Every decade has its iconic shows. These shows leave an impression on you and have you quoting the characters long after the final episode.
In the 2000s, it seemed like there was a whole slew of these epic shows, and from them, we have garnered some of our biggest stars. Wonder where your favorite stars are today?
From John Krasinski to Raven-Symone, check out what your favorite actors from those 2000s sitcoms are doing, and what they look like now!
Zach Braff – J.D. (Scrubs)
Medical dramas were all the rage in the 2000s (and still are), but there were very few medical comedies. That might be why Scrubs did so well. Well, that and the fact that Zach Braff’s character J.D., along with the rest of the cast, was hilarious.
Zach Braff has had several big roles on television shows after the show ended. Along with his voice-over work, he has several projects set to be released in 2022.
Kaley Cuoco – Penny (The Big Bang Theory)
Being a nerd used to be so uncool, but sometime in the 2000s that all changed. It could well be because of shows like The Big Bang Theory. The show cast Kaley Cuoco as Penny, the love interest of head nerd Leonard.
The show lasted over a decade, just recently wrapping up taping in 2019. This allowed viewers to watch as the young actress matured. After the show, Kaley has kept busy. She voiced Harley Quinn in the animated television show and recently starred in The Flight Attendant.
Julie Bowen – Claire (Modern Family)
For 11 years, we were all invited into the multi-home lives of the Dunphy/Pritchett clan. One of those beloved family members was Claire, played by Julie Bowen. The classic stay-at-home mom, she kept things (mostly) together while trying to find her place in the world.
Julie Bowen had already had a good career before the show, having starred in Weeds and Boston Legal. After the show ended last year, she has done some voice-over work and several other projects.
Chris Pratt – Andy (Parks and Recreation)
Quirky workplace sitcoms were pretty prominent in the 2000s. The ensemble cast of Parks and Recreation was chock-full of talented actors and actresses. One of the actors who really shined was Chris Pratt, who played Andy Dwyer.
Slightly goofy, but sweet, the character was just the beginning of the actor’s career. For the entire six years, Chris worked on other projects which included his break-out role in Guardians of the Galaxy. He continues to work and has a whole slew of projects set to hit the screen in 2022.
Frankie Muniz – Malcolm (Malcolm in the Middle)
There seems to be nothing funnier than dysfunctional families, or at least that was the case in the 2000s. Malcolm in the Middle followed the trials and tribulations of the young Malcolm, played by Frankie Muniz. This child actor definitely changed a lot in front of our eyes over the show’s six-year run.
After the show ended, he continued working with small roles in television shows and movies. He has matured and appears to be continuing to work as hard as he ever did.
Neil Patrick Harris – Barney (How I Met Your Mother)
How I Met Your Mother followed Ted Mosby as he tells the story to his children of how he met their mother. Along the way, you get to know his friends, like Barney who was played by Neil Patrick Harris.
After nine years, the show ended in 2014 and Harris moved on to not only more Broadway gigs, but several television projects and movies. Most recently, he starred in the television show Eden.
Kelsey Grammar – Frasier (Frasier)
In 1993, after the ending of Cheers, the folks at NBC decided to continue the story with one of the core characters of the show – Dr. Frasier Crane. The story continued with the Harvard-educated psychiatrist, played by Kelsey Grammar, moving to Seattle and starting his own radio show.
Following an eleven-year run, Frasier finally wrapped. After this, Kelsey continued working on several major television series and a few blockbuster movies as well.
Jaime Pressly – Joy (My Name Is Earl)
Following the journey of a tragic mess-up, My Name is Earl starred Jason Lee and Jaime Pressly. Jamie Pressly played the role of Earl’s ex and the potential love interest.
Since the show ended, Jaime has had some success on TV with other sitcoms like I Hate My Teenage Daughter and Mom. Currently, she is filming a new project called The Re-Education of Molly Singer.
Jason Bateman – Michael (Arrested Development)
When a family is highly dysfunctional and dealing with losing all their money, the story is rife for comedy. Playing Michael Bluth, Jason Bateman was just one of the many talented actors on the hit show Arrested Development.
Jason Bateman over the last two years of the show was doing double duty as he was also starring in the acclaimed drama, Ozark. After Arrested Developmentended in 2019, he continued on Ozark, and just recently also did a little stint on The Outsider.
Mila Kunis – Jackie (That 70s Show)
For those longing for a little nostalgia, That 70s Show was probably a must-see weekly experience. Mila Kunis may have been a big part of the appeal. Playing Jackie, the love interest of both Kelso and Fez, Mila was a pivotal part of the cast.
Since the show wrapped in 2006, Mila has had success in film and does a lot of voice-over work. In particular, she voices the character of Meg on the hit animated show Family Guy.
Joseph Gordon Levitt – Tommy (3rd Rock from the Sun)
Though the show was only running for the first two years of the 2000s, it was still a hit. Following a group of aliens that have landed on earth and assumed human lives, the show would not have been the same with the role of Tommy.
Joseph brought that character to life and used his popularity to carve out quite the career for himself. Most recently, he has been starring in Mr. Corman, and has several projects slated for release over the next few years.
Kevin James – Doug (King of Queens)
Giving the 2000s their version of The Honeymooners, Leah Remini and Kevin James were the “it couple” of sitcoms. On King of Queens, Kevin played the main male lead – Doug. The combination of his blundering and Remini’s tough New York girl attitude made for some hilarious moments.
James went on to have several blockbuster movie hits, and recently returned to the small screen. He is currently working on the show The Crew.
Danny DeVito – Frank (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
This comedy that follows the lives of five oddballs who run a bar has been on for about a decade and a half. That may well be because of comedy icon Danny DeVito’s character, Frank.
Though Danny seemed to be having a great time with the role, he has ventured out over the years. The comedic actor has several projects in the works, including the live-action version of Haunted Mansion.
Yvette Nicole Brown – Shirley (Community)
Community was one of the 2000s comedies that liked to really dive deep into meta-humor. With an all-star cast, including Yvette Nicole Brown, the show entertained audiences for several seasons. Shirley seemed to be the only sane one in a group of misfits and was a nice counterbalance to all the crazy antics of her costars.
Yvette has continued working in television, being part of several hit shows like The Soul Man and The Odd Couple. Along with on-screen roles, she also does a lot of voice-over work.
James Franco – Daniel (Freaks and Geeks)
Freaks and Geeks wrapped up its last season in the year 2000, but thanks to reruns, it was still a pivotal show of the 2000s. The show was the starting place for many careers, including that of James Franco. Daniel was the head freak of the school and one of the many heartthrobs on the show.
After only a season, the show ended, and James moved on to film. Though he hasn’t really been doing much the last two years, he has enjoyed a very prolific career since his time on Freaks and Geeks.
Ray Romano – Ray (Everybody Loves Raymond)
There are a lot of comedians that put their life into a script and market it as a sitcom. One of the big ones in the 2000s was Ray Romano. Using real-life experiences, Romano developed the hit series Everybody Loves Raymond, in which he played the title role.
The show lasted for nine seasons, but Ray didn’t stop after that. Romano found his way into other hit television series, as well as films. Most recently, he has been starring in the TV series Made for Love.
Tina Fey – Liz (30 Rock)
After graduating from SNL, Tina Fey moved on to become a big star and sought-after writer. 30 Rock, which she created, became a popular and critically-acclaimed hit. Her role as Liz Lemon certainly set her up for more success on the small and big screen.
The show lasted for seven seasons. During that time, she continued to work on other projects. Over the last year, though, you may have seen her in her small role on the Hulu Original Only Murders in the Building.
Neil Flynn – Mike (The Middle)
For nine seasons, Neil Flynn played the leader of the Heck family on The Middle. Mike was a blue-collar worker that dealt with real-life situations, in a humorous manner of course. Though it was not as over the top as other shows, it is still considered one of the best shows of the 2000s.
After the show ended its run in 2018, Neil worked on a couple of TV and podcast series. He is currently in the process of filming two projects.
Debra Messing – Grace (Will & Grace)
Will & Grace is one of the most iconic sitcoms from the 2000s for many reasons, but the introduction of Debra Messing in the role of Grace is definitely one of them. The series was so popular that in 2020, they came back with a reboot.
Fans simply couldn’t get enough of Grace’s hilarious antics and neurotic behavior. Following the reboot, Debra has kept busy with several other successful series like The Mysteries of Laura and Ned and Stacey.
Jon Cryer – Alan (Two and a Half Men)
Jon Cryer had disappeared for a while but made his big comeback on the hit series Two and a Half Men. Starring alongside Charlie Sheen and then Ashton Kutcher, Jon played a single-father named Alan. Fans of the show enjoyed watching the uptight and hilariously socially awkward character as he tried to raise his son as best as possible.
After the series ended, Jon did a lot of voice-over work, as well as several small roles on television shows. Over the last few years, you could find him playing Lex Luthor on Supergirl.
Will Friedle – Eric (Boy Meets World)
If you were a teen in the 2000s, then you probably sat down every week to follow the lives of Cory and Topanga on Boy Meets World. One of the key roles was Cory’s dimwitted brother, Eric. Played by Will Friedle, the character captured many hearts.
Will has since gone on to do a lot of voice-over work, including voicing Rim Stoppable in Kim Possible. In fact, except for his reprisal of Eric on Girl Meets World, he primarily works doing voice-overs.
John Krasinski – Jim (The Office)
The Office rapidly grew a huge fanbase, and many of the stars on that show launched their careers to new heights. John Krasinski played Jim, the mild-mannered paper salesman that seemed to always be the butt of his coworkers’ jokes.
Krasinski took his popularity and moved on to other top series like BoJack Horseman and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. He also recently ventured into directing and writing with the hit thriller A Quiet Place and its subsequent sequels.
Matt LeBlanc – Joey (Friends)
Friends is one of those shows that has worldwide notoriety. The young actors who made up the cast certainly were able to parlay their celebrity into pretty amazing careers. Matt LeBlanc played the iconic Joey Tribbiani.
Though many of his counterparts moved onto film, Matt stuck it out in the television industry. There, he has been part of several long-running shows like Joey, and most recently Man with a Plan.
Tisha Campbell – Jay (My Wife and Kids)
Family sitcoms were a big thing in the 2000s. when you add in a Wayans brother, you know you have a big hit. However, if it wasn’t for the chemistry between Damon and Tisha (who played Jay’s wife), My Wife and Kids would not have lasted so long.
After the five-season run, Tisha went on to work on several other big television hits. Over the past few years, she has done some voice-over work, and just this year starred in the TV series Inside Job.
Katey Sagal – Cate (8 Simple Rules)
Depending on your age, when you see Katey Sagal you may think of two very different characters. For a decade she was known for her outlandish costumes and personality as Peggy Bundy on Married… With Children. In the 2000s, though, she was known for her role as Cate on the hit sitcom 8 Simple Rules.
Of course, after the sitcom ended, this talented actress would continue picking successful projects. The most recent one is her stint on The Conners, as well as the television series Rebel.
Terry Crews – Julius (Everybody Hates Chris)
Taking a bit of inspiration from Everybody Loves Raymond, comedian Chris Rock created the 2000s show Everybody Hates Chris. Following a fictionalized look at the comedian’s life, the show introduced viewers to important people in his life like his dad Julius, who was played by Terry Crews.
After the show ended, Terry continued to work in television and film. Most recently, though, fans can see him as the host of America’s Got Talent, or on the hit cop comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Larry David – Himself (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
What better way to deal with some of your quirks than to write a sitcom about a fictionalized version of yourself? Larry David stars as himself in the very popular series Curb Your Enthusiasm.
After working with Jerry Seinfeld on the classic comedy hit, Seinfeld, Larry began writing Curb Your Enthusiasm. The show is still running after two decades, so you can see it keeps him pretty busy. In addition to the sitcom, Larry has worked on various other scripts and has made appearances on Saturday Night Live.
Kat Dennings – Max (Two Broke Girls)
Following the lives of two very different women, Two Broke Girls ran for six seasons. As one-half of the odd couple, Kat Dennings played Max. This character was brash and in your face, and everybody loved it.
Kat has continued to work in television as well as appearing in several films. She even found her way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe on multiple occasions as Darcy Lewis, a supporting character in the film Thor. She also just wrapped up season two of her Hulu Original Dollface.
Donal Logue – Sean (Grounded For Life)
This sitcom followed the life and trials of the Finnerty clan. The patriarch of the blue-collar family, Sean, was played by the very talented actor Donal Logue. The show lasted for four seasons, and even with that short run is still a must-see 2000s sitcom.
Since then, Donal has gone on to star in shows like Sons of Anarchy and Gotham. Over the last year, he has been playing Sheriff McCullough on the TV series Departure.
Mary Louise Parker – Nancy (Weeds)
One of Showtime’s first big hits, Weeds, follows the recently-widowed Nancy as she tries to navigate her new life. Mary Louise Parker did a great job in this role for seven seasons. The show was well-written and allowed her to experiment with a wide range of emotions.
After the show, though, Mary Louise continued working on top-notch projects, including some big-time television series. Most recently, she played Teresa Kaepernick on the Netflix miniseries Colin in Black & White.
Courtney Thorne Smith – Cheryl (According to Jim)
Sometimes, a simple plot is the best, and According to Jim had just that. It followed Jim, a typical man’s man, and his family throughout their lives. To help counterbalance Jim, you had his wife Cheryl. This role was brought to life by Courtney Thorne Smith.
After the sitcom wrapped, Courtney moved on to a role on Two and a Half Men. Most recently, she made an appearance on the TV sitcom Mom.
Niecy Nash – Raineesha (Reno 911)
Niecy Nash made a mark with her role as Deputy Raineesha in Reno 911. The show was a parody sitcom that followed seven sheriff deputies who may not have been the best at their jobs. Full of off-color humor, it found a place on several lists of the best sitcoms of the 2000s.
The show is still running, and in between showing up there, Niecy has kept quite busy. In 2020 and 2021 she has been working on the Netflix series Never Have I Ever and as a guest host on The Masked Singer.
Julie Louis-Dreyfus – Christine (The New Adventures of Old Christine)
The ensemble cast of this hilarious sitcom is headed by the very talented Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Viewers get to follow along with the main character Christine as she tries to navigate a very confusing life.
Once the four-season run was over, Julia moved on to star in the hit TV series Veep. In 2021, though, fans may have noticed her doing a little work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Agent Valentina in both Black Widow and Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Patrick Warburton – Jeff (Rules of Engagement)
Rules of Engagement was a sitcom that walked us through the hilarious lives of a group of people that were in different stages of relationships. Jeff, who was played by the baritone-voiced actor Patrick Warburton, was married.
The show lasted six seasons, and once it was done, Warburton went back to voice-over work. Although he also had several other hit shows as well, he has recently focused on doing mostly voice-over work.
Billy Gardell – Billy (Yes, Dear)
Yes, Dear centered on two couples that were friends but had different ideas on how to be good parents. Often, the couples would have friends visit and join in the antics. Billy Gardell played one of those friends named Billy.
After the show ended, the imposing comedian would go on to appear in many other hit television shows, including Mike & Molly. In 2019, he joined the cast of Young Sheldon, and is currently slated to start work on a project named The Italy Boys.
Charlie Hunnam – Lloyd (Undeclared)
There are definitely some hijinks to be found as a freshman in college, this is what the popular sitcom Undeclared focused on. Among the misfits that the show followed was Lloyd, played by Charlie Hunnam.
Hunnam was kind of the heartthrob of the show, and this would not change in his future roles. He would go on to star in Sons of Anarchy and movies like Crimson Peak. Recently, Hunnam has appeared in the drama Jungleland and the action film The Gentlemen.
Ted Danson – Becker (Becker)
Following a doctor that has a bit of a personality problem, Becker ran for six years. In the lead role was Ted Danson, who had gained his fame on the classic television series Cheers. The show was well-written, quick-witted, and sarcastic.
Of course, you can imagine that over the years, Ted has had many hit shows. In recent years, he has worked on shows like The Good Place, Mr. Mayor, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Raven-Symoné – Raven (That’s So Raven)
In the 2000s, Disney was on a roll with a variety of hit television series. However, very few of them were as iconic as That’s So Raven. Following the life of a girl with the power to predict the future, the show starred Raven-Symoné as the teenage soothsayer.
Raven has kept busy after her run on the Disney channel came to an end. Not only did she co-host The View for a while, but her recent project has been to revive her role as Raven Baxter in Raven’s Home.
