Stephanie Zimbalist, best known as Laura Holt in Remington Steele, commenced her career in the 1970s, including a notable appearance in a Lassie movie, prior to her iconic role in the television series. Subsequently, she has made guest appearances in various TV shows and ventured into audiobook releases and theater engagements.

Anthony Michael Hall has often been considered a creative influence for director John Hughes, appearing in well-known films like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Weird Science. His acting journey has continued, and you might have caught glimpses of him in minor roles in Halloween Kills and The Dark Knight.

Earning recognition for her initial iconic role in Family Ties, Justine Bateman has also graced us with her presence in Desperate Housewives and Californication. An interesting tidbit: she has directed and produced independent films, some of which premiered at notable events like SXSW and the Toronto Film Festival!

Andrew McCarthy, a prominent figure in the ’80s Brat Pack, gained recognition for his roles in St. Elmo’s Fire, Pretty in Pink, and Weekend at Bernie’s (revisit his somewhat flawed character in Pretty in Pink if you fancy a screen-shouting experience). Post that era, he continued his acting journey, featuring in productions such as the show The Resident. Additionally, McCarthy showcased his directorial skills by helming episodes of the original Gossip Girl!

Making a brief appearance in Cheers, Amanda Wyss is recognized for her roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Better Off Dead, and a short-lived character (with a notably intense death scene) in A Nightmare on Elm Street. Subsequently, she has made numerous guest appearances and taken on roles in smaller film projects.

Cindy Morgan, known for her iconic roles as Lacey Underall in Caddyshack and Lora in Tron, was a prominent actor in the ’80s. Although she didn’t feature in Tron: Legacy, she did make a cameo for its promotion. In addition to her film roles, she made guest appearances on various TV shows, served as an associate producer, and contributed her voice to Tron 2.0.

Jamie Gertz is likely familiar to you from her ’80s films like Crossroads and The Lost Boys, but I admired her portrayal as the most rational character in the ’90s film Twister. Moving into the ’10s, she had a role in The Neighbors, and intriguingly, she shares ownership of the Atlanta Hawks. How cool is that?

Surprisingly, Jeff Cohen, who played Chunk in The Goonies, transitioned to become an entertainment lawyer. He skillfully negotiated a deal for his fellow Goonie, Ke Huy Quan, in the movie Everything Everywhere All At Once. Quan even gave a shoutout to Cohen in his Oscar speech, declaring him his “Goonies brother for life.”

Back in the ’80s, Miami Vice gained immense popularity, not only for its sleek aesthetic and pastel fashions but also for the significant contribution of Philip Michael Thomas, who portrayed Ricardo. An interesting tidbit about Thomas is his involvement in the Grand Theft Auto video games, where he lent his voice. Additionally, he had a notable reunion with his Miami Vice co-star Don Johnson, appearing together in a couple of episodes on the television series Nash Bridges.

A prominent figure in the Brat Pack, Sheedy gained recognition for her roles in iconic films such as The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire, among others. Transitioning her career, she took on the role of a professor at NYU in 2021. In 2022, she also made a brief appearance in the series Single Drunk Female.

Emilio Estevez’s career extended into the ’90s with the Mighty Ducks movies, but for fans of ’80s cinema, he’s likely recognized for his roles in The Outsiders and The Breakfast Club. Estevez has ventured into producing and directing independent films, showcasing his diverse talents. Notably, he returned to his Mighty Ducks roots by reprising his role in the corresponding TV show.

If you didn’t catch it, Winnie from The Wonder Years is not just an actress; she’s also a mathematician who has authored numerous engaging math books such as Kiss My Math and Do Not Open This Math Book. Additionally, she has lent her voice to various projects and has been featured in multiple Hallmark films, distinguishing herself among the individuals listed.

The character Diane Chambers from Cheers (or alternatively, Carol Brady from the Brady Bunch movies) experienced a resurgence in popularity during the ’10s when she made guest appearances, including the role of DeDe Pritchett in Modern Family. This marked one of several notable guest spots she undertook during that decade.

Mia Sara is an American actress best known for her role as Princess Lili in the 1985 fantasy film “Legend.” She also gained recognition for portraying Sloane Peterson in the 1986 cult classic “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” She’s had roles as recently as 2023, so she hasn’t retired just yet.

Known for his roles in Happy Days and Charles in Charge, Scott Baio, a prominent sitcom actor, ventured into independent films in the 2000s. You might also recall his guest appearance on Arrested Development. Unfortunately, he has faced past controversies involving allegations of abuse, which is regrettable.

Renowned as a ’90s teen idol (a phase during which everyone, myself included, was captivated by her), Tiffani Thiessen proceeded to carve out a successful career path. This journey included hosting a Cooking Channel show titled Dinner at Tiffani’s and revisiting her iconic role in the Saved by the Bell sequel. However, take a moment to indulge yourself by revisiting clips from the show that propelled her to fame, as you might have forgotten just how delightfully cheesy and entertaining it was.

If you tuned into Saved by the Bell, you likely identified as either a Zack fan or an A.C. fan—and if you fell into the latter category, Mario Lopez is undoubtedly familiar. While you might not have overlooked Lopez himself, it’s worth noting his evolution into a well-known TV host and his involvement in Lifetime movies, among other endeavors.

The grandiose persona and distinctive appearance of Mr. T seamlessly translated into film roles like The A-Team and Rocky III, as well as his involvement in professional wrestling. He successfully embarked on a second career as a spokesperson, representing brands such as Snickers and Fuze Iced Tea, contributing to his financial success.

Rick Moranis enjoyed a prolific career in the ’80s with notable roles in films like Little Shop of Horrors, Ghostbusters, its sequel, Spaceballs, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. However, following the tragic death of his wife from cancer, he took a hiatus from acting to prioritize single parenthood. During this time, he explored a music career. In 2007, Moranis returned to film projects, marking a significant comeback in his acting career.

While Bo Derek’s breakthrough film emerged in 1979, her influence extended into the ’80s with movies like Fantasies, Tarzan, the Ape Man, Bolero, and Ghosts Can’t Do It. Intriguingly, all these films were directed by her then-husband, and unfortunately, they did not receive favorable reviews. Despite this, Bo Derek has sporadically taken on roles in various projects, including a notable appearance in Sharknado 3!

Phoebe Cates stood out as a highlight in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins, especially with her memorable monologue about her dad’s demise in a chimney during Christmastime. Similar to others on this roster, Cates shifted away from acting in the ’90s to focus on raising her children but has intermittently returned to on-screen projects.

The lead actress in An Officer and a Gentleman and the daughter in Terms of Endearment, she was selected to feature in films such as A League of Their Own. Reportedly, she took a hiatus from acting during the ’90s but made a comeback to television in 2010, appearing in shows like Law & Order, among others.

Kelly McGillis played prominent roles in several major ’80s films, such as Witness and Top Gun, establishing herself as a household name. Post that era, she delved into stage performances and made a television comeback in 2007. While not considered for the Top Gun sequel, she has expressed contentment with that decision.

The Dutch actor Rutger Hauer, who has sadly passed away, initially gained recognition in his home country before becoming familiar to American audiences as a replicant in Blade Runner. Post the ’90s, he embraced smaller roles, one of which was in Batman Begins. If you haven’t already, explore his diverse body of work.

For enthusiasts of vintage ’80s TV series, including Taxi and Who’s the Boss?, Tony Danza is likely a familiar name. Since then, he has graced Broadway stages, and if you’re racking your brain to recall his recent appearance, it was as the father in the 2013 Joseph Gordon-Levitt film Don Jon.

Sean Young is widely recognized for her roles in notable sci-fi films like Blade Runner and the 1984 adaptation of Dune. However, her versatility extends to comedies, as seen in Stripes, and neo-noirs and dramas, such as No Way Out and Wall Street, respectively. While her recent work has been limited, she made a noteworthy return, reprising her role as Rachel in Blade Runner 2049.

In the ’80s, Daryl Hannah graced numerous iconic films, including Blade Runner, Splash, Steel Magnolias, and Wall Street. You might also recognize her from later works like Elle Driver in Kill Bill and Angelica in Sense8. Beyond acting, she has ventured into directing and producing, making her a multifaceted talent. If you’re not already in the loop on her current endeavors, it’s time to catch up!

The rebellious character Bender left a lasting impression in the film, with Judd Nelson later taking on roles in St. Elmo’s Fire and Suddenly Susan. In subsequent years, he diversified his portfolio with animated films, along with projects for Hallmark, Lifetime, and various television shows.