While many of the top A-list celebrities of today began their careers in the 1980s, many of their well-known contemporaries in the "Me" decade now lead more sedate, low-key lives.
One 1980s icon was Molly Ringwald, who starred in numerous coming-of-age movies under the direction of John Hughes. The actress felt that certain elements of the movies should be regarded more critically in the present. She did point out that the projects affected young people for a reason, though.
Regarding teen culture during the decade, Ringwald told NPR in September 2018: "I know what my own experience was. "I believe that the films I produced at the time accurately reflected the culture at the time. Because it was their experience and they did believe they had these films that were authentic, I believe that is why they connected with people. They didn't feel like they were being taught a lesson, like on an Afterschool Special, you know. That wasn't how it felt.
The Riverdale actress admitted there were scenes in some movies, such as Sixteen Candles, that "bothered" her while they were being filmed. Hughes acknowledged that she had "listened to me in many respects," but she didn't want to go too far in her criticism.
She said, "I think there's still a lot of good in the movies and a lot of things I'm pleased of. "And I think they've impacted teenagers in many ways and started a crucial conversation. Having a teenage daughter of my own, I am also aware of the difficulties in engaging teenagers in conversation. But these movies sort of get past it. You realize? There's something that really connects with teenagers, and I think The Breakfast Club in particular sort of gives them permission to talk about their emotions and emphasizes how important it is for them to feel that way. And because I believe that to be a really potent message, I adore it. In Pretty in Pink, I adore my persona. She is a strong lady in my opinion, and I like the decisions she has made.
Along with well-known performers like Patrick Dempsey, Rob Lowe, and Matthew Broderick, the decade also gave rise to singers like Madonna, George Michael, and Cyndi Lauper.
Browse the photos below to see which celebrities had their big breaks during the 1980s and learn where they are now, from Tom Cruise, who bravely sported tighty-whities in Risky Business, to the boys and girls of the Brat Pack!
Craig Schroder
When Schroder got the lead part in the 1980s TV sitcom Silver Spoons, he was just 12 years old. Later, he appeared in 24 and Lonesome Dove, NYPD Blue, Scrubs, and.
Alicia Sheedy
After making her cinematic debut in 1983's Bad Boys, Sheedy went on to star in WarGames, The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire, Short Circuit, and, subsequently, the TV series Psych. She was a key member of the group known as the Brat Pack.
Donald Nelson
The actor from Nikita rose to stardom by playing the dissident John Bender in The Breakfast Club and Alec Newbury in St. Elmo's Fire, solidifying his status as a Brat Pack legend. Later, Nelson had guest appearances on television shows like CSI, Psych, and Two and a Half Men. Four novels by the actor were also published on Kindle via Amazon.
Ingrid Ringwald
The star of John Hughes' film! The redhead became the de facto leader of the so-called Brat Pack thanks to her roles in the 1980s movies Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink. Ringwald then appeared as a cast member on Riverdale and The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
Patrick McCarthy
McCarthy appeared with other Brat Pack members in the 1986 films Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo's Fire. Later, he appeared in timeless films like Mannequin and Weekend at Bernie's. The actor later made the switch to television, appearing on shows like Lipstick Jungle, White Collar, and Royal Pains as well as directing episodes of shows like The Blacklist and Orange Is the New Black.
lvaro Estevez
Estevez, Charlie Sheen's older brother, was a member of the Brat Pack after appearing in The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire, and The Outsiders. Estevez grew up with fellow 1980s performers Sean Penn and Rob Lowe. Then, he appeared in The Mighty Ducks in 1992, and he later played the same part in the Disney+ revival series, which launched in 2021.
Madonna
In 1983, the Grammy winner and Queen of Pop released her debut album, breaking new ground with her early music videos. Even after many years in the music industry, she keeps producing hits.
Michael Anthony Hall
Another fan favorite of John Hughes, Hall rose to stardom after appearing in the 1983 comedy National Lampoon's Vacation, as well as Sixteen Candles in 1984 and The Breakfast Club in 1985, both of which featured him as the lovable nerd. He then had appearances on Psych, The Dark Knight, War Machine, and Riverdale after putting his nerdy side to rest.
Michael George
After becoming well-known throughout the 1980s for his post-disco dance pop music, the English singer-songwriter went on to become one of the best-selling musicians in the world. The former member of Wham! and vocalist of "Faith" passed away in December 2016 at the age of 53.
Demona Moore
Moore appeared in St. Elmo's Fire and About Last Night with ex-fiancé Emilio Estevez and Rob Lowe after quitting high school at the age of 16. She played critically lauded parts in the 1990s films A Few Good Men and Indecent Proposal. The actress, who was once named Hollywood's highest-paid woman, went on to star in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Margin Call, and Empire. In 2019, she published her autobiography, Inside Out.
Cusack, John
Cusack appeared in the 1980s teen films Better Off Dead, The Sure Thing, One Crazy Summer, and Sixteen Candles before taking on larger parts in films like True Colors and The Grifters. Since then, he has made appearances in Lee Daniels' The Butler and Must Love Dogs from 2012.
Alyssa Milano
Milano portrayed Samantha Micelli on Who’s the Boss? from 1984 to 1992. The actress then nabbed leading roles on Charmed, Mistresses and Insatiable.
Still one of Hollywood's biggest, highest-paid stars, Cruise landed a small role in The Outsiders in 1983, starring alongside fellow up-and-coming '80s stars Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe before landing the leads in classics of the decade like Risky Business and Top Gun. His later credits include Mission: Impossible, A Few Good Men, Jerry Maguire, Eyes Wide Shut, Jack Reacher, Edge of Tomorrow and Top Gun: Maverick.
Rob Lowe
Growing up alongside high school pal Emilio Estevez, Lowe also starred in The Outsiders and St. Elmo's Fire. The handsome actor's roles granted him association with the Brat Pack. Lowe went on to continue his acting career with TV roles in Parks and Recreation, The West Wing and Brothers & Sisters.
Cyndi Lauper
Girls just wanna have fun! The pop icon released her first solo album, She’s So Unusual, in 1983. The “Time After Time” singer later earned a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1985. Lauper went on to compose music for Broadway musical Kinky Boots, for which she won a Tony Award.
Kevin Bacon
Six degrees of Kevin Bacon! The actor became a household name when he took on the iconic role of Ren McCormack in 1984’s Footloose. He has since starred in A Few Good Men, Apollo 13, Mystic River, The Following and City on a Hill.
Patrick Dempsey
Before he became McDreamy, Dempsey won over hearts in 1987’s Can’t Buy Me Love, in which he played a nerdy outcast who secretly pays a popular girl to date him. He went on to star in box office hits such as Valentine’s Day, Made of Honor and Transformers as well as Grey’s Anatomy.
Matthew Broderick
Bueller! Broderick became a household name in 1986 when he portrayed a clever teenage slacker in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. He went on to star in Election, The Producers, 30 Rock and Better Things.
Matt Dillon
Dillon played the bad boy in numerous ‘80s flicks. The There’s Something About Mary actor appeared in Little Darlings, My Bodyguard, Tex and Rumble Fish and starred alongside Rob Lowe in The Outsiders in 1983. He later appeared in You, Me and Dupree, Wayward Pines and Modern Family.
Michael J. Fox
The Canadian actor found success and won numerous Emmys with NBC sitcom Family Ties, which aired from 1982 to 1989. Fox became a superstar when he played Marty McFly in beloved time travel trilogy Back to the Future in 1985. Years later, Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, lent his voice to films like Stuart Little and appeared in TV shows such as Spin City, The Good Wife, Scrubs and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Mr. T
Pity the fool! Mr. T, whose real name is Laurence Tureaud, gained fame from his role as B.A. Baracus in the 1980s TV series The A-Team and as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III. In 2006, the wrestler starred in TV Land reality show I Pity the Fool.
Corey Feldman
After beginning his acting career at the age of 3 in commercials, Feldman went on to land some of the biggest roles in the '80s, including Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984), Gremlins (1984), The Goonies (1985) and Stand By Me (1986). Feldman went on to appear in numerous reality TV shows like The Two Coreys and Dancing on Ice. In 2013, he released his first memoir, Coreyography.
Drew Barrymore
One of Hollywood's most recognized child actresses, Barrymore made her television debut at only 11 months old starring in commercials. The Wedding Singer actress made a name for herself when she starred in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in 1982. Still one of Hollywood's biggest names and now a mother of two, she went on to star in the Charlie's Angels reboot and alongside actor Adam Sandler in numerous films, including 50 First Dates and Blended. She launched her talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, in 2020.
Tiffany
Talk about a teen anthem! After releasing her 1987 cover of "I Think We're Alone Now," Tiffany became a household name. The songstress later costarred alongside fellow '80s singer Debbie Gibson in the 2011 film Mega Python vs. Gatoroid.
Debbie Gibson
Not so foolish! In 1988, Gibson became the youngest artist to write, produce and perform a No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with her track "Foolish Beat." She has continued to release music in the decades since and has starred in several Hallmark Channel movies.
Comments