Michael Vartan, 57, Looks Unrecognizable in Rare LA Sighting
The Alias star has stepped back from the public eye after last being seen on screen in 2018
Published on January 16, 2026 12:00PM EST
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**At a Glance
- Michael Vartan, 57, was photographed Jan. 12 sporting a scruffy beard, long hair, and casual sweats
- The actor’s last on-screen role was 2017-2018 in E!’s The Arrangement
- He remains close to former Alias co-star Jennifer Garner, who still sends birthday tributes
- Why it matters: Fans haven’t seen the late-’90s heartthrob in years, making this rare sighting a nostalgic moment
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Michael Vartan is virtually unrecognizable these days. The 57-year-old actor-once known for his clean-cut roles opposite Jennifer Garner and Drew Barrymore-was spotted running errands in Los Angeles on January 12, 2026, looking far removed from his Hollywood heyday.
In photos obtained by News Of Los Angeles, Vartan wore an L.A. Kings cap pulled over long, unkempt hair and paired a gray sweatshirt with matching sweatpants. A full, scruffy beard completed the low-profile look as he left a local grocery store.
From Spy to Sidelines
Vartan became a household name playing CIA agent Michael Vaughn opposite Garner’s Sydney Bristow in ABC’s hit thriller Alias (2001-2006). The on-screen chemistry spilled into real life; the two dated during the show’s run and have remained friendly.
Garner, 53, still marks his birthdays on Instagram:
- 2018: “Can you believe this baby face is 50?!” she wrote, tagging their Alias characters.
- 2023: She posted a throwback photo captioned, “I can’t remember why I was Bavarian, but I do know today is your birthday. I hope it’s a great one, Michael!” She signed it “Sydney.”
Career Highlights Before the Hiatus
Before stepping away from cameras, Vartan built a résumé of late-’90s and early-2000s favorites:
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Never Been Kissed | Sam Coulson, Drew Barrymore’s teacher crush |
| 2005 | Monster-in-Law | Dr. Kevin Fields, Jennifer Lopez’s fiancé |
| 2001-2006 | Alias | Agent Michael Vaughn, series lead |
| 2017-2018 | The Arrangement | Older movie star in E! drama, 2 seasons |
Life After Hollywood
Since The Arrangement ended, Vartan has kept a low profile. Public sightings are scarce, and he has not announced new projects.
Off-screen milestones:
- Briefly dated Drew Barrymore after Never Been Kissed.
- Met Lauren Skaar at Whole Foods in 2009, married in 2011, separated in 2014.
- Last red-carpet appearance: 2018 promotional circuit for The Arrangement.
What Fans Are Saying
Social media lit up after the new photos surfaced, with many expressing surprise at the star’s transformed appearance. Comments range from “That’s Michael Vartan?!” to nostalgic praise for his Alias days.
Key Takeaways
- Vartan’s last acting credit remains The Arrangement (2017-2018).
- He maintains a close friendship with Jennifer Garner, who continues public birthday shout-outs.
- The actor now favors privacy, trading red-carpet suits for grocery-run sweats and a beard.
For now, the former teen-movie heartthrob seems content living life far from the spotlight-scruffy beard, Kings cap, and all.
