20 Former Teen Actors Who Are Now Famous TV Parents

Most people spent a considerable chunk of their childhood in front of television sets. You can’t blame them, though. Teen TV shows and movies were the real deal.

From the characters to the plots and even the soundtracks, there was almost no reason not to love these shows.

Most importantly, we can’t deny the fact that we fell in love with specific characters that kept us glued to our screens. Watching these teens act out completely relatable scenarios made our day, and now they are all grown up. 

Thankfully, while age may change an actor’s roles, it doesn’t end their career. As a result, even though these actors are no longer teens, they still grace our screens from time to time.

Yet, that’s not the catch in this piece. It’s the fact that the teen actors we watched as kids are now so grown that they are TV parents themselves. Yup, you read that right. 

To further prove our point, we have compiled a list of some of the most significant teen sensations who are now taking on parent roles in movies and TV series. 

Over the years, some of these actors have remained glaringly the same, while others have undergone unexpected transformations. So prepare for a few shockers.

1. Benjamin McKenzie

Then: 16-year-old Ryan Atwood on Welcome to The O.C., Bitch!

Now: Dad in I Want You Back.

Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection/Amazon

2. Zac Efron

Then: 17-year-old Troy Bolton in High School Musical.

Now: Dad in Firestarter. 

Disney Channel/Everett Collection/Universal Pictures

3. Raven-Symoné

Then: Raven Baxter on That's So Raven.

Now: Mother of two in Raven's Home.

Disney Channel / Everett Collection, Bob D'amico / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

4. Sarah Drew

Then: Featured as Hannah, a high schooler, on Everwood.

Now: Jeanette's mother in Cruel Summer.

Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection, Freeform/ Courtesy Everett Collection

5. Nicole Bilderback

Then: Whitney in the 2000 film Bring It On.

Now: Jeanette's lawyer in Cruel Summer.

Universal Pictures, Freeform

6. Chad Michael Murray

Then: Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill.

Now: Edgar Evernever on Riverdale.

Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection, CW

7. Winona Ryder

Then: 17-year-old Veronica Sawyer in Heathers.

Now: Joyce Byers on Stranger Things.

New World Pictures/Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

8. Scott Wolf

Then: 16-year-old Bailey Salinger on Party of Five.

Now: Nancy Drew's father on Nancy Drew.

Fox/CW/Courtesy Everett Collection

9. Minka Kelly

Then: Lyla Garrity on Friday Night Lights.

Now: A mom on Euphoria.

NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection/HBO

10. Alanna Ubach

Then: Serena in Legally Blonde.

Now: Cassie and Lexi's mom, Suze, on Euphoria. 

MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

11. Mekhi Phifer

Then: Odin "O" James in O.

Now: Mia’s dad on Love, Victor.

Lions Gate / Courtesy Everett Collection, Greg Gayne / Hulu

12. Sophia Bush

Then: Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill.

Now: Mia's stepmother on Love, Victor.

Warner Bros/ Courtesy Everett Collection, Greg Gayne / Hulu

13. Meredith Monroe

Then: Andie McPhee on Dawson's Creek.

Now: Alex’s mom on 13 Reasons Why.

WB/Courtesy Everett Collection, Netflix

14. Wilson Cruz

Then: Rickie Vasquez on My So-Called Life.

Now: The Bakers' lawyer, Dennis Vasquez, on 13 Reasons Why.

ABC / Courtesy Everett Collection, Netflix

15. Molly Ringwald

Then: Teen star in Pretty in Pink.

Now: Archie’s mom in Riverdale.

Paramount / Courtesy Everett Collection, CW

16. Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel

Then: Played childhood sweethearts Cory and Topanga on Boy Meets World.

Now: They have kids in Girl Meets World. 

ABC Photo Archives / Walt Disney Television via Getty Images, Ron Tom / Disney Channel via Getty Images

17. Luke Perry

Then: Dylan McKay in Beverly Hills, 90210.

Now: Archie's dad, Fred Andrews, on Riverdale until he passed in 2019. 

Aaron Spelling Productions / Aaron Spelling Productions / Courtesy Everett Collection, CW

18. Nia Peeples

Then: Nicole Chapman on Fame.

Now: Emily's mom on Pretty Little Liars.

MGM / Courtesy Everett Collection, Jaimie Trueblood / Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

19. Skeet Ulrich

Then: Billy Loomis in Scream.

Now: F.P. Jones on Riverdale.

Dimension Films / Courtesy Everett Collection, CW Network / Courtesy Everett Collection

20. Alicia Silverstone

Then: Cher in Clueless.

Now: Kristy's mom in The Baby-Sitters Club reboot.

Paramount / Courtesy Everett Collection, Kailey Schwerman/ Netflix

You're probably wondering how they're all so old now. Remember how many years ago you watched them in those teen movies or TV series?

Now, this is your cue to digest how much time has gone by. Take it all in.

Which of these stars was your favorite while growing up? Tell us in the comment section below!