Christina Ricci Turns 45! Look Back at 10 Photos of Her in Full '90s Icon Mode to Celebrate

Mar. 15, 2025

Christina Ricci in June 1999.Photo:SGranitz/WireImage

SGranitz/WireImage

Christina Riccicemented herself as a ’90s icon, even before becoming a teenager.The actress, who celebrates her 45th birthday on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, began her career at age 9 in the 1990 filmMermaids. Her claim to fame came a year later when she landed the role of Wednesday Addams inThe Addams Familyand the sequelAddams Family Values. Throughout her teenage years, she starred in classics such asCasperandNow and Then, both in 1995, as well as 1997’sThe Ice Stormand 1998’sThe Opposite of Sex.“I loved working. I loved being a kid who had a talent,” Riccitold PEOPLEin 2018. “I loved being good at something. I loved all that positive reinforcement I got every day. I loved getting to use my imagination in a way that really created things. It was incredible to be able to do that so young.”As Ricci turns 45, see 10 photos from the early years of her three-decade career, from her most famous projects to her still-iconic premiere style.

Christina Riccicemented herself as a ’90s icon, even before becoming a teenager.

The actress, who celebrates her 45th birthday on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, began her career at age 9 in the 1990 filmMermaids. Her claim to fame came a year later when she landed the role of Wednesday Addams inThe Addams Familyand the sequelAddams Family Values. Throughout her teenage years, she starred in classics such asCasperandNow and Then, both in 1995, as well as 1997’sThe Ice Stormand 1998’sThe Opposite of Sex.

“I loved working. I loved being a kid who had a talent,” Riccitold PEOPLEin 2018. “I loved being good at something. I loved all that positive reinforcement I got every day. I loved getting to use my imagination in a way that really created things. It was incredible to be able to do that so young.”

As Ricci turns 45, see 10 photos from the early years of her three-decade career, from her most famous projects to her still-iconic premiere style.

01of 10Wednesday Addams Is Full of WoeChristina Ricci as Wednesday Addams in ‘The Addams Family’ in 1991.Snap/ShutterstockRicci launched into superstardom at age 10 as the morbid and menacing Wednesday Addams inThe Addams Family.“I have to sayThe Addams Familymovies — they were like glory days for me as a 10 and 12-year-old,” she told PEOPLE in 2018.

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Wednesday Addams Is Full of Woe

Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams in ‘The Addams Family’ in 1991.Snap/Shutterstock

Snap/Shutterstock

Ricci launched into superstardom at age 10 as the morbid and menacing Wednesday Addams inThe Addams Family.

“I have to sayThe Addams Familymovies — they were like glory days for me as a 10 and 12-year-old,” she told PEOPLE in 2018.

02of 10Friendly Ghost and MeChristina Ricci as Kat Harvey in ‘Casper’ in 1995.UniversalIn 1995, she starred as Kat Harvey, the friend and eventual love interest of Casper the Friendly Ghost in the supernatural comedyCasper, which was a worldwide box-office hit.

02of 10

Friendly Ghost and Me

Christina Ricci as Kat Harvey in ‘Casper’ in 1995.Universal

Universal

In 1995, she starred as Kat Harvey, the friend and eventual love interest of Casper the Friendly Ghost in the supernatural comedyCasper, which was a worldwide box-office hit.

03of 10When You’re 15Christina Ricci in May 1995.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via GettyRed carpets became a regular occurrence for the teen sensation — like theCasperworld premiere in Universal City, California.

03of 10

When You’re 15

Christina Ricci in May 1995.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Red carpets became a regular occurrence for the teen sensation — like theCasperworld premiere in Universal City, California.

04of 10Then and NowChristina Ricci as a young Roberta Martin in ‘Now and Then’ in 1995.K. Wright/New LineIn the cult classicNow and Then, she portrayed the younger version ofRosie O’Donnell’s Roberta Martin, an avowed tomboy who (yet again!)got to kiss Devon Sawa onscreen.

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Then and Now

Christina Ricci as a young Roberta Martin in ‘Now and Then’ in 1995.K. Wright/New Line

K. Wright/New Line

In the cult classicNow and Then, she portrayed the younger version ofRosie O’Donnell’s Roberta Martin, an avowed tomboy who (yet again!)got to kiss Devon Sawa onscreen.

05of 10

Leading Lady

In the late ’90s, Ricci began taking on more serious roles, playing runaway teenager Dedee Truitt inThe Opposite of Sex, for which she received aGolden Globenomination.

06of 10Eye-Catching LookChristina Ricci in May 1998.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyAtThe Opposite of Sexpremiere, she sported a striking smoky eye with a touch of glitter.

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Eye-Catching Look

Christina Ricci in May 1998.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

AtThe Opposite of Sexpremiere, she sported a striking smoky eye with a touch of glitter.

07of 10Gown and TownChristina Ricci in March 1999.Frank Trapper/Corbis via GettyIn 1999, Ricci made herAcademy Awardred carpet debut, wearing a sparkling silver dress to introduceMariah CareyandWhitney Houston’s performance of “When You Believe.”

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Gown and Town

Christina Ricci in March 1999.Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty

Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty

In 1999, Ricci made herAcademy Awardred carpet debut, wearing a sparkling silver dress to introduceMariah CareyandWhitney Houston’s performance of “When You Believe.”

08of 10Purple PremiereChristina Ricci in November 1999.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via GettyRicci rocked a purple dress and served immaculate face at the premiere of her 1999 horror filmSleepy Hollow, in which she starred oppositeJohnny DeppandChristopher Walken.

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Purple Premiere

Christina Ricci in November 1999.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ricci rocked a purple dress and served immaculate face at the premiere of her 1999 horror filmSleepy Hollow, in which she starred oppositeJohnny DeppandChristopher Walken.

09of 10Talk that Talk ShowChristina Ricci and Jay Leno on ‘The Tonight Show’ in November 1999.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyShe made several appearances onThe Tonight Show withJay Lenoover the years, including one in November 1999 to chat about her latest filmSleepy Hollow.

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Talk that Talk Show

Christina Ricci and Jay Leno on ‘The Tonight Show’ in November 1999.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

She made several appearances onThe Tonight Show withJay Lenoover the years, including one in November 1999 to chat about her latest filmSleepy Hollow.

10of 10Teen QueenChristina Ricci in December 1999.KMazur/WireImageThe ’90s star rounded out the decade in a beaded dress at the Tommy Hilfiger “Rock Style” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in December 1999.

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Teen Queen

Christina Ricci in December 1999.KMazur/WireImage

KMazur/WireImage

The ’90s star rounded out the decade in a beaded dress at the Tommy Hilfiger “Rock Style” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in December 1999.

source: people.com