The Babes Of 90s TV We Couldn’t Get Enough Of

TV in the 90s was filled with unforgettable icons who made our hearts skip a beat. These icons, actresses, and models were everywhere – the TV, magazine covers, and in posters on our walls. In an era before content was so disposable, these babes burned a lasting impression in our brains and on pop culture as a whole, so let’s take a look back at the babes we couldn’t forget if we tried.

Pamela Anderson is the ultimate 90s TV icon. She got her start as a print model, but it’s her role as lifeguard C.J. Parker on Baywatch that pushed her to an all new level. She captured the hearts of millions of teenage boys (and adults, let’s not kid ourselves) by simply running along the beach in her red swimsuit. Anderson parlayed this singular role into magazine covers, movie roles, and pop culture immortality.

As the All-American girl next door, Tiffani Thiessen (formerly Tiffani Amber Thiessen, I guess this is growing up) played Kelly Kapowski on Saved By The Bell, a role that left a burn scar on the brains of millennials in the early 90s. Every time she appeared on screen her bright smile, oceanic hair, and preppy outfits showed audiences what it meant to be the queen of Bayside High. Thiessen continues to pop up on TV to this day, giving audiences their fix whenever they need it.

Sarah Michelle Gellar owned the back half of the 90s. From her role as Buffy Summers on the long-running and incredibly influential Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to her multiple appearances in horror and horror-adjacent films like I Know What You Did Last Summer and the Scooby-Doo duology, audiences couldn’t – and didn’t want to – escape her charismatic hold. Gellar’s portrayal as Buffy, a vulnerable, strong woman who speaks like she’s in a screwball comedy solidified her status as one of the most memorable stars of the decade.

Jennifer Aniston remains a cultural icon thanks to her role as Rachel Green on Friends. On this long-running series, Aniston shows off her effortless style, charm, and comedic chops; and she even had a haircut named after her character – the much copied “Rachel.” Aside from the fact that Rachel lived in the biggest apartment in NYC, she remains one of the most relatable characters on TV, which is why Aniston is a bonafide superstar.

As Phoebe Halliwell on Charmed, Alyssa Milano brushed off her ‘80s youth and turned herself into a babe made for the ‘90s. Phoebe’s psychic abilities and fashion sense make a standout of this beloved cult series, which is hard to do when you’re sharing scenes with Rose McGowan.

Lucy Lawless made an unforgettable mark on television as the star of Xena: Warrior Princess, a leather-clad, chakram wielding (that’s the circular blade that she carries), head stomper who takes zero guff, regardless of whether she’s dealing with a warlord or a god. Lawless’ take on Xena is as a woman who’s tough first and sexy second, which sets her apart from the rest of the women on this list.

The queen of primetime drama in the ‘90s was none other than Heather Locklear. As the deliciously manipulative Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place, she proved that there’s nothing that audiences love more than a woman with a sharp wit and cutthroat attitude. Locklear will always be one of our favorite TV villains.

As Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, Shannen Doherty was the ultimate 90s bad girl. A rebel without a cause but plenty of charisma, Doherty couldn’t help but become one of the decade’s most controversial and captivating stars of the small screen. Doherty went on to star in Charmed for four years before leaving the show due to creative differences. She never stopped acting, and was even a co-producer on the reboot of 90210. Sadly, she passed away far too young at the age of 53 in 2024.

Before she was a Scream queen, Neve Campbell stole our hearts as Julia Salinger on Party of Five. As the girl next door she made this family drama sing. But it’s her work in genre films like The Craft, Wild Things. and the Scream franchise that has made her a true blue superstar. Honestly, it’s impossible to think about the success of the Scream movies without Campbell’s involvement, which is exactly why she’s one of the ‘90s babes we can’t get enough of.

While Pamela Anderson may be the most famous Baywatch babe, Carmen Electra turned heads with her role as lifeguard Lani McKenzie. Her brief tenure on the show was truly memorable thanks to her bombshell looks. The thing is, even if you didn’t watch Baywatch you couldn’t escape Electra – this woman was everywhere. She was in music videos, she married Dennis Rodman, and she was essentially the de facto covergirl for magazines like Maxim and FHM until they disappeared. You’ve got to give it up for Carmen Electra.