Where Are Your Favorite '80s TV Stars Now?

Mike Seaver, played by Kirk Cameron, was the teenage son of Jason and Maggie Seaver on the hit TV series Growing Pains. He entertained audiences with his charming personality and hilariously relatable high school antics. Whether he was chasing girls, slacking on his homework, or causing mayhem, Mike became a fan favorite.

Growing Pains’ child star, Kirk Cameron, has since grown up. He married his Growing Pains co-star and on-screen girlfriend, Chelsea Noble, in 1991. 28 years later and they’re still married. They have six children together, four of which are adopted. He's an active Evangelical Christian who’s combined his love for faith and filmography. His latest project, CamFam Studios, is a faith-based production company that creates movies, TV shows, and documentaries.

Sam Malone, portrayed by Ted Danson, was a hit character on the American TV show Cheers. He dropped out of high school, joined an MLB team, and became the owner of a bar called Cheers. Although he was an alcoholic and a womanizer for the majority of the series, viewers couldn’t help but to love him. He provided his friends with a place to come together and tackle social issues.

There’s no denying that Ted Danson is one of the most celebrated TV actors in Hollywood. While he's best known for playing Sam Malone on Cheers, he’s starred in many other TV shows. His latest role as Michael on NBC’s The Good Place has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. The show premiered in 2016 and is now airing its fourth and final season. When he’s not filming, he’s spending time with his wife, Mary Steenburgen. They met on the set of their film Pontiac Moon in 1993, and have been happily married since 1995!

The fierce female protagonist Daisy Duke starred alongside cousins Bo and Luke Duke on the ‘80s TV series The Dukes of Hazzard. Even if you haven’t seen any episodes of this hit TV show, it’s (extremely) likely you’ve heard of or worn “Daisy Dukes,” the iconic cut-off denim shorts. Catherine Bach's character was a major sex symbol during this decade. Women admired her because she rewrote the rules for fashion and men drooled over her because of her good looks and revealing outfits.

Catherine Bach, the actress who played Daisy Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard, has starred in a number of low-profile films since the series ended in 1985. Her most notable role in recent years is Anita Lawson, con-artist mother to Chelsea Lawson on CBS’s The Young and the Restless. Catherine has also entered the world of retail. She has her own signature jewelry line and a store in Nashville, called Daisy Country. When she’s not working, she’s spending time with her two daughters Sophia and Laura.

How can you not love Michael J. Fox? In the ‘80s, he became the star of the hit TV series Family Ties. His teenage character, Alex P. Keaton, was witty and entertaining. He was young, self-absorbed, and focused on what he believed to be the most important thing in life—money. Audiences couldn’t help but laugh at the lengths he would go to in order to gain wealth and power.

Michael J. Fox has had an impressive and lasting filmography and TV career, including stints on The Good Wife and Designated Survivor and his own show, The Michael J. Fox Show, from 2013-2014. Iin 1991, he began displaying symptoms of early-onset Parkinson’s disease. He told the public in the late ‘90s, which is when he became an advocate for Parkinson’s research and created the Michael J. Fox Foundation. He’s since written three memoirs about his life and his chronic illness. His spouse, Tracy Pollan, has been by his side since 1988. They have four children together and reside in New York. He spent the majority of 2019 recovering from a spinal cord surgery.

Tom Selleck’s Thomas Magnum was the leading character of the CBS TV series Magnum. P.I. His character was handsome, charismatic, and masculine. He was the private investigator on the island of Oahu in Hawaii and kept viewers entertained as he recklessly solved cases and irresponsibly enjoyed his luxurious lifestyle. Most fans remember Magnum by his iconic hawaiin shirt, mustache, and Detroit Tigers ball cap.

Tom Selleck was 35 years old before landing the role of a lifetime on Magnum P.I. Since then, he’s starred in countless other successful TV shows and films. He recently renewed his contract with CBS and agreed to star in another season of Blue Bloods (which has been on the air since 2010), although he has not appeared on CBS’s remake of Magnum P.I. He and his wife, Jillie Mack, have been together for more than 30 years. They reside on a quaint 65-acre ranch in California. Selleck dedicates a lot of time to political activism and the National Rifle Association.

It’s hard to decide which Golden Girls character is the funniest, but many fans have expressed their fondness of Rose Nylund—Betty White’s character. For more than eight years, Betty White portrayed the eccentric lady. Of all four women, Rose is the most naive. She’s good-natured, but sometimes comes off as a bit ditzy. It’s hard not to get a kick out of her!

In January of 2019, Betty White turned 97 years old. Her career started in the late ‘30s, and although she’s had a long and successful career, she’s best known for her roles on sitcoms like Golden Girls,The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Hot in Cleveland, as well as movies like The Proposal (with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds). She loves working and claims she’ll “be in the saddle forever.” You go girl!

Diane Chambers, a cocktail waitress at a bar in Boston, became a leading character and an unforgettable part of the hit show Cheers. Diane’s on-and-off relationships with men were always entertaining and her personality was consistently overbearing and snobby (in the funniest way).

Shelley Long was the actress that portrayed the lovable Cheers’ barmaid Diane Chambers. She’s since faded from the spotlight and keeps mostly to herself, although she played a recurring character on Modern Family in recent years. She’s been through two divorces and an accidental overdose that occurred in 2004, but she’s doing really well now. She’s slowly returned to TV and film. She lives in West Los Angeles with her chihuahua.

The coming-of-age TV series, The Wonder Years, was beloved during the 1980s. All of the characters were relatable and funny, but Kevin Arnold became everyone’s favorite. As he navigated his way through adolescence, he learned many lessons about growing up. His good-natured and accepting personality made him an extremely likeable character.

He may have spent his early years in front of the camera, but he now prefers to be behind the camera. He has developed and produced countless TV shows in Hollywood throughout the last two decades. He married Jennifer Lynn Stone in 2004 and they have three children together.

Sonny was the hardworking and idealistic cop on Miami Vice. He was responsible, he had great style, and he always did the right thing. He knew how to fight crime, yet still remain cool, confident, and caring.

In addition to portraying the beloved Sonny Crocket in the late ‘80s, Don Johnson also portrayed the eponymous Nash Bridges in the late ‘90s. Although a Miami Vice reboot hasn’t been discussed, a Nash Bridges revival is in the works. In the midst of this development, Johnson also continues to star in various movies and TV shows. In 2019, he’s starred as Police Chief Judd Crawford in HBO’s series Watchmen and as Richard Drysdale-Thrombley in Knives Out. Although he isn’t currently married, he has five children—the eldest being Dakota Johnson, who he fathered while married to Melanie Griffith.

As the main character of the hit ‘80s TV show, Knight Rider, Michael Knight was iconic. The ladies loved him. He was heroic, handsome, and kind. Michael’s new identity allowed him to fight crime and restore justice. He was truly a knight in shining armor (no pun intended).

David Hasselhoff, or “The Hoff,” is an actor, singer, and producer. While he gained recognition on The Young and The Restless, his success continued when he was cast as the leading man on Knight Rider and Baywatch. He’s created an impressive resume for himself over the years and still pursues work. The latest announcement about David Hasselhoff confirmed he would be starring as Franklin Hart Jr. in West End’s production of 9 to 5 The Musical.

Maddie Hayes’s partner, David Addison, is just as likeable as she is. His immaturity and wisecracks keeps fans laughing. And the dynamic duo’s ability to balance drama and comedy is unparalleled. David Addison completes Blue Moon Detective Agency by becoming the perfect counterpart to Maddie Hayes.

Almost four decades later and Bruce Willis is still one of Hollywood’s A-list celebrities. While filming Moonlighting in the 1980s, the hit film Die Hard was released—and Willis was the leading man. He went on to film other major blockbusters like The Sixth Sense and Looper. Although his career has had its ups and downs, he’s been extremely successful. He had three daughters with actress Demi Moore before they divorced, and he’s recently had two more daughters with his current wife, Emma Heming.

Punky was a popular TV character among children in the 1980s. Soleil Moon Frye, the little girl who snagged the role of Punky on the NBC sitcom Punky Brewster, portrayed her as spunky and warm. Although she was orphaned at a very young age, Punky made the best of her situation and remained optimistic. Her colorful clothing and signature pigtails made up for the show’s grim storyline.

Following Soleil Moon Frye’s breakout role on the hit TV show Punky Brewster, she made guest appearances on other popular series like Friends and Saved by the Bell and became a main character on Sabrina the Teenage Witch during Sabrina's college years. It wasn’t until this past summer that SMF was asked to reprise her role as Penelope Brewster in a sequel to the sitcom! When she’s not acting, Soleil Moon Frye is enjoying time with her family. She and her husband Jason Goldberg have four children together—Poet, Jagger, Lyric, and Story.

Kelsey Grammer’s Cheers character, Fraiser Crane, wasn’t intended to last. He was initially cast as a short-lived character but was asked to stick around due to his unexpected popularity. Fraiser’s career as a psychologist would humorously irritate other characters on this show. His ethical beliefs and fierce honor made him an interesting and dynamic addition to the cast.

Following the end of Cheers, Kelsey Grammer continued to work in Hollywood. He’s appeared in many movies and TV series since 1993. He’s also worked as an actor on Broadway and a highly sought-after voice actor. It’s been more than 30 years since his debut as Frasier Crane, yet Grammar still continues to act, produce, and make appearances. Although he’s dealt with more tragedy than most people experience in a lifetime, he remains positive. He’s happily married to his fourth wife Kayte Walsh and has seven beautiful children.

Bo Duke was the youngest of the Dukes and was almost always in a bind. His impulsivity and rebellious attitude would cause him trouble. Even though he was a troublemaker, he captured the hearts of fans. His shaggy blond hair, cheeky smile, and comedic moments made him irresistible.

Decades later, John Schneider still embraces Bo Duke. The Dukes of Hazzard memorializes the beginning of Schneider’s acting career. And although he’s gone on to act in other TV shows, he’s dedicated a great deal of his life to music. In 2018, he released Odyssey the Journey, a 52-song country album. His return to music occurred in the midst of financial turmoil, but he’s in the process of building himself—and his finances—back up.

Rico Tubbs on Miami Vice was the laid-back counterpart to Sonny Crockett. Tubbs moved to Miami, became a detective, and worked alongside Crockett. But unlike Crockett, Tubbs dealt with a great amount of personal tragedy. During the TV series, he was wounded several times and also had many family and close friends that were wounded or killed. Viewers often had more sympathy for Tubbs than they did Crocket, which is why he became a favorite character as well.

Detective Ricardo Tubbs was played by Philip Michael Thomas. He continued working throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s, but then retired from acting to spend time with his five sons, six daughters, and one step-daughter. Instead of starring on TV and in film, he now works as a songwriter, producer, and philanthropist.

Macgyver introduced America to a new protagonist in the ‘80s: Angus “Mac” MacGyver. He was a science geek with a big heart. His ability to solve logistical problems and conflicts using unlikely weapons kept viewers interested, but it was his intelligence and optimism that made him a sensation.

Richard Dean Anderson began his TV career as Dr. Jeff Webber in the series General Hospital, but rose to prominence when he was cast as the lead on MacGyver. Five years after MacGyver ended, Anderson was cast as Jack O’Neill in the series Stargate SG-1, which was his last prominent acting gig. He retired from Hollywood in 2014 and has spent the last several years as an environmental activist. He never married, but has one daughter named Wylie Quinn Annarose Anderson.

“B.A.” (Bad Attitude) Baracus was a leading character on the 1980s hit The A-Team. Baracus, a highly skilled mechanic, had many qualities that were similar to Mr. T—the actor who portrayed Baracus. He earned his nickname due to the fact he was easily angered. Despite his outbursts though, he was kind and gentle at heart—which is why he was so likeable.

Lawrence Tureaud, who is better known as Mr. T, is an actor, TV personality, and retired professional wrestler. He’s made appearances as himself on many TV shows and talk shows throughout the years. Just two years ago, he starred on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. He’s also filmed numerous commercials and thinks of himself as a convincing pitchman. When he’s not working, he’s spending time with his three children.

Who’s the Boss? was an American sitcom that became popular in the mid-to-late ‘80s. Anthony “Tony” Micelli was a former MLB baseball player who was forced to retire after a gruesome shoulder injury. When he could no longer play ball, he decided to work as a housekeeper. Viewers were entertained by the role reversal of Tony. His sensitivity and domesticity made him a loveable character.

Tony Danza’s acting career was booming during the ‘80s and ‘90s. Tony Micelli became a household name and Who’s the Boss? received wonderful ratings. While many fans thought this was the beginning of a successful career for Tony Danza, he stalled. He went on to star in other sitcoms, TV shows, and film, but they all fell flat. In 2018, Netflix released The Good Cop, a dramedy starring Tony Danza and Josh Groban, but it wasn’t renewed for a second season.

Samantha Micelli was the endearing daughter of Tony Micelli. Fans watched as she evolved from a young, spunky tomboy, to a lovely and kind teenager. Because she was only 10 when she scored the role of Sam, she grew up on the set of Who’s the Boss? Tony Danza became a father figure to Alyssa Milano and the other child actors.

Alyssa Milano’s role on Who’s the Boss? launched her career. She went on to star in Charmed and Mistresses, and now you can watch her on Netflix's new show Insatiable. She’s now married to Dave Bugliari and they have two children together. She works predominantly as an actor and activist. She’s involved with the #MeToo movement, PETA, and UNICEF.

Joe Spano’s character, Henry Goldblume, was a leading man on NBC’s hit police drama Hill Street Blues. When he wasn’t at odds with Howard Hunter, he was in charge of negotiating complex hostage situations. His character growth made him even more lovable. Over the course of the series, Joe’s character transformed from a quiet and meek young man into a confident and self-assured lieutenant.

Joe Spano’s impressive filmography career has spanned from the early 1970s to the present. He’s currently playing FBI Special Agent Tobias Fornell on NCIS, a recurring character since the premiere episode. Like Henry Goldblume, Tobias Fornell is one of Spano’s most noteworthy characters. Aside from his career, he invests the majority of his time into his family. He’s been married to Joan Zerrien since 1980 and they’ve adopted two daughters.

Natalie Green remains to be one of the most memorable ‘80s TV characters. Her role on The Facts of Life redefined TV. Natalie was played by actress Mindy Cohn and grew up throughout the series. She became an advocate for controversial topics—body image, sexual assault, premarital sex, etc. Viewers were excited to have an on-screen role model who was genuine and relatable.

Although Mindy Cohn’s later career has provided her with many opportunities to star on TV shows and in movies, her most successful role was as Natalie Green on The Facts of Life. She recently had to take a hiatus from her acting career as she fought breast cancer. In five years, she underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and a double mastectomy. Thankfully, Cohn is now happy and healthy. Her Instagram page shows pictures of her enjoying her friends, her career, and her travels!

The fictional character KITT was Michael Knight’s sidekick on the TV show Knight Rider. And although he was fictional, he gained quite a following. The 1982 Pontiac Trans Am became better known as KITT—Knight Industries Two Thousand. The self-aware vehicle was nearly indestructible. Michael Knight’s laid back personality was contrasted by KITT’s wit, charm, and idyllic voice of reason.

Thanks to actor William Daniels, KITT was able to come to life. He gave a voice to the artificially intelligent vehicle. He is better known for his role as Dr. Mark Craig in St. Elsewhere and as Mr. Feeny in Boy Meets World. He also guest starred on numerous TV comedies and dramas, including several episodes of Grey's Anatomy. He married the love of his life, actress Bonnie Bartlett, in 1951. They’re still together and have raised two successful sons. William Daniels is now 92 years old and resides in California.

Moonlighting aired from 1985 to 1989 and is considered the first successful comedy-drama. Madelyn “Maddie” Hayes is the hilarious former high fashion model that goes bankrupt. In the midst of her misfortune, she finds herself running a detective agency alongside David Addison. Together, the two characters created a playful banter that enticed audiences.

After starring in iconic movies and TV shows like The Last Picture Show and Moonlighting, Cybill Shepherd realized how lucky she’d been. Since, she’s had multiple acting opportunities. Her most recent credits include Teri in Do You Believe?, Rose in Being Rose, and Nancy in Late Lunch. Aside from the film industry, she’s dabbled in political activism and has written an autobiography.

Dick Loudon is the protagonist of Newhart, a TV show that was wildly popular during the 1980s. Although Dick is always entertaining, his transformation makes him even more amiable to fans. When he first purchases the Stratford Inn in Vermont, he proves to be a hopeless handyman. Despite his humor, he has a rather bad attitude. By the end of the show, he’s evolved into a man who is more appreciative and laidback.

Bob Newhart’s legendary career started with The Bob Newhart Show. Once he’d made a name for himself, he agreed to portray Dick Loudon on the CBS comedy Newhart. The comedian’s fame has spanned six decades. Bob, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, is best known for his deadpan delivery and slight stammer. He’s been happily married to his wife, Ginnie Quinn, since 1963. They have four children and 10 grandchildren.

Dr. Heathcliff “Cliff” Huxtable on The Cosby Show is a good man. He's a dedicated doctor, doting husband, and loving father. It’s nearly impossible for viewers to dislike Cliff. He’s eccentric, goofy, and kind-hearted. He spends the majority of his time with his family. They love him—regardless of his competitive nature and cliche fatherly advice.

At the time, it was said Cliff Huxtable was based loosely on Bill Cosby himself. Unfortunately, Bill Cosby has fallen from fame since the days of The Cosby Show. In 2018, he was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison after being designated a “sexually violent predator.” Reports have even said Cosby’s acting like Dr. Cliff Huxtable while in prison and attempting to treat patients. Talk about weird...

The second-born child of Cliff and Clair Huxtable, Denise won the hearts of viewers everywhere. And although she alternated between a regular and recurring character, she still managed to become a favorite. Young viewers identified with Denise’s free-spirit. They loved her rebellious nature, eccentric clothing, and bold personality. She encouraged self-discovery and independence!

When Lisa Bonet landed the role of Denise Huxtable, she was ecstatic. Her breakout role in The Cosby Show changed her life. She went on to star in A Different World, a spin-off of The Cosby Show, but it wasn’t as successful. By the time she was 20, she was married to Lenny Kravitz and expecting a daughter (who just so happens to be Zoe Kravitz). After their divorce, Lisa met Jason Momoa and the rest is history. They have two children of their own together and get along wonderfully with Lenny Kravitz.

Remington Steele is named after the show’s leading man Special Agent Ben Pearson, aka Remington Steele. The premise was based around Remington Steele—an identity created by Laura Holt and quickly assumed by the cunning con artist. Steele’s charisma, mysticism, and good looks enchanted viewers and left them wanting more.

Remington Steele launched the career of Pierce Brosnan. But even though Remington helped him earn the role of 007, Brosnan couldn’t help but vocalize his jealousy of Moonlighting during the 1980s. Post-James Bond, Brosnan starred in many successful movies and TV shows. He also has multiple upcoming roles that are in the works. When he’s not acting, he’s involved with environmental and charitable work.

American sitcom The Love Boat made waves during the ‘80s. Gopher, the officer who handled the financial accounts and documents on the ship, was an integral part of the ship’s crew. He was always good for a laugh. He was constantly running around, performing odd jobs, and acting like a fool.

Fredrick Lawrence Grandy is the actor who played The Love Boat’s Burl “Gopher” Smith for nine seasons. After gaining prominence as an actor in the ‘80s, he decided to become a politician. He spent four terms in Congress. After his congressional career, he returned to Hollywood. He’s appeared in a number of recent TV shows, including The Mindy Project, General Hospital, and Knight Squad.

Murder, She Wrote is a beloved whodunit TV classic. Fans can’t help but obsess over the show’s various twists and turns. Jessica Fletcher, the protagonist, is an author of detective fiction. She is repeatedly forced to uncover motives and solve murder mysteries. The unique layout of Murder, She Wrote allows viewers to become sleuths as well.

Angela Lansbury had made a name for herself long before portraying Jessica Fletcher. She’s an inherently likeable actress who has graced both the stage and silver screen. She’s done lots of theatrical work and filmography throughout her career. She’s starred in many successful movies and won many awards. Angela is now 94 years old and enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with family, being in nature, and continuing to act!

Prior to the start of the series Designing Women, the lead designer, Mary Jo Shively, goes through a divorce. During the course of the series, she gets her groove back. It’s nearly impossible not to love her character. Mary Jo, and the other leading ladies had singular personalities that worked well together.

Since the late ‘70s, Annie Potts has been immersed in Hollywood. Designing Women was the beginning of her incredible career in film and TV. Her next big break occurred once she agreed to be part of the Ghostbusters franchise. Recently, she’s starred in The Fosters and Young Sheldon, and will be starring in the upcoming 2020 Ghostbusters film—reprising her role as Janine Melnitz.

Jean Smart’s character Charlene Frazier is the backbone of the Designing Women business. Her practicality at work greatly differs from her spirituality at home. She’s a goofy character that’s often made fun of for her unwavering belief in psychics or her inability to ditch her small-town charm in a city as huge as Atlanta.

Not only did Designing Women kickstart Jean Smart’s career, but her love life as well. She married co-star Richard Gilliland in 1987. In the midst of marriage and motherhood, Smart continued her career as an actress. Although she got her start in TV and has appeared in several TV episodes throughout her career, she’s flourished in filmography as well. Some of her most noteworthy roles are Floyd Gerhardt in Fargo, Regina Newly in Samantha Who?, and Lana Gardner in Frasier.

There’s no doubt John Larroquette’s Night Court character is entertaining. Dan Fielding isn’t the typical ‘80s TV persona. The assistant D.A. is insensitive, cruel, and self-centered. There’s even a moment when another character refers to him as “an inconsiderate, diseased piece of vermin meat.” But his chauvinist personality is undeniably funny. He’s a narcissistic prosecutor who can’t help but make rude, yet witty remarks.

John Larroquette starred in his first film in 1966 and officially moved to California in 1973. More than 50 years have passed and he’s still a dedicated actor. He’s starring in Keep Hope Alive, a film expected to release in January of 2020, and has made appearances in The Twilight Zone and Blood & Treasure in 2019. Aside from his career, he married his wife Elizabeth Ann Cookson in 1975 and they’ve raised three children together—Lisa, Jonathan, and Ben.

Robert Wagner’s Hart to Hart character, Jonathan Hart, is the CEO of Hart Industries—a global conglomerate. He’s also an undercover detective. He’s involved in criminal activities such as smuggling, theft, and murder, and allows his wife, butler, and dog to help him.

Wagner, who’s 89 years old, has had a long and successful Hollywood career. He’s continued to act and make celebrity appearances throughout the decades. Although his career has been steady, his personal life hasn’t. In 1981, his wife Natalie Wood drowned after allegedly falling off their yacht. Her death was initially ruled as an accidental drowning, but the case has been reopened. In 2018, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department named Wagner a “person of interest,” though he denies involvement.