They represented the faces you rushed home to watch, the voices that filled your living room, and the larger-than-life characters that made the '80s a golden era of television. From crime-fighting heartthrobs to sitcom sweethearts, these stars defined a generation and left us wondering, where did they go?
Well, guess what? They didn’t disappear. They evolved. They aged like your favorite vinyl record: warmer, richer, and still full of stories.
In this slideshow we’re catching up with the icons of '80s TV: the rebels, the rule-breakers, the funny ones, and the faces you thought you’d never forget (but maybe did until now). Some left Hollywood, others stayed, and a few made comebacks you missed.
So buckle up, cue the synth music, and get ready to say: “Oh wow, I loved them!” all over again.
Let’s see what your favorite stars are up to decades later.
1
Fred Savage
Kevin Arnold was the heart of The Wonder Years, but behind the camera, Fred became a directing force on shows like Modern Family.
2
Tony Danza
From boxer to housekeeper to beloved dad on Who’s the Boss?, Tony Danza stayed charming. These days, he’s still acting, singing, and dancing his way through the decades.
3
Tom Selleck
Thomas Magnum’s mustache became a cultural monument. Now starring in Blue Bloods, Selleck’s swapped island shirts for NYPD blues; but kept the gravitas, the voice, and yes, the stache.
4
Cybill Shepherd
From Moonlighting to The L Word, she’s stayed bold, brash, and brilliantly complicated. Shepherd’s never been shy about playing strong women and she’s still not done breaking molds.
5
Erin Gray
The queen of Buck Rogers and mom on Silver Spoons, she shifted from sci-fi to spirituality; now a casting agent and tai chi teacher, gracefully balancing Hollywood and holistic living.
6
Lauren Tewes
As Julie on The Love Boat, she welcomed us aboard weekly with a smile. Life brought rough waters, but she’s back with grace; acting occasionally and reflecting on a voyage that touched millions.
7
Judith Light
Angela Bower was the boss before we knew women could be bosses on TV. Judith went from sitcoms to serious drama and with Transparent and Versace, she’s now a certified Emmy-slaying legend.
8
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox captured hearts in Family Ties and Back to the Future. After his Parkinson's diagnosis, he became an advocate for research and continues to act, recently appearing in Shrinking and performing with Coldplay at Glastonbury.
9
David Hasselhoff
He raced through Knight Rider, ran in slow-mo on Baywatch, and now sings, acts, and shows up wherever pop culture nostalgia is welcome.
10
Catherine Bach
Daisy Duke set denim standards no one could follow. These days, Catherine blends acting with running a winery, serving both wine and nostalgia with a wink.
11
Mindy Cohn
Natalie on The Facts of Life was funny, real, and totally unforgettable. Mindy now lends her voice to animation, advocates for health causes, and keeps the cast friendships alive.
12
Danica McKellar
As Winnie Cooper, she was everyone’s first crush. Now she’s a math wizard, author, and Hallmark queen.
13
Don Johnson
From pastel blazers and speedboats in Miami Vice to stealing scenes in Watchmen and reviving Nash Bridges, Don Johnson never ditched the cool. Now in his 70s, he’s still making TV feel slicker than a '68 Corvette, proving that swagger ages like fine tequila.
14
Mark Harmon
From ‘80s heartthrob to NCIS anchor, Mark Harmon quietly ruled the airwaves for decades. Retired from acting in 2023.
15
John Schneider
He jumped into hearts as Bo Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard, and decades later, he’s still revving engines. Now through music, movies, and directing gigs, all with a country twang and a rebel soul that never quite left Hazzard County.
16
Judd Hirsch
Back in the cab on Taxi, he was the steady heartbeat of sitcom chaos. Decades later, Hirsch is still delivering Emmy-worthy turns in film and TV, with stops at The Big Bang Theory and Broadway.
17
Tyne Daly
As Mary Beth on Cagney & Lacey, she kicked crime in sensible shoes. Now, Daly’s still commanding the stage and screen, with recent turns in Judging Amy and a Broadway presence that never left.
18
Victoria Principal
Pamela Ewing of Dallas made drama look elegant. After stepping back from acting, Victoria built a skincare empire and became a philanthropist.
19
Harry Hamlin
He slayed monsters in Clash of the Titans and then legal jargon in L.A. Law. Hamlin still pops up in prestige dramas (Mad Men, Shameless), looking like he never aged out of Olympus.
20
Ed O'Neill
Al Bundy sold shoes and grumbled through marriage, then flipped the script as lovable curmudgeon Jay Pritchett in Modern Family. Two iconic dads, one legendary career, and a whole lot of deadpan.
21
Candice Bergen
She owned the newsroom in Murphy Brown and stayed sharp through Boston Legal and Book Club.
22
Bebe Neuwirth
As Lilith on Cheers and Frasier, she was ice-cold brilliance. Offscreen, Bebe burns bright on Broadway, scooping up Tonys and showing up in And Just Like That…
23
Dirk Benedict
Face from The A-Team and Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica, Dirk owned the ‘80s. These days, he’s more low-key, writing books and championing health, but still drops by screens now and then like a cosmic cameo.
24
Danny Pintauro
As little Jonathan on Who’s the Boss?, he brought innocence to the sitcom world. Today, Pintauro’s a fierce HIV awareness advocate and occasional actor, proving child stars can grow into something truly powerful.
25
Jane Curtin
She ruled SNL with a deadpan stare and crushed it on Kate & Allie. Now she’s still stealing scenes with smart, under-the-radar performances; her comedic timing as sharp as ever, just like her tongue.
26
Alan Alda
As Hawkeye in MASH*, he made laughter and war coexist. Today, Alda is a science storyteller, podcast host, and eternal wisecracker.
27
Kim Fields
From The Facts of Life to fierce director and producer, Kim Fields grew up in the spotlight and never left it. She’s still shaping stories on-screen and behind the camera, with style, savvy, and signature sparkle.
28
Tom Wopat
As Luke Duke, he made car chases look poetic. Post-Dukes, Wopat turned toward the stage, where he belts out jazz, swings through Broadway, and proves you don’t need a muscle car to move an audience.
29
Richard Dean Anderson
As MacGyver, he could disarm a bomb with a paperclip and chewing gum. Today? He’s traded gadgets for grandkids, pops up on occasion, and channels his brilliance into protecting the planet instead of saving it weekly on prime time.
