The 1980s were a whirlwind of neon colors, big hair, and unforgettable cultural shifts. From blockbuster movies to groundbreaking music and historic world events, it was a decade that seemed larger than life. But beyond the iconic moments we all know, there’s a treasure trove of rare photographs that offer a glimpse into the everyday, the extraordinary, and the just plain unexpected. These images capture the spirit of the ’80s in ways that may surprise you, revealing a decade full of vibrant energy, innovation, and unapologetic individuality. Let’s dive into these hidden gems from the 1980s!
Cameron Diaz cheerleading in high school, 1988
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Long before Cameron Diaz picked up the mantle of Charlie’s Angels in the 2000s this fresh faced young woman was a cheerleader at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, a place that also had the honor of hosting Snoop Dogg. Instead of going to college Diaz signed a contract with the Elite Model Management at the age of 16 – her fellow students must have been jealous. She appeared in ads for Calvin Klein, Levi’s Jeans and Coca Cola. That was only a stepping stone for Diaz who went on to star in The Mask in 1994 before garnering critical acclaim in Being John Malkovich.
Heather Locklear in 1983
(Getty Images)
In the 1980s you had to go out of your way to avoid Heather Locklear, this blonde star was a series regular on TJ Hooker and a beloved presence on Dynasty where she got to be as wicked as she wanted to be. She totally ruled the ‘80s with her poofy hair and suggestive eyes, and aside from appearing on some of the most watched shows of the decade she also got into the hair metal scene when she married Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. She truly was an ‘80s queen and proved that she could rock just as hard as the boys. Heather Locklear will always tubular in our book.
Jamie Lee Curtis in the movie Perfect (1985)
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The 1980s saw Jamie Lee Curtis take a new step in her career as she transitioned from scream queen to beauty icon. In the 1985 film Perfect she spends most of her time in tiny leotards while she acts out extremely saucy work out scenes. She told the Chicago Times, “They`re supposed to be substitute love scenes, but in a way the scenes are almost more pornographic than if I were naked. It`s my big disappointment [about the picture]. I think the scenes are held on too long. And because the point of them is held on and drilled home so hard, I think maybe if you saw [me] making love, it might be a little softer. When I asked about having them cut down, I was told that they already had been cut down.”
Cathy Lee Crosby
Whoever said there are no second acts in America never met Cathy Lee Crosby. This delightful young woman began her career as a professional tennis player. She was so radical at the sport that she played at Wimbledon twice between 1967 and 1970 before retiring from the sport to act throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. She even appeared as a guest commentator for the televised special advertising WrestleMania 2. When she wasn’t commentating she was popping up on Kolchak: The Night Stalker and Wonder Woman. This multifaceted star showed young women across the world that they could do anything they wanted.
Tanya Roberts in The Beastmaster (1982)
There are two things that we remember from Beastmaster, the fact that the titular master of beasts has a pseudo magical power to control animals and Tanya Roberts. As the queen of b-movies in the 1980s Roberts was a teen boy’s dream and she says that she chose to appear in Beastmaster because there wasn’t as much focus on her. She told Fangoria, “I chose The Beastmaster because it gave me the chance to slip into movies without getting the whole book thrown at me. The movie wasn’t built around me. I was just an actor in it, and it was a good chance for me to be seen.”