idol. He was the James Dean of the '90s.

11

Omar Epps

Turning out tight performances in critically acclaimed films like Juice and Higher Learning made Omar Epps popular. Appearances with Tupac on Yo MTV Raps! added to his cool factor. He's also really hot.

12

Keanu Reeves

Before Neo, he was Johnny Utah. Viya con Dios!

13

Larenz Tate

Menace II Society was a hugely powerful film, and its star Lorenz Tate gave a breakthrough and heartbreaking performance. But do you see those arms? Damn. Fans were happy to see them, I mean, him again in the critically acclaimed film Crash.

14

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington was so fine in the '90s that he's still got people writing songs about him.

15

Christian Slater

An actor who seamlessly made the transition from '80s to 90s heartthrob, Christian Slater is still crush-worthy as the hot weirdo in Mr. Robot. But he slays in Interview with a Vampire with his signature sexy voice.

16

Brandon Lee

One of the most tragic and shocking Hollywood deaths remains that of Brandon Lee, while filming The Crow. Lee fans, however, don't let his death overshadow his good looks and fine martial arts moves in the classic, Kung Fu: The Movie alongside David Carradine.

17

Edward Norton

It wasn't his Yale degree that got girls crushing on Edward Norton, but it didn't hurt.

18

Ashton Kutcher

Stoners crushed hard on Kelso.

19

Rider Strong

Before geek-chic was even a thing, Rider Strong had girls crushing on the best friend #sidekick.

20

Matt Damon

"How you like them apples?" Why I like them very much Matt.

21

Ethan Hawke

#LonghairDontCare. If you were a brooding poet/musician/painter you totally crushed on Ethan Hawke.

22

Mario Lopez

Did the boys in your high school look like A.C. Slater, because they sure didn't in mine? I mean that body, those moves. The Slater Dance.

23

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Before killing it multiple times on Lip Sync Battle, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a super cute '90s teen crush.

24

Heath Ledger

An amazing and dedicated method actor, Ledger delivered charm and so much more in the '90s classic 10 Things I Hate About You.

25

Leonardo DiCaprio

A legend by now, at only 41, Leonardo DiCaprio had mad '90s game. Were they his best years? Hard to say, but between Titanic, The Basketball Diaries, and Romeo and Juliet, DiCaprio was definitely an '90 actor every girl crushed on.