Keeping It Real TV

Where the Hell Are Your Favorite Reality TV Stars From the ’90s?

Let's open the vault.
by Christopher Rosa

Have you ever wondered what the heroes, villains, and smoke-shows of ’90s reality TV are up to these days? Us, too! We did some digging, and the results may surprise you. (Hint: One is a politician. And one posed for Playboy. Yup.)

Reality TV’s Most Groundbreaking Pop Culture Moments

  • 1 David “Puck” Rainey
    You loved to hate him on The Real World: San Francisco (1994).

  • 2 David “Puck” Rainey
    David isn’t exactly doing so hot. In 2009, he was sentenced to a year in prison for assaulting his girlfriend. He also received three years of probation that same year for felony possession of ammunition. And it gets worse: He drunkenly crashed his car in 2010, injuring his then 8-year-old son. Mix in some more assault charges—oh, and stalking for good measure—and we have a model citizen.

  • 3 Terri Irwin
    Getty Images
    She was her husband Steve’s better half on The Crocodile Hunter (1997–2004).

  • 4 Terri Irwin
    Getty Images
    Terri’s family experienced a terrible loss in 2006 when Steve died after sustaining injuries from a stingray barb. The tragedy put Terri in the public eye more than ever before. She did several high-profile interviews about Steve’s death, including one with Barbara Walters. But things are looking up. Terri is now an avid supporter of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and even received an honorary doctorate from the University of Queensland in July.

  • 5 John Bunnell
    Fox/Spike
    From American Detective (1991–1993) to COPS (1991), you couldn’t get enough of this dude’s dramatic, ridiculous phrases. (i.e.: “This man decided to rob a bank. Now he’ll learn crime doesn’t pay.” Where is his Emmy?)

  • 6 John Bunnell
    Spike
    John’s cult following led to him hosting World’s Wildest Police Videos until 2012. He’s also dabbled in acting, appearing in Ghost World (2001) and Bad Santa (2003), plus several episodes of Family Guy. One of John’s latest showbiz ventures was lending his voice to some Adult Swim commercials in 2010. Icon.

  • 7 Irene McGee
    Her Real World: Seattle (1998) cast-mate Stephen Williams slapped her after she accused him of being gay. It later became known as the “slap heard around the world.”

  • 8 Irene McGee
    We finally received details about why Irene left The Real World when she wrote an article for Vulture titled, “Slaps, Lies, and Videotape.” She currently hosts No One’s Listening, a podcast for The Progressive Radio Network. She co-founded the health site FYILiving.com, which further cemented her boss status.

  • 9 Kit Hoover
    MTV
    She appeared on the inaugural Road Rules season, The First Adventure (1995).

  • 10 Kit Hoover
    Getty Images
    Kit went from reality TV star to on-camera reporter shortly after Road Rules. She worked at ESPN from 2003 to 2006 and now hosts Access Hollywood Live with Billy Bush.

  • 11 Jacinda Barrett
    She set several thirst traps as the resident hottie on The Real World: London (1995).

  • 12 Jacinda Barrett
    Getty Images
    Jacinda is a successful actress. Her credits include Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), Poseidon (2006) and The Last Kiss (2006). In 2013, she appeared on Fox’s hit show The Following. You can find her today playing Diana on the Netflix series Bloodline.

  • 13 Bindi Irwin
    Getty Images
    She was cute AF alongside her folks on The Crocodile Hunter.

  • 14 Bindi Irwin
    Getty Images
    Bindi is now an actress, too. You’ve probably seen her in Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove (2010) or Return to Nim’s Island (2013). In March 2014, she announced she was partnering with SeaWorld—a move that PETA wasn’t too happy about.

  • 15 Veronica Portillo
    MTV
    She was one of six students who competed on Road Rules: Semester at Sea (1999).

  • 16 Veronica Portillo
    MTV
    Veronica’s claim to fame post-Road Rules was a spread with Playboy in 2002 called “Real Nude in The Real World MTV.” She also co-founded the T-shirt line College Dropout.

  • 17 Sean Duffy
    MTV
    As a lumberjack Republican, Sean frequently clashed with his more liberal housemates on The Real World: Boston (1997).

  • 18 Sean Duffy
    Getty Images
    He worked as an attorney in Wisconsin for a few years, but Sean is now the U.S. Representative for the state’s 7th congressional district. And still a lumberjack Republican. We really hope Sean’s House buddies give him s—t about his MTV days. We definitely would.

@chrisrosa92