The industry has undergone quite a degree of change over time, but if there’s one thing that remains constant, it’s that people will always have their favorites. Those celebrities who never fail to bring them back to their youth. Sure, we have a multitude of new artists trying to achieve the same thing for themselves, but not all of them succeed. Perhaps they could learn a thing or two from the stars who have been around since the ‘80s and ‘90s. The industry’s biggest names, who have been supplying audiences with entertainment for years and whose stardom has yet to fade. From the likes of Alanis Morisette and Roxette, we’ve created a list of the most popular artists during the ‘80s and ‘90s. They gave us music that defined our youth, and for some, provided the soundtrack to their adult life. Can you remember your favorite tunes from those decades? Well, let us refresh your memory. Here’s our list of the brightest stars from the ‘80s and ‘90s, and how they are doing today.
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is one of the most iconic singers that the music industry has. Mariah is widely-known and has fans across the globe because of her melismatic singing style, five-octave vocal range, and signature use of whistles while singing. It was in the early 90s when she made a name for herself, thanks to her sensational 5-octave voice. Due to her popularity and fame, they even got insurance for her legs!
Since her debut, Carey has released countless successful hits. Her songs have always reached the top of the charts, firmly establishing her career. Not only that, she has sold millions of albums worldwide and still continues to do so. Some of her popular songs include We Belong Together, Hero, and One Sweet Day. Carey is also an award-winning performer. Based on how well her albums and songs have done, Billboard named her the Most Outstanding Female Singer in American history in 2019.
Tori Amos
Tori Amos is a famous artist and was one of the leading female soloists during the 90s. She became known by many for her incredible skills in playing the piano. Her music also has a distinct sound, drawing inspiration from the 70s combined with alternative rock. If you’ve ever seen her perform live, her ethereal stage presence will certainly leave you in awe. At the peak of her career, she was listed at #71 of 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll in VH1’s.
She has had a string of hits throughout the years, but the album that brought her popularity and the most accolades would be Little Earthquakes. It is often given credit for helping Amos achieve mainstream success. Even today, she is seen as one of the most influential artists in music and she has no doubt inspired an entire generation of new musicians. Amos received five MTV VMA nominations, eight Grammy Award nominations, and won the Echo Klassik Award for her classical crossover album Hunter Night.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé is probably one of the most iconic singers in the world of pop today. Throughout the years, Queen B has managed to dominate the scene and there are no signs of her stopping just yet. She has come a long way and her investments are all paying off. From sold-out tours to chart-topping records, no one can deny her power and influence. Beyoncé is one of the world’s best-selling recording artists and has sold 118 million records worldwide.
In 2019, she became part of the Encyclopedia Britannica’s 100 Women for her impact on the music industry. During the ’90s, Beyoncé was part of the group Destiny’s Child. When the group eventually decided to go on a break, she welcomed the opportunity and tried her hand at being a solo artist. It was a steady climb to the top for her and the road was not easy, but she wouldn’t be a queen if she had given up on account of all the difficulties!
Shirley Manson
Shirley Manson is an actress and also the frontwoman of the alternative band Garbage. Aside from her eye-catching looks, she also is recognized for the degree of uniqueness of her voice. Manson is known to be very outspoken, which is also why she quickly became an iconic figure for many women during the 90s. She exhibits a rebellious attitude on stage, but many love her for it and it has helped her band become renowned worldwide.
She quickly developed into an outstanding member of the group and demonstrated a strong influence on stage. Despite the name of their band, there’s nothing “trashy” about the success Garbage has achieved over the years. Since their debut, they managed to sell 12 million albums worldwide. They even produced a soundtrack for the James Bond movie, The World is Not Enough. They were on break for a p
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani was the vocalist and co-founder of the band No Doubt. She was also the group’s primary songwriter. The band’s breakthrough studio album Tragic Kingdom, released in 1995, included their chart-topping singles Just a Girl, Spiderwebs, and Don’t Speak. They became one of the biggest acts of the 90s and early 2000s, before going on a break. It was during this time that Stefani ventured into being a solo artist.
Unlike No Doubt’s pop-rock sound, Stefani’s 2014 release was a mix of pop and hip-hop tracks. Love. Angel. Music. Baby. reached great success commercially and sold over 30 million copies worldwide. Billboard magazine named Stefani as the most successful artist and the most successful Hot 100 artist in the decade from 2000 to 2009. As a solo artist, she won three Grammy Awards and received more accolades throughout her career. The singer also managed to boost her credit report after establishing her own fashion and perfume line inspired by the album.
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow is a singer-songwriter who is well-known for her catchy music that incorporates different styles. This includes pop, country, jazz, rock, and as well as blues. The singer has had unwavering success throughout the years. Aside from chart-toppers, she has also contributed to film soundtracks. Crow has won 9 Grammy Awards (32 nominations in total) from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and has sold over 50 million records across the world.
Her songs All I Wanna Do, Tomorrow Never Dies, If It Makes You Happy, Strong Enough, and Every Day is a Winding Road are considered classics by many people. Despite the fact that they were released years ago, these songs still maintain their relevance. This is with credit to her skill as a songwriter and performer. She may have peaked during the 90s, but turn a radio on today and you’re still likely to hear her songs being played.
Courtney Love
Courtney Love was one of the most influential women during the 90s. It can be said that her style helped shape the popular trends of the decade. Love represented the grunge and alternative rock scene as the lead vocalist of Hole. Aside from her music, her relationship with Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and controversial ways fully cemented her icon status. In 2020, NME named her “one of the most influential singers in alternative cultures in the past 30 years”.
While it has been a while since the band released new music, their old songs are still loved by the public. This includes Violet, Doll Parts, Malibu, and Celebrity Skin. Both Courtney Love and the band’s bassist, Melissa Auf Der Maur, have also managed to establish successful solo careers to their credit. As for a reunion, fans would simply have to wait and see. Aside from her evident talents, Courtney also displayed her ageless beauty over the years.
Roxette
Roxette is the name of the Swedish pop-rock duo made up of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle. They were formed in 1986 and were active throughout the 1980s, all the way to the 1990s. With credit to their second album, Look Sharp, the group managed to break into the international scene. They released their third album, Joyride, in 1991 and found equal success. They are Sweden’s second best-selling musical performers after ABBA.
Throughout their career, the duo enjoyed many chart-toppers and have always managed to enter the Top 40 U.K. Hits. They gained fame across the United States as well, thanks to their catchy songs and amazing lyricism. Some of their music was also featured as part of the soundtrack for the films, Joyride and Pretty Woman. Roxette sold an estimate of 75 million albums across the world with over 10 million certified units from UK, Germany, and the US. Their legacy is certainly one to be remembered.
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette was only six years old when she began playing piano, and at seven years old, she took dance classes to improve her skills. She might be well-known for her angry songs, but Alanis Morisette’s legacy as a musician is anything but painful. She started out in the early 1990s, breaking into the pop-rock and alternative scene with her mezzo-soprano voice and intense lyricism. During the earlier part of her career, she experienced a moderate degree of success.
It wasn’t until the release of Jagged Little Pill that Morisette found mainstream fame. Morissette was dubbed the “Queen of Alt-Rock Angst” by Rolling Stone. Since then, she has released multiple chart-toppers and sold over 33 million copies of her albums worldwide. Her rock sound has been cited by many younger musicians as the inspiration for their own work, proving just how influential an artist she is. Morisette remains active to this day and has recently released two new songs, Her and Ablaze.
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill was a renowned rapper often regarded by many as the greatest there is. Hill was a pioneer of the Neo-soul genre and is often given credit for breaking barriers and paving the way for female rappers everywhere. Her melodic rapping style cannot be duplicated and the same can be said for how successful she has been throughout the years. Her song has gained wide acclaim for talking about life and relationships and for positioning contemporary voices in the new soul genre.
Her solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, is still considered by many to be a classic. It is this album that helped her gain numerous accolades, along with breaking different sales records — it was indeed one of the best-selling albums of all time. It put her on the map. If anyone wants to question her legacy, all they really need to do is look at the amount of Grammy awards she has been given.
Liz Phair
Even from a young age, the talented Liz Phair always dreamt of becoming a musical artist. Surely, many of us have had similar hopes but in her case, she made the dream happen. Though she was passionate, the road was not at all easy for her. She went to pop-rock and won the mainstream audience. To her credit, though, Phair never strayed from her plans. Eventually, she was able to release her own audio cassettes under the name Girly-Sound.
She released her debut studio album Exile in Guyville back in 1993. Success was immediate for the singer and the album is even included in the list of the top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Liz sold over three million records worldwide and has been working today with other collaborators for a new song. Since then, she has also worked on scoring TV shows and even published fiction books under a random house.
Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple is one of the most successful singer-songwriters in the music industry. She has also been nominated for the Grammy awards multiple times and has won one to her credit. Aside from being beloved for the depth of her music, Apple has also maintained her relevancy throughout the years. She has even been cited as an inspiration for many new artists, including Billie Eilish. This exceptional singer has consistently been breaking into the top 15 on the US charts for four consecutive decades.
She made her debut in 1996 with the album Tidal, which contained songs written when she was only 17. Her song Criminal helped Apple gain widespread acclaim. Her follow-up album, When the Pawn…, received just as much success and was even certified platinum. Fiona Apple was most recently featured on Dylan’s 39th album, Rough And Rowdy Ways. She has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and has received numerous awards and nominations, including Grammy Awards, 2 MTV Music Video Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.
PJ Harvey
PJ Harvey is one of the most popular icons of the 90s. She made a name for herself, not just as a musical artist, but also as a multi-instrumentalist. Harvey’s career began after she joined Automatic Dlamini, a local band fronted by John Parish. Harvey and Parish would eventually become long-term collaborators. Contrary to what most people think, the band PJ Harvey isn’t just one person.
The trio was formed in 1991 and released two albums, Dry and Rid of Me before they eventually disbanded. Throughout the years, Harvey has received numerous accolades both for her collaborations and as a solo artist. To her credit, three of her albums were included in Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Harvey is the only artist to have been awarded Mercury Prize twice. She contributed to the music industry a lot and this is why she was awarded the Outstanding Contribution To Music Award at the NME Awards and MBE.
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman is best known for her songs, Fast Cars and Give Me One Reason. She is an American singer-songwriter born on March 30, 1964. Her namesake debut album was a multi-platinum hit worldwide and also earned her six Grammy nominations. She won four of those, including Best New Artist and Album of The Year. Suffice to say, listeners everywhere immediately recognized the talent that she has. Her early beginnings may have been rough, but Chapman proved that putting your investment into your passions will always pay off.
The singer-songwriter isn’t just active in the music scene, she is also known to support many different charities. This includes performing and attending various events such as amfAR, Make Poverty History, and AIDS/LifeCycle. Her most recent release is 2008’s Our Bright Future, which was nominated for Best Contemporary Folk Album at the Grammy’s. Throughout the years, she was able to showcase her amazing talents in singing.
Natalie Imbruglia
Singer-songwriter Natalie Imbruglia was one of the breakout stars of the 90s. Aside from music, did you know that Imbruglia was also a model and an actress? She appeared in the popular soap opera Neighbors, where she portrayed the character of Beth Brennan. Another fun fact about Imbruglia is that her biggest hit, Torn, is actually a cover of an original by Ednaspwap. Despite this fact, her version quickly rose to the top of the charts and brought her a huge degree of popularity.
In 1997, her debut album Left of the Middle was released, and much like the single, her album was also a chart-topper. The album sold 7 million copies across the world. It was followed by a successful string of releases, including White Lilies Island, Counting Down the Days, and Come to Life. Among the slew of honors she’s received are 8 ARIA awards, 2 British Music Awards, 1 Billboard Music Award, and 3 Grammy nominations.
Jewel
When it comes to the folk and country music genre, Jewel can be said to be one of its most influential artists. Her lyricism and catchy tunes helped her secure not just chart-toppers but also a place in the industry. Her voice and sound is very distinct, which made her even more memorable. Jewel got her big break in the 90s, earning many accolades for her debut album Pieces of You. It’s this album that brought us her most popular hits, including Who Will Save Your Soul, Foolish Games, and You Were Meant for Me.
By the early 2000s, Jewel was one of the biggest selling artists in the music industry. From waiting tables and needing loans to get by, the talented singer certainly managed to turn her life around. She has been nominated for four Grammy Awards. Her album continues to be one of the best-selling debut albums of all time and has sold over 30 million copies around the world.
Sinead O’Connor
Even at present, Sinead O’Connor’s remains one of the most memorable vocalists in the industry. She was born on December 8, 1966, and has achieved success in her music career. Her emotional ballads dominated during the late 80s and early 90s, making her one of its most iconic artists. She became famous in the late 1980s. O’Connor achieved global success in 1990. She made her debut with the album The Lion and the Cobra, which helped the Irish singer receive mainstream credit.
Surely, you’re familiar with her record-breaking single Nothing Compares 2 U. Since 1987, she has released over ten albums and has gone into various collaborations with other artists. This includes the likes of Massive Attack, Peter Gabriel, Moby, Terry Hall, and U2, among others. She had a brief hiatus during the early 2000s but came back stronger than ever in 2014 with her most recent album, I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss.
Sarah McLachlan
The Canadian songstress released her debut album Surfacing back in 1997. She is known for her emotional ballads and alto soprano tones. She received classical training in voice, piano, and guitar. Her debut album, Touch remains her best-selling album to date — it also earned her four Juno Awards and Two Grammy awards since its release. Aside from her investments in music, McLachlan is also the founder of the Lilith Fair Tour, which celebrated female musicians from around the globe.
It enjoyed popularity between 1997 and 1999, then resumed once more in 2010. One of McLachlan’s biggest hits is Angel, which managed to peak at number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. A considerable feat back then when there were no social media to promote it — back then, it was only an artist’s talent that could get them noticed. Her most recent release is 2016’s Wonderland. Her fans love her intense music and vocal range.
Lisa Loeb
If you thought getting in the charts was difficult for signed artists, can you imagine how much harder it must be for those who work independently? Yet, this was the achievement Lisa Loeb managed to accomplish back in the 90s. She was the first singer to do so and it’s all thanks to her hit song, Stay (I Missed You), which is a platinum-selling number 1 hit song. On top of topping the charts, the song was also featured in one of the decade’s most iconic films, Reality Bites.
This immediately gave her a degree of mainstream success and her follow-up tracks did not disappoint. Her studio albums include two back-to-back albums, both of which won gold medals. Aside from having a successful music career, Loeb is also an actress and does voice-over work. She even had guest-starring roles in the Gossip Girl season finale! Until today, she continues to work on songs and fans are hoping that she will release them soon.
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox began her career as part of The Tourists band and while she enjoyed moderate success with them, it wasn’t until the Eurythmics did she gain international fame. She was born on December 25, 1954; a Scottish songwriter, singer, philanthropist, and political activist. Lennox appeared in the 1983 music video — for what would be their worldwide hit — Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), and completely caught everyone’s eye.
From her bright orange hair to her sleek business suit, she showed a strong image and gave off electricity at the beginning. In 1992, she debuted as a solo artist and received much success thanks to her album, Diva. This was followed by her second studio album, Medusa, which gave us her most memorable tracks, including No More I Love You and A Whiter Shade of Pale. She won the reputation of “most successful female British artist in UK music history”.
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Norwood is an R&B singer from the ‘90s and is, undeniably, one of the most successful artists during the decade — credits to her family who loves music. While she had a strong competition, Brandy received plenty of accolades for her work—including Grammy nominations. She started her career as a back-up vocalist, before eventually signing with Atlantic Records in 1993. After the success of her self-titled debut album, which managed to sell six million copies worldwide, Norwood ventured into acting.
You might remember her from the popular sitcom Moesha, where Norwood played the title character. The show lasted six seasons and really pushed her toward the top. No more student loans for this talented singer! She would later win her first Grammy, thanks to her second album Never Say Never. She is known for her distinctive voice. Its unique timbre, sound layering, and complex improvisation have earned her the nickname “The Vocal Bible” by peers and critics in the industry.
Celine Dion
Celine Dion is an iconic singer known for her incomparable and powerful voice. The singer had humble roots and she described her childhood as being quite poor, financially. Though they may have needed loans to get by, it didn’t stop Dion from chasing her dream. Fortunately, her hard work eventually paid off. As one of the best singers at the time, she made several investments for her family.
She first gained international recognition after winning the 1982 Yamaha World Popular Song Festival. Dion also won the 1988 Eurovision contest—it was one of her many achievements before hitting it big with her debut album. Since then she has sold over 200 million records worldwide, topping multiple charts with her music. Who can ever forget her haunting performance of the Titanic theme song, My Heart Will Go On? Billboard named her the “Queen of Adult Contemporary” because she is the female with the most songs being played on the radio at the time.
Paula Cole
Paula Cole has a number of memorable tracks, but it was the single Where Have All The Cowboys Gone that really helped her secure mainstream success. In fact, thanks to the song, she managed to nab a spot in the Billboard Hot 100 chart back in 1997. Aside from climbing the charts, she was also recognized by the Grammy’s and was given the Best New Artist Award. We can’t think of a bigger credit than that, especially for someone new to the industry.
She became even more popular after her song I Don’t Want to Wait was used as the theme song for Dawson’s Creek. The show went on to become a massive success and as expected, her song also became one of the biggest hits of the 90s. Her songs sound soft and soulful — like they were made in the 1960s, and these songs speak for themselves. With her good credit report, she managed to maintain a $6 million net worth.
Jann Arden
During the 80s and early 90s, Jann Arden was one of the most famous singer-songwriters and actresses. Even today, her songs remain a favorite for many. This includes her signature tracks, Could I Be Your Girl and Insensitive. Her career began in 1985 after she was discovered by Neil MacGonigill. He acted as her manager and an executive producer for her earlier albums. The two shared investments from 1985 to 1998. Within that time, she worked on her albums and songs and became a renowned singer worldwide.
Arden’s critically acclaimed debut album, Time for Mercy, was released in 1993. This was followed by her single, I Would Die for You, which earned her six Alberta Recording Industry Awards. In 2018, she officially become a podcaster, after launching The Business of Life with Arlene Dickinson. In 2020, Arden was inducted by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Jennifer Paige
When it comes to the music industry, sometimes, all it takes is one hit song to really get things moving for an artist. This was certainly the case for Jennifer Paige. She scored a major hit in the ‘90s with her song Crush, which helped her gain the mainstream success that she needed to establish herself in the industry. With 700,000 copies of it sold and a gold certification not long after, Paige certainly didn’t have to worry about home mortgages anymore.
Her self-titled release in 1998 gave us the songs Questions, Get to Me, and Just to Have You. Her guitar-driven music and soft vocals were loved by many, including Billboard magazine who noted her ability to bring refreshing intensity to any song. Her moderate hit song Stranded was even released in Europe. This single had an immediate impact on radio stations in Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Scandinavia. She didn’t stop there as both singles became hits in Asia.
Joan Osborne
If you’re wondering just how talented one woman can be, look no further than Joan Osborne. She was originally from Anchorage, Kentucky, but transferred to New York to study filmmaking. Aside from being a singer-songwriter, she has also performed music in a variety of different genres. This includes country, pop, soul, rock, blues, and even R&B. Of course, she is still best known for her biggest hit to date, One of Us, which came from her debut album Relish.
Not only is the song a worldwide hit, but it also earned her seven Grammy nominations. Throughout the years, she has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry. This includes the likes of the Dixie Chicks, Trigger Happy, and even Dead. Her most recent musical credit saw her participating in 2017’s Songs of Bob Dylan. Similarly, she expressed admiration for American poetry, especially for the work of Walt Whitman – she said that poetry was the inspiration behind her songs.
Mandy Moore
The degree of her popularity may not have been as big as others, but Mandy Moore managed to firmly establish herself as a singer and actress. She started out like most teens her age, following the teenybopper mold. Soon after, she released her widely-successful debut single Candy. It catapulted her into fame and also peaked at 44 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut studio album, So Real was released in 1999 and earned her a platinum certification.
Her follow-up single, I Wanna Be With You, peaked at 24 on the charts and became one of her most popular tracks. Moore would also later venture into acting and would manage to land the lead role in the critically acclaimed film, A Walk to Remember. Since 2016, Moore has played Rebecca Pearson in the NBC family series This Is Us. Because of her performance, she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, as well as for a Primetime Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series. She won two Screen Actors Guild Best Performance Awards.
Meredith Brooks
Meredith Brooks is one of the biggest artists to come out of the ‘90s. She was born in Corvallis, Oregon, and is now 62 years old. The singer-songwriter won listeners over with her guitar-driven rock music, which was particularly catered towards women. From the beginning, Brooks was acknowledged for her talent and was even nominated for a Grammy Award back in 1997. She started her career in 1976, as a member of the band Sapphire.
They split up in 1982, which was then followed by Brooks moving to Los Angeles and establishing herself as a solo act.
Her album, Blurring the Edges, peaked at 22 on the Billboard 200, and since then, she has enjoyed relative success. She was even able to produce a single for Jennifer Love Hewitt. Brooks’ most recent credit was as co-writer for Bebe Rexha’s song I’m a Mess, which became a worldwide hit in 2018.
Shawn Colvin
From her flaming red hair to her haunting vocals, Shawn Colvin was one of the ’90’s most memorable figures. She has been a solo artist for decades and her success in the industry is extraordinary. Her 1997 single Sunny Came Home won her a Grammy, but it wouldn’t be the last accolade the artist would receive. Before hitting it big, Colvin used to busk and earned $30 for every 45-minute set. Not exactly the best way to earn investment money, but it helped her gain a local following.
Her rise to the top may not have been a smooth one, but after signing with Columbia Records and releasing her debut album Steady On in 1989, success was inevitable. Since then, she has had a string of successful hits and in 2019, Colvin was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. Colvin had been married twice — the first was in 1993 with Simon Tassano (they divorced in 1995), and the second was in 1997, with photographer Mario Erwin.
Sophie b. Hawkins
Sophie B. Hawkins is a singer-songwriter and painter. She previously attended the Manhattan School of Music as a percussionist before she decided to pursue a career in music. Sophie took risks to be a singer and although she faced struggles, her career made it through. Fortunately for her, she managed to achieve both commercial and critical success with her first two albums. From these albums came her most popular tracks, including As I Lay Me Down, Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover, and Right Beside You.
Besides being a talented musician, Hawkins is also a strong advocate of various environmental causes and animal rights. She even received an acting credit for portraying Janis Joplin in the play Room 105, as well as for guest-starring in the TV series Community. Her most recent release was in 2012 and fans are anticipating a comeback. Hawkins is a vegetarian and a long-time supporter of both animal rights and environmental causes.
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is, without a doubt, very popular to a wide range of audiences since she was not only a DJ and television presenter but an author and singer as well. She made her debut in 1981, with the single Kids in America. It gave Wilde the breakthrough she needed, allowing her to achieve mainstream success quite easily. The song itself was well-received by the charts and also earned her a Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist, with 17 UK Top 40 hit singles.
Kim has sold 20 million singles and over 10 million records worldwide. Since then, Wilde has continued to release a successful string of singles and albums. She became one of the biggest acts of the 80s, with 25 of her singles reaching the Top 50 of the U.K. Charts. She holds the record of being the most popular solo performance by a British woman in the 1980s. Fortunately, her investments in music still continue to this day.
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson’s name alone is iconic — and it’s not just because of her family name. She may have started out supporting her brothers, but she eventually managed to establish herself as a solo artist. Aside from her music, she is also a noted innovator, and the degree of influence that she had, even among new artists, is incomparable. In 1991, she signed her first multi-million dollar contract with Virgin Records.
This made her one of the highest-paid artists in the industry. Like her brother, Michael, she also has a successful career and made her name known over the world.
Since she made her debut, she’s managed to sell millions of records worldwide. Jackson also holds the distinction for having the most consecutive top-ten entries when it comes to the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Jackson has sold more than 100 million records and is one of the world’s best-selling music artists of all time.
Cyndi Lauper
If we’re talking innovators, we cannot leave out Cyndi Lauper. With a career spanning over 40 years, she has certainly contributed plenty to the industry. Lauper made her debut back in 1983 with the album She’s So Unusual. It gave her four top-five hits, making her the first female artist to achieve the feat. Her songs, Time After Time, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, She Bop, and All Through the Night charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
It also helped her earn the Best New Artist trophy at the 1985 Grammy Awards. Aside from her catchy songs, Lauper gained much attention for her unique style. Lauper is known for her distinctive image, her various hair colors, and quirky clothing. VH1 also ranked her at 58 in their list of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll. With her success, she made different investments in life including in various real estate properties.
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue is an Australian born British-Australian singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Her career started in the ‘80s and her song, The Locomotion, brought her fame. Kylie is the highest-selling Australian artist of all time and the European media has even credited her as the “Princess of Pop”. She has won many accolades over the years, including a Grammy. She was given credit for being the epitome of music and fashion and for her amazing style.
“Can’t Get Out of Trouble” became one of the most successful singles in the 2000s, with more than 5 million copies sold. As an actress, she made her film debut in the 1989 movie, The Delinquents. In 2018, her album Golden was released and reached the number one spot in the UK and Australia. She may have been at it for close to four decades, but Minogue is not about to retire. Some might argue she only gets better with age.
Madonna
Madonna Louise Ciccone, perhaps better known as the “Queen of Pop”, started her career as a band vocalist. She used to be a member of the bands, Breakfast Club, and Emmy and The Emmys. However, she found true success after becoming a solo artist. She released her self-titled debut album in 1983 to much acclaim. This was followed by her bestsellers, Like a Virgin, La Isla Bonita, and Like a Prayer.
Her most recent album Madame X was released in June 2019. She was named the greatest music video artist of all time by Billboard in 2020. Did you know that the singer used to work at a donut shop? Thanks to her talent, Madonna can use her investment money to help others instead. In 2006, Michael Berg and Madonna also helped establish the non-profit charity organization “Raising in Malawi”. Along with her fame, she never forgets to help people and she is an amazing example of an exceptional woman.
Debbie Gibson
Debbie Gibson is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and record producer. She was born on August 31, 1970, and in the span of her career, she never had to worry about gas expenses. Her single Foolish Beat made her the youngest female artist to rank in the Billboard Hot 100. You might be surprised to learn that she wrote and produced the track herself. In 1989, she followed it up with the album Electric Youth, which was eventually certified double-platinum.
In the same year, she was also given credit by ASCAP as the Songwriter of the Year. Throughout the 1990s to the early 2000s, she continued to release and record music. She was also on Broadway shows, including Grease, Les Miserables, and Beauty and the Beast. In 2017, after close to 25 years, she achieved her highest-charting hit with Girls Night Out. In addition to music and Broadway, she also starred in musicals and independent films.
Belinda Carlisle
Belinda Carlisle became famous worldwide as the lead vocalist of the band the Go-Gos. As you might already know, the group went on to become one of the most successful in the industry. In fact, they were able to sell 8 million albums within just three years of their debut. Thanks to her popularity with the group, Carlisle was able to establish a solo career quite easily. She already had a fanbase, after all.
The venture proved to be a major turning point. As a solo artist, she had a number of radio hits, including Leave a Light On, I Get Weak, Heaven Is a Place on Earth, and Circle in the Sand. She has also won a Grammy award to her credit. In addition to music, Carlisle’s autobiography was a New York Times Best Seller and it received favorable reviews. Not much is known about what she’s doing today, but maybe an album is in the works.
Paula Abdul
We may know her best as a judge for reality-TV talent shows, but Paul Abdul is an artist, first and foremost. She had been a dance choreographer for years, starting her career as a cheerleader for the LA Lakers at age 18. All thanks to her talent and investments in the craft, she gained prominence and slowly made her way up the ladder. It was The Jacksons who gave her a ticket to stardom. After choreographing one of Janet’s videos, she was eventually offered a recording contract.
She was intimidated at first, but after a few meetings with them, she got through and her choreography became famous since then. Did you know she’s even won a Grammy award for her award-winning song Opposites Attract? Her album sold over seven million copies worldwide and is still considered one of the most successful debuts at the time. Abdul is the first entertainer to receive a Hall of Fame award from the Nick Children’s Choice Award.
Kate Bush
English singer and songwriter Kate Bush made her musical debut when she was just 19 years old. Her first single, Wuthering Heights, topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks, making her the first female artist to rank first with a self-written song in the country. She has released ten albums throughout her career, including The Kick Inside, Never for Ever, The Sensual World, and 50 Words for Snow.
The 62-year-old singer is the recipient of various music accolades. In 2013, she was honored with the title, Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Bush remains active in the music industry and over her career, she has garnered various accolades for her apparent skills and services. Aside from building her credit score, she continues to shape her legacy in the world of music. Bush’s eclectic and experimental music style, unconventional lyrics, and literary themes have influenced various artists.
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John is one of the many Hollywood personalities who pursued both a recording career and a film career. Born on September 26, 1948, in Cambridge, UK, she made her way successfully in Hollywood. Her work further progressed after portraying Sandy in the musical film Grease, alongside John Travolta. The film’s soundtrack You’re the One That I Want, which she and Travolta performed, remains one of the best-selling singles in the U.S. Olivia has many solo recordings to her credit, and the song I Honestly Love You won Grammy’s Record of the Year.
Outside music and acting, Newton-John devotes her time advocating for environmental, health, and animal rights issues. She also established the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre. She has hosted many charity events and fundraising efforts. Her investment planning also spans the business field. The 72-year-old singer and actress now co-owns the Gaia Retreat & Spa in Australia. She has been married to entrepreneur John Easterling since 2008, a man who also helped her run her businesses.
Joan Jett
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Joan Jett became a prominent name in the music industry, thanks to her work in her band, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. The album I Love Rock-n-Roll was a career turning point for her and landed the singer at the top of the charts during the early ’80s. This album became number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in 1982. Her notable hit songs include Crimson and Clover, Light of Day, and I Hate Myself for Loving You.
Dubbed as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Jett continues to perform on tour with her band. Recently, she received credit in a documentary entitled Bad Reputation. In 2015, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A much-deserved recognition for the “Original Riot Grrrl”. She is described as the queen of rock and roll even until today — and, at 62, Joan Jett still actively performs all over the world.
Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan enjoyed a vibrant career during the late ’70s and ’80s. She started as the lead singer of the group Miami Sound Machine, which received credit for the international hit song, Conga. Conga also became Estefan’s signature song, but since then, she has released other hits such as Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Coming Out of the Dark, and Party Time. As of this date, the 63-year-old artist has sold over 130 million records worldwide and has managed to acquire seven Grammy Awards.
Throughout the years, Estefan has also ventured into writing children’s books, including Noelle’s Treasure Tale. And, in fact, she became a two-times New York Times best-selling author of children’s books. She also collaborated with her husband in writing a cookbook, which contained 60 traditional Cuban recipes. In May 2020, the renowned singer wrote the musical piece We Needed Time, proving that her talent is unfading.
Bonnie Tyler
Known for her distinctive husky voice, Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has been in the music scene since the late ’60s. It is without a doubt that her biggest hit is Total Eclipse of the Heart. Even today, many consider this song their favorite. Her other hits include It’s a Heartache and Holding Out for a Hero. Over her career, she has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and three Brit Awards, as well as a slew of other honors.
While she’s still actively creating music, it was reported that she will soon release her new album The Best Is Yet To Come on February 26, 2021. Tyler is also passionate about real estate investments. Together with her husband, they own 22 houses in London and Berkshire, farmlands in New Zealand and Portugal, and more than 50 stables that offer horse boarding services. The couple revealed in a 2013 interview that they also own a quarry.
Sade
Helen Folasade Adu, known professionally as Sade, is one of the industry’s most unique vocalists. In the beginning, to avoid student loans, she worked as a backup singer for the band Pride. It was during her solo performance of the song Smooth Operator that she caught the attention of record company executives. Eventually, she formed her own band called Eponymous and released the songs No Ordinary Love and Soldier of Love.
The band went on hiatus in 2000 and 2010, but Sade continued working on music. In 2018, the band made a comeback and released Flower of the Universe, which became the soundtrack of the Disney film A Wrinkle in Time. In 2017, the 61-year-old singer and songwriter were appointed a CBE for her services to music. Certainly, there is no doubt that Sade is one of the most famous British female artists in the long history of music.
Pat Benatar
From an early age, Pat Benatar showed interest in theater and performing, so her family enrolled her in voice lessons at eight years old. She initially planned to attend the Juilliard School but studied health education at Stony Brook University instead. In the ’70s, she decided to finally pursue a singing career after being inspired by Liza Minnelli. It didn’t take long for Benatar to make a name for herself.
She gained further popularity after releasing hit songs such as Hit Me with Your Best Shot, Little Too Late, Invincible and Love Is a Battlefield. She became a four-time Grammy Award winner, with five platinum albums and two RIAA-certified multi-platinum albums. But that’s not all, because Pat also had eight consecutive Platinum albums in Canada. Today, the 68-year-old artist continues to go on music tours, which helps maintain her credit score and continues to be one of the most in-demand veteran singers.
Chaka Khan
Dubbed as the “Queen of Funk,” Chaka Khan is credited as the first R&B artist to have had a crossover track that featured a rapper. The song I Feel for You was released in 1984. Over the span of her career, she has won ten Grammy Awards, achieved one platinum album, and sold an estimated 70 million records worldwide. She has been nominated for a solo rock singing award twice and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame four times by Rufus represented by Chafu Khan.
Khan has received much credit, but did you know she started out as the frontwoman for the band Rufus? In the late ’70s, however, she decided to pursue a solo career. At present, the 67-year-old singer still devotes her time to the music. In fact, she collaborated with Ariana Grande on the 2019 song Nobody and joined season 3 of The Masked Singer, a reality singing competition show.
Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry’s path to stardom was difficult and she spent most of her twenties working multiple odd jobs to avoid needing personal loans. In the early ’70s, her musical career started gaining traction after she met Chris Stein. They formed the rock band Blondie and reached international fame, thanks to their single Heart of Glass. They even managed to have their names in the US and UK charts from 1979 up to 2017. The punk rock band also received much attention because of Harry’s creative musical style and her iconic look.
Harry continues to perform on tours, though sporadically. Her other investments include publishing three books, among which is her autobiography. The 75-year-old musician has never married, has no children, and has dedicated her life to music and acting. And since her time under the spotlight, she loves collecting fanart even until today. Debbi also recently appeared in the 2020 show High Fidelity.
Marta Marrero
Marta Marrero, professionally known as Martika, rose to fame in the late ’80s and early ’90s. The singer-songwriter and actress released her debut self-titled studio album in 1988, and it topped the music charts. In fact, between those years, she managed to sell over four million copies of her albums worldwide. Her subsequent album also reached international success. Her biggest hit was Toy Soldiers, which rapper Eminem sampled in his 2004 version Like Toy Soldiers.
After leaving the music industry due to both fatigue and the burden of becoming famous, she finally disappeared from the public eye in 1992. As an actress, Martika is known for her role as Gloria on Kids Incorporated. In the 2000s, she co-produced a web-based television show, J8ded. Her latest project was in 2016 in the “Totally 80s Tour” in Australia, where she performed with artists like Paul Lekakis and Berlin. She currently lives in Dayton, Ohio, with her husband, musician Michael Mozart.
Lita Ford
Lita Ford started playing the guitar when she was only eleven years old. At sixteen, she was invited to join the all-female rock band, The Runaways. The band became immensely popular in the ’70s and later split up, so Ford was free to pursue a solo career in 1980. She then released her solo albums, Lita and Dancin’ on the Edge, which were both commercially successful.
Ford went on a 15-year hiatus then reemerged with a new album in 2009.
In 2016, she released her latest album, Time Capsule, which contained a collection of her recordings with Gene Simmons, Bruce Kulick, Dave Navarro, and Jeff Scott Soto. In 2018, she ventured into business and put investments into Lita Ford Guitars, a company that specializes in creating customs for both her fans and individual musicians. Clearly, Lita is still unstoppable when it comes to music. She might not have released any albums yet, but she is certainly enjoying her free time now.
Shannon
Brenda Shannon Greene, known professionally as Shannon, rose to prominence for her single Let the Music Play, which topped the Billboard charts in the early ’80s. She also received credit for creating “the Shannon Sound,” which would later be known as freestyle music. Shannon was nominated for a Grammy Award and won many other awards, including the Dina Washington (Jack the Rapper) Award, Hall of Fame Award, Ampex Reel Gold Award, and Best Billboard Top Ten Female R&B Lead Vocal.
Shannon’s last album was released in 2006 and is called A Beauty Returns. That same year, she joined the Freestyle Extravaganza concert with artists Stevie B, Lisa Lisa, and Cult Jam, Coro, and The Cover Girls. The 62-year-old musician has never married and has no children. Instead, she focused on creating what she loves the most. Today, Shannon still occasionally performs shows around the world and makes herself known to the modern generation. And she does this because she is still a voting member of the Grammy Recording Academy.
Stacey Q
Stacey Lynn Swain, popularly known as Stacey Q, made it big in the music scene in the ’80s. She is famous for her single Two of Hearts, which made it to the top three in the Billboard charts and made it to the Top 10 in six countries. Her other hit songs include Don’t Make a Fool of Yourself, We Connect, and Insecurity. Her dancing style is unique and has won the love of many audiences.
She went on to have a successful film and TV career, receiving credit for her roles in Playing the Odds and Cavegirl. In 2016, Stacey Q went on to release a few new songs on iTunes, together with Scott Larson. This digital trend to publishing her new music continues at present and is well-received. Her band, SSQ, also recently released a full-length album called Jet Town Je time. Now she lives in California, enjoying her private life — she is still active in the recording industry, however.
Diana Ross
Legendary singer and actress Diana Ross has achieved high acclaim in the music industry. Initially a member of the singing group The Supremes in the ’60s (which was one of the best-selling girl groups at the time), Ross later embarked on an extremely successful solo career. Her hit songs I’m Coming Out, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, and Endless Love can vouch for that. Now 76 years old, the Detroit native continues to tour and is nowhere near retirement yet.
She also performs in Las Vegas hotels. In May 2020, Ross released the album Supertonic: Mixes, a collection of her greatest hits remixed by American DJ Eric Kupper. Two months after, the album was released on crystal-clear vinyl LP and CD. Ross’ degree of dedication to her craft is undoubtedly off the charts. Undoubtedly, Diana Ross is still the phenomenon that we all know and love and she will remain so for years to come.
Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks is best known for her involvement with Fleetwood Mac. She is iconic for both her mystical stage persona and poetic lyrics. The way she incorporates a fast vibrato to her singing lends a dreamier and more unique sound to her music. Her songs Gypsy, Dreams, Landslide, and Everywhere, were all best-sellers and helped her to further elevate her popularity in the industry over the years.
The 72-year-old musician is among Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. Nicks has yet to retire and even once served as the adviser for Adam Levine’s team in the singing competition show The Voice. In 2020, she announced the release of her new live album and boosted her credit report after participating in the 2020 concert film, 24 Karat Gold Tour. Currently, she is still very active on all her social media accounts. Nicks also devotes her time and efforts to charitable causes.
Cher
American singer Cher is widely regarded as a cultural icon and is commonly referred to as the “Goddess of Pop.” With a career lasting almost five decades, she has garnered various accolades, including a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, three Golden Globes, and more. Cher used to work as Sonny Bono’s housekeeper and was his former backup singer before she pursued a career as a soloist.
Aside from music, Cher has also embarked on a career in film and television. Recent films to her credit include Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Zookeeper, and of course, Burlesque. She continues to perform in a concert residency in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Oxon Hill. Cher maybe 74 years old now, but she continues to be unstoppable. So far, Cher has sold 100 million records and is one of the best-selling music artists in the world. There is no doubt that she is one of the most successful entertainers.
Dolly Parton
As a singer, songwriter, author, actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur－ Dolly Parton certainly does it all! The country music legend has a career spanning six decades, and her portfolio boasts eleven Grammy Awards, twelve Academy of Country Music Association Awards, and many more. Parton is also a recipient of the Honorary Doctorate of Humane and Musical Letters Degree from the University of Tennessee.
Now 74 years old, there’s no stopping the Tennessee native from achieving more. In 2020, she released a brand new song entitled When Life Is Good Again, and its music video premiered on TIME 100 talks. She also released a holiday album, A Holly Dolly Christmas. During her entire career, Parton has produced more than sixty music albums, which is a record-breaker. In one interview, she announced that she will be releasing her secret song 24 years from now — unfortunately, we’ll all have to wait until 2045 to hear it.
Tina Turner
One of the best-selling female artists of all time, Tina Turner has been hailed as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll by fans and audiences alike. She rose to fame as part of the Ike & Tina Turner duo before launching her solo career. And when she did, her first solo album won three Grammy Awards and sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. Certainly, she always brought electricity on stage, and she found fame with her songs, Proud Mary, Private Dancer, and What’s Love Got to Do with It.
Of course, we all know Turner is distinctive for her powerful vocals and impressive dancing. Would you believe she’s been in the industry for over sixty years? Unbelievable, right? Although the 81-year-old singer has significantly lessened her stage performances, she keeps busy by writing and publishing books, among which are My Love Story and I and Tina: My Life Story.
Samantha Fox
In her early career, Samantha Fox worked as a fashion model. At the time, she was well-known for being the “pin-up girl” of her generation. In fact, at just 16 years old, she was already famous in the industry. She already started appearing in tabloids at the time. Fox was, to her credit, also one of the most photographed women in Great Britain during the ’80s. It wasn’t until 1986 when she started a pop music career.
A few of her songs, including I, Want to Have Some Fun, reached the top 10 on the Billboard charts. The 54-year-old model-turned-singer has also appeared in reality-television shows and films. During the 2010s, she took part in fundraising events and charity. She also participated in the British reality show, Celebrity Big Brother, where she finished seventh place. Since then, she has also appeared in other movies and reality TV shows, and even occasionally served as a TV host.
Tiffany
Former teen-idol-turned-singer Tiffany Renee Darwish, known magnanimously by her first name, is famous for her rendition of the 1967 Beatle’s song, I Think We’re Alone Now. Her version of The Beatles’ I Saw Her Standing There was also well-loved by many. She found commercial success and would go on to release eight studio albums, which would eventually catapult her to superstardom.
Aside from music, she has guest-starred on a few reality television shows, such as I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and Celebrity Fit Club. Tiffany also received acting credits from several horror and science fiction films, including Mega Piranha and Necrosis. At present, the 49-year-old singer continues to go on tours. In 2020, she got the opportunity to perform one of the songs in the soundtrack for the Netflix film Love, Guaranteed. She also managed to release her first-ever Christmas album in December of the same year.
Drew Barrymore
American actress Drew Barrymore has been in the limelight for almost her entire life. Her memorable performance as a child star in the films E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial and Firestarter captured our hearts. Following her performance in Charlie’s Angels, 50 First Dates, and Never Been Kissed, she gained international prominence. For her starring role in the film Music and Lyrics, she reportedly earned $15 million.
In the mid-’90s, Barrymore had various investments, including in the production company Flower Films. The company owns the film rights to Charlie’s Angels, so you can imagine how wealthy the 45-year-old actress is now. Barrymore also launched her own talk show in 2020, The Drew Barrymore Show. Expect her in the upcoming comedy film, The Stand-In, along with actors T.J. Miller and Michael Zegen. It’s been reported that, after having created a legacy in the entertainment industry, Drew Barrymore is now focused on her daughters.
Corey Feldman
The ’80s were the peak years of Corey Feldman’s acting career. He was one of the most sought-after teen stars of his generation. He appeared in more than 100 TV commercials and 50 TV series. His roles in Gremlins, The Goonies, and Stand by Me garnered him wide acclaim. Feldman also received credit for appearing in over 100 television commercials and numerous TV shows, such as The Bad News Bears, Eight Is Enough, Cheers, and Mork & Mindy.
As an adult, he continued appearing in independent films. He also created a musical group called Corey’s Angels, which turned out to be unsuccessful. The 49-year-old actor’s most recent television appearance was in the 2019 show Marriage Boot Camp. He also starred in a 2020 American documentary film that focused on him and fellow actor Corey Haim. It’s amazing that all of the success he was able to achieve started when he landed a role in a Mcdonald’s commercial.
Mr. T
Mr. T, or Lawrence Tureaud in real life, came to the limelight as a wrestler but achieved international success as an actor. He gets credit for his performance in the ’80s TV show The A-Team. He also appeared in Rocky III, alongside Sylvester Stallone. Mr. T’s catchphrase, “I pity the fool!” in the film, eventually turned into his trademark. Did you know he used to work as a bodyguard for high-profile personalities like Michael Jackson, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Diana Ross?
Following his appearance in Rocky III, he gained even more prominence and firmly established himself as an actor. His most recent TV appearance, however, was on season 24 of Dancing with the Stars, where he was applauded for skillfully dancing the waltz to Amazing Grace. Now that Mr. T is 68-years old, he’s now seemingly retired. It looks like the professional wrestler and a veteran prefers to spend most of his time with his family.
Michael J Fox
We’re sure that fans from Generation X recognize this guy. Canadian-American actor Michael J. Fox began his career in film and TV back in the ’70s. He became a household name after portraying Alex P. Keaton in the sitcom Family Ties. However, he is most loved for his starring role in the Back to the Future trilogy. In the 2000s, he continued to appear in films, including in Interstate 60 and Back in Time. He also portrayed a lawyer in two TV shows: The Good Wife and Designated Survivor.
Unfortunately, in late 2020, Fox announced that he would have to retire from acting due to his current health issues. The 59-year-old actor has been married to his Family Ties co-star Tracy Pollan since 1988. He was also elected to the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2000. Due to deteriorating health, Fox decided to step away from the spotlight in 2020 and put his money in some worthy investments.
Matt Dillon
The New York native, actor Matt Dillon, made his film debut in Over the Edge in the late ’70s. By the 1980s, he grew even more popular among the young adult and teenage audience. Dillon landed roles in some of the decade’s biggest films, including Little Darlings, Rumble Fish, The Flamingo Kid, and The Outsiders. For his performance in the crime drama film Crash, he was nominated for more than a dozen awards including a Screen Actors Guild Award — he became one of the most respected veteran actors in the industry.
Now 56 years old, the actor continues to appear in films, though sporadically. His other film and TV credits include You, Me and Dupree, City of Ghosts, and Modern Family. However, Dillon still has no “modern family” of his own but has been dating Roberta Mastromichele for several years now. Regardless, it seems that he’s not ready to retire soon.
Matthew Broderick
Matthew Broderick might be better known today as a husband and father, but prior to settling down, he was one of the most successful actors in the industry. The degree of dedication and hard work he puts into his craft is impressive. Broderick is widely praised for his leading role in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and for his continued Broadway work. Did you know that he also voiced Simba in Disney’s The Lion King?
He has even bagged two Tony Awards, one for Best Actor in a Musical, and one for Best Featured Actor in a Play. The veteran 58-year-old actor is still very active in the entertainment industry, despite that he seems to be taking on much smaller roles than before. Broderick was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2017. His most recent work is in the 2020 comedy play, Plaza Suite, where he portrayed Roy Hubley.
Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey enjoyed a vibrant career during the 80s and a revival of it thanks to his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd in Grey’s Anatomy. While it’s not known to many, Dempsey already had early success as an actor and he even starred in a slew of romantic comedy films, including Loverboy, Can’t Buy Me Love, Sweet Home Alabama, Enchanted, Made of Honor, and more. Due to his hard work over the years, he managed to bring in 8 prestigious awards.
Following his departure from Grey’s Anatomy, the 54-year-old actor focused on his investments in TV production. Outside acting, he enjoys auto racing and has a vintage car and sports car collection. He regularly participates in racing events, such as the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and 24 Hours of Le Man. Indeed, he has been devoting himself full time to motorsports and has become pretty popular among racing fans. Way to go, Mr. Dempsey!
Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon has shown his versatility in acting over the years, portraying both dark and family-friendly roles. He is notable for his performance in Footloose, Apollo 13, The Woodsman, Frost/Nixon, and the lawyer drama A Few Good Men. Throughout his Hollywood career, the actor has won countless awards, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Saturn Award, to name a few. Kevin Bacon also finds has an interest in music, in fact, he created a band together with his brother Michael and called it The Bacon Brothers.
The 62-year-old actor received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003 for his contributions to the film industry. He still appears in television shows, such as the crime thrillers The Following and City on a Hill. Bacon has been happily married to actress Kyra Sedgwick since the late ’80s, and they have two wonderful children together, Travis and Sosie Ruth.
Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe became a household name in the ’80s and is most celebrated for his role on the television shows Parks and Recreation and The West Wing. During the ’80s, he established himself as a teen idol and was a member of the Brat Pack, a group of teen actresses and actors who often appeared together in teen-oriented films. Other members of this celebrity group were Emilio Estevez, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, and more.
To this day, Lowe stars in various television shows, including the medical drama Code Black and the police procedural 9-1-1: Lone Star. In 2018, the 56-year-old actor received credit for his directorial debut for the television film, The Bad Seed, a remake of the original movie from 1956. He was able to make it a huge success. It’s incredible that Rob Lowe was as young as he was when he started in Hollywood.
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, who is more popularly known as Tom Cruise, is a superstar in the world of cinema. He received his big break in the early ’80s with the film Risky Business, then later scored other box office successes in the years that followed. This includes the films Top Gun, Mission: Impossible, and Jerry Maguire. As of 2020, his movies have grossed over $10.1 billion worldwide.
Imagine being his financial advisor－ you’d definitely have a lot of work on your plate! The 58-year-old actor is nearing retirement age, but it seems that he doesn’t want to quit the show business just yet. Cruise is set to appear in the 2021 remake of Top Gun and on the 7th installment of Mission Impossible. Does this guy ever get tired? We don’t think so. What’s certain is that he will be doing a lot more projects in the future.
Alyssa Milano
Remember the ’80s sitcom Who’s the Boss? It’s the show where Alyssa Milano made her acting debut and portrayed Samantha Micelli, the daughter of Tony Danza’s character. In the succeeding years, the actress appeared in a variety of television series, including the noteworthy Melrose Place and Charmed. At the peak of her career, while filming Charmed, she reportedly earned $90,000 per episode, which means she probably didn’t need personal loans at the time.
Milano also appeared in films such as Below Utopia, The Blue Hour, and Little Italy. Today, she still occasionally appears on television shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Romantically Challenged. The 48-year-old actress has been married to Creative Artists Agency agent David Bugliari since 2009, and they have two amazing kids together, Milo Thomas Bugliari and Elizabeth Dylan Bugliar. Despite that she’s not as focused on acting as she used to be, she is still pretty popular because of her youthful looks and her phenomenal talent.
John Cusack
John Cusack came from a family of actors. He is an American actor and writer. He has a net worth of $50 million. His father is filmmaker Dick Cusack, and his siblings are actresses Joan and Ann Cusack. He established a career in various film genres and was a heartthrob in the ’80s and ’90s. His romantic comedy films High Fidelity, Serendipity, Sixteen Candles, and Say Anything… launched him as Hollywood’s “dream guy”.
Cusack has over 85 film and TV show roles to his credit. Since his debut, he has also ventured into screenwriting and film production. Now, the 54-year-old actor is a proud political activist. The last show he’s reportedly been involved with is the 2020 science fiction drama Utopia, where he plays Dr. Kevin Christie. Some people say that actors have an “expiration date”, but people like Cusack have consistently proven otherwise. Indeed, you can expect him to be involved with another big production soon.
Demi Moore
She’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood. Demi Moore had a vibrant acting career in the ’90s. She also holds the distinction of being one of the highest-paid actresses at the time. Moore earned $11 million for G.I. Jane, $5 million for Indecent Proposal, $7 million for The Scarlet Letter, $3 million for A Few Good Men, and $7 million for The Juror. She also earned significantly as a film producer.
In case you don’t know, she produced all three installments of the spy comedy Austin Powers. One thing’s for sure, she’s really smart when it comes to investment planning. In 1996, Moore became the highest-paid actress in film history. Her net worth is US$200 million. Since the early 1990s, she has been one of Hollywood’s top actresses. The 58-year-old actress continues to maintain her A-list status to this day. She has two upcoming films Songbird and Please Baby Please.
Anthony Michael Hall
Anthony Michael Hall etched his name in the entertainment industry in the ’80s when he starred in numerous teen-oriented films, including The Breakfast Club and Weird Science. To escape being typecast in the geek roles he often portrayed in film and TV, he began to make a career investment in more serious projects such as Out of Bounds, Edward Scissorhands, and Six Degrees of Separation. He also portrayed Microsoft founder Bill Gates in Pirates of Silicon Valley.
Outside acting, he wanted to be of service to the public. He used his fame for the good and established The Anthony Michael Hall Literacy Club, which aims to assist at-risk youth through a literacy program. He has also ventured and explored the other side of the industry and dived into the world of music. He then formed the band Hall of Mirrors. The 52-year-old actor often makes guest appearances on television shows and has an upcoming film entitled Halloween Kills.
Emilio Estevez
Emilio Estevez is a member of the Brat Pack, a group of teen actors who frequently appeared together in movies during the ’80s. The 58-year-old is the son of actor Martin Sheen and the brother of Charlie Sheen. He has appeared in several films such as St. Elmo’s Fire, The Breakfast Club, and The Outsiders. Estevez was the lead star in the highly-successful film series The Mighty Ducks in the 1990s.
While his career in acting mellowed down, he opted to delve into the other side of the camera. He did not stop feeding his passion for making movies, so he focused on directing. With that said, he has received directorial credit for some episodes of CSI: NY, The Guardian, and Close to Home. Reports say that he is said to be reprising his role in the upcoming remake of The Mighty Ducks. We’re certain that many Mighty Ducks fans who now have children of their own can’t wait for the bout of nostalgia.
Andrew McCarthy
American actor Andrew McCarthy is another member of the renowned group of teen actors in the ’80s, the Brat Pack. He starred in Less Than Zero, Pretty in Pink, and St. Elmo’s Fire, alongside Emilio Estevez and Molly Ringwald. The 57-year-old also carved out a successful career in directing, all the more increasing his credit score. He is acclaimed for his work in the Emmy Award-winning comedy-drama television series Orange Is the New Black.
McCarthy is a skilled writer as well but has said that travel writing is the kind of writing that he likes above all. He is currently an editor for National Geographic Traveler magazine. While McCarthy still occasionally does acting and has recently appeared on 13 Reasons Why and Good Girls, the actor is more than happy and contented with his personal life. McCarthy has been married to the love of his life, Dolores Rice, since 2011, and they have three adorable kids together.
Molly Ringwald
Her role as Molly in The Facts of Life launched her career in show business. Molly Ringwald is one of the most celebrated stars of her generation and she is considered one of the most talented actresses in the industry. Credits to her talents and for her frequent collaborations with filmmaker John Hughes, who gave her leading roles in films such as The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Pretty in Pink.
During the height of her career, not only did she land on many other gigs but she also ranked number 1 on the list of 100 Greatest Teen Stars by VH1. Now 52 years old, the actress continues to work in the industry and has several films lined up. It only shows that this actress is still as effective as she was. Ringwald has become a huge influence on the present generation of teen actors, who want to emulate her enthusiasm and passion for acting.