THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'Freaks and Geeks' 21 years later

Savanna Swain-WilsonSep 25, 2020, 19:38 IST

A few members of the "Freaks and Geeks" cast are big-name stars today.NBC / Contributor/Getty; Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

NBC's "Freaks and Geeks" (1999 - 2000) was a television series about outcast teenagers navigating their way through high school.
Many of the series' cast members would go on to become to have incredibly successful Hollywood careers.
The series marked the first big break for James Franco, Seth Rogen, Linda Cardellini, Jason Segel, and Busy Philipps.

It's been 21 years since NBC's "Freaks and Geeks" made its way into living rooms everywhere for the first time.

Set in 1980, the beloved teen comedy-drama followed a group of misfit high-school students as they dealt with the struggles of growing up and fitting in.

Although the series only lasted for one season, it helped launch the careers of countless A-list stars.

Here's what the cast of "Freaks and Geeks" has been up to over the past two decades:

Linda Cardellini starred as Lindsay Weir, an intelligent mathlete who rebels against her goody-two-shoes label by hanging out with a group of teen burnouts.

Linda Cardellini as Lindsay Weir. NBC

Over the next two decades, Cardellini's acting career has flourished.

Linda Cardellini currently stars on Netflix's "Dead to Me." Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

John Francis Daley played Sam Weir, one of the lead geeks and Lindsay’s younger brother.

Sam Weir got bullied quite a bit. NBC

Following "Freaks and Geeks," he continued to work in Hollywood as an actor and screenwriter.

John Francis Daley has stayed busy. Annie I. Bang /Invision/AP

Samm Levine played the funny and confident geek, Neal Schweiber.

Neal thought he was classier than his pals. NBC

Once the show ended, Levine continued acting in comedy films and on TV series.

Samm Levine has done voice work, too. Annie I. Bang /Invision/AP

Martin Starr was Bill Haverchuck, the most socially awkward of the geek troupe.

Bill Haverchuck was known for his chunky glasses. NBC

After "Freaks and Geeks," Starr racked up an impressive roster of television and film roles.

Martin Starr has acted on a few major TV series. Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP

Former "Sandlot" star Chauncey Leopardi played Alan, a bully.

His character wasn't very nice. NBC

Leopardi kept acting throughout the decade after the show ended, but he mostly stays out of the spotlight today.

Chauncey Leopardi was on "Gilmore Girls," but he hasn't acted in much else. The CW

Natasha Melnick was Cindy the cheerleader, and Sam’s crush.

Cindy was known for her cheering skills. NBC

She did some acting after the show ended.

Natasha Melnick hasn't been on TV in a few years. Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP

James Franco got his acting start playing the rebellious bad boy Daniel Desario.

James Franco as Daniel Desario. NBC

In the years that followed, he built an impressive career but has also been at the center of a few controversies.

James Franco has been active in the film world for years. Getty Images

Busy Philipps played the brash and reckless Kim Kelly, who picked on Lindsay for being a geek.

Busy Philipps as Kim Kelly. NBC / Contributor / Getty Images

In the two decades after the show ended, Philipps continued acting and recently hosted her own talk show, "Busy Tonight."

Busy Philipps has appeared on multiple TV shows over the past few years. Getty Images / Frederick M. Brown

Dave Allen played Mr. Rosso, the long-haired guidance counselor who tried a little too hard to connect with the students.

Mr. Rosso wanted the kids to like him. NBC

Allen is still acting today and he regularly does voice work.

Dave Allen appeared on "Love." Netflix

Seth Rogen got his start playing the sarcastic Ken Miller.

Seth Rogen's character hated disco music. NBC

Today, he is one of the most popular actors, writers, and producers in Hollywood.

Seth Rogen has been writing and acting for over a decade. Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Long before he was a Hollywood A-lister, Jason Segel played Nick Andopolis, a burnout stoner who was obsessed with the band Rush.

Jason Segel as Nick Andopolis. NBC

Segel continues to achieve immense success on television and build a prosperous film career.

Jason Segel has appeared in multiple movies over the past few years. Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

Sarah Hagan was Millie, Lindsay's sheltered childhood friend who didn’t approve of the freaks’ lifestyle.

Millie wasn't a fan of the freaks' antics. NBC

She continued to act on television for a few years after the series ended.

Sarah Hagan has had some small roles over the years. aul A. Hebert/Invision/AP

Steve Bannos played Mr. Kowchevski, the algebra teacher who wasn’t too fond of the freaks.

Mr. Kowchevski had no time for antics. NBC

Following his brief stint portraying another teacher on the Nickelodeon series "Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide," he continued to work on TV and appeared in multiple Judd Apatow films.

Steve Bannos appeared on "Love." Netflix

Following his brief stint portraying another teacher on the Nickelodeon series "Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide," he continued to work on TV and appeared in multiple Judd Apatow films.

Becky Ann Baker played Jean Weir, Sam and Lindsay’s kind-hearted mother.

Becky Ann Baker as Jean Weir. NBC

After the show ended, she continued to act in movies and on television.

Becky Ann Baker still acts today. John Salangsang/Invision for the Television Academy/AP

Lizzy Caplan got her acting start playing Sara, a disco-dancing student who has a crush on Nick.

Sara has a passion for dancing. NBC

Following her standout performance as Janis Ian in the hit movie "Mean Girls," Caplan had a recurring role on HBO's "True Blood" and starred on Showtime's "Masters of Sex."

Lizzy Caplan is still acting. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Following her standout performance as Janis Ian in the hit movie "Mean Girls," Caplan had a recurring role on HBO's "True Blood" and starred on Showtime's "Masters of Sex."

Rashida Jones played Karen, Kim's mean friend.

Rashida Jones as Karen. NBC

Jones has acted in a lot of movies and on many TV shows since appearing on "Freaks and Geeks."

Rashida Jones has been in a lot of films since "Freaks and Geeks" aired. Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

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THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'Freaks and Geeks' 21 years later

Linda Cardellini starred as Lindsay Weir, an intelligent mathlete who rebels against her goody-two-shoes label by hanging out with a group of teen burnouts.

Over the next two decades, Cardellini's acting career has flourished.

John Francis Daley played Sam Weir, one of the lead geeks and Lindsay’s younger brother.

Following "Freaks and Geeks," he continued to work in Hollywood as an actor and screenwriter.

Samm Levine played the funny and confident geek, Neal Schweiber.

Once the show ended, Levine continued acting in comedy films and on TV series.

Martin Starr was Bill Haverchuck, the most socially awkward of the geek troupe.

After "Freaks and Geeks," Starr racked up an impressive roster of television and film roles.

Former "Sandlot" star Chauncey Leopardi played Alan, a bully.

Leopardi kept acting throughout the decade after the show ended, but he mostly stays out of the spotlight today.

Natasha Melnick was Cindy the cheerleader, and Sam’s crush.

She did some acting after the show ended.

James Franco got his acting start playing the rebellious bad boy Daniel Desario.

In the years that followed, he built an impressive career but has also been at the center of a few controversies.

Busy Philipps played the brash and reckless Kim Kelly, who picked on Lindsay for being a geek.

In the two decades after the show ended, Philipps continued acting and recently hosted her own talk show, "Busy Tonight."

Dave Allen played Mr. Rosso, the long-haired guidance counselor who tried a little too hard to connect with the students.

Allen is still acting today and he regularly does voice work.

Seth Rogen got his start playing the sarcastic Ken Miller.

Today, he is one of the most popular actors, writers, and producers in Hollywood.

Long before he was a Hollywood A-lister, Jason Segel played Nick Andopolis, a burnout stoner who was obsessed with the band Rush.

Segel continues to achieve immense success on television and build a prosperous film career.

Sarah Hagan was Millie, Lindsay's sheltered childhood friend who didn’t approve of the freaks’ lifestyle.

She continued to act on television for a few years after the series ended.

Steve Bannos played Mr. Kowchevski, the algebra teacher who wasn’t too fond of the freaks.

Following his brief stint portraying another teacher on the Nickelodeon series "Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide," he continued to work on TV and appeared in multiple Judd Apatow films.

Becky Ann Baker played Jean Weir, Sam and Lindsay’s kind-hearted mother.

After the show ended, she continued to act in movies and on television.

Lizzy Caplan got her acting start playing Sara, a disco-dancing student who has a crush on Nick.

Following her standout performance as Janis Ian in the hit movie "Mean Girls," Caplan had a recurring role on HBO's "True Blood" and starred on Showtime's "Masters of Sex."

Rashida Jones played Karen, Kim's mean friend.

Jones has acted in a lot of movies and on many TV shows since appearing on "Freaks and Geeks."