Long before binge-watching and streaming premieres, Jennifer Love Hewitt was the actress you had to tune in for live. Whether she was navigating young love on “Party of Five” or outrunning a hook-wielding killer in “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” she brought a mix of vulnerability, warmth, and undeniable charisma to every role. For a generation that grew up in the glow of teen dramas and glossy thrillers, she wasn’t just another TV star — she was the crush.
Sarah Reeves — Party of Five
As the sensitive and romantic Sarah Reeves, Jennifer Love Hewitt became a weekly fixture in millions of homes. Joining the ensemble in season two, she quickly evolved from recurring love interest to emotional anchor, embodying the anxieties and intensity of first love with a natural ease that resonated deeply with teen viewers.
Julie James — I Know What You Did Last Summer
Few performances cemented her pop-culture status faster than Julie James, the haunted yet resilient heroine of this late-’90s slasher hit. By balancing raw vulnerability with a grounded sense of dread, Hewitt moved beyond the stock horror protagonist to create a character defined by guilt and survival. This performance anchored the film as a defining thriller of its era and paved the way for her 2025 return to the franchise, where she evolved the role from a terrified teen into a seasoned survivor.
Amanda Beckett — Can’t Hardly Wait
In a decade overflowing with high school comedies, Amanda Beckett stood out. As the seemingly unattainable prom queen who proves more thoughtful than her reputation suggests, Hewitt gave the archetype surprising depth, elevating a teen ensemble comedy into required viewing for the MTV generation.
Julie James (Again) — I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
Returning to the role one year later, Hewitt carried the sequel with a more physical and assertive presence. Though still paralyzed by the guilt of the past, she transformed Julie James into a proactive survivor who commanded the narrative, ultimately delivering the final blow to her tormentor and solidifying her status as the decade’s most iconic scream queen.
Brooke Figler — House Arrest
In this family comedy about kids imprisoning their feuding parents, Hewitt played the neighborhood crush, Brooke Figler, with charm and natural comic timing. Though lighter than her dramatic work on Party of Five, the film showcased her effortless screen presence and broadened her appeal to a younger demographic just as her stardom was beginning to skyrocket.
Heather Lofton — Little Miss Millions
One of her earliest leading roles, this family comedy featured Hewitt as a runaway heiress—Heather Lofton—navigating life outside her wealthy bubble after fleeing her stepmother. Even at a young age she displayed a natural confidence and a polished screen presence that clearly hinted at the major stardom she would achieve just a few years later.
Margaret — Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
Appearing alongside Whoopi Goldberg in the hit sequel, Hewitt had a supporting role as Margaret, one of the school students in the choir. Though her role was part of a large ensemble, the performance placed her in a major Disney/Touchstone production and introduced her to a wide theatrical audience just as she was transitioning into mainstream stardom.