Richard Dean Anderson – Macgyver (1985)
“General Hospital” gave several famous names their big break, and that includes Richard Dean Anderson who portrayed Jeff Weber in the medical series. However, it’s his role in “MacGyer” as the title character that truly made him a household name. On the big screen, he appeared in “Firehouse” and “Pandora’s Clock.”
Dean also dabbled in music, and “MacGyer” featured one of his compositions, “Eau d’ Leo.” The two-time Saturn Award winner hasn’t graced our screens since appearing in a 2013 episode of “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.” His focus shifted behind the scenes, and he executive-produced the 2013 documentary “Why Just One?”
Paul Hogan – Crocodile Dundee (1986)
For his exemplary performance in “Crocodile Dundee,” Paul Hogan won a Best Actor Golden Globe Award. He also headlined “The Paul Hogan Show,” a sketch comedy that aired from 1973 to 1984. Besides acting, he is known for his collaborations with various brands on endorsement deals including Winfield Cigarettes.
While he hasn’t officially announced it, Hogan appears to have quit acting after appearing in the 2009 production “Charlie & Boot.” Beyond the screen, he’s been down the altar thrice, and two of those times he exchanged vows with Nolene Edwards. He then got hitched to his “Crocodile Dundee” cast mate, Linda Kozlowski, but they divorced in 2014.
Lorenzo Lamas – The Bold and the Beautiful (1987)
Growing up with famous folks, Fernando Lamas and Arlene Dahl, Lorenzo Lamas naturally ventured into showbiz. “Renegade” was one of the first productions that cast a spotlight on him but “The Bold and the Beautiful” is the show that earned him international recognition. As a voice actor, he had a voice role in “Phineas and Ferb.”
He starred in the reality show “Leave It to Lamas” and sat on the judging panel for “Are You Hot?” Decades later, he continues showcasing his acting chops in productions like “Bleach.” Away from the screen, Lamas has been married five times and he is the proud dad to six children.
Growing up with famous folks Fernando Lamas and Arlene Dahl, Lorenzo Lamas naturally ventured into showbiz. “Renegade” was one of the first productions that cast a spotlight on him, but “The Bold and the Beautiful” is the show that earned him international recognition. As a voice actor, he had a voice role in “Phineas and Ferb.”
He starred in the reality show “Leave It to Lamas” and sat on the judging panel for “Are You Hot?” Decades later, he continues showcasing his acting chops in productions like “Bleach.” Away from the screen, Lamas has been married five times and is the proud dad of six children.
Richard Simmons – Slimmons Studio (1974)
Batista – Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
David Michael Bautista might have long left his professional wrestling days behind, but he’s still remembered for his achievements in the field. Also a mixed martial artist and bodybuilder, he went by the ring name “Batista” and took to the ring under the World Wrestling Federation, which we currently know as the World Wrestling Entertainment.
The six-time championship winner equally found success as an actor. He appeared in numerous productions as himself, but he eventually embodied Drax the Destroyer for the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. His list of credits includes the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Iron Fist,” and “The Avengers” series of movies.
Bob Eubanks – The Newlywed Game (1985)
Game show fans are familiar with Bob Eubanks, given that his name is attached to “Card Sharks,” “The Newlywed Game,” and other similar TV programs. In the year 2000, his contributions to the media industry as a game show host earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Somewhere along the way, Eubanks pursued a career in the music industry and signed big names like Dolly Parton and Barbara Mandrell. He formerly worked as a music promoter and radio DJ. The former “Rhyme and Reason” host is equally known for presenting the “Most Outrageous Game Show Moments” aired on NBC.
Phil Collins – One More Night (1985)
Yasmine Bleeth – Baywatch (1989)
Yasmine Bleeth needs little to no introduction, particularly for “Baywatch” fans who remember her as Caroline Holden. She equally left a lasting impression by personifying LeeAnn Demerest in “One Life to Live.” Her influence made her a respected figure in pop culture, much that other big shows like “Friends” referenced the 1993 Soap Opera Digest nominee.
Following her 2003 credit in “Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding,” Bleeth went on a hiatus from acting and retreated from public life. Much to fans’ delight, she reemerged in 2020 when publications like Page Six and The Sun published pictures of the “Ryan’s Hope” star walking her beloved pooch around her Southern California neighborhood.
Ernest Lee Thomas – What’s Happening (1976)
Ernest Lee Thomas rose to fame starring in ABC’s “What’s Happening” and its sequel. He also bagged a recurring role on “Everybody Hates Chris.” The American Academy of Dramatic Arts graduate owns Bravokid Entertainment, a production firm, and manages new talents venturing into showbiz.
Besides acting, Thomas writes screenplays and has sold one of his scripts to Sony Pictures. He also collaborated with his mum to publish a book “Conversations With My Mother: Food for the Mind, Body, and Soul.” He is behind “From Raj To Riches,” a motivational autobiography that teaches readers how to overcome life and show business through faith.
Richard Keith — I Love Lucy (1951)
Keith Thibodeaux, who also goes by Richard Keith, rose to fame as a child actor. He had the spotlight cast on him at the age of five with appearances in “I Love Lucy.” At the time, he was two years into the biz, having ventured into showbiz as a drummer attached to the Horace Heidt Orchestra. Touring with the musical collective impressively earned the three-year-old $500.
Decades later, Keith stands as the only living “I Love Lucy” cast member. In 1994 he shared his experiences working on the show through the biography “Life After Lucy.” Keith slowed down on the acting front and in 1990, he joined the Ballet Magnificat!, a company his wife Kathy Denton operates, as the Executive Director.
Philip Michael Thomas – Miami Vice (1984)
“Miami Vice” was one of the shows that kept viewers glued to their screens in the ‘80s. Philip Michael Thomas owes his career to the production because it helped launched his career on the screen. The Golden Globe nominee also has credits for appearances in “Swamp Thing,” “ Noi Siamo Angeli,” and “Bash Bridges.”
In 1985, he released the album “Living the Book of My Life” under his music label, Spaceship Records. After leaving his acting days behind, Thomas partnered with Nextones to promote their psychic phone service. He hasn’t fully detached himself from the entertainment industry, given that he lent his voice to a 2021 “Grand Theft Auto” video game title.
Bolo Yeung – Enter the Dragon (1973)
Most martial arts-themed action film fans are better acquainted with Yang Sze as Bolo Yeung. Typically cast as the villain, he created a lasting impression from his appearances in “Bloodsport” and “Enter the Dragon.” Equally known for multiple collaborations with Bruce Lee, the two reportedly met while filming a Winston cigarettes commercial.
Yeung maintained a steady flow of work until 1996 when he went on a hiatus after headlining “Shootfighter II.” He made a comeback on our screens with a feature in the 2015 film “Diamond Cartel.” As an ode to the character he embodied in “Enter the Dragon,” the 2019 Cinemax web series “Warrior” named its lead character Bolo.
Emil Minty – Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
The original “Mad Max” film gave Emil Minty his big break at only eight years when he played a feral kid even though he did not speak a single word. He was also unable to attend the premiere because it was R-rated. After this, he won parts in productions like “Fluteman,” The Flying Doctors,” and “The Winds of Jarrah.”
In his novel “Infinite Jest,” David Wallace named one of the primary characters after Minty. Even though many predicted he would grow to be a massive movie star, his career took an entirely different path. He is a successful jeweler in Sydney, living a quiet life with his wife and two children.
Jake Steinfeld – Body by Jake (2008)
Jake Steinfeld found his niche in the acting and fitness industries. He ventured into bodybuilding in his teens, and he also provides training services. Most notably, the DGC award winner worked with Harrison Ford to get him in shape for “Indiana Jones.”
As an entrepreneur, he established the “Body by Jake” brand and also launched the 24-hour lifestyle network, FitTV. Steinfeld eventually sold FitTV to NewsCorp and established another on-demand network in partnership with New Balance, Comcast, and Time Warner. As an author, his lists of publications have earned him best-selling author recognition by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times.
Mr. T – Rocky II (1979)
Mention Lawrence Tureud and most people won’t know who you are talking about until you refer to him as Mr. T. After finishing his military service, he worked as a club bouncer. He soon graduated to work as a bodyguard and wrestling came as a natural progression in his career.
Mr. T crossed over to acting and he’s best known for popularizing his “Rocky III” catchphrase “I pity the fool.” His extensive list of credits also includes competing on “Dancing with the Stars” and an appearance in “Spy Hard.” He also worked with multiple brands like Comcast, RadioShack, and Snickers on endorsement deals.
Chris Evert Lloyd – World No.1 Tennis Champion (1974)
Chris Evert Lloyd is a former No.1 tennis player. She holds three Grand Slam double titles and 18 Grand Slam Singles titles. She proudly features in the history books for holding the record for most consecutive years (13) of winning at least one Major title. An International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, she was also awarded the Philipe Chartier award.
Simon and Schuster published Lloyd’s autobiography “Chrissie: My Own Story” in 1982. Three years later, she was named Greatest Woman Athlete in the Last 25 Years by the Women’s Sports Foundation. The chairwoman of USTA Fountain’s Board of Directors is a coach, ESPN commentator, and analyst and has a line of tennis apparel.
Elisabeth Shue – Karate Kid (1984)
“The Karate Kid” was released to critical success in 1984, and fans of the classic film remember Elisabeth Shue as Ali Mills. The Oscar nominee is also known for her roles in the “Back to the Future” movies and “Leaving Las Vegas.” Fans of the procedural crime drama “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” are also familiar with Shue as Julie Finlay.
Decades later and her career continues flourishing evidenced by when she shared the screen with Tom Hanks in “Greyhound.” Off the screen, Shue tied the knot with David Guggenheim, a film director, in 1994. They expanded their family to include three children: Agnes Charles, Miles William, and Stella Street.
Clu Gulager – The Tall Man (1960)
William Martin “Clu” Gulager gained notoriety in the industry after starring in the NBC series “The Tall Man.” His first major role was in “The killers” and decades later, he keeps outdoing himself as seen in “Give Till It Hurts.” Also a director, he has credits for the Palme d’Or nominated short film “A Day with the Boys.”
Impressively, he’s maintained a steady flow of work since the ‘60s but “The Virginian star started slowing down after appearing in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Away from the screen, Gulager was happily married to Mirriam Byrd-Nethery up until her untimely death in 2003.
James Caan – The Godfather (1972)
James Caan was propelled into international stardom for landing an iconic role in “The Godfather.” Speaking at an informal master’s class in Waltmar Theater, he stated that he has appeared in 127 pictures. In 1798, he received a motion picture star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. He was also awarded Chapman’s University Lifetime Achievement in Arts at a Celebration gala in 2015.
For more than 30 years, Caan has been practicing martial arts earning various ranks while training with Takayuki Kubota. The International Karate Association granted him the title of Soke Dai, and he is also Gosoky Ryu Karate’s Master (6 Dan).
Jane Powell – Oklahoma! (1943)
Suzanne Lorraine Bruce earned her proverbial stripes in showbiz by delivering exceptional performances in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s musical productions. Credited as Jane Powell, she appeared in classics like “Hit the Deck,” “Oklahoma!,” and “A Date with Judy.” In her younger years, she made ends meet by selling victory bonds around her hometown, Portland, Oregon.
She also moonlighted as a singer in her earlier days, and in 1947, Powell worked on the radio production “Songs by Sinatra” in collaboration with the legendary Frank Sinatra. Upon her transition to acting, she kept a busy schedule until 2011, when we last saw her in “Don Knotts: Tied Up with Laughter.”
Fabio Lanzoni – Acapulco H.E.A.T (1993)
Fabio Lanzoni’s chiseled frame was featured several times on the cover of various fitness magazines and health-centric commercials released in the ‘80s. His good looks equally saw him collaborate with romance novelists for the covers of their publications. On the screen, he made a mark with his appearances in “Acapulco H.E.A.T” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
Also an entrepreneur, Lanzoni launched a clothing label in 2003. In 2005, the “Zoolander” star hosted “Mr. Romance,” a reality show that saw male contestants competing for the coveted title and a chance to grace the cover of a romance novel. He also served as the American Cancer Society’s spokesman.
James Spader – Boston Legal (2004)
Fabio Lanzoni’s chiseled frame was featured several times on the cover of various fitness magazines and health-centric commercials released in the ‘80s. His good looks equally saw him collaborate with romance novelists for the covers of their publications. On the screen, he made a mark with his appearances in “Acapulco H.E.A.T” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
Also an entrepreneur, Lanzoni launched a clothing label in 2003. In 2005, the “Zoolander” star hosted “Mr. Romance,” a reality show that saw male contestants competing for the coveted title and a chance to grace the cover of a romance novel. He also served as the American Cancer Society’s spokesman.
David Attenborough – The Blue Planet (2001)
Perhaps David Attenborough’s voice is more famous than the man himself. As a broadcaster and natural historian, he has lent his vocals to lists of BBC’s Natural History programs. Following his military service, the Primetime Emmy winner joined the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Attenborough served as a narrator, presenter, and writer for BBC programs like “The Blue Planet” and “Natural World” series. He continues being a permanent fixture on our screens, having most recently presented the Netflix documentary “Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet.” On top of the accolades and titles, there are at least 20 general and species named after Attenborough.
Tony Little – Mr. Florida (1983)
Tony Little found fame from the infomercials promoting his extensive range of fitness products. A former bodybuilding champion, he earned the Mr. Florida title and previously won the Mr. Junior America competition. Described as a “booming voice of enthusiasm,” he popularized the catchphrase “you can do it.”
Little is also a certified trainer and he promotes himself as “America’s Personal Trainer.” His infomercials still float around the internet and constantly gain resurgences as new ad campaigns parody them. The ads became popular because he doesn’t shy away from poking fun at himself. He also parodies other stars like Fabio and Richard Simmons for the ad campaigns.
Connie Stevens – Hawaiian Eye (1959)
Eric Clapton – My Father’s Eyes (1998)
As the only musician ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame thrice, there’s no debating that Eric Clapton is a super talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He achieved the feat first as a member of the British rock group Yardbirds, then as a Cream band member, and also as a solo act.
The 18-time Grammy winner also rocked with Blind Faith before forming the trio band called Cream. Yardbirds earned him his initial success as a musician, and he has since continued churning out music as a solo artist. As a way of giving back, Clapton established the Crossroads Center for Recovering Substance Abusers in Antigua.
Alan Alda – M*A*S*H (1972)
Alan Alda came under the spotlight when he personified Captain Hawkeye in “M*A*S*H.” The six-time Golden Globe winner also appeared in “The West Wing,” and “Ray Donovan. For 15 years, he hosted the PBS program “Scientific American Frontiers.”
On top of six other Emmy Awards and numerous honorary degrees, Alda was the first recipient of the Kavil Foundation’s Communicator Award. Also an author, he released three publications including his 2008 memoir “Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself.” He has also penned full-length productions such as the 2011 play “The Passion of Marie Curie” recounting the life of Marie Skłodowska Curie, who was a Nobel Prize winner.
Mickey Kuhn – Gone with the Wind (1939)
Mickey Kuhn was active on-screen during Hollywood’s Golden Age. He started as a child star, becoming famous after winning a role 100 other children auditioned for to play Beau Wilkes in “Gone with the Wind.” He went on to be cast in other productions like “Juarez,” “Broken Arrow,” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.” The Golden Boot Award receiver left the film industry in the 1950s.
Kuhn worked in the Navy as an aircraft electrician from 1951 to 1955. He also worked for American Airlines and held administrative positions at the Boston airport. After retiring, he spends most of his time at Physicians Regional in North Naples, volunteering four hours a week.
Robert Clary — Hogan’s Heroes (1965)
Robert Clary is amongst the list of Hollywood stars who are truly inspiring, on account of how he overcame the odds. Having been a victim of the Nazi concentration camp, he nearly ended it all but thankfully, he found a reason to hold on. His glimmer of hope came through the opportunities he had to entertain those trapped with him at the camp.
Surviving the Holocaust and subsequently becoming a successful actor are some of the admirable aspects of Clary’s life. His standout performances include personifying Corporal Louis LeBeau in the war-themed sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes.” Clary eventually quit acting to focus on converting the photographs taken during his travels into paintings.
Billy Redden – Deliverance (1972)
Billy Redden is best known for his role in “Deliverance” a 1972 film where he was cast as a banjo-playing teen. Because he could not play the instrument, he wore a unique shirt that allowed a hand double to perform while staying away from the screen. After this, he appeared in other motion pictures like “Blastfighter” and “Big Fish.”
After taking a hiatus from the screens, Redden became a tour guide for visitors who wanted to see filming locations. In an interview in 2012, the “Outrage” thespian said he did not make a lot of money from acting and was working at Walmart, struggling to make ends meet.
Ursula Andress — Casino Royale (1967)
Ursula Andress is one of the most iconic “Bond Girls” we can’t forget, and before crossing over to acting she strutted the runways as a model. Being the first actress to ever embody a “Bond Girl,” the Golden Globe winner banked on her breakthrough performance in “Casino Royale” to land other roles.
Andresshas appeared in “Fun in Acapulco, “ “Sins of Cassanova,” and “Dr. No, Clash of The Titans.” Going into the ‘90s, she took fewer acting roles and her last credit was in the 2008 documentary “Masterpiece or Forgery: The Story of Elmyr De Hory.” She is enjoying her golden days shuffling between her house in Switzerland and apartment in Rome.
Jamie Farr – M*A*S*H (1972)
Maxwell Q. Klinger is the role that helped Jamie Farr become a permanent fixture in Hollywood. Portraying the cross-dressing corporal in “M*A*S*H” made him one of three former U.S military men to grace the show. Winning two dollars in his youth, from an acting contest, is what got the ball rolling for him.
The Pasadena Playhouse sharpened his acting skills further, and Goldwyn-Mayer soon signed him up. Farr hasn’t been short of work over the years, and he stunned fans in the documentary “Bowery Rhapsody: The Rise and Redemption of Hollywood’s Original Brat Pack.” In 1985, Farr earned his spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Richard Dreyfuss — Jaws (1975)
Richard Dreyfuss has enjoyed a five-decade-long career and is known for his memorable roles in big projects like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” “Jaws,” and “Crime Story.” “The Goodbye Girl” earned him the 1978 Best Actor Oscar making him the youngest at the time to boast of such an achievement.
Beyond the screen, he collaborated with Stephen Anderson, Kellie Cude, and Russ Porter on “The Dreyfuss Civics Curriculum: A National Model for Civics Education in Elementary and Secondary Schools.” He has long supported Civics education and championed its revival in schools as a way of teaching future generations about the principles of citizenship.
Katharine Ross — The Stepford Wives (1972)
Katharine Ross graced had award-winning roles in the ’60s and ’70s films that raised her profile in the industry. That includes “The Graduate.” ”Voyage of the Damned,” and “The Stepford Wives.” Her role in the latter production earned her an Oscar nomination and a Best Actress BAFTA.
Ross was semi-retired going into the ’90s but made a comeback in the 2001 film “Donnie Darko.” She also lent her voice to animated productions like “American Dad!” Ross is married to actor Sam Elliott and they are enjoying their “happily ever after” at a Malibu ranch. The pair even shared the screen in the 2017 movie “The Hero.”
Janis Paige – Romance on the High Seas (1948)
While Janis Paige has since left her acting and singing days behind, her list of works showcases her exemplary talent. She started her career fresh out of high school singing at the Hollywood Canteen in the wake of World War Two. Eventually, she ventured into acting, after a Warner Bros agent discovered and signed her up.
Paige appeared in “Romance on the High Seas” ”The Pajama Game,” and “Two Gals and a Guy.” In 1951 she chose to focus on Broadway but returned to Hollywood in the late ‘50s, before slowing down in the ‘90s. Paige penned a column published by The Hollywood Reporter in 2017 speaking about difficulties she faced in the industry.
Mel Brooks – Your Show of Shows (1950)
Mel Brooks is a multi-faceted entertainer with credits as a comedian, award-winning filmmaker, and musical composer. Teaming up with Neil Simon, Woody Allen, Carl Reiner, and Larry Gelbart on the’50s variety series “Your Show of Shows” helped launch his career.
He also paired up with Buck Henry to create “The 2000 Year Old Man,” a character for the “Get Smart” TV series. Brooks continues giving his best to the industry, as showcased when he lent his voice role in the “Grandma for President” podcast. In 2021, he shared more about his work experience and personal life through his memoir titled “All About Me.”
Al Pacino – The Godfather (1972)
Al Pacino has offered his best to the entertainment industry over the last five decades, and he has an Oscar and four Golden Globes to show for it. He is a method actor known to fully immerse himself into the characters he portrays. The result is a series of memorable performances in “The Godfather,” “Goodfellas,” “Scarface,” and “The Irishman.”
Pacino had dreams about becoming a baseball player but he earned the nickname “The Actor” in his teens which perhaps foreshadowed his fate. However, since appearing in the 2003 TV series “Angels in America,” Pacino took a break from acting. He made a comeback for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
Glynis Johns — Mary Poppins (1964)
Many first heard of Glynis Johns when she created Desiree Armfeldt on Broadway’s “A Little Night Music.” Her fame was catapulted further after playing in Walt Disney’s musical “Mary Poppins.” She went on bag jobs in many films and TV shows like “ The Naked City,” “Batman,” “The Ref,” and “Three Dangerous Ladies.” In 1998, Johns was named a Disney Legend.
In 2020, the Tony Award winner became the oldest living Academy Award nominee in any acting category. She has been married four times and has one child from her first union with Anthony Forwood. She resides in a community called Belmont Village, Hollywood Heights in California.
Jacqueline White — Crossfire (1947)
Jacqueline White’s movie debut in “Song of Russia” in 1944 resulted from her drama work at UCLA after a casting director invited her for a screen test. She mostly got supporting roles in A-films like “Mystery in Mexico” but also featured in two classics, “The Narrow Margin” and “Crossfire.”
In the ‘40s and ‘50s, White worked for both RKO (Radio-Keith-Orpheum) Radio Pictures, Inc and MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) studios. She retired as an actress in 1952 and moved to Wyoming with her husband. She has a daughter and four sons and is often seen at film conventions like the yearly TCM Film Festival.
Marcy McGuire – Seven Days’ Leave (1942)
Mercy McGuire’s career started at 16 when she appeared in “Seven Days’ Leave” in 1942. Soon after, she acted as herself in “Around the World.” The roles got her noticed in the industry for her comedy and singing talent, earning her jobs in productions such as “Higher and Higher,” “It Happened in Brooklyn,” “Jumping Jacks,” and “You Gotta Stay Happy.”
McGuire was also an active contralto singer in the ‘40s. She quit acting in 1952 and became an entrepreneur owning a lucrative Law Printing firm with her husband, who died in 2015. The couple later sold the entity in 1993. She has two kids.
Marilyn Knowlden – Women Love Once (1931)
Marilyn Knowlden is a former child actress who started featuring in Hollywood films at the tender age of four. During her first six months, she was part of five pictures, including “Husband’s Holiday” and “Women Love Once.” The Cinecon Film Career Achievement Award recipient was in more than 50 films and other productions.
Knowlden also landed endorsement deals from multiple brands such as White King Soap, Kellogg Corn Flakes, and Armour Ham. She has penned down a book titled “Little Girl in Big Pictures,” a collection of interesting and exciting stories from the Golden Age of Hollywood. She enjoys playing the piano, singing, and writing music.
