The 1990s passed in the blink of an eye, but that doesn’t mean the decade didn’t leave its mark. Indeed, these male icons of the 90s changed our culture forever and established a legacy that lives on today.
George Clooney
Clooney, was one of the most iconic of all 1990s acgtors. He’s since gone on to an illustrious career in acting and directing that has made him a household name.
His status as a Hollywood legend is due not only to his leading role as Dr. Doug Ross on ER from 1994-1999 but also for films such as Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), The Descendants (2011) and Gravity (2013).
Leonardo DiCaprio
DiCaprio might be the male icon of the 90s who’s had a more lasting cultural impact. From Titanic to Romeo + Juliet, his on-screen work has shaped millennial pop culture.
He’s also done plenty of work off-screen, including being the founder and president of his own production company.
Will Smith
Arguably one of the most recognizable male icons from that era, Will Smith is a rapper who became an actor in 1990s. He’s acted in many films as lead character since then, such as Hitch and I, Robot.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is arguably the male icon of the 90s who’s had the biggest impact off-screen. From his stint in professional basketball to becoming a majority owner and front office executive in the NBA, Jordan has been a major influence in the sports world for decades now.
Denzel Washington
Washington broke into superstardom in the 1990s, with major roles in films such as Malcolm X and Glory. He’s won the Academy Awards for Best Actor in Training Day, and multiple awards for Fences, and other films.
Mark Wahlberg
Another male actor of 90s Hollywood who has had a long-lasting career since then is Mark Wahlberg. As a rapper, he became one of the first male stars to have success in that genre, with his albums Marky Mark and Music For The People. He’s had a long career as an actor ever since then, starring in iconic films like Boogie Nights.
River Phoenix
He became famous for his roles in films like Stand By Me and Sneakers. In 1993, he died of a drug overdose at the age of 23.
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was the singer, songwriter and guitarist who led Nirvana. They became a huge part of 90s culture with hits like Smells Like Teen Spirit. Cobain and his wife, Courtney Love, had one daughter together.
Cobain committed suicide in 1994, but since then, he has been the subject of many biographies and documentaries.
Brad Pitt
Pitt’s breakout role in Thelma & Louise established him as a male sex symbol and turned his face into an icon. Pitt went on to star in Fight Club, followed by 12 Monkeys, Seven Years In Tibet, Meet Joe Black (1998), Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and Troy; he also found time to marry Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie.
Pitt is a global male icon who has starred in critically acclaimed films like Moneyball (2011), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) and Babel (2006).
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson is a male actor who was best-known for his roles in the Lethal Weapon franchise and Braveheart. When he wasn’t acting, Gibson spent time as a director of such movies as What Women Want and The Man Without A Face.
Dr. Dre
With his iconic hip-hop beats, Dr. Dre helped bring rap into the mainstream and paved the way for other male hip-hop artists.
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur was one of the most controversial male icons in 90s, with his song lyrics taking most of the heat thanks to themes that many viewed as controversial — but those lyrics are also part of Tupac’s widespread appeal as a poet and artist. His hit song “Changes” had a profound impact on many who grew up during the time period. Tupac died tragically in 1996.
(Like Male Icons of the 90s? Then you might like our article on Male Icons of the 70s, click here.)
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