Iconic Movie Stars Who Dominated the 1980s Silver Screen

Molly Ringwald starred in several popular movies in the 1980s and is most known for her roles as Claire Standish in “The Breakfast Club” (1985), Andie in “Pretty in Pink” (1986), Samantha in “Sixteen Candles” (1984), and Darcy Elliott Bobrucz in “For Keeps?” (1988). Ringwald was born in 1968 in Roseville, CA, and started her career young, joining “The New Mickey Mouse Club” before starring in teen movies.

Eddie Murphy is best known for his roles as Clarence, Prince Akeem, and Randy Watson in “Coming to America” (1988), Quick in “Harlem Nights” (198B9), Buddy Love, Ernie Klump, Grandma Klump, Lance Perkins, Mama Klump, Papa Klump, and Sherman Klump in “The Nutty Professor” (1996), and James in ‘Thunder’ Early in “Dreamgirls” (2006). Born in 1961 in Brooklyn, NY, Murphy’s career started in stand-up comedy when he was still in his teen years.

Sally Field was born in 1946 in Pasadena, CA. A part of the business from birth due to her actress mother, she went on to study acting immediately after graduating high school. Field is best known for her roles as M’Lynn Eatenton in “Steel Magnolias” (1989), Carrie in “Smokey and the Bandit” (1977), Mrs. Gump in “Forrest Gump” (1994), and Mary Todd Lincoln in “Lincoln” (2012).

Glenn Close is most known for her roles as Marquise de Merteuil in “Dangerous Liaisons” (1988), Alex Forest in “Fatal Attraction” (1987), Nova Prime in “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014), and Joan Castleman in “The Wife” (2017). Close was born in Greenwich, CT, and studied drama in her early twenties. Later, she moved to New York City, NY, where she became a part of the Phoenix Theatre Company.

Christopher Lloyd was born in 1938 in Stamford, CT. His love for acting started early and just before turning 20, he began taking classes at New York City’s Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. Lloyd is best known for several performances, including the roles of Dr. Emmett Brown in “Back to the Future” (1985), Judge Doom in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988), Uncle Fester Addams in “The Addams Family” (1991), and again in “Addams Family Values” (1993).

Olivia Newton-John (1948 — 2022) began her career as a singer when she was still a teenager. She earned international acclaim after playing the role of Sandy in “Grease” (1978) opposite John Travolta. She starred as Kira in “Xanadu” (1980) and as Debbie in “Two of a Kind” (1983). Aside from acting, Newton-John released multiple albums and became a Grammy Award winner.

Bill Murray was born in 1950 in Wilmette, IL. Initially, he enrolled in college to study pre-med but dropped out and joined Saturday Night Live (1975). Murray is most known for his roles as Dr. Peter Venkman in “Ghostbusters” (1984), Herman Blume in “Rushmore” (1998), Bob Harris in “Lost in Translation” (2003), and Steve Zissou in “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” (2004).

Michelle Pfeiffer was born in 1958 in Santa Ana, CA. Her looks earned her several awards in beauty contests and after a short stint studying court reporting, she made the decision to go all in with acting. Pfeiffer is best known for her roles as Elvira Hancock in “Scarface” (1983), Madame de Tourvel in “Dangerous Liaisons” (1988), Melanie Parker in “One Fine Day” (1996), Claire Spencer in “What Lies Beneath” (2000), and Velma Ton Tussle in “Hairspray” (2007).

Demi Moore was born in 1962 in Roswell, NM. As a teen, she landed a role in a popular soap opera. It wasn’t an easy transition to film for her, but she eventually managed to capture the attention of audiences. Moore is most known for her roles as Cassandra Eldridge in “One Crazy Summer” (1986), Molly Jensen in “Ghost” (1990), Diana Murphy in “Indecent Proposal” (1993), Jordan O’Neill in “G.I. Jane” (1997), and Madison Lee in “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” (2003).

Jessica Lange is most known for her roles as Julie Nichols in “Tootsie” (1982), Frances Farmer in “Frances” (1982), Dwan in “King Kong” (1976), and Carly Marshall in “Blue Sky” (1994). Lange was born in 1949 in Cloquet, MN, and studied art at the University of Minnesota. She studied mime for a couple of years before deciding to pursue an acting career.

Whoopi Goldberg was born in 1955 in New York City, NY. She struggled in school due to dyslexia, which she was unaware of having. She dropped out of high school and decided to pursue a career in show business instead. Goldberg is best known for her roles as Celie Johnson in “The Color Purple” (1985), Deloris in “Sister Act” (1992) and “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit” (1993), and as Oda Mae Brown in “Ghost” (1990).

Debra Winger was born in 1955 in Cleveland Heights, OH. In high school, she was already enamored with acting, but she didn’t share her interest openly. After suffering a terrible injury, she promised herself she’d pursue her dream following her recovery. Winger is most known for her roles as Emma Horton in “Terms of Endearment” (1983), Sissy in “Urban Cowboy” (1980), Paula Pokrifki in “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982), and Abby in “Rachel Getting Married” (2008).

Sigourney Weaver was born in 1949 in New York City, NY. Both of her parents were in show business, which afforded her a privileged life. She realized her love for acting in college and went on to study at Yale Drama School. Weaver is best known for her roles as Dian Fossey in “Gorillas in the Mist” (1988), Ripley in “Alien” (1979) and “Alien Resurrection” (1997), and as Dr. Grace Augustine in “Avatar” (2009).

Michael Douglas is best known for his roles as Gordon Gekko in “Wall Street” (1987), Dan Gallagher in “Fatal Attraction” (1987), Jack Colton in “Romancing the Stone” (1984), and Liberace in “Behind the Candelabra” (2013). Douglas was born in 1944 in New Brunswick, NY. His father, Kirk Douglas, was in the business, which opened a door for him to start his career as an assistant director.

Meryl Streep is most known for her roles as Karen in “Out of Africa” (1985), Sophie Zawistowski in “Sophie’s Choice” (1982), Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006), and Violet Weston in “August: Osage County” (2013). Streep was born in 1949 in Summit, NJ, and attended Yale Drama School, where she met Sigourney Weaver. She went on to perform on stage and in film, becoming one of the most revered actresses in Hollywood.

Harrison Ford was born in 1942 in Chicago, IL. He attended Ripon College in Wisconsin but dropped out. Within a few years, he was receiving Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for his film roles. He is best known for his roles as Indy in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981), John Book in “Witness” (1985), Han Solo in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977), and Dr. Richard Kimble in “The Fugitive” (1993).

Rick Moranis was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1953. He is best known for his roles as Dark Helmet in “Spaceballs” (1987), Louis Tully in “Ghostbusters” (1984), Nathan Huffner in “Parenthood” (1989), and Bob McKenzie in “Strange Brew” (1983).

James Earl Jones is most known for his roles as Terence Mann in “Field of Dreams” (1989), Admiral Greer in “The Hunt for Red October” (1990), and as the voice of Darth Vader in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016). Jones was born in 1931 in Arkabutla, MS, and during high school, he developed a stutter. He was able to overcome it and became well-known for his voice.

Carrie Fisher (1956 — 2016) was an actress, author, and screenwriter. Fisher is best known for her roles as Princess Leia in “Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and “Star Wars VI –Return of the Jedi” (2983), and as April in “Hannah and Her Sisters” (1986), Marie and “When Harry Met Sally” (1989).

Chevy Chase was born in 1943 in New York City, NY. He first pursued a comedy career and though he was initially brought on as a writer, he was much too charismatic to remain behind the camera. Chase is most known for his roles as Dusty Bottoms in “Three Amigos” (1986), Ty Webb in “Caddyshack” (1980), Clark Griswold in “Vacation” (1983), and Nick Halloway in “Memoirs of an Invisible Man” (1992).