18 Celebrities You Forgot Were Big in the ’80s
These 18 celebrities once dominated the pop culture landscape of the 1980s but have since faded from the spotlight or taken quieter paths in life.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
The 1980s were a decade filled with larger-than-life stars, many of whom have since drifted from public memory. This list revisits 18 celebrities who reached major fame during the era, from Brat Pack icons to music video vixens. Through brief but detailed retrospectives, it highlights how these once-prominent figures shaped the decade — and why their names may not be top of mind today.
1. Judd Nelson
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Judd Nelson was a defining face of teen rebellion in the 1980s. As John Bender in The Breakfast Club, he played the ultimate bad boy who made detention look cool. Despite a few film and TV appearances afterward, he never quite recaptured the fame he had in his Brat Pack heyday.
2. Ally Sheedy
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Ally Sheedy starred in several hit films of the decade, including WarGames, St. Elmo’s Fire, and The Breakfast Club. Her quirky charm and offbeat characters made her a favorite among teen audiences. After the ’80s, she mostly shifted to indie projects and guest roles on television.
3. Rick Springfield
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Rick Springfield was both a pop star and soap opera heartthrob in the ’80s. He scored a massive hit with “Jessie’s Girl” and played Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital. Though he still performs and acts today, few remember how massive his dual fame once was.
4. Phoebe Cates
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Phoebe Cates became a fantasy figure for many teens after her iconic pool scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. She later starred in Gremlins and other comedies before stepping away from the limelight. Cates retired from acting in the ’90s to focus on her family and boutique business.
5. Andrew McCarthy
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Andrew McCarthy was a clean-cut member of the Brat Pack, known for roles in Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo’s Fire. He brought an earnest charm to teen romantic dramas of the era. McCarthy later moved behind the camera, directing and writing, but his ’80s fame remains his most recognizable phase.
6. Tawny Kitaen
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Tawny Kitaen became an MTV legend for dancing on car hoods in Whitesnake’s music videos. Her role in Bachelor Party and her modeling work made her a sex symbol of the decade. Despite several reality TV appearances in the 2000s, her fame peaked during the hard-rocking ’80s.
7. Robert Hays
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Robert Hays starred as the bumbling pilot Ted Striker in the smash comedy Airplane!. The film became a cult classic, and Hays was instantly recognizable for his deadpan delivery. After the success of Airplane!, his career never quite hit the same comedic heights.
8. Catherine Mary Stewart
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Catherine Mary Stewart led two major cult hits: The Last Starfighter and Night of the Comet. She had the look and charm of a sci-fi “it girl” and was beloved by genre fans. After the ’80s, her film appearances dwindled, but she remains a nostalgic favorite.
9. Michael Pare
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Michael Paré made his name in films like Eddie and the Cruisers and Streets of Fire. His brooding good looks and action roles made him a rising star. However, he transitioned mostly to direct-to-video films and lower-budget projects after his initial success.
10. Jennifer Beals
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Jennifer Beals danced her way into pop culture history with Flashdance. Her portrayal of a welder by day and a dancer by night inspired a wave of fashion and fitness trends. Though she’s remained active in TV, her leading lady fame peaked with that single iconic role.
11. C. Thomas Howell
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C. Thomas Howell was a teen idol thanks to The Outsiders and Red Dawn. With his boyish looks and tough-guy charm, he was a staple in young adult dramas. After his early fame, he took on smaller roles and found a niche in genre television.
12. Lisa Bonet
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Lisa Bonet was a breakout star on The Cosby Show and its spin-off A Different World. Her edgy fashion and bold personality stood out in contrast to her conservative sitcom surroundings. Though she later resurfaced in indie films and as Jason Momoa’s partner, her star burned brightest in the ’80s.
13. Mare Winningham
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Mare Winningham was another Brat Pack associate who showed off her serious acting chops in films like St. Elmo’s Fire. While others chased stardom, she often chose grounded, character-driven roles. She later won acclaim for TV movies, but her fame in the ’80s is often overlooked.
14. Glenn Scarpelli
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Glenn Scarpelli charmed audiences as Alex on the sitcom One Day at a Time. He became a teen magazine favorite and even recorded pop songs. Eventually, he stepped away from acting and moved into broadcasting, becoming a media personality in Arizona.
15. Vanity (Denise Matthews)
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Vanity was Prince’s protégé and the lead singer of Vanity 6, known for their provocative image. She starred in cult films like The Last Dragon and had a brief but intense spotlight in the music and film world. Later in life, she became a born-again Christian and distanced herself from her ’80s fame.
16. Anthony Michael Hall
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Anthony Michael Hall was the king of geek chic in Sixteen Candles, Weird Science, and The Breakfast Club. He played awkward but lovable characters with perfect comic timing. As he aged out of teen roles, his career lost steam, though he later reemerged in TV dramas.
17. Lisa Lisa
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Lisa Lisa, of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, was a pioneer of freestyle and Latin hip-hop music in the ’80s. With hits like “Head to Toe” and “Lost in Emotion,” she was a chart-topper and style icon. Despite her influence, she remains underappreciated in music history conversations today.
18. Jami Gertz
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Jami Gertz appeared in numerous iconic films including Less Than Zero, The Lost Boys, and Sixteen Candles. She balanced teen angst with comedic timing, becoming a familiar face in youth-centered films. Gertz later stepped back from acting and became a philanthropist with her billionaire husband.
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