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
Bakari Sellers: Why Elon Musk Should Scare Everyone

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

Heartbreaking Story of Hattie McDaniel, The First Black Oscar Winner

Heartbreaking Story of Hattie McDaniel, The First Black Oscar Winner

With the Oscars approaching, we must remember Hattie McDaniel, the first Black Academy Award winner, who was nonetheless disrespected by Hollywood …
Halle Berry's Best Movies, Ranked By Box Office

Halle Berry’s Best Movies, Ranked By Box Office

With Halle Berry’s newest heist film in theaters, let’s take a look at some of her most successful films by the box office! …
Google Sends Out News Alert With N-Word and, Uh, Black Twitter is <i>Through</i>

Google Sends Out News Alert With N-Word and, Uh, Black Twitter is Through

As the internet was still reeling from the N-word incident at the 2026 BAFTAs, Google has now unintentionally added more fuel to the fire! Let’s get into it …
Black Leaders React to Trump's State of the Union

Black Leaders React to Trump’s State of the Union

Hakeem Jeffries, Justin J. Pearson, Scott Colom, Mandela Barnes and more Black leaders had plenty of thoughts after Trump’s State of the Union address …
Why J. Cole's "Everyman" Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

Why J. Cole’s “Everyman” Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

​The superstar rapper has been driving around the country selling CDs out of the trunk of his used Honda Civic …
It's Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

It’s Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

Black people have always leaned toward home ownership but the changing housing landscape should have us thinking about other ways to obtaining equity …
Why Black Folks Are <i>Always</i> Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Why Black Folks Are Always Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Black folks are being asked to “turn the other cheek” after the BAFTA scandal, but given the deep history of forcing Black people to submit, the wound is still too fresh …
EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What's at Stake for Black Voters

EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What’s at Stake for Black Voters

The Root spoke to NAACP President Derrick Johnson about why he has “no expectations” for Trump’s State of the Union address …
How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

Following her MAGA events, Nicki Minaj has the Barbz divided with some stuck between sticking beside their Queen or stepping away…for good …
Proof That Jim Crow Era Was Not That Long Ago And Why This is Important to Know

Proof That Jim Crow Era Was Not That Long Ago And Why This is Important to Know

Jim Crow laws were in place not that long ago. Even though many photos from that time are in black and white, the history is far from ancient and the remnants are all around us …
Mississippi Black Woman Desegregated High School—Then Faced Terror and Isolation

Mississippi Black Woman Desegregated High School—Then Faced Terror and Isolation

Mary Smith-Blackmon was among the first Black students in a Canton, MIssissippi school and shared what it was like to eperience integration in isolation …
A Look at Trump’s Most Misleading Claims Before His State of the Union Address

A Look at Trump’s Most Misleading Claims Before His State of the Union Address

Before Trump’s State of the Union address, let’s get into all of the false claims he’s made about the country and what’s really at stake for Republicans …
Black and MAGA Folks Angry At Gavin Newsom For Implying Black People Can't Read... But That's Not The Full Story

Black and MAGA Folks Angry At Gavin Newsom For Implying Black People Can’t Read… But That’s Not The Full Story

Gavin Newsom Is Receiving Backlash Online After Telling Black Folks He’s Just Like Them Because He Can’t Read… Except That’s Not What Happened …
Celeb With Tourette Syndrome Speaks Out After N-Word Remark at BAFTAs, But the Internet Isn't Here for It

Celeb With Tourette Syndrome Speaks Out After N-Word Remark at BAFTAs, But the Internet Isn’t Here for It

John Davidson has finally broken his silence about the racist ordeal at the 2026 BAFTA Awards. But what he has to say isn’t landing too well with folks online …
Why This New York Mom Was Forced to Deliver Her Own Baby Alone in a Hospital Bathroom

Why This New York Mom Was Forced to Deliver Her Own Baby Alone in a Hospital Bathroom

Long Island parents are demanding a hospital to take accountability after they delivered their newborn on-site…but in a bathroom …
DMX's Son Shares 'Spiritual' Moment With His Father As He Transitioned

DMX’s Son Shares ‘Spiritual’ Moment With His Father As He Transitioned

DMX’s son Xavier Simmons is opening up about a truly unbelievable moment he shared with his father as he transitioned …
The State of the Union Address Was <i>Not</i> Supposed to Look As It Does Today

The State of the Union Address Was Not Supposed to Look As It Does Today

Which president gave a 10-minute State of the Union address? Which U.S. president came up with the name? What do Obama and Trump’s speeches have in common? …
7 Times Black Folks Almost Became U.S. President

7 Times Black Folks Almost Became U.S. President

Jesse Jackson, Charlene Mitchell and other Black Americans who ran for president …
Gabourey Sidibe's Husband Has Shocking Health Scare

Gabourey Sidibe’s Husband Has Shocking Health Scare

‘Precious’ star Gabourey Sidibe’s husband is facing a startling health challenge and is now sharing where he stands now with fans …
Black Woman Explains Why She Only Dates AI

Black Woman Explains Why She Only Dates AI

A 34-year-old Black woman told a CBS News correspondent that a chatbot has given her the same satisfaction as a relationship with a human being, but eliminates the risk …