More of the Sexiest Black 90’s Heartthrobs, Then and Now

We heard there’s been a lot of talk about sexy men lately, but just know: 90’s fine men will always reign supreme. Let’s take a look!

Morris Chestnut, 1998; Morris Chestnut, 2024. Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection; Robin L Marshall for ESSENCE

There’s no denying the beauty and brilliance of the Black man. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that in the 1990s, God was seemingly handing out premium face cards to a handful of our favorite Black actors and musicians. We’d also be inauthentic if we also didn’t express our subsequent anger and disappointment at the revelation that He seemingly stopped putting these types of fine men into production as soon as that decade was over.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Ayo Edebiri, ‘OPUS’ Cast on Staying Sane in Hollywood and the Film’s Ambiguous Ending

It’s in that spirit of appreciation that we felt it fitting to take a leisurely stroll to look at a handful of our favorite ‘90s heartthrobs — then and now — to reminisce and pray that God somehow hears our prayers and starts reissuing this kind of fineness again.

Morris “My Forever Chocolate King” Chestnut. Blame it on “The Best Man,” “Like Mike,” or “Reasonable Doubt”—either way it goes, it’s got to be a sin for Morris to just keep looking better and better with each project and each passing year. Between his smooth melanin and his blindingly white smile, there’s truly no one like Chestnut. He is the prototype.

RonReaco Lee

Photo: Getty Images YouTube/Shantee Roberson; Tibrina Hobson for BET Photo: Getty Images YouTube/Shantee Roberson; Tibrina Hobson for BET

Talk about somebody whose face card and fineness doesn’t decline—that would be none other than RonReaco Lee. If you fell in love with him as “Tyreke Scott” in “Sister, Sister,” then you’ll be happy to know that he’s still just as good looking now as he was all those years ago (if not more, if you can imagine).

Cress Williams

Photo: Getty Images Youtube/DerrBearrrr 2.0; Mike Coppola/ Photo: Getty Images Youtube/DerrBearrrr 2.0; Mike Coppola/

Cress Williams will always be “Scooter” in our eyes thanks to his long stint on “Living Single,” but he’s definitely turned into “Scooter 2.0″ as the years have gone by thanks to amazing roles in “Black Lightening” and more. We’ll never get tired of seeing his handsome face!

Damon Wayans

Photo: Getty Images Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversa; Chris Haston/WBTV Photo: Getty Images Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversa; Chris Haston/WBTV

It’s almost as if the entire Wayans bloodline had stipulations for all of the brothers to be fine in addition to being funny because that’s definitely the case for Damon Wayans. That silver beard just makes him look that much more refined!

Shemar Moore

Photo: Getty Images CBS; Gregg DeGuire/Variety Photo: Getty Images CBS; Gregg DeGuire/Variety

If there was anybody young and restless back in the 90’s, it was every girl who couldn’t help but swoon at the sight of a young Shemar Moore back in the day. But let’s be clear, we’ll gladly accept the current Shemar’s invitation to be one of his baby girls any day!

Method Man

Photo: Getty Images Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives; Matthew Eisman Photo: Getty Images Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives; Matthew Eisman

Method Man’s evolution to fine rapper to irresistible “zaddy” has been one for the books and we have no one to thank but his parents and God for blessing him with these good genes.

Larenz Tate

Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Jason Mendez Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Jason Mendez

If you were to tell us Larenz Tate was the same age in both photos, we might be willing to believe you. That’s how flawlessly fine he is. Whatever you’re doing Larenz, keep it up. PLEASE, KEEP IT UP!

Taye Diggs

Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection; Amanda Edwards Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection; Amanda Edwards

The thing that makes Taye Diggs so fine isn’t just his rich skin and stellar smile— it’s his personality. That, coupled with the insanely hilarious dance moves that we’ve seen him bust out on TikTok, just makes us all remember why we love him year after year.

Terrence Howard

Photo: Getty Images CBS; ROBYN BECK/AFP Photo: Getty Images CBS; ROBYN BECK/AFP

Terrence Howard’s eyes are like swimming pools of the finest honey and brown sugar. Even when he’s playing somebody as problematic as Luscious Lyon on “Empire,” you could almost excuse his bad behavior by just taking one good look at his handsome face.

Blair Underwood

Photo: Getty Images NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversa; Arturo Holmes Photo: Getty Images NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversa; Arturo Holmes

We’re not sure if there’s another actor that’s as beautiful, smooth and debonair as Blair Underwood and, honestly, if there was, we’re not sure if we could take it. There’s always been something about Underwood that’s undeniably amazing and seeing him get better with age like a fine wine is utterly delicious.

Lenny Kravitz

Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection; River Callaway/WWD Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection; River Callaway/WWD

There’s a reason why Lenny Kravitz has a stigma of being nearly every woman’s “hall pass,” (if you know, you know.) From the locs to the sultry eyes to the effortless cool energy he oozes—there’s no one doing it quite like him.

LL Cool J

Photo: Getty Images Paul Natkin/WireImage; Jason Mendez Photo: Getty Images Paul Natkin/WireImage; Jason Mendez

We know mama said knock you out, but before you take a swing—can you promise us that fine-ass LL Cool J will be in our dreams when we’re lights out? You know, for journalistic research purposes, of course.

Will Smith

Photo: Getty Images NBCU Photo Bank; David Livingston Photo: Getty Images NBCU Photo Bank; David Livingston

Fine and funny? Look no further than Will Smith. Even though he played the cool yet silly cousin on “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” there’s nothing to laugh at when it comes to how handsome he’s continued to look as the years have gone by.

Tyrese

Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff for Lionsgate; Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff for Lionsgate; Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection

Tyrese, have we told you we loved you lately? We know you can do a bit much on social media from time to time (OK, more like on a regular basis), but we’ve got to give you credit where credit is due and that’s on your handsome face and your soulful voice.

Ginuwine

Photo: Getty Images Tim Mosenfelder; Prince Williams/WireImage Photo: Getty Images Tim Mosenfelder; Prince Williams/WireImage

If there’s anyone that’s so anxious at the thought of how fine Ginuwine was back in the 90s and how fine he still is nowadays, it’s us. If we faint, just call him—he’ll know what to do.

Usher

Photo: Getty Images Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives; Amy Sussman/WireImage Photo: Getty Images Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives; Amy Sussman/WireImage

They don’t call him U-S-H-E-R R-A-Y-M-O-N-D for no reason. The way Usher’s been stealing hearts and making women lose their absolute minds (and more) should be a crime. But give us the handcuffs though…we’ll take it from there.

Jamie Foxx

Photo: Getty Images Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection; Kayla Oaddams Photo: Getty Images Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection; Kayla Oaddams

Much like Will Smith, Jamie Foxx is also one of the main ambassadors of the Fine and Funny Men Division. With a smile that’ll invoke one of your own and vocal pipes that’ll make you float to another time and place, let’s all take a moment to bless God for Jamie Foxx.

Marlon and Shawn Wayans

Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection; Robin Marchant Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection; Robin Marchant

If you watched “The Wayans Brothers “back in the day, then you know it was hard to decipher which sibling you were crushing on more in each episode. (Author’s note: my vote mostly swayed towards Shawn, but Marlon is an undeniable looker, too.) What’s better than one hot and hilarious man? TWO!

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Best Red Carpet Looks of the 2026 NAACP Image Awards

Best Red Carpet Looks of the 2026 NAACP Image Awards

A closer look at the fashion and significance of the 57th annual ceremony featuring Salt-N-Pepa, Colman Domingo, and more …
The Most Positive Events That Happened During Black History Month

The Most Positive Events That Happened During Black History Month

Here’s a list of postive things that have happened since Black History Month was founded in 1926 …
Latino Man Threatens To Call Trump On Black Family For Being At Their Home

Latino Man Threatens To Call Trump On Black Family For Being At Their Home

After a Latino man harassed a Black family for moving into the neighborhood, social media is pointing out that Black folks will always be the most targeted by White Supremacy …
2026 NAACP Image Awards Best Moments and Surprises

2026 NAACP Image Awards Best Moments and Surprises

The 57th annual NAACP Image Awards went off without a hitch and was truly home to some much-needed blackity-black surprises and highlights! Let’s get into it! …
Why the 2026 Awards Season Is So Exciting for Black People

Why the 2026 Awards Season Is So Exciting for Black People

Withv the 2026 NAACP Image Awards, the Actor Awards (f.k.a. the SAG Awards) happening back to back to close out February and welcome in March, respectively, and then the Oscars on March 15—let’s take a quick look back on some of this seasons Blackest moments …
The 5 Saddest Revelations About Lamar Odom's Addiction

The 5 Saddest Revelations About Lamar Odom’s Addiction

Two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom has a storied relationship with substance addiction. He digs into it all in a new documentary …
We All Hate Tipping Culture, But Did You Know It's Rooted in Slavery?

We All Hate Tipping Culture, But Did You Know It’s Rooted in Slavery?

Wealthy American started the tipping culture in the mid-1800s, beginning a restaurant culture that remains steeped in the roots of slavery …
New Development After White NYC College Professor Makes Racist Comments on Work Zoom When She Thought She Was on Mute

New Development After White NYC College Professor Makes Racist Comments on Work Zoom When She Thought She Was on Mute

Allyson Friedman has identified herself as the college professor caught spewing racist language during a virtual council meeting …
A Full Timeline Of Singer D4vd's Mysterious Case of Celeste Rivas' Death

A Full Timeline Of Singer D4vd’s Mysterious Case of Celeste Rivas’ Death

D4vd was named a “target” in the investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas. Now, we’re catching you up on everything you might’ve missed until now …
Teyana Taylor Just Hit Another <i>Major</i> Milestone

Teyana Taylor Just Hit Another Major Milestone

Teyana Taylor keeps cementing her status in Hollywood and this year’s awards season. And this latest accomplishment from TIME Magazine is further proof of that! …
Black Folks Respond to the Clintons' Epstein Testimonies, and Phew!

Black Folks Respond to the Clintons’ Epstein Testimonies, and Phew!

After President Bill Clinton was named in the Epstein files, him and his wife were called before Congress …
Chicago Woman Smiles in Mugshot After Allegedly Killing Uber Driver During Carjacking—But It Gets Worse

Chicago Woman Smiles in Mugshot After Allegedly Killing Uber Driver During Carjacking—But It Gets Worse

Montoya Perry allegedly carjacked an Uber driver in Chicago, killing him as she fled. It’s what she allegedly did after some are calling sinister …
Black Experts Reveal Maternal Health Secrets You Need To Know

Black Experts Reveal Maternal Health Secrets You Need To Know

Exclusive: Experts At 5th Annual Day of Reckoning Conference in Birmingham Reveal Maternal Health Secrets You Must Know …
Expert Breaks Down How Trump Has Skated the Law for His MAGA Agenda in His Second Term

Expert Breaks Down How Trump Has Skated the Law for His MAGA Agenda in His Second Term

A foreign policy expert explains the consequences of institutions failing to check Trump as he celebrates one year in office …
A Nebraska Doctor Opens Her Home and Her Heart to a Black Child in Need

A Nebraska Doctor Opens Her Home and Her Heart to a Black Child in Need

A Nebraska anesthesiologist went out of her way to help a patient with a congenital heart condition …
Why Gov. Gavin Newsom's Latest Statements Could Be His Political Suicide

Why Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Latest Statements Could Be His Political Suicide

Gavin Newsom’s recent remarks upset quite a few folks, including many liberals accusing the governor of spewing Republican talking points …
Lupita Nyong'o Wants to Talk About Uterine Fibroids, Here's Why We Should Listen

Lupita Nyong’o Wants to Talk About Uterine Fibroids, Here’s Why We Should Listen

Actress Lupita Nyong’o is sharing her personal experience to raise awareness around the issue of fibroids in women …
More Devastating News About Black Hair Extensions and  Health Risks

More Devastating News About Black Hair Extensions and Health Risks

Braid wearers assume human hair and “non-toxic” synthetic braiding hair are safe options, but a Consumer Reports study showed that they, too, come with risk …
Late Comedian's Famous Joke About How Racism Keeps Poor People Divided Resonates Now More Than Ever

Late Comedian’s Famous Joke About How Racism Keeps Poor People Divided Resonates Now More Than Ever

Comedian Ralphie May once made a joke that racism is hologram to keep poor folks fighting, and his words are truer than you might realize …
Black Actress Blames Harvard For Hair Nightmare

Black Actress Blames Harvard For Hair Nightmare

Nike Imoru suffered unimaginable hair loss as a result of her recent theater experience and now, she’s taking matters into her own hands! …