Melissa Joan Hart's Complete Transformation

The '90s had plenty of ultra-successful teen stars, and one of them was undoubtedly Melissa Joan Hart. As the star of not one but two ultra-successful sitcoms with "Clarissa Explains It All" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," Hart inspired, amused, and mesmerized us all. And even though her career changed quite a bit after the '90s (some might even call the decade she entered the spotlight her prime), Hart has been successfully working since she was in her teens. 

Over the years, she went through many changes — from making questionable fashion choices to finding the love of her life and starting a family. Always staying true to herself, Hart has shown that one doesn't have to stop being authentic for the spotlight. While she will undeniably continue her transformation in her 50s, a look back at the previous decades shows just how Melissa Joan Hart found peace, happiness, and her own sense of style.

In 1991, Melissa Joan Hart got cast as Clarissa Darling in the Nickelodeon series "Clarissa Explains It All." Hart was 15 at the time, and while she had some acting experience before, the popular teen sitcom put her in the spotlight. "Clarissa was about helping kids find that place. You don't have to be like everybody else — you don't have to have a boyfriend, you don't have to be a cheerleader, it's okay to be different," Hart reflected on the series in 2015 during an interview with Allure. "It's okay to like what you like, stand by that. Clarissa was like that, she was independent, she was confident and I felt like through that character I was able to learn it myself and pass it on to other kids. It was like a PSA every day."

Hart's style on the series was also a major reason for the project's success. "Clarissa took a lot of risks and people really loved it," the actor shared with Elle in 2014. "I saved every single piece that I wore on that show and I have them in my theater closet in my basement." While Clarissa's style was bold and colorful, Hart's was a tad more tame. Of course, this doesn't mean her looks were boring — in fact, the actor kept up with popular '90s trends. In 1994, she attended the Cable Ace Awards rocking a black velvet dress, choker necklace, and one of the most iconic hairstyles of the '90s.

Melissa Joan Hart landed a second successful sitcom gig in 1996 when she got cast as the lead on the ABC fantasy series "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." Hart was incredibly popular as a teen star, which is why her 1999 Maxim cover, in which she posed in a suggestive shoot, caused quite a bit of a stir. Years later, the actor shared that even though the photos were risky, she doesn't regret them. "I think my [decisions] through really carefully and try to see them from every angle," Hart told Page Six a decade later. "Like with my Maxim cover — I almost began regretting that in 1999 because it blew up into this huge scandal where I was going to be fired and sued."

Hart acknowledged that she had been in her early 20s and ready to shed her innocent teen image. "I was 23 years old and willing to be sexy to promote my movie," she explained. "I went through a time where I was a little wild. I actually showed up at the photo shoot from the Playboy Mansion, so it was like, 'Oh big deal — bra and panties, that's what I saw everybody in all night.' I had no idea how big that was going to be." In the late '90s, Hart explored '90s fashion and beauty trends even more. Sleeveless velvet dresses, crimped hair, and frosty eyeshadow were a big part of her look. Back then, beauty trends were completely different, and we definitely hope that some '90s makeup trends make a comeback soon!

By the early 2000s, Melissa Joan Hart was a staple in young Hollywood, and attending industry events was an everyday occurrence for her. At red carpets, it became clear that Hart enjoyed having fun with different looks — one day she'd go for edgy leather and the next she'd show up in a delicate floral dress. Her hair was changing just as frequently, as she replaced her signature blond shade with brown and even copper.

In 2002, the actor met singer and guitarist Mark Wilkerson, and in 2003, the two tied the knot during a destination wedding in Italy. Speaking of how they met, Wilkerson's sister Sally revealed that the musician was very excited. "He tried to play it all cool, but he knew who she was. I screamed and I told my friends, 'My brother just met Melissa Joan Hart and she asked for his number,'" she told People. In 2018, Hart shared a heartfelt message in an Instagram post, writing, "In 2002, a girl from New York told her mother she met a boy from Alabama at the Kentucky Derby that she was going to marry. Fourteen months later they were married in Italy."

In the mid-2000s, Melissa Joan Hart somewhat retired from the spotlight as she was focusing on her family. In 2006, she gave birth to her and Mark Wilkerson's first son, Mason Walter Wilkerson. "I took a full year off when I had my eldest son in 2006," she explained to Glamour in 2020. "I've always been at these crossroads, where I'm constantly like, 'Okay, what's next for me?'"

As she became a mother, Hart's style noticeably changed. While her wardrobe was still fun, colorful, and quirky, the actor preferred longer hemlines and outfits that weren't too revealing. Green was a color the star was particularly fond of, and she rocked it in a variety of shades. In 2007, she attended the Kentucky Derby in a green dress with flower embellishments and a hat that simply didn't go well with it. In fact, in the mid-2000s, the actor often wore looks that seemed a tad mismatched, so we'll have to label this period as her worst fashion era.

While the mid-2000s were all about fun and colorful looks for Melissa Joan Hart, she embraced a simpler and minimalist aesthetic toward the end of them. In fact, during many of her public outings, the actor wore black outfits, usually ones that were simple and quick to put together. This, of course, could be due to her busy family life. In 2008, Hart gave birth to her and Mark Wilkerson's second son, Braydon Hart Wilkerson.

In 2009, Hart opened up to Page Six about her experience in Hollywood and how much the industry had changed with the rise of the internet. "It's all about the internet now — it used to be that they would send you off to have a baby in the dark of Idaho," she said. "I think we as humans all let the seven deadly sins out — you get a little money and a little power and it's hard not to let it go to your head. Luckily, I worked on shows where the people not only cared about me, but cared about the work more than catering to me," she added.

In 2012, Melissa Joan Hart gave birth to the couple's third son, Tucker Wilkerson. As the mother of three, Hart undeniably had plenty on her hands, but she still ensured her career was successful. In the early 2010s, she starred in the sitcom "Melissa & Joey," which ran on ABC Family for four seasons. With the new project, Hart embraced a more trendy look, often going for shorter dresses and fun materials.

The year before, she attended the BAFTA Los Angeles Awards Season Tea Party, and for the occasion, Hart decided to go with a chic and sophisticated look. While her dress was timeless, her glowy makeup and pulled-back hair were very modern, giving the entire look a more youthful charm. In 2013, Hart showed up to the Hollywood Christmas Parade in a look that was perfect for the holidays. The sparkly long-sleeved dress was a bold choice, and her retro-inspired hair and makeup suited it perfectly. Hart — who hasn't been known as a major fashionista — showed just how easy it is to put a spin on your traditional Christmas looks. If the mid-2000s were Hart's worst fashion era, we believe that this may have been her best one.

In 2014, Melissa Joan Hart opened up to Elle about her stance on fashion, revealing that she never really cared much for it. "The thing is, I wasn't, and I've never been, much of a fashionista," Hart said. "I've always been more of a comfort girl." The star revealed that for industry events, she always dresses herself, but she knows her choices are often very predictable. "I'm still no good at putting stuff together. The problem is that I've always dressed myself; I've rarely had a stylist, which is why I haven't really stood out," Hart explained. "I've always been really safe." Between 2014 and 2016, Hart's fashion once again became colorful, as the actor embraced a palette of vibrant hues. Amongst them, hot pink, purples, and bright oranges seemed to be her favorites, and luckily, those colors looked stunning on her. Silhouettes that enhanced the waist were the star's favorite, and she looked stunning in bodycon dresses and cinched-waist blazers.

In 2015, the actor reflected on how much the industry had changed since the '90s, particularly when it came to child stars. "If you look at Hannah Montana and Clarissa side by side — we were the same age — look at the look, the clothes, the makeup, the grooming, the eyebrows. You really notice the glamorization of children today," Hart told The Telegraph. "We didn't do that on Clarissa; it wasn't about being sexy or glam — it was about being a kid."

Toward the end of the 2010s, Melissa Joan Hart's wardrobe got infused with even more colors, as the actor decided that every red-carpet event she attends is a great opportunity to rock a colorful dress. While she liked plenty of colors, deep jewel tones suited her the best. As she entered her 40s, Hart was more confident than ever, and her style reflected that.

In 2017, Hart talked to Refinery29 about her time on "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," admitting that it played a significant role in her life. "Ugh, the best years of my life," the actor revealed. "We did Sabrina for seven years. We got to go to Australia together to do 'Sabrina Down Under,' we went to Rome together to do 'Sabrina Goes To Rome,' we went and did a special episode at Animal Kingdom in Florida. We just had a blast. Those are some of the best years of my life, and it's all documented for my children to see." In the late 2010s, Hart appeared in sitcoms like "No Good Nick" and "Young Sheldon," proving that comedy is undeniably her genre.

While most think immediately of "Clarissa Explains It All" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," the truth is that Melissa Joan Hart has been in numerous projects since her '90s fame. In fact, she has since become a Lifetime star, often appearing in the channel's projects. "I love working with Lifetime," the actor told Glamour in 2020. "My directorial debut for a feature was their 2014 movie 'The Santa Con,' so we had this great relationship."

As someone who has been in the industry for multiple decades, Hart has experienced the pressures of fitting in and conforming to beauty standards. " ... I was told I could be a big movie star if I would lose 10 pounds," she shared. "Things like that. I spent one day trying to be bulimic, and that didn't work because I hate throwing up. I was like, 'No, I'm not going to do that. I guess I'm just not going to be a movie star if that's what it takes.'" Remaining true to herself, the star has shown that being authentic and honest resonates, and she naturally found her own path in the industry. In the early 2020s, Hart embraced a more daring style, reminiscent of her fashion choices in the early 2020s. This time around, however, it was all about unexpected silhouettes. In 2022, Hart attended a Grammy Awards party in a bold black look, showcasing that feeling that stylishness in a jumpsuit is possible.

If you need help with an eating disorder, or know someone who does, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).

In 2024, Melissa Joan Hart revealed that her son had been diagnosed with eczema and how that changed her entire approach to taking care of your skin. You should make an appointment with your dermatologist if you notice any new skin conditions, but Hart revealed that her entire family now goes regularly. "I don't know that we had a dermatologist before his diagnosis. We never thought about going to the dermatologist — we saw it more of an 'if you see something, you go' kind of thing rather than a regular appointment," she admitted to New Beauty.

In the same conversation, Hart revealed that self-care isn't as much of a priority for her as it used to be. "I'm a mom now — I'm middle-aged, and there's a lot of things that I had more time for when I was younger," she shared. "During the Sabrina years, I had a lot of time for self-care, and now I'm trying to squeeze it in." The star added that her makeup routine used to be extensive, and nowadays it's quick and simple. Similarly, her workout routine changed as well, with Hart even admitting that staying fit wasn't a priority for her at one point. "I'm back on a great workout program now, though," she added.

As someone who has had a busy career for decades, Hart admitted to Hello! in 2023 that none of it would have been as easy if her husband weren't supportive. "Without him behind me, I couldn't do what I do and entertain people because I would have to stay at home with the kids," the actor shared. "I could not have asked for a better husband and a better partner in this world to raise these kids."

Today, Melissa Joan Hart remains one of the most beloved stars of the '90s — and one who is still working in the industry today. Things may have changed as she grew up, got married, and started a family, but at her core, Hart is still that happy-go-lucky girl who graced our televisions back in the day.

Even though fashion was never her thing, with years, she seems to have found comfort in it, and in 2025 her red-carpet looks are often unexpected. From the all-black outfit she wore to the Netflix premiere of "A Merry Little Ex-Mas" (serving grown-up Sabrina), to the navy-and-white set she rocked to the Variety Power Of Women event (so Clarissa-coded) — Hart is exploring fashion more as she approaches her 50s. In a conversation with Today in 2025, she admitted that flat shoes are her favorite. "Doc Marten military boots," the actor gushed. "After Covid, we all started wearing flats more and it became more acceptable to wear flats." While Hart undeniably danced between the beauty and style standards the industry forced upon her and her own preferences for years (especially in her career beginnings), the star has slowly but surely leaned toward authenticity. And knowing that, we can't wait to see how her transformation continues in her 50s!

Now, if you're interested in more '90s stars, be sure to also check out the complete transformation of Jennifer Love Hewitt!