How the 80s' biggest Hollywood sirens have fared (2024)

The 1980s are known for many things, the Walkman, big shoulder pads, and even bigger hair.

But the decade also proved home to some of the biggest stars and Hollywood sirens, that would go onto enthrall viewers for years to come.

Earlier this week, one such name caught the eye as she stepped out in Los Angeles, having best been known for her role in the famous US series The Dukes Of Hazzard.

Catherine Bach previously earned an army of fans for her role as the on-screen siren Daisy Duke, and in recent years she's starred in the daytime soap The Young And The Restless.

But how have other stars of the 80s fared since they burst onto the Hollywood scene? MailOnline takes a look at their varied fortunes...

One of the biggest stars of the 80s, Catherine Bach looked worlds away from her iconic character Daisy Duke as she stepped out in Los Angeles earlier this week

Jennifer Grey

Jennifer Grey is best known to ageneration as the shy teenager Baby in the saucy 1987 romance Dirty Dancing (left), and struggled to land more roles in later years (right in January)

Jennifer is best known to a generation as the shy teenager Baby in the saucy 1987 romance Dirty Dancing, where she famously starred opposite Patrick Swayze.

The star, now 64, had already had roles in films such as Red Dawn and Ferris Bueller's Day Off before she starred in the legendary film, which earned her aGolden Globe nomination for Best Actress — Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.

After her starring role, Jennifer struggled to land more big parts in Hollywood, partially due a rhinoplasty, which some fans claimed left her unrecognisable.

While she made a brief appearance in the sitcom Friends as Rachel's former best friend Mindy, she went onto star in her own sitcom, It's Like, You Know... and landed a series of supporting TV parts.

In 2011 Jennifer was crowned the winner of Dancing With The Stars, and in 2022 she released a memoir where she reflected on her role in Dirty Dancing. She was also married to Marvel star Greg Clark for 20 years, until they divorced in 2021.

Molly Ringwald

As a member of the famous Brat Pack, Molly Ringwald (left in 1985) became a fixture of the 1980s Hollywood scene, and in recent years starred in the series Riverdale (right in 2023)

As a member of the famous Brat Pack, Molly became a fixture of the 1980s Hollywood scene thanks to her roles in The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles.

Despite enjoying success throughout the 1980s in several John Hughes films, including Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink, Molly, 56, was said to have turned down what later became acclaimed lead roles in Pretty Woman and Ghost in the 1990s.

In recent years, she has starred in the ABC network's The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and has released a book of short stories - and a jazz record called Except Sometimes.

Ringwald married her second husband, writer Panio Gianopoulos, in 2007. The couple have a daughter and twins.

More recently, Molly Joined the cast of The CW's Riverdale as Archie Andrews' mother Mary, and appearED in the show's seventh and final season.

Lynda Carter

Lynda was known as one of the most glamorous stars of the century with her hit series Wonder Woman (left), and remains synonymous with the role (right in April)

Lynda was known as one of the most glamorous stars of the century with her hit series Wonder Woman.

Since her famous appearance as the Amazonian hero, the actress has continued to enthrall millions of fans as a singer/songwriter, and is a regular at glitzy red carpet events.

As the original Wonderwoman, Lynda, now 72, had a recurring role in the television series from 2016-2018, and in 2020, she made a cameo appearance in Wonderwoman 1984.

She also appeared in the feature filmThe Cleaner with Luke Wilson in 2021, and reprised her original role in the film Super Troopers 2.

Lynda was previously married to video game executive Robert Altman, to whom she was married from 1984 until his passing from a rare form of leukemia in 2021.

Together, they shared a son, James, 35, and a daughter, Jessica, 33.

Cyndi Lauper

Known for her eccentric sense of style, Cyndi Lauper (right last week) became one of the 1980s' biggest stars thanks to her hit songs Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (left in 1987)

Known for her eccentric sense of style, Cyndi became one of the 1980s' biggest stars thanks to her hit songs Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time After Time.

Since 1983, Lauper, now 70, has released eleven studio albums and participated in many other projects, winning two Grammys Awards.

As well as continued to record music and tour the world, Cyndi also composed the music and score for the musical Kinky Boots, winning her a Tony Award in 2013.

Earlier this week, the star stunned fans by announcing her farewell tour, titled The Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour after four decades in the music industry.

Madonna

Madonna first kickstarted her pop careers in a decade defined by its music (left in 1984), but nowadays she's making more headlines for her scantily-clad outfits (right in 2024)

Madonna first kickstarted her pop careers in a decade defined by its music, with a string of hits includingEverybody, Holiday, Like a Virgin, Material Girl, Into The Groove, and Crazy For You.

Over the decade she became one of the biggest names on the planet, with a string of big acting roles, with her role in the musical Evita winning her a Golden Globe.

The star, now 65, has also had acolourful love life, thanks to marriages to actor Sean Penn and director Guy Ritchie.

In recent years, while Madonna has continued to record new music, she's making bigger headlines thanks to herscantily-clad outfits and is no stranger to sharing racy social media posts.

Kim Basinger

Kim Basinger (left in 1989) became one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood after shooting to fame as Bond Girl in Never Say Never Again (right in 2019)

Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Kim became one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood, shooting to fame as Bond Girl in Never Say Never Again, followed by roles in9½ Weeks and Batman.

In later years she pivoted towards independant films, and in 1998 won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in LA Confidential.

As the 2000s loomed, Kim, now 70, began to land less prominent roles, though she has continued to act and appear at various red carpet events.

In a 2013 interview with Vanity Fair, she reflected on her time in the industry, saying: 'I've been so blessed because I've had such longevity.'

Joan Collins

Joan Collins (right in October) had been a huge star in Hollywood for many decades but found a new global fanbase when she starred in the sensational soap opera Dynasty (left)

Joan had been a huge star in Hollywood for many decades before the 80s, but she found a new global fanbase when she starred in the sensational soap opera Dynasty.

Packed with drama and shoulder pads galore, the actress, now 91, remains synonymous with her role asAlexis Colby, opposite businessman Blake Carrington, played by John Forsythe.

Joan, who married her fifth husband Percy Gibson in 2002, has continued to act for years since, and has detailed her experiences in Hollywood in a series of stage shows and memoirs.

The on-screen legend has also brushed off any talks of retirement, recently telling The Mail: 'I see what happens to people when they retire. They crumble because they don't have any impetus.

'They don't have anything that makes them want to get up in the morning, and you know, lying in bed and watching daytime TV is very addictive. I do it sometimes and I could do it all day. But no. I want to get up and do things and experience... life.'

Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer (left in 1987) first launched her career in the 1980s with a leading role in the musical sequel Grease 2, and went onto appear in Scarface (right in January 2024)

Michelle first launched her career in the 1980s with a leading role in the musical sequel Grease 2, and went onto appear in Scarface, The Witches of Eastwick and Tequila Sunrise.

After earning Oscar nominations forDangerous Liaisons and The Fabulous Baker Boys, Michelle, now 66, pivoted into a racy performance in Batman Returns, but took a break from acting in the 2000s.

After a lengthy hiatus, Michelle returned to Hollywood in 2017 with Where Is Kyra?, Mother!, and Murder on the Orient Express.

Since 2018, she's also played Janet Van Dyne in the Marvel movies Ant-Man and the Wasp andAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

In her 50s, Michelle attributed her willowy figure and fresh complexion to her veganism, but a few years ago she revealed she had changed her eating habits.

She told the Sunday Times Style Magazine in 2019 that she 'went through a vegan phase' but had since switched to a 'paleoish' diet.

Her fitness regimen involved waking up 'with the sunrise' and working through an exercise routine that included Pilates, yoga and running.

Although her eating habits were restricted, she dished that one exception to her 'paleo' lifestyle was enjoying a bit of 'wine or tequila' at night.

Sharon Stone

After making her film debut in Woody Allen's dramedy Stardust Memories, Sharon Stone (left in 1986) became a global star in Basic Instinct (right in March)

After making her film debut in Woody Allen's dramedyStardust Memories, Sharon starred inIrreconcilable Differences and King Solomon's Mines and Cold Steel.

While her performance in Basic Instinct turned Kim into one of the biggest sex symbols in Hollywood, in later years she suffered personal turmoil when she lost custody of her son Roan.

Speaking on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Sharon explained that her role, and in particular the famous leg-crossing scene made people want to 'diminish her personally, the woman that played the part.'

She added that while battling for custody for her son Roan years later, a judge asked her 'tiny child if he knew his mother made sex films.'

Sharon was married to Roan's father, Phil Bronstein, now 70, from 1998 to 2004.

Stone wanted a family with Phil, but had trouble conceiving. The star suffered three miscarriages before the couple adopted Roan in 2000.

After her life-changing stroke in 2001 and the end of her marriage three years later, the couple entered a bitter custody battle, which Stone lost.

Brooke Shields

At the start of the 80s, Brooke Shields (left in 1983) broke into Hollywood when she was just 15 years old, after starring in the racy romance Blue Lagoon (right in 2022)

At the start of the 80s, Brooke broke into Hollywood when she was just 15 years old, after starring in the racy romance Blue Lagoon.

Given Brooke's age the role was hugely controversial, although Brooke had a body double for the film's nude scenes.

For the rest of the decade, Brooke stepped away from acting to pursue a modelling career, before giving up fashion to attendPrinceton University,

She also revealed last year that she was sexually assaulted during the 'lowest point of my career' shortly after earning a degree in French literature from Princeton in 1987.

The star had just had dinner with a Hollywood executive about a potential movie role when he invited her to his hotel room to call a cab and that's when he pounced on her.

Now 59, the star returned to acting in the 1990s with roles in shows including Suddenly Susan and Lipstick Jungle, and in the 2000s she played Miley Stewart's mother in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana.

How the 80s' biggest Hollywood sirens have fared (2024)

FAQs

Who was the most successful film actress of early Hollywood? ›

Perhaps the most famous star of the early era—and one of the largest box offices draws in films history—was Mary Pickford. Pickford was among the first women to star on film, getting her start at Biograph studios with D.W. Griffith, the director who would make her famous.

Who was the most famous actress in Old Hollywood? ›

1. Katharine Hepburn. Katharine Houghton Hepburn was born on May 12, 1907 in Hartford, Connecticut to a suffragist, Katharine Martha (Houghton), and a doctor, Thomas Norval Hepburn, who both always encouraged her to speak her mind, develop it fully, and exercise her body to its full potential.

What actresses were in the same era as Marilyn Monroe? ›

100 Famous Actresses of Hollyood's Golden Era (1930-1959)
  • Jean Harlow. Actress. Soundtrack China Seas (1935) ...
  • Claudette Colbert. Actress. Soundtrack It Happened One Night (1934) ...
  • Barbara Stanwyck. Actress. ...
  • Lucille Ball. Producer. ...
  • Vivien Leigh. Actress. ...
  • Jane Wyman. Actress. ...
  • Mae West. Actress. ...
  • Marilyn Monroe. Actress.

Who was the blonde actress in the 30s? ›

Jean Harlow was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Known as the “Platinum Blonde” and the “Blonde Bombshell” due to her platinum blonde hair, Harlow was ranked as one of the greatest movie stars of all time by the American Film Institute.

Who is the greatest female actor of all time? ›

The AFI's 50 greatest screen legends
No.Female legends
1Katharine Hepburn (12 May 1907 – 29 June 2003)
2Bette Davis (5 April 1908 – 6 October 1989)
3Audrey Hepburn (4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993)
4Ingrid Bergman (29 August 1915 – 29 August 1982)
21 more rows

Who is considered the greatest actor actress of all time? ›

Marlon Brando is widely considered the greatest movie actor of all time, rivaled only by the more theatrically oriented Laurence Olivier in terms of esteem.

Who was the best female dancer in Old Hollywood? ›

Ginger Rogers was an oscar winning, multi-talented dancer and actress during Hollywood's Golden Age. She danced with a number of partners but is most well known for dancing with Fred Astaire. Her effortless style and seamless footwork really set her apart from others at that time.

Who was the most beautiful woman in early Hollywood? ›

Celebrated as “the most beautiful woman in the world” during her Hollywood heyday in the 1940s, film star Hedy Lamarr (1914–2000) ultimately proved that her brain was even more extraordinary than her beauty.

Who are the curvy old Hollywood actresses? ›

Stars like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and even Josephine Baker, with their hourglass figures, paved the way for contemporaries like Kate Upton, Salma Hayek, and Christina Hendricks, whose voluptuous figures add a little diversity to Hollywood's hom*ogeneous landscape.

Who is the modern day Marilyn Monroe? ›

If Marilyn was the archetypal beauty of the 1950s, Kim Kardashian surely resembles the modern-day equivalent. Kim and her sisters are often credited with creating an entirely new – although equally unattainable – beauty standard for women to strain towards.

When was the golden age of Hollywood? ›

1927–1960: Sound era and the Golden Age of Hollywood

The narrative and visual style of classical Hollywood style developed further after the transition to sound-film production. The primary changes in American filmmaking came from the film industry itself, with the height of the studio system.

Who was the highest paid actress in the 1930s? ›

Constance Campbell Bennett (October 22, 1904 – July 24, 1965) was an American stage, film, radio, and television actress and producer. She was a major Hollywood star during the 1920s and 1930s; during the early 1930s, she was the highest-paid actress in Hollywood.

Who was the redhead actress in the 1930s? ›

Jean Harlow (born Harlean Harlow Carpenter; March 3, 1911 – June 7, 1937) was an American actress. Known for her portrayal of "bad girl" characters, she was the leading sex symbol of the early 1930s and one of the defining figures of the pre-Code era of American cinema.

Who was the most famous actress in the 1920s? ›

Gloria Swanson

She was one of the most famous actresses that defined the golden age of Hollywood in the 1920's.

Who is the most successful actress of all time? ›

1. Scarlett Johansson. Scarlett Ingrid Johansson was born on November 22, 1984 in Manhattan, New York City, New York. Her mother, Melanie Sloan is from a Jewish family from the Bronx and her father, Karsten Johansson is a Danish-born architect from Copenhagen.

Who is the greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema? ›

Women
  • Katharine Hepburn. Katharine Hepburn. Cast. The African Queen. ...
  • Bette Davis. Bette Davis. Cast. ...
  • Audrey Hepburn. Audrey Hepburn. Cast. ...
  • Ingrid Bergman. Ingrid Bergman. Cast. ...
  • Greta Garbo. Greta Garbo. Cast. ...
  • Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn Monroe. Cast. ...
  • Elizabeth Taylor. Elizabeth Taylor. Cast Producer. ...
  • Judy Garland. Judy Garland. Cast.

Who is considered the best actress in Hollywood? ›

1. Meryl Streep. Considered by many critics to be the greatest living actress, Meryl Streep has been nominated for the Academy Award an astonishing 21 times, and has won it three times.

Who has been named Hollywood's highest paid actress multiple times? ›

Angelina Jolie (/dʒoʊˈliː/; born Angelina Jolie Voight; June 4, 1975) is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. The recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award and three Golden Globe Awards, she has been named Hollywood's highest-paid actress multiple times.

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