The '80s was a significant era, and we got introduced to a ton of talented people. Many of these stars caught people's hearts through their performances, and they became the talk of the town because of their exciting personal lives.

These celebrities remained consistent in their careers and are still making a ton of money today, but others chose to step away from the limelight. Let's take a look at the brightest stars of the '80s, and let's see what keeps them busy these days. We're sure you'll be amazed by how many of them aged like wine!

Kirk Cameron – Evangelical Minister

Kirk Cameron became a popular actor during the mid-'80s thanks to his role in the series called Growing Pains. His performance got him nominated for a Golden Globe Award twice. He's best known for his roles in Fireproof and the Left Behind movies on the big screen.

Cameron is now 50 years old, and he's more than just an actor. He's now an evangelical minister who co-founded The Way of the Master with evangelist Ray Comfort. Acting still brings him paychecks from time to time, and you might've seen him in Fuller House in 2019.

Bill Murray – Actor

Actor Bill Murray started acting in the '70s, but his fame skyrocketed in the '80s thanks to the Ghostbusters movies. The franchise garnered a ton of earnings from the box office, and his next significant achievement was his award-winning performance in the film called Lost in Translation.

Over the years, Murray developed a reputation wherein his mood swings caused people to say that he's "difficult" to work with. He's lucky because it didn't destroy his career, and he still lands many acting projects today. In 2021, he will appear in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

Drew Barrymore – Actress & Host

Drew Barrymore became a massive child star after she starred in the film called E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. She attracted a lot of media attention at a young age because of her early addiction to drinking and illegal substances. Thankfully, she eventually overcame it and bounced back.

As an adult, some of her most memorable roles were in 50 First Dates, Grey Gardens, and the Charlie's Angels films. Barrymore's last role was in The Stand-In. In 2020, hosting became a regular thing for her because she launched her own talk show called The Drew Barrymore Show.

David Lee Roth – Musician

David Lee Roth instantly became a memorable musician during his days as the Van Halen frontman. He was energetic and always had a "wild" persona when he performed on stage. Outside of his work with the band, he also pursued a career as a solo artist.

He had several albums that garnered a platinum or gold certification. Roth made several comebacks with Van Halen over the years, but the band officially disbanded in 2020 after Eddie Van Halen passed away. He paid tribute to Eddie by sharing a single titled Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bar and Grill.

Jenilee Harrison – Full-Time Housewife & Step Mom

During the early '80s, Jenilee Harrison gained popularity for her role in Three's Company. She then became an even bigger star when she landed a part in the series called Dallas. She continued acting in the '90s, but she decided to leave the industry during the early 2000s.

Her final acting role in her portfolio is her role in the TV movie called The Power. Shepherd has been living an ordinary life since then, happily married to Dr. Bruce Oppenheim. Her husband is a famous chiropractor in Los Angeles, and he was formerly married to actress Cybill Shepherd.

Ralph Macchio – Actor

Many of you would surely recognize who actor Ralph Macchio is. He was the star of the legendary Karate Kid franchise. He was in his 20s when he starred in the films, but he's now 59 years old. He aged like wine, and he hasn't given up on his acting career.

His other notable roles in his career were in Ugly Betty and The Deuce. He has been starring in Cobra Kai since 2018, and it looks like the show is why his bank account keeps growing today. Macchio has been married to his wife Phyllis Fierro since 1987, and they have two kids together.

Barbara Mandrell – Retired Musician

Barbara Mandrell was a big name in the country music scene during the '70s and '80s. Some of her most popular hits were (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right and Sleeping Single in a Double Bed.

Mandrell was the first two-time winner of the Country Music Association Award for Entertainer of the Year. After performing at the Grand Ole Opry House in 1997, she decided to enter retirement, but she made brief comebacks in the 2010s. Today, when Barbara is not spending time with her family, she reportedly loves painting and gardening.

John Stamos – Actor

John Stamos is an actor who experienced the most success on TV. His debut role in General Hospital was his big break, and then he later continued gaining fame after starring in Full House. He was already a heartthrob during his younger years, but he got even more handsome as he aged.

He didn't only do on-screen work, for he's also well-known on Broadway. He notably starred in productions of Bye Bye Birdie and The Best Man. Stamos remains an active actor today, and his most recent TV role was in Royalties. He will reportedly appear in Big Shot in 2021.

Stevie Nicks – Singer

Most people already knew about Stevie Nicks during the '80s because of the success she had with Fleetwood Mac since she joined the group in 1975. She decided to pursue a solo career as well, and her debut album titled Bella Donna, which hit stores in 1981 became a chart-topper.

It even reached a multi-platinum certification, and she later released seven more albums. Nicks hasn't stopped pursuing music today, and her most recent single is titled Show Them the Way. She also released a concert film/album in 2020 titled 24 Karat Gold: The Concert.

Barbara Eden – Occasional Actress

Barbara Eden first rose to fame when she got cast as the lead of the series called I Dream of Jeannie. She maintained a consistent flow of acting work as time passed, and she got even more popular during the '80s to her performances in Harper Valley PTA and the production of Woman of the Year.

Eden took care of her health over the years, and it's why she's still alive and well at 89 years old. She isn't as active as she used to be, but she accepts roles from time to time. In 2019, she had a part in a film called My Adventures with Santa.

Giada De Laurentiis – TV Personality & Chef

Giada De Laurentiis is a talented chef who also became a TV personality. Her parents are actors Veronica De Laurentiis and Alex De Benedetti, but it looks like she never found herself pursuing acting roles. She instead found fame for hosting a program called Giada at Home.

She has many things to be proud of, but one of her most notable achievements was winning the Outstanding Lifestyle Host award at the Daytime Emmy Awards. According to her IMDb page, De Laurentiis will star in a new reality show called Bobby and Giada in Italy in 2021.

Clint Eastwood – Producer, Director, & Actor

Clint Eastwood has been making money in the Hollywood industry for decades now. His starring roles in the Dollars and Dirty Harry films made him a household name, and then he proved to people that he's skilled in filmmaking as well.

He won Academy Awards for his work on films like Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven. Some might expect Eastwood to retire now that he's 90 years old, but it looks like he'll still keep working for as long as he can. He's reportedly producing, directing, and starring in a new movie called Cry Macho.

Marlo Thomas – Actress & Humanitarian

Marlo Thomas became a famous actress during the late '60s thanks to her triumphant performance in the show called That Girl. She took home one Golden Globe and four Emmy Awards in her career. Aside from acting, she notably put up a children's franchise called Free to Be... You and Me.

Marlo Thomas and Friends: Thanks & Giving All Year Long was her children's album that won her a Grammy Award. Some of you might not have known that she also serves as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's  National Outreach Director. Thomas will reportedly appear in a new documentary titled Bella!.

Johnny Depp – Actor

Johnny Depp rose to fame as a teen heartthrob during the '80s thanks to the 21 Jump Street series. He then proved to people that he possesses superb acting skills and portrayed eccentric characters in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Depp's maintained his demand in the acting scene until today, but he has been going spending a lot of time in court. It's still unclear who's telling the truth in his case against ex Amber Heard, but they already took him out of the Fantastic Beasts franchise. His next role will be in a new miniseries called Puffins.

Rachel Ward – Former Model & Actress

Rachel Ward lived an ordinary life growing up, but when she was a teenager studying at Byam Shaw School of Art, she decided to drop out and focus on pursuing a career as a model. She eventually made a name for herself and graced the covers of magazines like Harper's & Queen and Vogue.

She moved to America in the late '70s and pursued acting. Her most notable acting roles were in The Thorn Birds and  The Umbrella Woman, while her most recent one was in 2016's The Death and Life of Otto Bloom. Ward has been married to Bryan Brown since 1983, and they share three children.

Arnold Schwarzenegger – Actor & Former Governor

Arnold Schwarzenegger first made a name for himself as a bodybuilder who was a seven-time winner of the Mr. Olympia competition. By the '80s, he was perusing acting in Hollywood, and his breakthrough performance was in the Conan the Barbarian movies.

He then landed a role in the Terminator franchise, which later became the most iconic credit in his acting portfolio. Schwarzenegger also pursued a political career, and he served as California's Republican Governor from 2003 until 2011. He reportedly has two upcoming films titled Triplets and Kung Fury 2.

Jennifer Jason Leigh – Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh's professional acting career started in the '70s, but her big break happened in the '80s when she starred in the Fast Times film at Ridgemont High. She caught more and more people's attention after giving memorable performances in Miami Blues and Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle.

Many actors from her generation didn't sustain their demand in the acting scene, but Leigh still gets bombarded with roles left and right until today. You might've seen her in Atypical, The Affair, and Twin Peaks in recent years. She will star in an upcoming series titled Lisey's Story.

Judd Nelson – Actor

Judd Nelson was among the young stars in the '80s who became part of the famous Brat Pack. He had breakthrough performances in films like St. Elmo's Fire and The Breakfast Club. His looks changed over the years, but it's okay since he now plays more mature roles.

Some of his more notable roles in recent times were in Billionaire Boys Club and Empire. Nelson also generates earnings from voice acting, and you might've heard his voice in Transformers: Power of the Primes and Ben 10: Omniverse. His next movie role will be in South of Hope Street.

Kelly McGillis – Actress & Acting Teacher

Kelly McGillis caught people's attention in the mid-'80s when she starred in the film called Witness. Her popularity continued increasing thanks to more successful roles in The Accused and Top Gun. No one ever doubted her acting skills since she's a Juilliard School graduate.

In 2009, McGillis came out as a lesbian, and she later entered a civil union with Melanie Leis. She then worked at a rehab center, helping those battling vices. She and Leis parted ways in 2011, and she now works at The New York Studio for Stage and Screen as an acting teacher. She still acts, and her last role was in Dirty John.

Bruce Willis – Actor

Bruce Willis started as an off-Broadway actor during the '70s, and then he later got mainstream fame in the '80s thanks to his role in the series called Moonlighting. He then transitioned into a box-office star after his successful leading role in the Die Hard movies.

Willis is now in his 60s, and even if he has gone bald, he still looks as charming as ever. His most recent role was in a film called Breach, and sources say he will star in two upcoming movies titled Out of Death and Midnight in the Switchgrass.

Fred Savage – Director & Actor

Fred Savage became a well-recognized young actor during the '80s because of his role in the show called The Wonder Years. He had an innocent charm to him, and people couldn't get enough of his adorable smile. On top of acting, he also became serious about his directorial career.

He's balancing both on-screen and behind-the-scenes work today, and we doubt he has any plans of slowing down. Savage has been doing voice work for American Dad! in recent years; his IMDb page says he's directing an upcoming TV movie starring Leslie Odom Jr.

Elizabeth McGovern – Actress

Elizabeth McGovern had her film debut in 1980, and then she placed herself on the radar a year later because of her outstanding performance in Ordinary People. Her performance earned her nominations at the annual Golden Globe and Academy Awards.

In the 2010s, most people knew her for being part of the Downton Abbey series cast. She reprised her role in the Downton Abbey movie that premiered in 2019. She is married to Simon Curtis, who works as a producer and director, and they are parents to two beautiful girls.

Eddie Murphy – Actor

Eddie Murphy has been famous for many decades now, but you might remember that his rise to fame started in the early '80s. He was doing many skits on Saturday Night Live, and he established himself as a stand-up comedian.

It didn't take too long before his comedy skills reached the big screen, and some of his best performances were in Dr. Dolittle, Beverly Hills Cop, and 48 Hrs. The total earnings his movies made worldwide surpassed $6 billion already. Murphy will still keep acting, and his next film will be Coming 2 America.

Julia Roberts – Actress & Philanthropist

We all know that Pretty Woman is the movie that launched Julia Roberts onto international stardom, but she was already growing a fanbase years before the film hit theaters. She had well-recognized performances in late '80s movies like Steel Magnolias and Mystic Pizza.

Fast forward to today, Roberts is still as gorgeous as ever, and she hasn't turned her back on the acting industry. She puts the wealth she accumulated to great use by doing a lot of charity work. In 2021, she will star in a new series called Gaslit, and she also has a new film titled Little Bee.

Steve Guttenberg – Actor & Philanthropist

Steve Guttenberg rose to fame as a movie star during the '80s. You might remember seeing him in Three Men and a Baby, The Bedroom Window, and Police Academy. He always wanted to act, and he even attended a Julliard School summer program when he was a teenager.

Aside from acting, Guttenberg is also a busy philanthropist. He supports different organizations that help the youth and the homeless. His most recent role was in Break Even, and he reportedly has parts in two new movies called Go West! and Roe v. Wade.

Denzel Washington – Actor, Producer, & Director

Denzel Washington is the 21st century's greatest actor, according to the New York Times. The roles he gave life to were always meaningful because they were of notable real-life people. He had award-winning performances in films like The Hurricane and Training Day.

He also worked behind the camera as a director and earned a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards for his work on Fences. Washington will star in two films titled The Little Things and Macbeth in 2021, and he's also producing and directing a movie called Journal for Jordan.

Stephanie Powers – Actress & Lung Cancer Survivor

From 1979 until 1984, people knew actress Stefanie Powers for starring in the show called Hart to Hart. She starred alongside Robert Wagner, and she received five Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy Award nominations. They both ended up appearing in several Hart to Hart TV films during the '90s.

Powers fell short when it came to taking care of herself because she smoked for two decades. It later caused her to get a type of lung cancer called alveolar carcinoma. They took out a portion right lung, and she got to recover. According to her IMDb page, Powers will appear in On the Verge.

Veronica Hamel – Former Actress & Model

Veronica Hamel didn't have a luxurious lifestyle growing up since her dad was a carpenter while her mom was a housewife. After college, she worked as a secretary before finally getting into modeling. You might remember her for appearing in a Virginia Slims commercial.

By the '70s, she started pursuing acting as well, and she reportedly turned down a role in the Charlie's Angels series. Her big break came in the '80s when she starred in Hill Street Blues. Hamel didn't officially announce that she retired, but she hasn't acted since appearing on Lost.

Rob Lowe – Actor & Host

Rob Lowe was a Brat Pack member during the '80s, and it's not hard to see why many people quickly fell in love with him. His charming face and bright eyes made people look forward to seeing him on the big screen. Among his most famous roles were in St. Elmo's Fire, Class, and The Outsiders.

By the 2000s, Lowe had newfound fame as a TV actor. He starred in The West Wing and Brothers & Sisters. You can currently catch him on the series called 9-1-1: Lone Star, a show he also produces, and he hosts Mental Samurai.

Soleil Moon Frye – Actress & Voice Actress

Soleil Moon Frye was one of the biggest child stars of the '80s, all thanks to her starring role in the Punky Brewster series. Her character became a hit among kids despite the low ratings the show got. During her 20s, she appeared on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.

She shifted to making money through voice acting in the mid-2000s and did work for shows like Bratz and Planet Sheen. Frye seems to be making a comeback these days because she's open to doing on-screen work again. Her IMDb page says she will star in a Punky Brewster reboot.

Tony Danza – Actor & Voice Actor

People first discovered who Tony Danza was when he landed a role on Taxi, and then his fame later skyrocketed after he starred in Who’s the Boss?. He later had a sitcom called The Tony Danza Show, which led to him winning a People's Choice Award.

Danza might've aged and has white hair now, but many still think he's as handsome as ever. Some of his more recent roles were in The Good Cop and Outmatched. His IMDb page says he has a voice role in an upcoming film titled Rumble.

Andrew McCarthy – Actor & Director

Another Brat Back member that appears on this list is actor Andrew McCarthy. His most famous roles were in Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo's Fire. VH1 included him in their list of 100 Greatest Teen Stars in history. Over the years, he proved to people that he has talent in directing as well.

He directed several episodes of the award-winning series called Orange Is the New Black. His directing and acting career still grows his fortune in the bank today, and he's currently working on the series titled The Blacklist. He will also appear in the upcoming Tale of the Wet Dog movie.

Jonathan Ke Quan – Actor

Jonathan Ke Quan experienced his big break in Hollywood at a young age, and it was thanks to his performance in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. His next notable role was in The Goonies, and the good thing about him is that he balanced acting with his studies.

He graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and even spent some time studying at the University of Manchester. Ke Quan disappeared from the acting scene for over many years, but he's now going to make a comeback. He has roles in upcoming movies like Finding Ohana and Everything Everywhere All at Once.

William Zabka – Actor & Filmmaker

William Zabka experienced an all-time high in his acting career during the '80s thanks to how popular the Karate Kid movies became. It was his first acting gig, and it got him noticed. His next significant role was in the film called National Lampoon’s European Vacation.

Zabka slowed down in the '90s and 2000s so that he can study filmmaking. He produced and wrote a short film titled Most that got him an Academy Award nomination. He's still far from entering retirement, and he has been starring in Cobra Kai since 2018.

Rick Astley – Singer

Rick Astley made his professional music debut in 1987 with his single titled Never Gonna Give You Up, and we're sure he didn't expect it to become a massive hit. It won him the Best British Single award at the Brit Awards in 1988.

Despite starting on a good note, he decided to make an early retirement in 1993 to be there for his wife and daughter. During the late 2000s, he became an internet phenomenon when his Never Gonna Give You Up music became a meme. Astley is now back to making music, and his most recent single was Love This Christmas.

Robert Downey, Jr. – Actor

Robert Downey Jr. rose to fame as a teen idol in the '80s because of his roles in Less Than Zero and Weird Science. He then proved to people in the '90s that he could act well when he earned a BAFTA Award for his Chaplin performance.

As he got older, he battled substance abuse and had to get professional help. He eventually became sober in 2003 and got to revive his career. Downey Jr. became an iconic actor in recent years thanks to his role as Iron Man in the Marvel Universe. In 2021, he will star in Sherlock Holmes 3.

Jason Patric –Actor

Jason Patric lived an ordinary life until his teenage years, and then he embarked on a professional acting career once he graduated. His roles in The Lost Boys and Solarbabies helped get his name recognized. His career kept getting better, and his more critically praised performances were in Narc and Rush.

Patric hasn't stopped doing acting work, and he reportedly has roles in upcoming movies like Burning at Both Ends and MK Ultra. He has a child with ex Danielle Schreiber that got conceived through IVF. After he initially got denied parental rights because they weren't married, he eventually won the rights after a legal battle.

Madonna – Queen of Pop

Madonna initially wanted to pursue dance when she moved to New York in the late '70s. She eventually decided to pursue music instead and had instant fame after releasing her 1983 album titled Madonna. Things got remarkably better for her as time passed until she became the Queen of Pop.

Some of her most iconic songs were Like A Virgin, Vogue, and Like A Prayer. Aside from music, she also found success as a businesswoman. She released clothing lines and children's books. She also supports numerous charitable causes. Madonna confirmed in 2020 that she's currently working on her biopic.

Huey Lewis – Voice Actor

Huey Lewis is well-known for being the frontman and the harmonica player of his band named Huey Lewis and the News. Their most successful was Sports, and it stopped the Billboard 200 chart. They also notably contributed to the Back to the Future movie soundtrack.

Lewis still performed and made TV appearances in the 2010s, but he had to stop in 2018 after receiving his Ménière's disease diagnosis. His condition caused him to have hearing loss, and he had to cancel any concert tours he had. He's doing better these days, and he has been doing voice work for Puppy Dog Pals.

C. Thomas Howell – Actor, Director, & Producer

C. Thomas Howell gained popularity in the acting industry during the '80s because of his performances in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and The Outsiders. Before becoming a mainstream star, he gave stunt acting and rodeo riding a try. Some of you might've not known this, but he was among the top picks to star in Back to the Future.

Howell didn't only focus on on-screen work over the years but also built a portfolio as a producer and director. He worked on films like The Genesis Code, Spirit Riders, and A Christmas Eve Miracle. Sources say he will appear in new movies like The Wrong Path and Mama's Eggnog.