You Won't Recognize '90s Actress Bridget Fonda Today

Bridget Fonda will forever be remembered as one of Hollywood's leading ladies for her standout movie roles in the '90s. Beyond her acting chops, Fonda's striking good looks and model-esque figure also captivated fans. She was widely regarded by many as a sex symbol, gracing countless magazine covers and dominating red carpets. Then, without any warning, Fonda simply walked away from the spotlight and never looked back. Like many actors from the '90s who look completely different now, most fans won't recognize Bridget Fonda today.

After decades away from the limelight, the "Single White Female" star was spotted in Los Angeles in April 2023 running errands, looking like any ordinary person. Since she had rarely been photographed or seen in public for years, fans were surprised by how different the former blond bombshell looked.It was a far cry from her glamorous-looking red carpet days. In the parking lot sighting, her signature blond hair looked much darker and laced with gray streaks as she sported a very casual ensemble and makeup-free face. Headlines described her as "unrecognizable" due to her seemingly heavier appearance.

A few more public outings in 2025 surprisingly shifted the conversation from Fonda's past weight gain to buzz about her drastic weight loss transformation. By the summer of 2025, the '90s movie star was spotted out and about looking much trimmer. Then, in December 2025, Fonda appeared even slimmer when she was photographed in the Beverly Glen neighborhood. According to the Daily Mail, she had lost 74 pounds.

Fonda made a deliberate decision to retire from acting in the 2000s, around the time of her marriage to musician and composer Danny Elfman. The decision appeared motivated by a desire to prioritize family, as she and Elfman welcomed their first child in 2005. Years later, after a long absence from the spotlight, Fonda maintained that she had no regrets. In 2023, she confirmed to Daily Mail she had no plans to return to Hollywood, telling a photographer at Los Angeles International Airport, "It's too nice being a civilian."

Despite her seamless rise to stardom, Fonda admitted working in Hollywood came with its fair share of pressure, which made her question her worth. She often compared herself to classic screen icons and felt frustrated when her appearance didn't align with theirs. "Sometimes I feel like I can make myself look the way that I'm happy with, but I get really depressed if I think of the big picture or compare myself to movie stars who are supposed to look like Veronica Lake or Lauren Bacall. Like you've got to be a model. It's a weird pressure," she said in a 1993 LA Times interview. She was also open about her struggles with self-image, reflecting, "What is it with my low self-esteem?" and revealing that the issue may have stemmed from childhood, when she'd burst into tears whenever she was complimented on her looks.

After leaving Hollywood, however, Fonda reportedly regained her confidence, learning self-acceptance and choosing not to take herself too seriously. She also adopted a lighter attitude towards her own imperfections.