An actor once hailed as a heartthrob in the early 2000s, known for his on-screen romance with Jennifer Garner, appeared almost unrecognizable during a rare sighting in Los Angeles this week.

Now at the age of 57, this actor rose to international stardom through his role in the action-packed drama “Alias.” His career was further bolstered by significant parts in films such as “Never Been Kissed,” “One Hour Photo,” and “Monster-In-Law,” where he played the love interest of Jennifer Lopez.

Renowned for his clean-cut, blonde-haired, and blue-eyed appearance, he also graced television screens with guest roles in popular series like “Friends,” “Kitchen Confidential,” and “Ally McBeal.” His attempt at a leading role in the drama “Big Shots” ended abruptly when the show was canceled after just one season in 2007.

In recent years, he has chosen to step back from the limelight, embracing a quieter life away from the demands of the acting world.

Recently, he was spotted running errands in a casual tracksuit, sporting a shaggy grey beard, marking his first public appearance since 2021.

So can you guess who he is? 

A 2000s heartthrob actor who famously romanced Jennifer Garner looked unrecognizable on a rare public outing in LA this week

The actor, now 57, shot to worldwide fame on action drama Alias, while also scoring plum roles in Never Been Kissed, One Hour Photo and Monster-In Law with Jennifer Lopez

It’s Michael Vartan! The retired actor was seen on a low-key outing eight years after he last appeared on screen.

Vartan looked unrecognizable with salt and pepper hair and tinted shades on the outing – four years after his last TV appearance, where he reunited with Never Been Kissed co-star Drew Barrymore.

The star wore a baseball cap and athleisure wear as he strolled. 

Vartan played Michael Vaughn, Jennifer Garner’s love interest, on the spy action series from 2001-2006, and art imitated life for the pair when they began dating in real life in 2003.

Garner was still married to Scott Foley when she originally met the French-born, LA-raised actor in 2001 – but the couple reportedly separated in April 2003 and she went on to date Vartan between August 2003 and March 2004. 

‘I don’t think so. If it didn’t work once, there’s a reason it didn’t work,’ Vartan told E!’s Daily Pop in 2018 of ever getting back together with Garner.

‘It’s so much easier to be single. I love relationships. When they work, when they’re great, they’re great and when they’re not, they’re not.’

‘I don’t think so. If it didn’t work once, there’s a reason it didn’t work,’ Vartan told E!’s Daily Pop in 2018 of ever getting back together with Garner.

It’s Michael Vartan! The retired actor was seen on a low-key outing eight years after he last appeared on screen – pictured in 2003 with then-love and Alias co-star Jennifer Garner

Vartan looked unrecognizable with salt and pepper hair and tinted shades on the outing – four years after his last TV appearance, where he reunited with Never Been Kissed co-star Drew Barrymore

Vartan wore a tracksuit as he ran errands in LA

Vartan played Michael Vaughn, Jennifer Garner’s love interest, on the spy action series from 2001-2006, and art imitated life for the pair when they began dating in real life in 2003 – pictured 2001

Vartan was seen for the first time in more than four years on the outing

He looked worlds away from his signature blond haired look

Despite stepping away from the spotlight, the star is still beloved by fans, and was voted sexiest Drew Barrymore co-star for his role as Mr. Coulson in the 1999 comedy in the 2025 People Sexiest Men Alive issue

In 2021 Vartan reunited with his Never Before Kissed castmates Barrymore, Molly Shannon, and David Arquette on Barrymore’s talk show 

Vartan dated Garner before she wed Ben Affleck – pictured 2002

He starred alongside Jennifer Lopez in 2005’s Monster-In-law 

In 2010 Vartan got engaged to Lauren Skaar after meeting in a Whole Foods parking lot and the couple wed in 2011. They split in 2014 – pictured 2011

‘It’s so much easier to be single. I love relationships. When they work, when they’re great, they’re great and when they’re not, they’re not.’

In 2010 Vartan got engaged to Lauren Skaar after meeting in a Whole Foods parking lot and the couple wed in 2011.

Of the meeting, Skaar told People in 2011, ‘Michael approached me after some well calculated “stalking,” as I like to call it. We didn’t date right away.’

‘I wouldn’t give him my number but did take his e-mail address, and we didn’t see each other until a few months after our first meeting. That was almost two years ago.’

The two were engaged a year later in New York and married in April 2011.

The Never Been Kissed star said that his family was thrilled with the wedding.

He told the Weekly: ‘They love Lauren and could not be happier. Now all my mother talks about is grandchildren.’

Skaar filed for divorce in 2014 citing irreconcilable differences. 

Vartan dated Garner before she married Ben Affleck.

Though the former couple never made any public appearances together, Garner had confirmed the relationship and eventual breakup. Since the split Garner and Vartan have remained on great terms, with the actress wishing him a happy 53rd birthday in 2020.

Vartan’s last television appearance was on TV series, God Friended Me, in 2018. 

Despite stepping away from the spotlight, the star is still beloved by fans, and was voted sexiest Drew Barrymore co-star for his role as Mr. Coulson in the 1999 comedy in the 2025 People Sexiest Men Alive issue.