The 1980s was a great time for pop culture. This is because filmmakers discovered that coming-of-age films sell and sell big and they milked it for what it’s worth. As a result, iconic stars of the 80s often have a hard time shaking off their characters that made them famous, so it’s almost inevitably a shock to see them now, 30-odd years later. So much so, in fact, that we almost always assume that they’ve had plastic surgery, even when they’ve only enjoyed some much-needed weight loss. Still, it’s great to find that others have grown in their careers and net worth, though it’s always sad to hear about the ones that have succumbed to substance abuse or showing signs of depression. See how many of these 80s celebrities you still recognize and how many would surprise you.

Anthony Michael Hall – The Breakfast Club

Another The Breakfast Club alum who also appeared in other 80s classics like Weird Science and Sixteen Candles, to name just a few, is Anthony Michael Hall. He took a two-year hiatus from acting in the early 90s because he had to get alcohol treatment, but was able to come back to acting and regain his former glory. He still takes on roles as a character actor these days, but he’s a long way from the “skinny nerd” characters he played in the 80s, now that he’s gotten more mature.