The 1980s were phenomenal for the entertainment industry, which saw a rise in numerous then-teen stars who took the world by storm. Numerous blockbuster films were made in that decade that are still relevant to date, and if you were around then, you might be wondering where your crushes are now. Worry not: here are your 80s celebrities.
Rob Lowe: Then
Even though Rob Lowe made his Hollywood debut in 1979 in a short-lived sitcom A New Kind of Family when he was only fifteen, it wasn't until his appearance in films like Oxford Blue and The Outsiders that he cemented his status as a teen favorite. The actor enjoyed massive success through the movies, and his star kept rising when he took on television show gigs.
Over the next couple of years, Lowe was cast in the critically acclaimed series, The West Wing playing the role of Sam Seaborn, with his performances winning him nominations for the Golden Globe and the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Rob Lowe: Now
Every career has highs and lows, and Lowe's is no different. The performer has hit some bumps since the 80s, with some of the movies he's starred in not turning out as expected, but that didn't stop him from working hard. The A-lister became a mainstay figure in television, appearing in numerous series, including Brothers & Sisters which amassed high ratings because of his role.
Lowe is still going strong in Hollywood; he wowed the fans with his performance on 9-1-1: Lone Star where he plays Captain Owen Strand, and made his directorial debut in 2018 with The Bad Seed film. Apart from that, the star also thrives in his love life, having been married since 1991.
Ralph Macchio: Then
You might know Ralph Macchio from his magnificent performance as Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid movie trilogy, but did you know he started his career on another production? The actor first got a taste of Hollywood when he appeared on Eight Is Enough TV show, which opened doors for him to get a role in the 1983 film, The Outsiders.
Even though Ralph mesmerized the fans and producers with his charm and work ethic, he didn't envision a career in showbiz, and from a young age, he'd started taking classes in tap dance. The lad was discovered when he was only 16; as they say, the rest was history.
Ralph Macchio: Now
Macchio's boyish looks may have landed him the role in Karate Kid (he was 22 at the time, playing a teenager), but that worked to his disadvantage as he grew older. As a result, he was majorly overlooked for the more mature characters. His only leading role came in the 1992 flick, My Cousin Vinny, which was massively successful.
Nowadays, Ralph is fully grown, turning heads wherever he goes with his undeniable charm and allure. The star is still growing strong in Hollywood, and he reprised his role as Daniel LaRusso in the Cobra Kai series, a continuation of the Karate Kid films.
Kenneth Branagh: Then
Widely considered among the most significant British performers of all time, Sir Kenneth Branagh has achieved what many actors could only dream of. The A-lister has won countless awards since making his Hollywood debut in 1981 and has starred in numerous films and television series, most of which have been box office hits.
Branagh is famous for his versatility, and one of his most revered projects is his adaptations of numerous William Shakespeare's plays, including Henry V, and As You Like It. The 80s were pretty successful for the actor, who rose to fame after delivering a stunning performance on Look Back in Anger where he starred alongside his future wife, Emma Thompson.
Kenneth Branagh: Now
In six years, Kenneth Branagh's marriage to Emma Thompson came to a bitter end due to his affair with his Mary Shelley's Frankenstein co-star Helena Bonham Carter. The two announced their relationship to the world as soon as his wife filed for divorce, but the union lasted only till 1999.
The Shackleton actor has been married to art director Lindsay Brunnock since 2003, and professionally, he's done some of his best works in the last two decades. Passionate about theater, he created the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company in 2015 and has been part of some stellar film adaptations of Shakespeare's works, such as As You Like It. He's won an Emmy, among other prestigious awards.
Christopher Atkins: Then
The beginning of the '80s saw Christopher Atkins rising to fame with his debut film The Blue Lagoon, which, to everyone's surprise, turned into a pop culture phenomenon. Interestingly, the former model had no interest in acting when he was forced to audition for the role by his agent but was picked among 2000 hopefuls.
From 1983 to 1984, Atkins again shone in the seventh season of the television hit series Dallas by playing the handsome camp counselor Peter Richards. Even though he had featured in several movies throughout the decade, his acting did not receive much praise. In fact, two of his film performances fetched him the dreaded Golden Raspberry Award for worst actor.
Christopher Atkins: Now
Never taken seriously for acting, Christopher Atkins continued to act throughout his professional career. Still, nothing fetched him notice as much as his debut film. Briefly, he regained the spotlight when he reunited with his The Blue Lagoon co-star Brooke Shields for the television sitcom Suddenly Susan in 1999.
A decade later, Atkins has featured in the reality show Confessions of a Teen Idol. Somewhere along the line, he began focusing more on building his business of marketing and selling fishing lures and designing and building high-end swimming pools. Even though his acting career came to a standstill decades ago, he continues to appear in films and television shows.
Lorenzo Lamas-Craig: Then
The '80s soap opera Falcon Crest catapulted Lorenzo Lamas-Craig to fame. He portrayed the character of Lance Cumson for the entirety of the series, which lasted nearly a decade. Even though he received a Golden Globe nomination for the same, his performance in the 1984 film Body Rock got him nominated for a Golden Raspberry.
In 1989, Lorenzo was featured in the film Snake Eater and its sequel the same year. He played the role of Officer Jack "Soldier" Kelly in the movie series, which released the third installment three years later. One of his tracks' Fools Like Me' for the movie became his only single to chart on the Billboards.
Lorenzo Lamas-Craig: Now
Through the '90s, The Snake Eater trilogy got Lorenzo Lamas-Craig noticed as adept at martial arts, a skill that got him marked as an action hero in the subsequent low-budget action movies such as Terminal Justice. His portrayal of the handsome Hector Ramirez in the popular television series The Bold and the Beautiful from 2004 to 2006 looked promising but failed to resurrect his waning career.
Tired of waiting for meaty roles to portray on-screen, Lorenzo decided to focus on a parallel career as a helicopter pilot. Despite doing well for himself in this profession, he continues to act in films and appear in a few episodes of popular television series such as Jane the Virgin.
David Hasselhoff: Then
You don't set the Guinness World Record for the most-watched man on television by being mediocre. Yet, without a doubt, your skills on camera have to be exceptional. Hasselhoff, or "The Hoff," as he is often called, is an American singer and actor who is one of the few Hollywood actors to have bagged this feat.
In the '80s, his most notable roles were as Mitch Buchannon on the Baywatch series, as Michael Knight on Knight Rider, and as Dr. Snapper Foster on the hit TV show The Young and the Restless. In 1989, he also released his album Looking for Freedom, which was equally successful, earning him a triple platinum certification in Europe.
David Hasselhoff: Now
Unlike most careers, Hasselhoff's lucky streak didn't die out in the '80s. He continued to star in successful movies and added appearing on multiple reality TV series to his work schedule. Shows like America's Got Talent and Britain's Got Talent included him as a judge, and during his run with Baywatch he equally produced the final seasons of the show from 1989 to 2001.
The Hoff also starred in SpongeBob Squarepants: The Movie, Dodgeball, and Click. His love life has also changed over the years, seeing that in 2006 he divorced his wife of 15 years, Pamela Bach. Fortunately, several years later, he found love again with Hayley Roberts, whom he married in 2018.
Philip Michael Thomas: Then
Thomas’s Hollywood career would have been a lot more successful if he had concentrated his energy where his abilities were strongest: acting. He had a great passion for music, but his pursuits in that industry didn’t pan out.
Before all these depressing details, Thomas’s acting career gained rank with his impressive performances in 1975’s Coonskin, 1976’s Sparkle, and most importantly, his role as Detective Ricardo Tubbs on the 1980s TV show Miami Vice. Since the show was so successful, Thomas was paid $90,000 for each episode of seasons three to five, equivalent to $235,000 today. Talk about amazing!
Philip Michael Thomas: Now
Even though we wish there was more to Thomas’s success story, his big break on Miami Vice would be the first and only time he would taste such stardom. He was also the face of some telephone advertisements and worked as a voice actor for the Grand Theft Auto games in the early 2000s.
During his career, Thomas had to juggle work with family, which must have been very difficult with 11 children to fend for, especially since the business was not as it used to be. After releasing several critically panned albums, such as Living the Book of My Life released in 1985 and Somebody in 1988, he decided to quit Hollywood altogether in 2009.
Andrew McCarthy: Then
After getting expelled from New York University, Andrew McCarthy achieved great things in his Hollywood career. As a young actor, he joined the "Brat Pack," a group of young male actors, and with their help, he starred in the films Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Tree, and Less than Zero
Thanks to his performance in these and other films, he was ranked 40th on VH1's 100 greatest teen stars of all time. Even with his flair for acting, McCarthy's appearances in movies have dwindled as his interest has turned to less on-screen endeavors such as travel writing and directing.
Andrew McCarthy: Now
Recently, Andrew McCarthy has starred in several TV shows, including White Collar. He has also taken his acting career a step further by directing some great movies. Among them are the CW's hot series, Gossip Girl and the Netflix show, Orange is the New Black.
Andrew's acting prowess has earned him several accolades from friends and colleagues. Due to his acting prowess in the '80s, VH1 ranked him 40th in a list of 100 greatest teen stars of all time. The actor has been married twice and is blessed with three children.
Mark Hamill: Then
Mark Hamill had been acting for a while before he played Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars trilogy. Incidentally, this became his most notable role ever since. Mark was shot to stardom immediately after the movie was released, and his skills became in high demand. Guys loved how he wielded his lightsaber, and girls adored his Jedi skills.
Even with his new-found glory, Hamil continued acting and showed no signs of slowing down. Unfortunately, in 1977, he got into a car crash while driving in his BMW. The actor revealed that the accident resulted in serious injuries to his nose injury and cheekbone. Thankfully, he survived it all to act another day.
Mark Hamill: Now
To many fans, Mark Hamill is a one-hit-wonder. This is because the star hasn't achieved the same levels of success since his Star Wars days. It's not like he's been idle. Mark was part of the Muppet Show, playing himself and Luke Skywalker. He's done voice works for several other movies and has been featured in films like Batman: The Animated Series and The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest. Still, the successes of these outings don't come close to what he once enjoyed.
Hamil now sports a nicely-trimmed beard and has added some extra pounds. He's happily married, and the union is blessed with three children who enjoy acting just like their old man.
Pat Cash: Then
Unlike the other hunks, Pat Cash chose a different career path but is still fondly remembered. He took to tennis and distinguished himself as an exceptionally talented player. He reigned as tennis champion in the '80s and has been considered one of the best in history.
Much more than a champion, Pat is also considered a kind of pioneer. After winning the men's singles championship at Wimbledon in 1987, the champion immediately walked into the stands to celebrate his victory. This caught the eye of the public, and most people warmed up to the idea. Also, subsequent champions began doing the same until it became a tradition in the tennis world.
Pat Cash: Now
After enjoying a successful career, Pat retired from professional tennis in 1997. He took to coaching and trained top tennis players like Greg Rusedski and Mark Philippoussis. In 2005, Mark was inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame to recognize his immense sports achievements.
The star has been married twice and is the father of four children. Expectedly, his kids are chips off the old block. So they've chosen to follow their father's legendary footsteps, and one of them, Jett Cash, is showing great promise as an upcoming star. When the second-eldest child, Mia, was put to bed in 2010, Pat became a young, happy grandfather. He was only 44 years at the time.
Mickey Rourke: Then
For Philip Rourke, more popularly known by the name Mickey, life constantly swung between boxing and acting. Rourke started learning boxing in his younger years, but he had to stop in 1971 due to the concussions he suffered from the matches. With this, he turned to movies and acted in several flicks like Diner, Rumble Fish, and The Pope of Greenwich Village. He also received favorable reviews for his performances in the 1987 films Barfly and Angel Heart.
By 1991, Rourke had grown disenchanted with acting and decided to leave the entertainment industry to revive his professional boxing career.
Mickey Rourke: Now
Going back to boxing at the age of 39 is not easy stuff. Even though Rourke did win some fights, his stint resulted in a string of injuries. So three years later, he gave up boxing for good and started his second innings in acting.
After some supporting roles, Rourke landed a big comeback with the 2005 action thriller Sin City. Later he earned a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA, and an Oscar nomination for his 2008 film The Wrestlers. Since then, he has been featured in films like Iron Man 2, Immortals, and The Expendables. During this time, Rourke has also worked on several projects like voice acting and appeared in season four of The Masked Singer.
Alan Ruck: Then
Alan Ruck is best remembered for the role of Cameron Frye, Ferris Bueller's best friend, in the 1986 critically acclaimed movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. One might be surprised to know that Ruck was actually 29 when he portrayed the 17-years old Cameron in the film. His early '90s filmography included minor roles in movies like USpeed and Twister, which he followed up with the sitcom Spin City* from 1996 to 2002.
Before making his debut in movies in 1983, Ruck was a stage actor, performing in theatres around the country. His first Broadway performance, however, came in 1985 with the play Biloxi Blues.
Alan Ruck: Now
Even though Alan Ruck is approaching his 70s now, and his baby-faced features are gone, the actor has maintained himself very well and still looks charming. After Spin City, Ruck appeared in several series, such as the cult show Stella, Stargate Atlantis, and Medium. Even though he kept up appearances in television shows, he still starred in films such as M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening and Extraordinary Measures.
In 2016, Ruck was a part of season one of The Exorcist, adapted from William Peter Blatty's novel of the same name. Two years later, he became a regular cast in the critically acclaimed show Succession, where he plays the role of Connor.
James Reyne: Then
James Reyne gave Australian television an unforgettable moment by appearing with two plastered broken arms for his debut with the band Australian Crawl 1978. Reyne was part of the band till 1986 and was voted Most Popular Male Performer in 1980 and 1981. Popular during their early years, the group sold around one million albums. Some of their memorable tracks include the songs 'Beautiful People,' 'The Boys Light Up' and 'Reckless.'
Reyne enjoyed greater success after splitting from the band, with his solo career churning several top-10 hits like 'Fall of Rome,' 'Hammerhead,' and 'Motor's Too Fast.' His third solo album, Electric Digger Dandy, released in 1991, peaked at number three on the country's album chart.
James Reyne: Now
James Reyne is still hailed as one of the great artists in the entertainment industry. The musician has remained active in showbiz and has released many singles over the years. Apart from music, he has also been involved in the film industry and has made appearances in numerous films.
Most recently, he did a series of tours across Australia called James Reyne Plays Australian Crawl restricting himself only to the songs from the Australia Crawl catalog during these shows. The tour was an absolute success. James has also been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the performing arts.
Craig McLachlan: Then
Craig McLachlan, to this day, enjoys huge respect in the entertainment community of Australia. He is a decorated actor, musician, singer, and composer who was a major heartthrob in the ‘80s. He soon became a household name for his role as Henry Ramsay, Kyle Minogue’s brother, in the superhit soap opera Neighbors.
The character appeared in around 800 episodes of the show and won Craig the Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television in the ‘90s. As a musician, he dominated the charts in Australia as well as the UK. He also made an appearance in the series Home and Away.
Craig McLachlan: Now
It seems that Craig is an evergreen artist. He has dominated the entertainment industry since his fame in the ‘80s. After his hit roles in the era, Craig went on to star in three seasons of the BBC television series Bugs.
He then made a comeback in the Australian showbiz industry in 2012 and took up the role of Dr. Lucien Blake in a new TV series, The Doctor Blake Mysteries. Even with his utmost desire, the actor was unable to return for the 30th-anniversary celebrations of the show Neighbors, however, he made an appearance in the documentary special Neighbors 30th : The Stars Reunite.
Sean Connery: Then
Sean Connery was a legendary actor who had the distinction of being the first ever James Bond in the Bond film franchise. He is credited with the initial performances that led to the establishment of the franchise as a permanent recurring feature. Sean did seven movies with the franchise as the lead man until the mid-‘80s.
Reportedly, the actor had grown tired of playing the same role over the years. After his last Bond film, the actor remarked that he had always hated the character. He went on to star in numerous other big titles of the era and even bagged an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1988 for his role in The Untouchables.
Sean Connery: Now
Sean, who started out as a heartthrob of the '80s, earned worldwide respect and recognition for his skills over the years. He was voted the greatest living Scot and Scotland's greatest living treasure a few years back.
The great actor was finally knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 after having been nominated twice before in 1997 and 1998. Reportedly, he was not granted the title until the turn of the century due to his political views. Being a strong supporter of the Scottish National Party, Sean made generous financial contributions to it. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2020.
Cary Elwes: Then
Starting his career with the 1983 film Another Country, Cary Elwes shot to fame as the handsome and courageous Westley in the 1987 cult hit The Princess Bride. Along with continuing to work on films, Elwes also made his television debut during the ‘90s with the famous series Seinfeld. He was twice nominated for the Golden Satellite Award for remarkable performances in television films, The Pentagon Wars, and Uprising.
In 2004, he starred in Ella Enchanted and Saw, the first installment of the successful horror franchise. The same year, he received rave reviews for portraying a notorious offender in the television film The Riverman.
Cary Elwes: Now
In 2010, Cary Elwes returned to the Saw franchise for its seventh film, Saw 3D, as Dr. Lawrence Gordon. The following year he was part of the popular romantic comedy No Strings Attached. Among his television projects, the actor appeared in two seasons of the 2015 series The Art of More and the third season of the popular show Stranger Things in 2019.
With previous experiences as a voice actor, Elwes did the voice-over for the movies Delhi Safari and The Adventures of Tintin in 2011. Keeping up steady work with acting throughout the years, he also attempted writing and producing for the 2016 film Elvis & Nixon.
Rick Springfield: Then
Rick Springfield was the lead guitarist and vocalist of the Australian pop-rock band, Zoot from 1969 to 1971. After the group's disbandment, Springfield started his solo career and produced a top-10 single 'Speak to the Sky.' Later, the musician shifted to America and earned his first number-one hit in both countries with 'Jessie's Girl' in 1981. For this, he won a Grammy Award for best male rock vocal performance and went on to have four more top-10 US hits.
Between his successful musical career, Springfield was also an actor who made his debut in 1977. His chart success boosted the ratings of his soap opera General Hospital which turned him into a TV star.
Rick Springfield: Now
After his 1988 album Rock of Life, Rick Springfield went on hiatus for almost a decade. Following a comeback in 1997, he continued regular album releases till 2019. The musician then formed a duo with Russell Morris and created The Morris Springfield Project in 2021. Early that year, Springfield also became a part of the group called The Red Locust and released an album of the same name.
Springfield reprised his role of Dr. Noah Drake in General Hospital from 2005 to 2008 and again in 2012 and 2013 for the show's 50th anniversary. The musician was also part of shows like True Detective and Supernatural, where he appeared in the 12th season.
Richard Dean Anderson: Then
Richard Dean Anderson started his television career with the soap opera General Hospital in 1976. He followed this up with several minor roles till he landed the lead character in the critically acclaimed television war drama Ordinary Heroes in 1986. Anderson found further success with the hit 1985 series MacGyver, where he played the main role of Agnus MacGyver.
With MacGyver ending in 1972, the actor took a break from television shows and chose to work in films only till 1995. After supporting roles in two series, Anderson was back on the small screen as the leading man in the 1997 show Stargate SG-1.
Richard Dean Anderson: Now
In his nearly four-decade-long career, Richard Dean Anderson has appeared in numerous projects, but none fetched him the recognition that MacGyver did. The popularity of the series and his portrayal of the titular character was such that it inspired two movies in 1994, two years after the series ended.
Richard reprised the iconic role for a Mastercard commercial in 2006 and, during the same year, had the opportunity to guest star in an episode of his favorite show The Simpsons. In the late '90s to mid-2000s, he featured as Jack O'Neill in another long-running series Stargate SG-1. Even though passionate about his craft, he bid adieu to his profession in 2013 to focus on his health and family.
Bryan Adams: Then
The ‘80s famously brought Bryan Adams into the limelight with his music, inspiring generations of artists. He released his first eponymous album at 20 to a lukewarm reception, but his subsequent albums Cuts Like a Knife and Reckless in 1983 and 1984 established him as a star singer-songwriter.
The title track ‘Straight From the Heart’ from his second album remains one of his most beloved ballads. Another power ballad ‘Heaven’ became an instant hit in the early ‘80s. His classic hit ‘Everything I Do, I Do it For You’ broke records when it was released in 1991, becoming an all-time best-selling single with over 15 million copies sold worldwide.
Bryan Adams: Now
With incredible sales of over 100 million records worldwide, Bryan Adams is the best-selling artist of all time. His raspy voice is unforgettable - a reason why most of his songs are such a massive hit internationally. The 1993 single ‘Please Forgive Me’ remains his soulful rendition that music lovers still have on their playlists.
Over the years, he has won multiple prestigious awards, including a Grammy in 1992 and several nominations for Golden Globe and Academy Awards for his impeccable songwriting in films. In 2022, he released his 15th album So Happy it Hurts, to a great reception from his dedicated fans and the general public.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar: Then
Mark-Paul Gosselaar began his acting career in the mid-’80s appearing in a few episodes of notable shows such as The Wonder Years and Highway to Heaven. The teen heartthrob rose to fame in 1989, portraying the unforgettable character of Zack Morris in Saved by the Bell.
In the years following the success of the comedy series, Mark reprised the role several times in the subsequent sequels along with the original cast. His portrayal of the handsome high schooler Zack was so iconic he’ll forever be remembered for the role that established him as an actor, fetching him several prestigious nominations and a Best Young Actor Award in 1991.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar: Now
The 2000s saw him play detective John Clark Jr. in NYPD Blue and Jerry Kellerman in Raising the Bar and yet he couldn’t move away from his most famous character during the promotions. In 2009, he was featured as Zach Morris on the Late Night Show With Jimmy Fallon to promote the shows.
Mark-Paul reunited with his former co-stars for a Saved by the Bell sketch in 2015 and reprised his landmark role in the revival series in 2020. His other notable projects include Franklin & Bash, in which he also directed an episode, and the single-camera sitcom Mixed-ish. Besides acting, his passion extends to automobiles, and he is an avid dirt biker and a sports car and racing enthusiast.