Looking back at the 1980s and 1990s most beautiful actresses
Every decade has its memorable stars — the celebrities who either manage to capture the zeitgeist of the era, or those who become famous through sheer magnetism and charisma.
Many of the women on this list still have active careers today, but it’s safe to say that they hit the peak of their star power in the ’80s or ’90s — and for many, they help define this memorable era.
Christie Brinkley
Known for her blonde locks, radiant smile, and all-American charm, Christie Brinkley was the face of Cover Girl for more than 25 years. She also made history for her three-peat on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Brinkley branched out into acting, business and philanthrophy in the ’80s. She’s still a big name in these fields today, particularly in the realms of skincare, fitness, and activism.
Elisabeth Shue
The Delaware native started out with roles in various commercials before her breakout role in 1984’s The Karate Kid. She acted in other ’80s staples such as Cocktail and two of the Back to the Future films.
In the ’90s, Shue was acclaimed for more nuanced roles such as Leaving Las Vegas, which earned her an Academy Award nomination.
Gillian Anderson
For most of the world, Gillian Anderson introduced herself as the skeptical, analytical FBI agent Dana Scully in the gripping supernatural sci-fi series The X-Files. In addition to being half of one of the most dynamic and beloved TV partnerships of the ’90s, she was also a common first crush for people of all genders, some of whom were likely too young to be watching such a frightening (at least for the time) show.
Yet while Scully may have put Anderson on the map, she’s enjoyed a prestigious career in film and television in the decades since The X-Files first aired, with some prominent examples including turns as Margaret Thatcher in The Crown, Eleanor Roosevelt in The First Lady, and substantial roles in the hit series Hannibal and the award-winning 2006 film The Last King Of Scotland.
Phoebe Cates
Perhaps the ultimate “it girl” of the 1980s, Phoebe Cates transitioned from modelling into acting in the early parts of the decade.
She’s perhaps best remembered for her role as Linda Barrett in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. She appeared in various movies in the following decade before stepping away from Hollywood in the mid-’90s to focus on family life.
Christina Applegate
Fox’s unexpected hit Married…with Children helped launch the career of Christina Applegate, who played the cool — if ditzy — teenager Kelly Bundy.
Applegate became somewhat of a style icon thanks to this role, and went on to star in 1991’s Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead along with other hits of the decade.
Halle Berry
Although her career would reach commercial and prestigious heights in the 2000s (particularly with her Oscar victory for Monster’s Ball), Halle Berry was already a prominent film actress in the ’90s, particularly in Spike Lee movies like Jungle Fever and Girl 6.
While her attractiveness was as evident to the filmmakers she worked with as it was to audiences, Berry’s performances also made her mark. This was particularly true as she neared the end of the decade, when the 1998 movie Bulworth made her a more prominent presence to a wider audiences.
Heather Locklear
Locklear had humble beginnings in Hollywood with a handful of small TV roles, but broke out with her portrayal of Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty in 1981.
In the ’90s, she became a mainstay on another hit, Melrose Place. Other notable TV roles for Locklear include T.J. Hooker and Spin City.
Mädchen Amick
Best known for playing Shelley Johnson in the groundbreaking series Twin Peaks, Mädchen Amick carried herself with a magnetic elegance that left viewers smitten and and compelled all at once.
Getting her start in music videos and stray episodes of Baywatch and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Amick became a veteran film and TV actress throughout the ’90s and well into the decades that followed before hitting her steadiest recent gig as Alice Cooper in Riverdale. She also reprised her most famous role in the 2017 Twin Peaks reboot.
Cindy Crawford
In an era known for high-profile supermodels, Cindy Crawford was the biggest name of all. Her striking beauty, along with her signature mole, could be seen everywhere — from magazines to fashion runways to ad campaigns.
Crawford also became a business mogul, launching a line of fitness videos and skincare lines. She even dabbled with TV hosting with MTV’s House of Style.
Heather Thomas
Best known for her role as Jody Banks on The Fall Guy, Heather Thomas portrayed a tough, but glamorous, sidekick in the series about a Hollywood stuntman.
While Thomas had a promising acting resume by the end of the decade, she chose to step away from Hollywood around this time.
Michelle Pfeiffer
Most audiences first saw Michelle Pfeiffer in 1983’s iconic Scarface, and her run of hits extended into the following decade.
Her portrayal of Catwoman in 1992’s Batman Returns remains one of the most memorable performances in a Batman movie to date.
Jeri Ryan
Jeri Ryan emerged as the fan favorite character Seven of Nine in the Star Trek series Voyager, where her compelling role as a detached but troubled former Borg stood out to audiences as much as the character’s penchant for skintight outfits.
Although she would end up reprising her famous role in Star Trek: Picard, Ryan also maintained a steady career in TV in the decades between these stints.
Demi Moore
Demi Moore became an icon of the ’80s thanks in large part to her performance in St. Elmo’s Fire, a movie that cemented her as part of the era’s “Brat Pack” of young actors.
Her performance in Ghost also earned rave reviews, including a Golden Globe nomination. Throughout the ’90s, she was one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood.
Kim Basinger
Kim Basinger’s blend of glamorous looks, sultry voice, and acting talent made her one of the biggest stars of the ’80s and ’90s.
A provocative role in 1986’s 9 1/2 Weeks catapulted her to superstardom, and strong performances in a run of ’90s hits like L.A. Confidential further increased her exposure.
Catherine Bach
Catherine Bach was the perfect pick to play the fun, feisty Daisy Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard — in fact, her role was so memorable that her character’s trademark short shorts became iconic.
Bach’s star power faded quickly after the show was off the air, but there’s no denying her place in pop culture.
Uma Thurman
While it wasn’t exactly her first role, Uma Thurman rocketed to prominence after electrifying audiences with her charismatic, seductive performance as the mysterious Mia Wallace in the Quentin Tarantino smash hit Pulp Fiction.
Although the rest of the ’90s would prove somewhat rocky for her thanks to high-profile misses like Batman & Robin and the 1998 adaptation of the British TV series The Avengers, Thurman would find herself back on top with another Tarantino collaboration in Kill Bill by the 2000s.
Beverly Johnson
One of the most prominent supermodels of the ’80s, Beverly Johnson broke new ground as the first Black woman to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine.
Johnson appeared on countless magazine covers in this era, and she pursued an acting career beyond modelling.
Jaclyn Smith
After starting out as a model, Jaclyn Smith was cast in Charlie’s Angels in 1976, a role that she’d play until the show went off the air in 1981.
After her acting and modelling days were over, the elegant Smith entered the business world.
Sherilynn Fenn
As groundbreaking and popular as it was, Twin Peaks didn’t have much time before its sudden end. Yet, it was time enough for audiences to fall in love with Sherilynn Fenn’s mysterious, mischievous, and yet ultimately good-hearted character, Audrey Horne.
While most of Fenn’s roles have amounted to TV appearances since Twin Peaks, she had also previously worked with David Lynch in the movie Wild At Heart and had a film career throughout the ’90s, which included a key role as Curley’s Wife in the 1992 version of Of Mice And Men, which starred John Malkovich and Gary Sinise.
Kathy Ireland
In the pre-Cindy Crawford era, Kathy Ireland was one of the world’s most recognizable supermodels, and was a popular pinup girl for many posters.
Ireland transitioned from modelling into business later in the ’80s, and lent her name to a number of products, from shoes to home decor.
Kelly LeBrock
LeBrock’s role in John Hughes’ critically acclaimed The Breakfast Club earned her mainstream recognition, and she followed this up with a performance in 1985’s Weird Science.
Despite her ’80s successes, LeBrock quickly faded out of the limelight in the 1990s, although her early performances still hold a timeless appeal.
Olivia Newton-John
The charismatic Australian made her name as a singer and musician in the 1970s, but proved her acting chops with a performance opposite John Travolta in 1978’s Grease.
Acting always took a backseat to music for Newton-John, and as the ’80s continued, she released a number of hits, including 1981’s “Physical.”
Karen Allen
Although Karen Allen is best remembered for her beloved portrayal of the equal parts charming and cool Marion Ravenwood in Raiders Of The Lost Ark, that was far from the only impression she made on audiences in the ’80s.
In addition to co-starring in the underrated sci-fi romance Starman opposite Jeff Bridges, she also had a prominent role in the edgy Christmas classic Scrooged.
Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder burst onto the Hollywood scene with a run of hits that showcased her offbeat charm, from Beetlejuice to Heathers.
In the ’90s, she became a household name and leading lady with roles that brought complexity to the characters she played. She’s still a top star to this day.
Cheryl Ladd
Cheryl Ladd was originally a singer and model, but her star turn on Charlie’s Angels made her a mainstay in ’80s pop culture.
Ladd’s acting and singing career continued through the remainder of the decade, and her glamour and energy made her one of the era’s most noteworthy stars.
Farrah Fawcett
Another model who found mainstream acting success through a leading role on Charlie’s Angels, Farrah Fawcett’s beaming smile and signature feathered hair made her an ’80s icon.
An iconic photoshoot showing Fawcett in a red swimsuit became one of the best-selling posters of all time.
Diane Lane
Diane Lane would enjoy a prestigious career throughout the 2000s and 2010s, her breakout roles came in the ’80s when she joined the ensemble casts of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders and Rumble Fish.
Although her ’90s output included some unfortunate duds like Coppola’s Jack, the infamously goofy Sylvester Stallone adaptation of Judge Dredd, and the vacant Mad Dog Time, that decade also saw her act in the prestigious Charlie Chaplin biopic that nearly earned Robert Downey Jr. an Oscar 16 years early.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell first attracted mainstream attention as a supermodel in the late 1980s, but her career flourished in the ’90s.
While Campbell has also ventured into acting, music, and entrepreneurship, she’ll forever be best known for being one of the biggest supermodels of the ’90s.
Pamela Anderson
Canadian Pamela Anderson was discovered in the crowd at a football game, attracted interest as a model for a beer calendar, and parlayed this into a memorable role on Baywatch.
Anderson’s off-screen exploits made for tabloid fodder, and she was one of the most recognizable celebrities on the planet for the entire decade.
Cindy Williams
Cindy Williams started out as an actor in the late ’60s, but her star power extended well into the ’80s thanks to roles on Laverne & Shirley.
She faded out of the limelight somewhat after the show went off the air, but kept busy with roles in television, film, and occasional voice work.
Jennifer Aniston
A household name thanks largely to her role on the hit sitcom Friends, Aniston quickly outgrew television and transitioned into a successful film career.
Aniston’s signature haircut became one of the defining styles of the era, and her acting success has continued to the current day.
Daryl Hannah
Throughout the ’80s, Daryl Hannah not only gave a lot of people some serious crushes, but made her mark on a string of with fondly remembered classics. While she’ll always be remembered as the captivatingly villainous Pris in Blade Runner, she arguably placed herself just as firmly in people’s warm memories with Splash.
Other big opportunities at the time included Steel Magnolias and Wall Street but Hannah’s career would also see a resurgence in the 2000s with her memorable turn as Elle Driver in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill.
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts was an actress who could convey glamour, but also had the ability to play “girl next door” roles.
Following her breakout role in 1990’s Pretty Woman, Roberts became a mainstay in a run of ’90s romcoms, including My Best Friend’s Wedding, Runaway Bride, and Notting Hill.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore became a star at a very young age, acting in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at the age of six.
After personal struggles in her adolescent years, Barrymore re-emerged in the ’90s and became one of the decade’s most marketable stars. She starred in hits like The Wedding Singer and Ever After.
Sharon Stone
Sharon Stone’s striking beauty led to a modelling career, and she soon parlayed this into a Hollywood career with roles in movies like 1990’s Total Recall.
A controversial scene in Basic Instinct is still talked about to this day, and Stone went on to showcase her acting talents for years to come.
Meg Ryan
A natural fit for relatable, witty roles, Meg Ryan became a megastar thanks in large part for her role in When Harry Met Sally opposite Billy Crystal.
She went on to star in a string of ’90s romantic comedies before transitioning into more dramatic roles.
Sean Young
Throughout the ’80s, Sean Young was a consistently welcome presence and particularly made audiences fall in love (at least in retrospect) as the compelling replicant Rachael in Blade Runner.
However, that was far from her only memorable film role at the time, as the classic comedy Stripes, the polarizing David Lynch adaptation of Dune, and Wall Street all saw her achieve prominence. Although her career took a downturn in the ’90s, she nonetheless was certainly memorable in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
Melanie Griffith
The daughter of actress Tippi Hedren and producer Peter Griffith, Melanie Griffith took awhile to find success in Hollywood, which finally came in the ’80s.
After a standout performance in 1988’s Working Girl, Griffith was a reliable performer in hits through the ’90s and beyond.
Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster was a child star who earned praise for her nuanced performances at a young age, and built further on this reputation as an adult.
Foster not only became a major star, she also branched out into directing. Her enigmatic characters in movies like The Silence of the Lambs are iconic to this day.
Nicole Kidman
The statuesque Australian initially studied ballet and drama before transitioning into acting in the early ’80s.
Her breakout role came in 1990’s Days of Thunder, where she starred opposite her future husband Tom Cruise. Kidman has been one of Hollywood’s biggest female stars ever since.
Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks was one of the faces of Cover Girl in the early 1990s and also walked the fashion runways for designers like Chanel and Victoria’s Secret.
Banks transitioned into television roles in the late ’90s and early 2000s as the host and creator of America’s Next Top Model.
Teri Hatcher
Teri Hatcher acted across a range of popular TV shows ranging from The Love Boat to Seinfeld, but her star turn came as Lois Lane on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
Hatcher continued this success into the new millennium with her role as Susan Mayer on Desperate Housewives.
Geena Davis
An accomplished actress with the versatility to star in action-packed films as well as critically-acclaimed dramas, Geena Davis was one of the most prominent stars of the ’90s.
Roles in 1991’s Thelma & Louise and A League of Their Own the following year helped establish Davis as one of the era’s major stars.
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock acted in a range of TV shows in the ’80s, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that she truly made her mark in Hollywood with her leading role in 1994’s hit film Speed.
While Bullock could hold her own in action-packed roles, she showed off her versatility across a range of romantic comedies in the years that followed.
Marisa Tomei
An actress with a vibrant personality with the adaptability to play both dramatic and comedic roles, Marisa Tomei transitioned from soap operas to Hollywood films in the early ’90s.
Tomei earned critical praise for her roles in films ranging from big-budget blockbusters to more independent films.
Madonna
One of the biggest musical stars of all time, Madonna showed that she had depth beyond music and risqué stunts with a number of film roles in A League of Their Own and Evita.
A performer who’s continually reinvented herself, Madonna stayed relevant through the end of the ’90s, and is still a noteworthy celebrity to this day.
Elizabeth Hurley
Elizabeth Hurley started out her career in dance and theater in her native England before moving onto modelling, and later on, acting.
After attracting attention as Hugh Grant’s girlfriend, Hurley had a number of roles in the mid- and late-’90s, including a memorable performance opposite Mike Myers in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.
Alicia Silverstone
Alicia Silverstone first graced the small screen with a role in the music video for Aerosmith’s “Cryin'” in 1993. Two years later, she found her breakout role as Cher Horowitz in Clueless.
From this point on, Silverstone was a bankable star. She parlayed this success into advocacy for environmental and animal rights causes.
Cameron Diaz
The infectious energy of Cameron Diaz first came to the forefront in 1994’s The Mask. Later in the decade, she starred in hits like My Best Friend’s Wedding and There’s Something About Mary.
Diaz later branched out into more action-packed roles in Charlie’s Angels and voice work in Shrek.
Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields first attracted mainstream attention with a controversial role as a 12-year-old in Pretty Baby, and she became even more noteworthy as an adult.
Shields racked up an impressive acting resume, but she got her start as a model — and it’s hard to say if her level of celebrity owed more to her acting or modelling.
