Where are they now? 10 of the 1980s biggest film stars

David BenjaminOctober 16, 2025

It might be over 40 years ago now, but the pop culture of the 1980s remains as popular as ever — whether you came to the decade late thanks to the likes of Stranger Things or you were a teenager then (in which case it probably lives rent-free in your brain). And indeed there was no shortage of classic movies, from action blockbusters to Brat Pack comedies – many of which have become classics. But all good things come to an end and while we may still watch the movies, we might also be left to wonder what became of some of the biggest names from that decade. Just where are your favourite 80s film stars now? (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)

1. Ralph Macchio

First up, who remembers The Karate Kid? It’s a hard one to forget to be honest, given it spawned a whole franchise that’s still going strong, as well as that classic theme song Glory Of Love (because who doesn’t love a bit of 80s power balladry?) But what of its star Ralph Macchio? Well the original Karate Kid – who also featured in the 80s favourite The Outsiders – might not be a kid any more (he’s 63 in fact), but he’s kept his hand in with the series that made his name, reprising his role of Daniel LaRusso in the Netflix series Cobra Kai as well as appearing in Karate Kid: Legends earlier this year. He’s also appeared in the likes of My Cousin Vinny, Ugly Betty and The Deuce, and he was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2024. Oh, and it seems acting definitely runs in his family, with his daughter Julia also appearing in two series of Cobra Kai as his character’s cousin Vanessa LaRusso (Picture: Getty/Rex Shutterstock)

2. Phoebe Cates

Actress Phoebe Cates lit up the screen in the likes of Fast Times At Ridgmont High and Gremlins. And who could forget her as Lili, the film star trying to find her real mother in the glamorous, oh so-80s miniseries Lace? So, where is she now? Well, she notched up a few more roles in the 90s, appearing alongside Rik Mayall in the anarchic comedy Drop Dead Fred, and taking the lead in historical comedy-drama Princess Caraboo. However, she’s largely retired from acting, having been absent from the screen since making an appearance in 2001’s The Anniversary Party. These days the 62-year-old’s main focus is on her New York boutique Blue Tree which she opened in 2005, selling all manner of goods including clothing, jewellery, perfume, candles and diamonds. ‘I always wanted to have a general store but according to me,’ the actress said of the shop. Cates has been married to actor Kevin Kline since 1989 and the couple are parents to Owen, an actor and filmmaker, and Greta, a musician who goes by the stage name Frankie Cosmos (Picture: SWNS / GETTY)

3. Molly Ringwald

Would any list of 80s stars be complete without mentioning Molly Ringwald? The actress was one of the most sought-after teen movie stars of the 80s, making memorable appearances in the likes of Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Pretty In Pink. But what’s she up to these days? Well quite a lot as it happens. You might have seen Molly in Riverdale as Mary Andrews, mother of Archie (KJ Apa) and widow of Fred Andrews (played by the late Luke Perry), while she’s also been one of the mainstays of the Kissing Booth films on Netflix, starring as Mrs Flynn. You might have seen her recently in the first season of Monster, playing the stepmother of Jeffrey Dahmer (Evan Peters) as well as making appearances in the Tales of the City reboot and hit series The Bear (Picture:
GETTY / REX)

4. Rob Lowe

Actor Rob Lowe was a 1980s heartthrob who also proved himself as a pretty decent actor in the likes of The Outsiders and About Last Night alongside Demi Moore. These days though? Well Rob, now 61, got to show off his comedy skills in the 90s with supporting roles in the likes of Wayne’s World, Tommy Boy and the Austin Powers movies – but he enjoyed a career resurgence on the small screen towards the end of the 90s after starring as Sam Seaborn in hit US drama The West Wing. He’s also had TV success with roles in Parks and Recreation – in which he played auditor Chris Traeger – and procedural drama 9-1-1: Lone Star. And as well as acting, Rob has also done rather well for himself as a game show host, after fronting Mental Samurai from 2019-2021, he’s now currently the presenter of The Floor, a series which sees contestants go head to head for a chance to win $250,000 (£188,500) (Picture: GETTY / REX)

5. Judd Nelson

If you’ve seen The Breakfast Club you’ll remember Judd Nelson as John Bender, the troubled, rebellious student who ends up in Saturday morning detention for setting off the school fire alarm. He also impressed with roles in St Elmo’s Fire, Blue City and TV miniseries Billionaire Boys Club (which landed him a Golden Globe nomination) – but where is Judd these days? Well the actor, now 65, has continued to work steadily, notching up a long string of movie appearances, with notables including The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and Dead Water. On the small screen he’s found success in sitcoms, playing a lead role in 90s show Suddenly Susan as well as making regular appearances in the Charlie Sheen comedy Two And A Half Men. Nelson is also known for his voice work, having voiced Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime in 1986’s Transformers: The Movie, and again in 2017 web series Transformers: Titans Return (Picture: GETTY / REX)

6. C Thomas Howell

Christopher Thomas Howell (yes that’s what the C stands for) made quite a name for himself in the 80s, making his acting debut in 1982’s ET before going on to star as Ponyboy Curtis in the teen classic The Outsiders, and impressing in the likes of Secret Admirer and Red Dawn. However his leading role in the comedy Soul Man – about a white male student who pretends to be black to get a scholarship to a prestigious college – caused controversy over its use of make-up, which many compared to blackface. With that in mind, where is the actor now? Well the controversy surrounding Soul Man is often thought to have affected his status as a leading man, although he has continued to work steadily in both film and TV, with recent appearances in The Walking Dead, Creepshow and the 2024 movie biopic Reagan. He’s also launched a music career, with his debut album American Storyteller being well received by critics when it was released in 2023 (Piucture: Getty/Rex)

7. Mia Sara

Remember Mia Sara? The Italian-American actress – real name Mia Sarapochiello – made a name for herself in the 80s in the likes of Ridley Scott’s fantasy flick Legend, before playing Ferris’ girlfriend Sloane Peterson in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. But where is she these days? Well the actress, now aged 58, continued to work steadily on the big and small screen until 2013, when she took a hiatus from acting to live a more private life with her husband Brian Henson (Muppet supremo and chairman of The Jim Henson Company) and focus on family life and other ventures. She had previously told Total Film in 2010 that she was ‘mostly retired’, adding: ‘I’m a poet, so for the last couple of years that’s what I’ve been focusing on.’ She did however make a return to acting in 2024, appearing in The Life Of Chuck after meeting director Mike Flanagan. As for her poetry, you can read that on her website (Picture: GETTY / REX)

8. Anthony Michael Hall

Anthony Michael Hall was just seven years old when he began his acting career in adverts but it was the 80s when he peaked, showing up in the likes of National Lampoon’s Vacation, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Out Of Bounds…the list goes on. He also showed up as bad guy Jim in Edward Scissorhands in 1991. Like many of the others on this list he’s notched up plenty of credits on the big and small screens – from sci-fi series The Dead Zone (2002-2007) through to slasher sequel Halloween Kills. And you might just have spotted him in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight in 2008. The now 57-year-old and his wife, Slovak-Canadian actress Lucia Oskerova, welcomed their first child, son Michael Anthony Hall II, in 2023 (Picture: GETTY / SHUTTERSTOCK)

9. Kelly McGillis

Top Gun might have propelled Tom Cruise to superstardom, but who could forget about his co-star Kelly McGillis, who showed up as love interest Charlie Blackwood? The actress made quite the mark on the big screen in several other 80s flicks, among them Witness alongside Harrison Ford – which landed her a Golden Globe and Bafta nomination – hard-hitting Oscar winner The Accused, and romantic drama Winter People. But where is Kelly now? Well, the 67-year-old still shows up on screen from time to time, with recent projects including Ti West’s The Innkeepers and the Netflix docudrama Dirty John – as well as stage work. However, she has swapped Hollywood for North Carolina, where she lives in a log cabin. She has also taught acting there, at the New York Studio for Stage and Screen in the town of Asheville (Picture: Snap/Shutterstock)

10. Andrew McCarthy

Andrew McCarthy was a familiar face onscreen throughout the 80s, notching up performances in Pretty In Pink, Less Than Zero, St Elmo’s Fire and Weekend At Bernie’s – as well as falling for a window shop dummy in the hit comedy Mannequin. But what’s he up to these days? Well while he is still acting, a lot of his work is also behind the camera, with McCarthy having directed several episodes of Netflix hit Orange Is The New Black, as well as working on other shows including Condor, New Amsterdam, The Enemy Within and Nightflyers. Acting-wise you might have seen him recently in medical drama The Resident as well as crime thriller The Blacklist. He’s also made a name for himself as a travel writer in recent years as well as authoring the YA best-seller Just Fly Away. McCarthy is married to Irish writer and director Dolores Rice, and has two children with her as well as a son, Sam, from his first marriage to Carol Schneider (Picture: Getty/Rex)

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