Admit it: As a kid, you desperately wanted superpowers...even if they did come from a clash of toxic chemicals. That's what happens to "ordinary teen" Alex in Nickelodeon's ultimate 1990s sci-fi series " The Secret World of Alex Mack." In the show, junior high school student Alex is almost hit by a truck at a chemical plant and is doused with the top-secret chemical GC-161. Soon after, Alex developed a series of bizarre "superpowers," including the ability to transform into a puddle of silver goo at any time, telekinesis, and of course, the fashion sense to pull off those ridiculous hats that were so popular at the time . the 90s.
Like any good unlikely superheroine, Alex uses her powers to do good — and sometimes, to navigate the hallways of her junior high school. (It would be so convenient to have a pickleball escape from the mean girls.) Alex may be on the low end of the junior high popularity totem pole, but the girl who plays her is the coolest '90s actress ever . So what is The Secret World of Alex Mack star Larissa Oleynyk doing now? She doesn't stop working—you might be surprised to find out where you met her.
First, let's start with Larissa's life after the show that made her famous. The Secret World of Alex Mack ended in 1998, and since then Larissa has gone on to join the cast of two more of your favorite '90s TV series. She played Sean Hunter's crush Dana in three episodes of Boy Meets World (remember that adorable winter picnic?), and later played Tommy (Joseph) in the third episode of Rock from the Sun Gordon-Levitt)'s girlfriend Alyssa. This is her second time playing JGL's girlfriend - Larissa also played his love interest Bianca in 10 Things I Hate About You .
Since then, Larissa has gone on to guest star in numerous television series, from The Malcoms to Mad Men . She played Ken Cosgrove's wife Cynthia in the latter, seen below.
In film, she starred as Cheryl Brooks in the second part of a two-part film version of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged . She also starred in the ABC TV movie Remembering Sunday with Alexis Bledel, and in the independent film OJ: The Musical Musical) , a film about a theater group that stages a musical about the O.J. Simpson trial. (Obviously, this is a comedy.)
A place you might not expect to see your favorite former puddle of slime? ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars ! Larissa joined the cast in season three as Maggie, Ezra's former high school girlfriend. Maggie tells Ezra that her son Malcolm is Ezra's child... which turns out to be not entirely true. Anyway, seeing Larissa become Ezra's high school baby mama, I immediately thought of this:
If you didn't recognize Larissa as Maggie, it's probably because of her amazing new pixie haircut. Her blonde ponytail was cute at the time, but I have to say I love Larissa's new style. It's a lot like Mia Farrow.
Where else have you seen Larissa in recent years? If you're a fan of One Life movies that make pregnancy look absolutely terrifying, you can check her out in Stolen From the Womb , a movie whose title basically says it all. She also starred in the movie BFFs , which tells the story of two best friends who have to pretend to be in love in order to take advantage of a couple's retreat.
If you thought Larissa had closed the door on Alex Mack for good, think again. She voiced Nickelodeon's famous character in an episode of Robot Chicken. Check out the fun throwback scene below.
Congratulations on all your success, Larissa. You will always be our favorite puddle of silver slime.
Image: Nickelodeon; Jiffy(3); Asset Management; ABC Family
