It’s shocking, but the 1990s actually started thirty years ago. It was the beginning of the super modern era, with the advent of the internet and cell phones. And while all these changes were spreading, there were faces that defined a decade! Whatever happened to the cuties of the culture before the millennium?
Then: Sarah Michelle Gellar
Millions followed the saga of Sunnydale, CA on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, back in the day. And who wasn't a little in love with Sarah Michelle Gellar in the lead? Her vampire-slaying moves were must-see TV on the WB!
The show took audiences through twists and turns for 7 seasons before she exited the scene with a permanent place in 90s history. But fans may wonder: What has become her, since then?
Next: Check out exactly what the biggest babes of the 90s look like now!
Now: Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Gellar hasn't disappeared. The actress has been laying low, just enjoying domestic life, believe it or not! According to Sarah: ''Ultimately you want to do something in life that people will remember. And with Buffy, I did that. I don't feel like I need to achieve something...And that takes the pressure off.''
She's still happily married to her hunk, too: Actor Freddie Prinze Jr. has been by her side since the year 2000, and they remain an unusually strong couple in Hollywood. The pair have two school-aged children in vampire-free Los Angeles, thanks to Sarah!
Then: Christina Ricci
Actress Christina Ricci once explained: ''My dream role would probably be a psycho killer, because the whole thing I love about movies is that you get to do things you could never do in real life, and that would be my way of vicariously experiencing being a psycho killer. Also, it's incredibly romantic.''
For fans of The Addams Family and Casper, it was hard to miss the adorable Christina. She was cast in a variety of gothic roles, and made it her niche, for awhile. Has she updated her look at all, decades later?
Now: Christina Ricci
Actually, yes! Since her 90s success, she has tried out a lot of indie films beyond her old image. She explains: “The more that I can work in different mediums, the more I can grow, and learn from different actors and different types of actors and directors and different styles of acting and build a tool box.”
Even if she's gone blond, though, she has tattoos to prove her wild side: A lion, an Edward Gorey figure, a pair of praying hands, a sparrow, a mermaid, and more! What she will ink next, only time will tell.
Then: Cindy Crawford
This stunning Cindy Crawford shocked the world with her walk and her wink. And her Pepsi commercial! Forbes magazine proclaimed her “the highest paid model on the planet.” As one of the original 90s supermodels, Cindy was a real fan favorite. But beauty is fleeting! What has she said about the topic?
According to the model: ''The face you have at age 25 is the face God gave you, but the face you have after 50 is the face you earned.'' How did Cindy Crawford do, in the end?
Now: Cindy Crawford
Shockingly well, in fact! Fans are routinely surprised to see how the supermodel has aged, now in her 50's and married with children. On motherhood, Cindy explains: ''It's become another dimension to who I am. I don't think Sports Illustrated is going to be wanting me. But who cares? I'm at a different place in my life.''
Maybe, maybe not. But as an industry veteran, she has helped her daughter Kaia Gerber get into the biz and walk fashion week. They look very similar, as many notice right away!
Then: Carmen Electra
Few women embodied hot, sizzling, 90s fun like Carmen Electra. She began glamour modeling in the mid-90s and quickly made it into Playboy. From there, she was cast on Baywatch and continued on to a steady career hosting TV shows. She transitioned into film, starting with American Vampire in 1997. Carmen did it all!
Later, she expressed an interest in something new: ''Dancing is my number one love. That was my first goal as a child. I would love to do stage, maybe do Chicago. I love being in front of an audience. It's so stimulating. I also love to barbecue.'' What did she end up doing, after her 90s fame?
Now: Carmen Electra
As it turns out, Carmen is very much around. She has been trying out the modern mediums for glamour shots, too! She is active on Instagram and fans still think she's a goddess. These days, she is trying something completely different, businesswise. She has launched her own brand, a skincare line called GOGO.
Now a shocking 48 years old, Carmen claims her beauty routine is what made her so gorgeous, all these years. Maybe the products are nice. But could that really be true? Some things just can't be contained in a jar!
Then: Jennifer Love Hewitt
Jennifer Love Hewitt became a very familiar face as character Sarah Reeves on Party of Five. Then, she scared audiences in I Know What You Did Last Summer. But along the way, she had a secret wish. According to Jen: ''I would just love once to be called sexy. Just because it would make me something other than cute.''
Interestingly, she became more appreciated in this way as time went by. For her recent birthday, Maxim magazine featured her as a ''brunette bombshell''. How did that glam photoshoot turn out?
Now: Jennifer Love Hewitt
Eventually, very well! Whatever nice girl reputation she felt was dragging her down, the photos didn't show it. But truthfully, her own Instagram is filled with very down to earth, minimal makeup, mom shots these days. She's married to actor Brian Hallisay, and a parent of two.
Jen says: ''I've always wanted to be a mom because I want to give a kid all of the magical gifts my mom gave to me, such as love and friendship. She and I had this incredible connection that was so unbelievable.'' Now, her dream is a reality!
Then: Jessica Biel
A surprising hit, America couldn't get enough of a minister and his family on 7th Heaven. A young Jessica Biel stole the show, though. Back then, she looked like a bit of a tomboy. And that wasn't just her basketball-loving character in the script!
According to Jess: ''I've been involved with sports my whole life, which made clothes and makeup and handbags not that important as a kid. I just didn't care.'' Now in her thirties and the wife of musician Justin Timberlake, has that changed at all?
Now: Jessica Biel
Actually, Jessica still loves sports. Justin has described his wife as incredibly strong — physically. They even work out together! In her free time, she does get pretty girly now. Seen in glam on the red carpet for the past few years, she was named Sexiest Woman Alive!
According to Jessica: ''It's not my plan or whatever in my life to be a sex symbol. It never is. You are who you are, but you can't help what you look like. And when you do a film, like for me, it's just not about that. I would prefer to downplay it. I prefer to downplay the sex appeal.'' Fan survey: Try harder!
Then: Melissa Joan Hart
First, she was the star of Clarissa Explains It All on Nickelodeon. Then, she got promoted to Sabrina the Teenage Witch, for more magical antics on teen TV. Melissa Joan Hart was a 90s sitcom staple, for so many! Oddly enough, the actress didn't feel she was in the right job.
Mel once said: ''I don't think I'm great at acting. I think I'm great at directing.'' Though she had been a series star for a decade, the next 15 years involved a mix of director credits, cameos, and smaller acting roles. What does Melissa Joan Hart look like now?
Now: Melissa Joan Hart
Some may have seen a peek of her when did a short stint on Dancing With The Stars in 2009. She managed to stay for six weeks! Ultimately, Mel was voted off. But she has plenty going on at home. Married to musician Mark Wilkerson, the couple has three sons. No small project, frankly!
But as some fans have read, this was a big surprise at the beginning: ''I have six sisters, so I assumed I'd have a girl. Learning I was having a boy was really weird.'' Weird times three, for Melissa Joan Hart!
Then: Tara Reid
Tara Reid had a visible career in the 90s, even if she has taken a break in recent years. While she will always be remembered as Vicky in American Pie, she had other notable roles. Not many can add The Big Lebowski to their resume, but Tara can! What was it about her, though?
Reflecting on her talents, she explained: ''I can make a scene that's not supposed to be sexy, very sexy. It's a power you're born with. It's not a physical thing, it comes from inside. It's all in the eyes.'' Does Tara Reid still have that magic, decades later?
Now: Tara Reid
As some may recall, Tara was frequently in the tabloids about her botched plastic surgeries. Yikes! While that would be traumatic for anyone, Tara is now seen on Instagram smiling with a pretty balanced look. Does the actress have any lingering regrets?
Maybe not! She explains: ''I don't really regret anything I've done, even if it's bad. I mean, I have a $100,000 Chopard watch. I don't need a $100,000 watch, but I like it. It's all diamonds. That's a little extreme, but I don't care.'' Touché, Tara!
Then: Keri Russell
Starting early, Keri Russell joined the cast of the Mickey Mouse Club at age 15. She was also cast in Honey I Shrunk the Kids, a forever classic. But it would be one starring role on ABC that most people will always remember her for, no matter what she does in the future. Felicity was unforgettable!
Her character followed a hunky classmate to NYC for college, and then shaved her curly locks on TV for all to see. America was shocked! But that short 'do locked Keri into the 90s hall of fame, for many. Has she regrown them, since?
Now: Keri Russell
Indeed, she has. And she's experimented with a lot of styles, too. Most recently, Keri Russell has been on The Americans. Oddly enough, the show costars her real-life man, Matthew Rhys. Besides this dream job, Keri has popped in with film roles from time to time. Waitress, Free State of Jones, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, to name a few.
Although Keri's hair keeps transforming with these roles, her face hasn't changed very much! What's her secret? The star revealed: ''I don't have time for any special skin routines. Many a night I go to bed with the gloppy mascara and all.'' Obviously, a case of nature over nurture!
Then: Jenny McCarthy
Not everyone can say they started their career as a Playboy model. But Jenny McCarthy did just that, in 1993. Why did she agree to pose, at the beginning? She explained: ''The one thing I like about 'Playboy' is they don't have the anorexic look. The women are voluptuous. So I didn't really want to diet. I just wanted to tone up.''
Jenny even won ''Playmate of the Year'' before roles where fans could get to know her personality, too. The MTV dating show Singled Out was a great host gig! What is she up to, nowadays?
Now: Jenny McCarthy
Actually, she is busy still being a blonde bombshell! Now in her late 40's, she hasn't aged very visibly. And Jenny McCarthy is a host again, as a judge on The Masked Singer. But at home, she's even busier than at work. Known most for her statements incorrectly linking autism to vaccines, she is a commited mom to an autistic son.
Many have criticized her, for years. But she brings attention to the issue of autism in other ways, regularly sharing her concerns: ''Without intervention today, the cost of care for adults with autism will be significantly greater and the burden will no longer lie with the parents, but on our entire society.'' For now, few talk about it besides Jenny!
Then: Alicia Silverstone
No matter what she does, Alicia Silverstone is always going to be the star of Clueless. The teen film has become one of the most memorable of the decade, especially fun for anyone who wants to see Alicia kiss a young Paul Rudd. But some may also know the actress from her appearances in not just one, but three Aerosmith music videos!
According to Alicia: ''I don't want to be known as the Aerosmith chick, but it's fun to put on the boots and makeup and act like a tough girl.'' Fair enough. But what look is she into, these days?
Now: Alicia Silverstone
In recent years, Alicia Silverstone has been in Broadway shows. And as a longtime proud vegan, she has been publishing some yummy books. According to the actress: ''My attention since 'Clueless' has been on family, relationships, activism, the planet, and my career.'' What's next, on the bucket list?
In 2020, she was in the Netflix series The Baby-Sitters Club. No longer the teen of the story, she played the mom! Evidently, it went well. She has more lined up with the video streaming giant, including Masters of the Universe: Revelation, and a movie: Sister of the Groom. Go, go Alicia!
Then: Denise Richards
Few gals could compare to young Denise Richards, the queen of gorgeous. Maybe that's why she was on so many shows in the 90s! From Saved by the Bell to Melrose Place, America loved seeing her on the small screen. She even had a short role on Seinfeld!
But Denise was on the big screen, too. Fans may remember her iconic, sensual role in Wild Things. And if not, they will surely recall her as a Bond Girl in The World is not Enough. It seems she hasn't been in much lately, though. Where is Denise now?
Now: Denise Richards
With a famous marriage to chaotic actor Charlie Sheen, Denise got plenty of press. They divorced in 2006, and she continued in the biz in television and film. Most recently, reality TV fans may have been introduced to her for the first time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The actress stayed on for two seasons, but it looks like that was enough!
What is she up to, off the set? According to Denise: ''I like to be at home because I just travel so much. I have four dogs, golden retrievers.'' Sounds like a pawful, but they seem to be keeping her young!
Then: Mandy Moore
Sweet as candy, everyone sang along with Mandy Moore. High school dance DJs played her pop magic all over the country, and her career evolved. She moved into acting, and has had a string of roles ever since! Everyone has a favorite Mandy moment, by now. Who didn't cry at the end of A Walk to Remember?
Mandy admits: ''Growing up in the public eye was really tough. When you're 14 and your body is changing, your life is changing, and people are watching every step you make, it's really hard to deal with. But I was pretty lucky, people didn't watch me that closely.'' Now totally grown up in her 30's, what does she look like?
Now: Mandy Moore
Time for a life update: In 2015, Mandy met musician Taylor Goldsmith. They wed in 2018 after a short engagement, and are expecting a baby in 2021! The starlet once said: ''I don't cook very well at all. I'm the girl that can't make scrambled eggs.'' Will that change when she becomes mama Mandy?
It's hard to predict these things, of course. But Mandy Moore has always been a renaissance woman, conquering song and stage, now with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The talent is undeniable!
Then: Tiffany Amber Thiessen
Tiffany Thiessen was an iconic face in the 90s, and for good reason. After winning Miss Junior America in 1987, she went on to magazine covers. Then, NBC snatched her up for a very big role: Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell. From there, she became a verifiable teen idol!
After the show ended, she played Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210. Tiff was so busy that she missed out on her own teen moments: ''I never went to a high school prom. I went to a junior high prom, but I never had the high school prom. It was all fake and on TV.'' Has she tried to find some normalcy, since then?
Now: Tiffany Amber Thiessen
Indeed, Tiffany has gotten married in the decades since. She's a mom now, and she loves to cook and show off her creations on Instagram. But she does still have an interest in entertainment. Over the years, she kept up with small roles, always keeping her resume fresh. Currently, she co-hosts a reality show on MTV called Deliciousness. Funny food videos and commentary are her job, officially!
No matter what Tiffany is known for in the future, she will always have that sitcom fame. Recently, Justin Bieber wore a T-shirt with her teen image at an award show. Kelly Kapowski will always be a top 90s crush, for millions!
Then: Linda Evangelista
Linda Evangelista is a face few can forget from the 90s. Everyone got to know her, even subliminally. She was everywhere, back then! One of the original supermodels in the industry, she was called the favorite model of models. And during this era, she coined a phrase heard round the world: "We don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day."
During the height of her career, she walked runways in Paris, Milan, and New York for every conceivable designer. But in recent years, she has been quieter. Whatever happened to legendary Linda?
Now: Linda Evangelista
For the most part, Linda has led a private life. She returned to the runway in the 2000s for a bit, just for old time's sake. She was a guest judge on Australia's Next Top Model, notably. And she does shoot campaigns, from time to time. But she spends more time on AIDS activism and being a mom. That's right, a mom!
Linda made the news in recent years when she was in a child support battle with her ex. That man happened to be billionaire François-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek's current husband. In the case, she demanded $46,000 a month. Perhaps it was small change, for him!
Then: Tia and Tamera Mowry
Everyone knows it's true: There will never be a sassier twin story, after Sister, Sister. Despite being separated at birth, they always seemed to wear the same outfits. Tia and Tamera made it believable! Has that ever really been explained?
Maybe they just knew each other that well! According to Tamera: ''What people are going to be surprised about is that Tia and I are really different. We're nothing like the characters on 'Sister, Sister.' We're kind of swapped. I was the crazy, mischievous one on the show — Tia was the studious, more serious one.'' How has that evolved, all these years later?
Now: Tia and Tamera Mowry
Today, the grown-up, married, mommy twins are pretty busy. Both have strong marriages and careers. Tia recently hosted a cooking show and wrote a book about parenting. Tamara was a co-host on The Real, and now a talk show on the Hallmark Channel: Home & Family. Both work together on business ventures, all the time!
Do they look different than their debut, decades ago? Maybe a little bit. But the identical twins have aged gracefully. According to Tia: ''I like to embrace natural beauty. I try to get at least 8 hours of sleep, drinking a lot of water and exercising.'' Natural, indeed!
Then: Stacey Dash
Always there to explain ''“You're a virgin who can't drive,'' Stacey Dash was the other half of the essential Clueless duo. Along with Alicia, Stacey really made the movie timeless as Dionne Davenport. Gorgeous, fashionable, and always available for gossip, the character remains a quotable fan favorite.
Stacey was also featured in a number of music videos over the years: The Kanye West video for ''All Falls Down'', Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson's "The Best Things in Life Are Free", and Rick Ross and Ne-Yo's ''Super High", among others. What is she up to these days, though?
Now: Stacey Dash
For whatever reason, Stacey Dash has barely aged over the last few decades. Stunning as always, she has made numerous TV and movie appearances since her 90s success. But mostly, she has actually been involved with social and political activism. How so?
According to Stacey: '"What we're doing is we're chipping away at what it is to be a woman and to be feminine...And what it is to be a man and be masculine. We're chipping away at that. I wish we could go back to Mad Men days. I love those days. Men were men." Stacey has a lot to say. Recently, she also tried to run for congress!
Then: Candace Cameron
And who could forget Candace Cameron? DJ Tanner was a loveable presence in American homes for years on Full House. Fans may not know that Candace got into acting because of her famous brother. Kirk was already on Growing Pains, and showed her the way!
Evidently there is real talent in the family. Candace ended up acting in 191 episodes of the sitcom, with no regrets about breaking into the biz. She explains: ''The cool thing about my profession is that I can do it until the day I die.'' Is she doing that now, by chance?
Now: Candace Cameron
Today, Candace is in her 40's. SHe does make regular TV appearances in series roles, and she was also featured on Dancing with the Stars! But she has another job, no matter what: Married to a Russian NHL player, Candace is a happy mom of three.
She is a big fan of her family and never hesitates to share: ''It's amazing. My kids have grown me in ways I never knew possible. The patience I've received and the love I get from them is just amazing.'' It's a new 'Full House', in a way!
Then: Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Milano first came to national attention when she played an adorable kid on Who’s The Boss? with Tony Danza. But that wouldn't be her most memorable role. Charmed, a series about gorgeous witches on the WB, is still what most people talk about now!
Alyssa is happy to give a lot of career credit to one man, especially: ''Aaron Spelling always had his finger on the pulse of pop culture, he knew what the public wanted to see. He was one of the most loyal men in this business and believed in me at a time in my career when no one else would.'' How has she used this experience, going forward?
Now: Alyssa Milano
As it turns out, she hasn't been chasing TV roles. Perhaps she gained the confidence to go forward and pursue the unconventional: Alyssa created Hachtivist, her own comic book about activism and tech. And in her own life, she's been quite the activist herself!
In between being a wife and mother now, Alyssa appears at all kinds of rallies and functions for political and social causes. She's done quite a few speaking events and even met with senators from both parties to discuss concerns. At the end of the day, Alyssa isn't just Phoebe Halliwell anymore. But fans will never forget!
Then: Angie Harmon
Angie Harmon may be off the scene at the moment, but she remains one of the most recognizable faces from the ’90s. She probably never expected to be a movie star: ''I was not the most attractive child. I had two really big buck teeth. I was horrendous — long, lanky and gangly.'' But life is full of surprises!
David Hasselhoff is still proud he was the one who discovered her. After they met, she dazzled viewers on Baywatch. Then, she put on a lot more layers and joined Law & Order. What is she doing now?
Now: Angie Harmon
Today, late 40's Angie Harmon actually hasn't changed much. Still a leggy, toned brunette, she does TV from time to time. Fans may have noticed her as Jane Rizolly in Rizzoli & Isles. But the truth is, Angie is extremely busy off set! Her number one job? Mom.
The actress explains: ''I think it's very hard in this day and age to raise little girls with morals, ethics and values, and them knowing that they are precious creations and that they are important.'' A full-time commitment, no doubt about it!
Then: Liv Tyler
Not everyone gets to be the daughter of a rockstar. But even among this exclusive club, few turn out to be top models. Aerosmith kid Liv Tyler started her career at only 14 in photoshoots, but her talent for acting was quickly recognized. In the ’90s, she had minor roles in That Thing You Do and Empire Records.
Most viewers have now seen her in a major role in The Lord of The Rings trilogy. As Arwen Undómiel, a whole new generation was able to experience Tolkein on screen in 3D. Has she kept the ethereal look, since then?
Now: Liv Tyler
No, she's gone right back to glam. And that's A-okay, say fans! Her secret passion seems to be something other than acting, as well. According to Liv: ''I'm obsessed with beauty — seriously, one of my dreams is to write a book about beauty secrets and do a skincare line.''
For now, Liv is involved with another project: Mom of three to Sailor, Milo, and Lula Rose. And from time to time, she has gone back to modeling, most recently for lingerie. Perhaps one day, Liv skin will be a reality!
Then:
The ’90s were all about Shannen Doherty for the most devoted fans. Starting out on Beverly Hills 90210 as Brenda, many were obsessed. Then, the magic of Charmed brought the actress to a new group as Prue Halliwell. She put America under an incantation for 8 seasons!
In regards to her beauty, Shannen has addressed tabloid rumors: ''I have never had anything done. I've been asked if I had breast implants. Whether I did or not, it's nobody's business but my own.'' Is that still true, today?
Now: Shannen Doherty
The truth is, Shannen has had medical intervention in recent years. But it wasn't cosmetic, at all: In 2015, she was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Although she had been doing some indie films after Charmed, her focus turned to health. How is she doing, these days?
Shannen has explained: “Life doesn’t end the minute we get that diagnosis.” And with the support of family, friends, and lots of top treatment, her cancer is now under control. She has grown her dark locks back and returned to work. Go, Shannen, go!
Then: Minnie Driver
After seeing Good Will Hunting, a lot of 90s guys realized that Minnie Driver was their dream girlfriend. With an unconventional look for Hollywood, she had a great deal of charm and real admirers. But that was decades ago, at this point. She explains: ''I wouldn't go back and be 25 again for all the tea in China.''
A strong statement, Minnie! Most fans haven't actually seen her for a while, truth be told. Does she still look like the girl Matt Damon dated after the movie, so many years ago?
Now: Minnie Driver
Minnie is actually a Brit, despite what her accent may sound like in some roles. She has never really been concerned with being the most glam in the room, and there's a good reason for it. She explains: ''In England, with all due respect, we have some of the plainest actresses in the entire world as our greatest.''
A quick glance around, and it's clear there is something to that. Perhaps there is a different national appreciation for the craft, on the other side of the pond — and outside of Hollywood!
The 1970s may be best known as the era of bell-bottoms, disco, political turmoil, and significant cultural change. Along with it came a shift in people’s tastes in fashion, music, and entertainment, giving rise to a new generation of young, talented, Hollywood stars who would go on to blaze a trail in television, movies, and on stage.
Though some celebrities who first found fame in the 1970s have since faded from the spotlight, others remain active in Hollywood, appearing on numerous TV shows and movies over the years. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular stars of the 1970s and see what they’ve been up to lately.
Barbi Benton: Then
Barbi Benton, born Barbara Lynn Klein, began her career as a model, appearing in Playboy magazine and on the show Playboy After Dark at age 18. Though she first appeared on the show as an extra, she would later become a co-host after Hugh Hefner – who was nearly 30 years her senior – fell in love with her.
Benton and Hefner soon began a relationship that lasted for several years. Benton would go on to appear on the cover of Playboy four times, and in two nude photo layouts in 1973 and 1975. She is also widely believed to be the one who convinced Hefner to purchase the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills in 1974.
Barbi Benton: Now
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Benton made numerous television appearances, either as a guest star or lead actress on shows like Hee Haw, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and Sugar Time!. She also appeared in movies like The Naughty Cheerleader in 1970 and Hospital Massacre in 1980. In the mid-1970s, Benton achieved some success as a country singer, with hits like “Brass Buckles” and “Ain’t That Just The Way.”
Benton married California real estate developer George Gradow in 1979 and gave birth to a son, Alexander, in 1986, followed by a daughter, Ariana, in 1988. Not long after, Benton semi-retired from the entertainment industry to focus on raising her two children. Benton and her husband now divide their time between their homes in Colorado and California.
Diane Keaton: Then
Diane Keaton had already been nominated for a Tony Award when she made her film debut in the 1970 romantic comedy Lovers and Other Strangers. Her breakthrough role came two years later when she played Kay Adams, the love interest of Michael Corleone, in the critically-acclaimed crime movie The Godfather.
Diane Keaton would dominate the box office in the 1970s. In 1974, she reprised her role as Kay Adams in The Godfather Part II. In 1977, Keaton won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy Annie Hall. Allen and Keaton had been romantically involved in the early 1970s and continued working on several movies together even after their relationship had ended.
Keaton reprised her role as Kay Adams for a second time in The Godfather Part III, released in 1990. Some of her most popular movies over the years include Father of the Bride (1991), Father of the Bride Part II (1995), The First Wives Club (1996), Morning Glory (2010), Finding Dory (2016), and Book Club (2018).
Aside from acting, Keaton also has a keen interest in photography and has actively campaigned to help save and restore historic buildings in the Los Angeles area. She has also been a contributor at The Huffington Post since 2005 and has served as a producer on several movies and TV shows.
Cybill Shepherd: Then
Cybill Shepherd previously worked as a model before becoming an actress. Her first acting role was in the 1971 coming-of-age drama movie The Last Picture Show, which won two Academy Awards and earned Shepherd a Golden Globe nomination. The following year, she starred in The Heartbreak Kid alongside Charles Grodin. Two years later, she launched her music career, releasing an album called Cybill Does It...To Cole Porter.
One of Shepherd’s most notable acting roles during this decade was in the critically-acclaimed 1976 psychological thriller Taxi Driver, directed by Martin Scorsese. After a series of less-successful acting roles, Shepherd moved back to her hometown of Memphis to work in regional theatre.
Cybill Shepherd: Now
Shepherd resumed her Hollywood career in 1983, starring in shows like The Yellow Rose and Moonlighting, which won her two Golden Globe Awards. She appeared in several more movies before starring in her sitcom, Cybill, which aired on CBS from 1995 to 1998. In 1997, she received her third Golden Globe Award. From 2007 to 2009, Shepherd appeared on The L Word as Phyllis Kroll. In 2012, she made her Broadway debut in a revival of the 1960 play The Best Man.
An outspoken activist throughout her career, Shepherd has helped raise awareness on issues such as gay rights and abortion rights. In 2009, Shepherd received one of two National Ally for Equality awards from the Human Rights Campaign in Atlanta.
Jodie Foster: Then
Jodie Foster has been in show business since she was a toddler. Her first TV appearance was in a Coppertone commercial when she was just three years old. Her first appearance in a TV show came in 1968 in the sitcom Mayberry R.F.D., which starred her older brother Buddy.
Foster would go on to appear in other TV shows and several Disney movies. However, her first major role came in 1976 when she played a child prostitute named Iris in Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver. The movie was a critical success and earned Foster an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, along with two BAFTAs, a David Di Donatello award, and a National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Jodie Foster: Now
Foster would go on to land other unforgettable roles following her performance in Taxi Driver. In 1988, she played a rape survivor in the legal drama film The Accused, a role which earned her numerous awards, including an Oscar and a Golden Globe. A few years later, she won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA for her role as Clarice Starling in the 1991 psychological thriller The Silence of the Lambs.
Foster’s career suffered a few setbacks in the early 2000s but she managed to bounce back after appearing in movies like Panic Room, Flightplan, and Inside Man. In the 2010s, Foster took on fewer acting roles to focus on directing. In 2013, she received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globe Awards.
Kate Jackson: Then
Kate Jackson studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City before landing a supporting role in the supernatural daytime soap opera Dark Shadows in 1970. Her performance caught the attention of the show’s creator, who then cast her in the lead role in the horror movie Night of Dark Shadows.
Jackson later moved to Los Angeles, where she found roles in several TV series, made-for-television movies, and horror movies like Death Cruise, Satan’s School for Girls, and Killer Bees. She also played Nurse Jill Danko in the crime drama The Rookies, which aired on ABC from 1972-1976.
Kate Jackson: Now
Jackson hit the big time in 1976 when she was cast in another TV show by Rookies producers Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg. The show was originally going to be called The Alley Cats, but it was reportedly Jackson who suggested the name Charlie’s Angels. The show was an instant success, earning Jackson numerous Golden Globes and Emmy nominations.
Jackson went on to appear in other movies and TV shows such as Scarecrow and Mrs. King, which earned her additional Golden Globes and Emmy nominations. Unfortunately, her multiple health issues over the years would eventually take their toll on her career. However, she continued to work on made-for-television movies and would make guest appearances on other shows. In 2003, Jackson received the “Power of Love” award from the American Heart Association for raising awareness on heart disease.
Barbra Streisand: Then
After graduating from high school in 1959, Barbra Streisand set out to try and get roles on Broadway. She worked menial jobs, sang at nightclubs, and acted in smaller productions before getting cast as a secretary to the lead actor in I Can Get It for You Wholesale, which received rave reviews. Streisand received a Tony nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role.
By the mid-1960s, Streisand was already a successful recording artist with three Grammy Awards. She also made several TV appearances and starred in her first movie, Funny Girl, in 1968, which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Her success continued into the 1970s, with several albums and hit singles. In 1976, she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for her role in A Star is Born.
Barbra Streisand: Now
In 1983, Streisand became the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a movie with the release of Yentl, a romantic musical drama. She received a Golden Globe Award for Best Director, becoming the first and only woman to do so.
With over 150 million records sold worldwide, Streisand is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. She is also one of the few entertainers to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony. She has also received four Peabody Awards and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015.
Goldie Hawn: Then
Goldie Hawn was a professional dancer before she became an actress. Hawn rose to fame as a cast member of the sketch comedy show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, which aired on NBC from 1968 to 1973. In 1969, Hawn won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Cactus Flower.
Hawn’s acting career took off after winning an Oscar, becoming one of Hollywood’s most in-demand comedy stars. She starred in several comedies such as There’s a Girl in My Soup and Butterflies Are Free, before appearing in comedy-dramas such as The Girl from Petrovka and Shampoo, as well as the crime drama The Sugarland Express. In 1980, Hawn co-produced and starred in Private Benjamin, which earned her her second Academy Award nomination.
Goldie Hawn: Now
Hawn remained a popular actress in the decades that followed, appearing in numerous movies and TV shows throughout the 1980s until the 2010s. In the early 1990s, Hawn took a break from show business to take care of her ailing mother who died in 1994. In 1995, she returned from her hiatus and produced the satirical comedy Something to Talk About starring Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid. In 1997, Hawn made her directorial debut in the made-for-television movie Hope. Eight years later, her memoir, A Lotus Grows in the Mud, was published.
Hawn is an avid supporter of the LGBTQ community and has denounced laws that criminalized gay people in countries such as Nigeria. In 2003, Hawn founded the Hawn Foundation, which seeks to provide children with social and emotional learning programs to manage stress, regulate their emotions, improve their academic performance, and increase their resiliency for success in life.
Cher: Then
Cher burst onto the music scene in 1965 as one-half of the folk-rock duo Sonny & Cher with Sonny Bono, who she would later be married to between 1969 and 1975. Their debut single, “I Got You Babe,” was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Cher was also working on her solo career during this time. In 1966, she released the single “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down),” which became another commercial success. When Sonny and Cher stopped producing hit singles as a duet act, they turned to television. In 1971, they began hosting a variety show called The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. The show was watched by over 30 million viewers weekly throughout its three-year run. Cher would also continue to record music and release albums throughout the 1970s.
Cher: Now
With her music career waning by the 1980s, Cher decided to focus on acting. She appeared on movies like Silkwood and Mask, and on the Broadway production Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. By the end of the decade, she had become one of Hollywood’s most bankable actresses.
Cher revived her music career in the late 1980s, but it wasn’t until 1998 when her music career reached a new peak with the dance-pop album Believe, whose title track would become her best-selling single to date. Cher retired from performing in 2005 after her highly-successful 326-date Farewell Tour, before returning in 2008 for a three-year Las Vegas residency. Cher would then go on to make more albums and appear in TV shows and movies, including Burlesque in 2010 and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again in 2018.
Susan Dey: Then
Susan Dey was a model before being cast as Laurie Partridge in the musical sitcom The Partridge Family, which aired on ABC from 1970 to 1974. Her first movie role was in the 1972 disaster movie Skyjacked, where she played a passenger onboard a hijacked airliner. In 1977, she played a disturbed young mother in the made-for-television movie Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night, and starred in the comedy-drama movie First Love with William Katt.
Dey was one of the leading stars in the 1986 comedy-drama movie Echo Park, where she played a struggling actress who gets a job as a stripper who delivers singing telegrams. That same year, she was cast in the TV show L.A. Law, where she played Los Angeles County deputy district attorney Grace Van Owen, who would later become a judge. This role won her a Golden Globe Award in 1988.
Susan Dey: Now
Dey would make appearances in other movies and TV shows throughout the rest of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, earning three Emmy Awards nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. By 2004, Dey has had enough of acting and decided to retire. Her last TV appearance was in the NBC Crime Drama Third Watch, where she played Dr. Breene in two episodes.
Dey is a board member of the UCLA Medical Center’s Rape Treatment Center. She also co-narrated a documentary on campus rape with Corbin Bernsen, her L.A. Law co-star. In 2013, her The Partridge Family co-star Shirley Jones wrote in her memoir that Dey is the only cast member who “consistently refuses” to take part in any The Partridge Family reunions.
Fabio Lanzoni: Then
Fabio Lanzoni rose to fame in the early 1970s when he was in his early teens. He was spotted while working out at a gym in his hometown of Milan, Italy by a photographer, who hired him as a model for one of his projects. At 19, he signed a contract with Ford Modeling Agency and moved to New York City.
Lanzoni easily stood out thanks to his muscular frame and long hair, allowing him to land modeling stints for brands like Gap, Versace, and Nintendo. He also appeared on the cover of over 400 romance novels, often shooting as much as 16 covers in a single day.
Fabio Lanzoni: Now
Lanzoni also had several acting roles, such as in the syndicated series Acapulco H.E.A.T. in 1993. He also made multiple appearances in the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful as the close friend of Sally Spectra, played by his real-life close friend Darlene Conley.
Lanzoni, now in his 60s, still has his signature hairstyle and continues to appear on movies and TV shows, often playing a version of himself. He has also written a series of romance novels in collaboration with Eugenia Riley and Wendy Corsi Staub and was once a spokesman for the American Cancer Society. Lanzoni became a US citizen in 2016.
Alison Arngrim: Then
Alison Arngrim’s acting career started in 1974 when she was 12 years old, landing the role of the antagonist Nellie Oleson in the NBC series Little House on the Prairie. Arngrim was a child model who appeared on several commercials before becoming an actress. Her father, Thor, was a Hollywood manager, while her mother, Norma, was a voice actress for animated children’s shows like Casper the Friendly Ghost, Gumby, and Underdog.
Arngrim played Nellie on Little House on the Prairie for seven seasons. Though she originally auditioned for the roles of Laura Ingalls and Mary Ingalls, the show’s creators thought she would be a better fit for the role of Nellie. Her portrayal of the character earned rave reviews and would become a reference for other bratty “bad girl” characters in the years that followed.
Alison Arngrim: Now
Arngrim appeared on other shows like The Love Boat and Fantasy Island and recorded a comedy album called Heeere’s Amy before becoming a stand-up comedian. In one of her stand-up routines years later, she described playing Nellie on Little House on the Prairie as “like having PMS for seven years.”
Arngrim also developed a career in France as a stage actress and comedian. She devotes some of her time to doing charity work, focusing mainly on issues such as AIDS awareness and child abuse. In 2010, her autobiography, Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated, was published.
Susan Sarandon: Then
Susan Sarandon’s first acting role was in the 1970 drama movie Joe, where she played a rebellious young woman who gets caught up in the seedy underworld. This was followed by appearances in the soap operas A World Apart and Search for Tomorrow. She would also make her Broadway debut in the play An Evening with Richard Nixon in 1972.
Sarandon would appear in other movies throughout the 1970s, most notably in the musical comedy horror movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which would later be considered a major cult classic. Her role in the 1981 romantic crime movie Atlantic City would earn Sarandon her first Academy Award nomination.
Susan Sarandon: Now
Sarandon’s acting career would continue to flourish in the 1980s and 1990s. She earned four Academy Award nominations between 1991 and 1994, before winning her first Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Sister Helen Prejean in the crime drama Dead Man Walking.
Sarandon is known for her support for various leftist and progressive causes. In 1999, she became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. In 2006, she received the Action Against Hunger Humanitarian Award and became one of eight women to carry the Olympic flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. In 2010, she was appointed an FAO Goodwill Ambassador.
Talia Shire: Then
Talia Shire, born Talia Rose Coppola, was born into what would later become a powerful family composed of filmmakers and actors. In 1972, she was cast as Connie Corleone in The Godfather, directed by her brother, Francis Ford Coppola. She would reprise her role as Connie in The Godfather Part II 1974 and The Godfather Part III in 1990.
In 1976, Shire landed the role of Adrian Pennino, Rocky Balboa’s love interest in Rocky. This role would later earn her numerous awards and nominations and would cement her name in the movie industry. Shire would later reprise her role in four other Rocky films in 1979, 1982, 1985, and 1990.
Talia Shire: Now
Shire would go on to appear in other movies and TV shows in the decades that followed, but none of her subsequent roles would be in the same magnitude as her roles in The Godfather and Rocky. In 2016, she appeared in her son Robert Schwartzman’s directorial debut, Dreamland. In 2020, she played Iola Parkes in the drama movie Working Man, written and directed by Robert Jury.
Shire’s other son, Jason, is an actor, musician, singer-songwriter, screenwriter, and producer. She is the aunt of actor Nicolas Cage and director Sofia Coppola, known for her work in movies including Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette, and The Bling Ring. She is also the niece of Anton Coppola, an opera conductor and composer.
Pam Dawber: Then
Pam Dawber was born in Detroit and came to New York City to become a model. She signed with the modeling agency Wilhelmina Models and appeared in TV commercials for brands such as Noxzema, Neet, Fotomat, and Underalls in the 1970s. Dawber screen-tested for the lead role in Tabitha, a Bewitched spin-off, but this role would instead go to Lisa Hartman.
Dawber’s career breakthrough came when she was cast as Mindy in the ABC sitcom Mork & Mindy. Her co-star was the then-unknown Robin Williams who played the extraterrestrial Mork. The show, which aired from 1978 to 1982, was a ratings success and led to roles in other sitcoms such as My Sister Sam, where she played the title character.
Pam Dawber: Now
Though Dawber was largely known for her work on television, she was also cast in several movies, including in the 1992 comedy Stay Tuned and the 1999 family drama I’ll Remember April, where she starred alongside her husband Mark Harmon.
In September of 2013, Dawber reunited with her Mork & Mindy co-star Robin Williams, playing his love interest in his sitcom The Crazy Ones. Unfortunately, the reunion failed to boost the show’s ratings, and it was canceled by April of 2014. Dawber is currently a spokesperson for the non-profit Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Ellen Burstyn: Then
Ellen Burstyn’s acting career began on Broadway in 1957. Ten years after her Broadway debut, she joined Lee Strasberg’s The Actor’s Studio. Burstyn appeared on numerous television shows during the 1960s, including Ben Casey, Dr. Kildare, The Big Valley, and The Doctors.
Burstyn’s film breakthrough came in the early 1970s when she starred in the coming-of-age drama The Last Picture Show, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. In 1973, she played Chris MacNeil on The Exorcist, and she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. In 1974, she finally won an Oscar for her role as Alice on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
Ellen Burstyn: Now
Burstyn appeared in other critically-acclaimed movies, including the 2000 psychological drama Requiem For a Dream. Her strong performance as a lonely drug-addicted woman earned her nominations for an Academy Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
In 2006, Burstyn became the center of controversy when she was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series or Movie for her appearance on the made-for-television drama movie Mrs. Harris despite her minor role, appearing for just 14 seconds and having just 38 words of dialogue. In 2013, she was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.
Carol Kane: Then
Carol Kane’s acting career began in 1971, playing the role of Jennifer in the comedy-drama movie Carnal Knowledge. Her role as Gitl in the 1975 romantic movie Hester Street would earn her a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress. In 1977, she played Allison Portchnik in Annie Hall.
Kane’s foray into television has also been quite successful. She joined the cast of the sitcom Taxi in 1980, playing the role of Simka Dahblitz-Gravas for 17 episodes. She won two Emmy Awards, one for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, and another for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Variety, or Music Series.
Carol Kane: Now
Between 2005 and 2014, Kane played evil headmistress Madame Morrible on various productions of Wicked. She also starred in the off-Broadway play Love, Loss, and What I Wore in 2010. A year later, she starred in a revival of Lillian Helman’s play The Children’s Hour at the Harold Pinter Theatre at London’s West End.
Kane appeared on several episodes of the critically-acclaimed Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, playing Lillian Kaushtupper, Kimmy’s landlady. She also had voice acting roles in animated shows like Phineas and Ferb, Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, F is for Family, and Summer Camp Island.
Olivia Newton-John: Then
Olivia Newton-John launched her singing career in the 1960s after winning a talent contest on the Australian TV show, Sing, Sing, Sing. Her first single, “Till You Say You’ll Be Mine,” was released in 1966. Five years later, she released her first album, If Not For You. Newton-John would go on to release more albums and earn multiple awards.
Newton-John’s career reached new highs after starring in the movie adaptation of the hit musical Grease in 1978. Grease was the highest-grossing movie of 1978 and earned Newton-John a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Film Actress. She also became the second woman to have two singles – both from Grease – on the Billboard Top 5.
Olivia Newton-John: Now
Newton-John changed her look and her music style after Grease. Her songs were edgier and had a more aggressive and uptempo sound. In 1981, she released her most successful album, Physical. Its title track was certified platinum and became widely regarded as the biggest song of the decade.
In 1992, Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following her recovery, she became an advocate for breast cancer research. In 2008, she raised funds to help build the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne. She was diagnosed with cancer two more times in 2013 and 2017.
Rene Russo: Then
Rene Russo began her career as a model in the 1970s after she was supposedly spotted at a Rolling Stones concert. She signed with Ford Modeling Agency and soon became one of the top models of the decade, appearing on the cover of magazines like Vogue and Cosmopolitan as well as on ad campaigns for various perfume and cosmetics brands.
Russo’s popularity as a model waned by the time she was in her thirties. After studying acting and theater, she began appearing in small theater productions in California. Her first television role came in 1987 when she was cast as Eden Kendell in the ABC mystery crime drama Sable. In 1989, she appeared on the big screen for the first time in the comedy movie Major League.
Rene Russo: Now
Russo’s breakthrough role was in the 1992 buddy cop action movie Lethal Weapon 3, where she played a female assassin. She appeared in many other successful movies throughout the 1990s, including In the Line of Fire, Outbreak, and Get Shorty. In 1998, she reprised her role as an assassin in Lethal Weapon 4. In 2005, she produced and starred in Two For The Money and took a break from acting after its release.
Russo resumed acting in 2010, playing the role of Frigga, Thor’s mother, in Thor. She reprised her role in Thor: The Dark World (2013) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). In 2014, Russo won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress and was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role as Nina Romina in the psychological thriller movie Nightcrawler.
Stefania Sandrelli: Then
Stefania Sandrelli’s acting career started in 1961 at 14 years old when she played Angela in the Italian drama-comedy movie Divorce Italian Style, directed by Pietro Germi. She would then go on to appear in three more of Germi’s movies, including Seduced and Abandoned (1963), L’immorale (1967), and Alfredo, Alfredo (1970).
Sandrelli’s strong performances would make her a highly sought-after actress among movie producers. In the 1970s, she starred in several drama movies directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, including The Conformist and 1900. She would also appear in several French and international productions.
Stefania Sandrelli: Now
In 1980, Sandrelli was awarded the Nastro d’Argento for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Giovanna in Ettore Scola’s La Terrazza. In 1983, she appeared in the erotic movie The Key. This was soon followed by other appearances in a series of successful erotic movies.
Sandrelli appeared in fewer movies in the 2000s, choosing instead to spend more time with her family. However, she did act occasionally, landing roles in movies like Sons and Daughters (2002), People of Rome (2003), The Woman of My Dreams (2010), and The Passion (2010). In 2005, Sandrelli was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 62nd annual Venice International Film Festival.
Candice Bergen: Then
Candice Bergen started her career as a model, following in the footsteps of her mother, Frances. She eventually decided to turn to acting, taking lessons at HB Studio in New York City. In 1966, she debuted on the big screen playing a university student in the social satire The Group.
Following the film’s success, Bergen landed a role in The Sand Pebbles, which was nominated for several Academy Awards. She would then play many leading roles throughout the rest of the 1960s and 1970s, including the political satire The Adventurers and the controversial Western Soldier Blue. She also received rave reviews for her supporting role in the 1971 comedy-drama Carnal Knowledge.
Candice Bergen: Now
Bergen remained active in show business throughout the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, with roles in shows like Murphy Brown, Sex and the City, and Boston Legal, as well as movies like Sweet Home Alabama, Miss Congeniality, and Bride Wars. In 2008, she became a contributor for wowOwow.com, a now-defunct women’s website. She also starred in the Broadway revivals of The Best Man in 2012, and Love Letters in 2014.
In the late 1990s, Bergen turned down an offer from CBS to become a journalist covering stories for 60 Minutes. In 2016, she started a business hand-painting handbags. The business was managed by her daughter Chloé Malle, and the proceeds were donated to charity.
Then: Adrienne Barbeau
Who can ever forget Adrienne Barbeau? This actress began her career in 1968 on Broadway. She debuted in Fiddler on the Roof. Then, she won a Tony award for her potrayla of Rizzo in Grease on stage. But most of all, she is remembered for TV roles — one hit after another!
In the 70s, she played Carol Traynor on Maude. Then, she snagged spots on Eight is Enough and The Love Boat. In the 80s, she was a memorable face in horror films, a departure from sitcom funnies. What has she been up to, since her heyday?
Now: Adrienne Barbeau
As it turns out, Adienne is still a busy actress. It's impressive: All these years have gone by without any gap in her resume. She has been in TV and film consistently, and younger fans might know her for The Drew Carey Show or the voice of Catwoman on Batman: The Animated Series. She has even dabbled in local television, as a book reviewer and host for KABC radio in Los Angeles. Busy, busy!
Adrienne's most recent projects include a role in the critically acclaimed film Argo and the FX series Sons of Anarchy. It seems like there is no genre she can't do. A rarity, in Hollywood longevity!
Then: Charo
The sensual and sassy Charo is impossible to leave out fo the 70s. Any discussion in the decade must include this latin lady! Blond and buxom like no one else, she appeared on The Love Boat, as well as Chico and the Man, and Ironside. What was her real name, though?
Discovered by her husband, he quickly decided to promote her in the biz. María del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martínez made a real career by diversifying. This Spanish American had endless talent, from acting to comedy to classic flamenco guitar. With so much to offer, did she retire quietly into the sunset?
Now: Charo
According to the actress: ''I love audiences. They are my oxygen. I only breathe with audience. When I'm alone, I am normally a miserable you-know-what.'' Making good on this promise to reach fans, Charo has been pretty busy in the business.
Even into the 2000s, Charo was getting regular work. She did memorable commercials, most notably for Sprint and Geico. She popped in for cameos on Hollywood Squares, The Surreal Life, and That '70s Show. Her most recent CV line was an appearance on Rupaul’s Drag Race in 2020. Cuchi-cuchi continues!
Then: Lola Falana
Lola Falana took America by storm after her discovery by Sammy Davis, Jr. He became a friend and mentor, casting her in his Broadway show: Golden Boy. A talented singer and performer, and this led to albums and movie roles galore. Eventually, even Playboy magazine noticed. A sensual sensation in a 1970 edition, she was iconic for her time.
She went on to have a permanent show in Las Vegas, and her act regularly sold out. Audiences called her the "Queen of Las Vegas" as she made $100,000 per event. What did she do after retirement from such a lucrative gig?
Now: Lola Falana
Sometimes, life doesn't go as planned — even for those living a charmed life. Unfortunately, Lola suffered form health problems later on in her career. She was diagnosed wth multiple sclerosis in 1987, and has experienced periodic relapses. But that hasn't stopped her from pursuing meaningful work. The Vegas performer has become a bit religious, actually!
No longer performing, Lola lives a quiet life in her adopted home of Las Vegas. She founded The Lambs of God Ministry to provide opportunities for religious education to her community. Incorporating spirituality in her daily life, she explains that this helped her during struggles with MS. Like so many, in fact!