This next star begs no introduction, as one of the IT girls of the 90s. With film credits including “Beetlejuice,” “Mermaids,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “The Age of Innocence,” “Reality Bites,” and “Girl, Interrupted,” it’s no wonder Winona Ryder (born Winona Laura Horowitz!) is such an icon. With her large doe eyes and expressive face, Winona certainly epitomizes the look of the 1990s.
The generational icon, however, fell from grace in 2001 after being caught shoplifting, taking a self-imposed ‘break’ from the acting world. It seems Winona has plenty left in the tank. Since her comeback in 2006, Ryder starred in “Star Trek,” “When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story” and “Black Swan.” Recently, she has enjoyed enormous success on the smash Netflix series “Stranger Things” as Joyce.
Elisabeth Shue
Elisabeth Shue had a somewhat troubled upbringing, with her parents filing for divorce and subsequently turning to substances to ease the transition. However, it seems from these tough experiences, she amassed the strength and maturity to make a career out of acting. Her first significant role was in the series "Call to Glory," which, ironically enough, was the part which shot her to fame, soon after starring in "The Karate Kid."
Shue was frequently the ‘good guy’s trophy’ at the end of a film, such as in "Cocktail." This did change though, with her roles in "Link," "Adventures in Babysitting" and "Back to the Future" forging a career for Shue. Appearing in "The Saint" with Val Kilmer proved once more that Shue was an actress with versatility. She has since gone on to star in "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" as Julie Finlay for three seasons.
Melissa Sue Anderson
American-Canadian actress Melissa Sue Anderson has come a long way from Berkeley, California. Beginning her career as a child actress, Sue went on to appear in a slew of TV commercials. After an episode of "Bewitched," she landed the role of Mary Ingalls on "Little House on the Prairie."
With over 50 film credits as an actress, Melissa Sue Anderson has starred in "Midnight Offerings," "Happy Birthday to Me," and "Which Mother Is Mine?" With an estimated net worth of around $1.5 million, the blue-eyed beauty has successfully managed to keep her life out of the media spotlight. There seems to be no slowing down for Anderson, with the film "The Con Is On" released in mid-2018.
Christina Applegate
They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but in Applegate’s case, it seems maybe her mother is, quoted as saying; “I wasn’t one to go out and buy a new car and stereo system and expensive clothes. My mom helped keep me grounded.” Seems that Christina had a parent who cared for her well-being, and instilled good values which she still carries with her! Well remembered for her role as Kelly Bundy on "Married…with Children," Christina established herself in both film and TV, winning an Emmy Award, and earning Tony and Golden Globe nominations.
Smart, beautiful, and funny, the star seemed to have it all; however, she too was struck with tragedy, being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Luckily, the actress caught cancer before it could develop into something more malignant, even if it meant having a double mastectomy. A real-life Wonder Woman.
Jennifer Grey
Every older sister with a pesky younger brother definitely sympathized with Jennifer Grey’s portrayal of Jeanie in "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off!" But it was her role in "Dirty Dancing" which elevated her to icon status; frequently the dance scene with Swayze tops lists for one of the most romantic in film history! The role even earned Grey a Golden Globe Award nomination.
Her 2011 appearance on "Dancing with the Stars" saw her win the competition, which was extraordinary, on the back of the removal of a cancerous node on her spine! In 2017, Grey, like many other celebrated women, participated in the Los Angeles 2017 Women’s March. #GIRLPOWER.