Famous People of The 1980s

Micheal Jackson

The most famous person of the 1980s was MJ. His 1982 album, Thriller, was released in November 1982. Is sold a million copies a week worldwide. In about a year, it became the best selling album of all time. It has sales now estimated to be between 47 and 108 million copies worldwide. It is the first record to reach #1 in the US and the UK at the same time. All but three of the albums nine songs reached the Billboard top 10. It also won six Grammy Awards at the 1984 Grammys.
His fame was so ridiculous (and still is) that he could not go anywhere without being nearly killed by fans. His fans adoration was sacrilegious and delirious. It was his

Madonna

She was a young pop singer that captured the hearts of 80s youth around the world. She had the same commercial pop appeal as Britney Spears had in the early 2000’s. Her body of work had kind of redefined her earlier work. She’s evolved quite a bit since those early days. She now more famous than she ever was.

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan is not merely a famous person of the 1980s, he is an American ICON. Reqardless of what you think about his politics or his presidency, there is no disputing his fame. And it’s no wonder Ronald Reagan is one of the most famous people of the 1980s. He was a successful actor before getting into politics. He was Governor of California (the most populated state in the US) and, of course, the 40th President of the United States. He wasn’t just any president of the Unites States. He was one of the most charismatic and influential in the direction of the United States and the world. He is often attributed with the fall of the USSR, the tearing down of the Berlin wall, and the end of the Cold War. Is a mere coincidence that these things happened during his presidency and not Jimmy Carters (predecessors) or George H. W. Bush (successor).

Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev

Like Ronald Reagan Gorbachev is a cultural ICON, something embedded forever in the human psyche not merely “famous person of the 1980s”. He is the great reformer of the USSR and could be said to have single handedly end the Cold War. As great as all this sounds, it was his initiatives to democratize the USSR that brought the world power to its knees economically. Something that may have been inevitable for the countries change.

Eddie Murphy

In the 80s, Eddie Murphy was an unstoppable comedian. Aside from being the funniest guy on Saturday Night Live in the 80s, he had a handful of instant classic movies: 48hrs, Beverly Hills Cop (I & II), Trading Places, The Golden Child, Harlem Nights and Coming to America). His stand up is legend (RAW and Delirious).

1985 Chicago Bears
They made a rap song, create a dance and had a guy named William “Refrigerator” Perry.. oh, yeah, they also won the Super Bowl.

Don Johnson
Don Johnson might have been the coolest human being on Earth when he did Miami Vice in the 80’s.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Hottest Women Of the 80’s? Common Maxim

The Digg submitter noted: “These lovely women stoked the hormones of every teenage boy in the 80s, sadly their time in the spotlight ended with hammer pants.”

I’ll admit Leslie Easterbrook Defining who played Sgt. Debbie Callahan in Police Academy was racked out, and Kelly LeBrock who was Lisa in Weird Science was shag-a-licious, but where is the SMOKIN’ Hot Jennifer Beals (chick from flashdance), where is Brook Sheilds (who clearly owned the ’80s).

Although the ladies are good looking the commenters on digg got it right:
–Renamed: “Most Forgettable Women of 80’s Films”
–No Elizabeth Shue, No digg

Maxim… upgrade your 80’s game.. don’t leave me limp. I am your neighbor.

read more | digg story

Popularity: 19% [?]

Technorati Tags: 80s, Leslie Easterbrook, Sgt. Debbie Callahan, Police Academy, Kelly LeBrock, Weird Science, Jennifer Beals, flashdance, Maxim

Top 9 Cool Kids (Groups & Duo’s) from the 80s

Corey Haim & Corey Feldman

The Corey’s were perhaps the coolest kids of the 80’s. With movies like Dream a Little Dream, License to Drive, and the Lost Boys how can you NOT be cool. Their string of successful movies in the 80’s put them on the top of the list. These movies are not only a success, they are classics. Feldman even hung out with Micheal Jackson. This was an instant coolness factor in the 80s.

Alex P. Keaton (Micheal J. Fox)

Alex P. Keaton was a young business minded conservative (baby neo-con). He was always trying to find a new angle to make money and slip in a political view or two.

While this doesn’t sound like a cool character, Micheal J. Fox made it work. He was a bit of a scheming master mind like Ferris Bueller. The Alex P. Keaton character went on to become a Congressman… Republican of course.

Ricky Shroder (Silver Spoons) & Alberto Ribeiro

Ricky Shroder had the looks & Alfonso Ribeiro had the moves. As 80’s kids we wanted to be both of them. We wanted to be rich like Ricky Statton and be able to break dance like Alfonso Spears. Aside from the “lap of luxury” house, I remember all of Ricky’s cool toys.

Molly Ringwald

Breakfast Club, Breakfast Club, Breakfast club. Sure she was hot (IS HOT) in everything she has been in but Molly is eclipsed by the Breakfast Club. Its a cult classic. It will never die. It will be here after you me and Molly are gone. In the 80’s Molly usually played the cute and/or popular teen trying to over come basic teenage problems.

Mike Seaver (Kirk Cameron)

Kirk Cameron used to symbolize the coolest of the cool. Now he symbolizes Evangelical Christian fundamentalism. In the 80’s Kirk Cameron was Mike Seaver a handsome, sly teen who always had very good looking girls after him.

Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk was born ’68 which means he was a teen in the 80’s. Even back then he was a house hold name.

Menudo

People seem to have forgotten how cool these kids were. I guess some 90’s one hit wonder named “Ricky Martin” used to be in Menudo, but his temporary success pales in comparison to the fame these kids had (sarcasm). I recall the little train dance they used to do that drove the girls crazy. I used to think it was cool but now it looks slightly disturbing.

New Edition

They were the closest thing to the Jackson 5 that the 80’s could produce. Instead of Micheal Jackson they had Bobby Brown. It was Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, and Ricky Bell and rappers Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe — “Coolness Confirmed”. They also started the wave of modern boy bands… The Terminator might have to travel back and take them out for that.

Ferris Bueller

What kid wouldn’t want to hack into the schools computers and change their grades, skip school and sing in a parade.

Honorable mention:
Joey Lawerence
Debbie Gibson
Ernie Reyes Jr.

Things the cool 80’s kids do:

Push your sleeves up, break dance, meet Micheal Jackson, imitate Micheal Jackson, star in a classic movie, star in a hit 80’s TV show, be a successful 80’s music group, be attractive, wear your collar flipped up, where a cool hat.

Popularity: 25% [?]

Prince, half time ‘07, and VMAs 06

According to Sports by Brooks, Prince will play during the Half Time show:

http://sportsbybrooks.com/princesuperbowlhalftimeshow.html

I watch the VMA’s tonight. I was cool. One of my favorite entertainers, Jack Black, hosted. The performances by Beyonce, Justine and Dance Panic! at the Disco were among my personal favorites. But there was something missing.

Prince! Where the hell was Black Sweat!

Prince is one Sexy Motha F***a! His whole image is… I don’t know.. Prince. It was ultra sexy to the point of bi-sexual. He always had the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen on his arm. And you could never tell whether they were married or engaged. The only thing you knew for sure was that Prince had sex with her. So why is it we can’t see Prince even sitting in the audience.
Mtv is so damn pop there were only like two people on stage older than 45! Montell Williams and Lou Reed (take a walk on the wild side).
One year they had Stevie Wonder perform with Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz and then there was Run DMC, Kid Rock and Aerosmythe and Modonna and Mrs. Federline. Those are the kind of things they should do more of. I guess that is why I don’t watch much MTV any more. Its all POP divas, and lame reality shows now. In the 80s, MTV was MUSIC Television. Now its a big ass media comany that out shines the music. Remember the debut of Thriller on MTV, YO! MTV Raps, even Head Banger’s Ball (I think they brought that back, though satan now owns it as the rock is completely demonic - MTV2).

I don’t even mess with MTV anymore it is way too “McDonald’s” for me. It used to be about rebellion and pushing the limits of what is exeptable, but now it is the status quo of pop commercialism. It caters to a crowd I feel that I am growing out of.
IMF - International Music Feed is pretty awesome. Not alot of retro 80s stuff but still great if your a music lover and like to hear new things. I guess to hear PRINCE and Purple Rain I’m gonna have to pop in the tape.  VH1 keeps it real.  MTV sucks.

Popularity: 39% [?]

Michael Jackson invades the video game world

The King of Pop is dancing in the Mushroom Kingdom and the rest of the
8-bit video game world. RSF, the same site that made all those Final
Fantasy parodies has made two movies starring Jackson and his
adventures through the world of Nintendo.

read more | digg story

Popularity: 18% [?]

Michael "peter pan" Jackson Making a Comeback?

The star will release one song every week for the next five months,
starting with 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough', which will hit shops
next month.

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: “Michael is determined to get back in the charts.

“He hopes his devoted fans will buy them all.”

read more | digg story

Popularity: 19% [?]

Michael "peter pan" Jackson Making a Comeback?

The star will release one song every week for the next five months,
starting with 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough', which will hit shops
next month.

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: “Michael is determined to get back in the charts.

“He hopes his devoted fans will buy them all.”

read more | digg story

Popularity: 19% [?]

Michael Jackson invades the video game world

The King of Pop is dancing in the Mushroom Kingdom and the rest of the
8-bit video game world. RSF, the same site that made all those Final
Fantasy parodies has made two movies starring Jackson and his
adventures through the world of Nintendo.

read more | digg story

Popularity: 18% [?]

Gary Coleman, going Postal!

Gary Coleman, famed Diff'rent Strokes child actor, and 2003 California gubanertorial candidate, will be in a movie called Postal. 

Postal is a movie that is based on a game that is based on an actual massacre in the U.S. in which a disgruntled postal worker went nuts at his job with an automatic weapon.  Thats where the American slang word “going postal” comes from.  So there is a little American history for you.  Postal has a huge cult following from the game.

A german born director, Uwe Boll (director of both House of the Dead and Alone in the Dark, movies) will be taking the helm of the movie. 

It is unknown whether or not Gary will slip in his famous ”What Choo talkin' bout, Willis!?” line in Postal.    

I was hoping that Gary would be the main character but he is just making a cameo appearance because he was in Postal 2, the game.  The Postal franchise is like an early version of Grand Theft Auto in which going on a murderous rampage is as common place as skipping through a beautiful park.

Here is what Boll had to say about Postal: “I see it like a mirror for our society — funny, violent, absurd!” he declared. “So then the movie must be powerful, strange, and so full of the game's political incorrect outrageousness that if we do it correct, we will all probably end up in jail!”

It is news like this that begs the question: “What the hell is the matter with Western Civilization?”

Popularity: 16% [?]

Gary Coleman, going Postal!

Gary Coleman, famed Diff'rent Strokes child actor, and 2003 California gubanertorial candidate, will be in a movie called Postal. 

Postal is a movie that is based on a game that is based on an actual massacre in the U.S. in which a disgruntled postal worker went nuts at his job with an automatic weapon.  Thats where the American slang word “going postal” comes from.  So there is a little American history for you.  Postal has a huge cult following from the game.

A german born director, Uwe Boll (director of both House of the Dead and Alone in the Dark, movies) will be taking the helm of the movie. 

It is unknown whether or not Gary will slip in his famous ”What Choo talkin' bout, Willis!?” line in Postal.    

I was hoping that Gary would be the main character but he is just making a cameo appearance because he was in Postal 2, the game.  The Postal franchise is like an early version of Grand Theft Auto in which going on a murderous rampage is as common place as skipping through a beautiful park.

Here is what Boll had to say about Postal: “I see it like a mirror for our society — funny, violent, absurd!” he declared. “So then the movie must be powerful, strange, and so full of the game's political incorrect outrageousness that if we do it correct, we will all probably end up in jail!”

It is news like this that begs the question: “What the hell is the matter with Western Civilization?”

Popularity: 16% [?]