Once upon a red carpet, these stars ruled the world, their faces on every magazine, their names on everyone’s lips. But fame, as they say, is a fickle friend. One day you’re headlining blockbuster movies and lighting up talk shows; the next, you’re a trivia answer that makes people go: “Oh yeah… whatever happened to them?”
In this slideshow, we’re taking a fun trip down pop culture memory lane to revisit the icons who burned bright and then, just as quickly, faded from Hollywood’s spotlight.
You may remember Alyssa Milano’s ‘90s TV magic or Molly Ringwald’s Brat Pack reign, even Kim Basinger’s Oscar-winning allure, but now you will relive their stories and many more. We love the past, and we want you to love it to. These are the stories of fame, fade-outs, and the wild ride in between.
1
Rick Springfield
Rock heartthrob behind the 1981 smash Jessie’s Girl and a soap opera star (General Hospital), he never recaptured that level of fame.
2
Jaye Davidson
Rose to fame as the androgynous star of The Crying Game (1992), then vanished from acting entirely.
3
Kim Basinger
’80s and ’90s symbol, (Oscar winner for L.A. Confidential), she’s retreated from the public eye and rarely acts anymore.
4
Billy Dee Williams
Smooth icon from Star Wars and Lady Sings the Blues, once a household name, but his fame dimmed after the early ’90s.
5
Heather Thomas
Star of The Fall Guy and one of the ’80s’ biggest pin-ups, she left Hollywood in the ’90s to focus on writing and activism.
6
Erik Estrada
The cool cop from CHiPs (1977–83), once a major TV star, now mainly known for nostalgia appearances and Spanish-language TV.
7
Molly Ringwald
Quintessential ’80s teen star of Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, she stepped back from Hollywood to focus on writing and small roles.
8
Jan-Michael Vincent
TV action hero from Airwolf (1984–86), his career unraveled amid addiction and health issues; he lived reclusively until his death in 2019.
9
Andrew McCarthy
Member of the ’80s “Brat Pack” (Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo’s Fire), now works mainly behind the camera as a director.
10
Tawny Kitaen
Iconic ’80s music video model and actress (Whitesnake’s car-hood dancer), her fame faded along with the glam-metal era.
11
Tara Reid
Once a teen movie icon (American Pie, Van Wilder), now known mainly for sporadic low-budget appearances.
12
Phoebe Cates
’80s teen dream from Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins, she quit acting in the ’90s to focus on family and her boutique in NYC.
13
Vanilla Ice (Robert Van Winkle)
Massive early-’90s rapper (Ice Ice Baby), became a punchline before pivoting to home renovation TV.
14
Fairuza Balk
Cult favorite from The Craft and Return to Oz, largely retreated from Hollywood.
15
Tiffani-Amber Thiessen
’90s TV darling from Saved by the Bell and 90210, now rarely in the spotlight.
16
Macaulay Culkin
Home Alone superstar whose fame dimmed as he stepped away from acting for years (though he’s recently reemerged).
17
Mischa Barton
Star of The O.C. with minor appearances in movies like Notting Hill as a kid. She was once a major teen star, faded after personal and career setbacks.
18
Freddie Prinze Jr.
Late ’90s heartthrob (She’s All That, I Know What You Did Last Summer), later stepped away from Hollywood.
