The siren song of Hollywood has been made up of a lot of leading ladies, luring starlit gazes with their beauty and talent spanning generations. In this article, we take a closer look at the 10 hottest Hollywood actresses from the 1980s and see how they stacks up against today’s hottest actresses, still turning heads in Hollywood.
Michelle Pfeiffer
Peregrinating from appetizing to horrible, and bouncing between genres, Michele Pfeiffer emerged on the curveballing national zeitgeist radar in the 1980s, and in many ways defined that decade by bringing class to the maniac rounds of Scarface (1983) and The Witches of Eastwick (1987). She is arguably best known as Elvira Hancock in Scarface, a role she imbued with idealized sex appeal and nagging vulnerability. Michelle Pfeiffer is ageless and talented and a Hollywood legend.
Demi Moore
The 1980s were Demi Moore’s time, when she became a star in St. Elmo’s Fire (1985) and About Last Night (1986). With her dazzling features and transformative roles, she seemed born to be an actress of her decade. Moore also influenced and was influenced by fashion trends and was part of the “Brat Pack,” a group of young actors who rose to prominence in Hollywood during the same period.
Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields starred in The Blue Lagoon (1980) and Endless Love (1981), which made her one of America’s top commercial stars in the 1980s. Audiences were taken with her natural beauty and on-screen charisma, and she made the seamless transition from child star to leading actress. Shields also had a huge influence on modeling and fashion, making her a multi-faceted icon of the decade.
Kim Basinger
Kim Basinger was one of the undeniable goddesses of the ’80s, leaving her mark in 9½ Weeks (1986) and Batman (1989). Her sexiness and acting ability brought her both acclaim and a permanent place in Hollywood history. Basinger’s performance as Vicki Vale embodied both beauty and depth, and helped make Batman a hit.
Kathleen Turner
Kathleen Turner, best known for her sultry voice and regal presence, was a major force in the 1980s with Body Heat and Romancing the Stone. Her performances married sensuality and strength, earning her status as one of the era’s most magnetic actresses. Turner soon proved to be a versatile actor, taking on a variety of sources from thrillers to comedies that made her an established figure in Hollywood.
Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaver helped define the female action hero as Ellen Ripley in the Alien series, especially in Aliens (1986). Her combination of beauty, brains and grit raised the bar for Hollywood leading women. Weaver was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance, which helped showcase both the character’s cultural impact and Weaver’s ultra-viola skills.
Heather Locklear
Heather Locklear became a television sensation in the 1980s with her parts in Dynasty and T.J. Hooker. With her striking beauty and irresistible stage presence, she quickly became a hit with the crowds, and remained a Hollywood powerhouse into the 1990s. Her impact also transcended the TV screen, with fans across the globe adopting Locklear’s signature fashion sense.
Meg Ryan
Meg Ryan’s girl-next-door personality and infectious smile shined bright from the late 1980s through 1990s, with movies like When Harry Met Sally… (1989) proving her romantic comedic chops. Her roles became hits and she was one of the most popular actresses of her time. Ryan’s imprint on romantic comedies made them a standard in the decades that followed.
Phoebe Cates
Phoebe Cates won hearts in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and Gremlins (1984). Her aesthetic and screen presence made her an unforgettable figure of the 1980s, and her performances were seared into the memory of a generation of audiences. Cates’s famous pool scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High lives on as a cultural touchstone.
Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Connelly starts her career as a child actress also became famous in the 1980s in Labyrinth (1986). With her angelic looks and ability, she was destined for a career that has lasted until now. The young starlet with an early career is in part trumped by the acclaimed actress she grew up to become.