The “good ole’ days” of  T.V.  happened during the 80’s.  I mean, every show was different. Some exciting and others hilarious. The following programs practically raised an entire generation.

What happened to your favorite T.V. Stars?

There was a show for technology lovers. A super cool talking car. Amazing dramas, some cool cops, and even some “good ole’ boys”.

One thing is for sure… Your favorite star from the 80’s is in one of these 7 shows.

You won’t believe what some of your favorite stars from the 80’s look like now.

You won’t recognize our number one pick…

Click “Start Slideshow” To Begin…

6. Knight Rider

A mysterious guy fighting a private battle against injustice. “Knight Rider” was the modern version of “The Lone Ranger”. The show aired from 1982 to 1986. The program describes the adventures of a high-tech crime fighter and his indestructible car. But where are the actors now?

You won’t believe how they look today…

6A. David Hasselhoff- Michael Knight

Did you know David Hasselhoff is the most watched man on TV? When he isn’t breaking his own Guinness Records, he works as an actor, producer, voice actor, and singer. He hasn’t changed much, has he?

He’s fared much better than some others on our list.

You won’t believe the next actor has FIFTY years of experience…

6B. Edward Mulhare- Devon Miles

Edward Mulhare was a legend in the showbiz. A very distinguished actor. He worked in the industry for five decades. Imagine that. And guess what? He even appeared on “Baywatch” with his friend David Hasselhoff. Edward passed away in 1997.

The next star may disappoint some of you…

6C. Patricia McPherson- Bonnie Barstow

Patricia McPherson was the role model of tough little girls during the 80’s. Patricia played Knight’s mechanic. Do you think she can change a flat tire in real life?

You’ll never recognize the next star on our list…

6D. William Daniels- K.I.T.T  (the car)

William Daniels was the famous voice of K.I.T.T the car. K.I.T.T and Michael talked during the show. Here’s an interesting fact… William Daniels and Hasselhoff never interact at all.  William recorded his lines each week. Not a bad gig if you can get it, right? One more cool fact… the show needed from 7 to 10 cars per season.  I want one.

Talking about cars, our next show had a car with a very peculiar horn. Hint, the car is orange…

5. Dukes of Hazard

One of my favorite shows as a kid. Did you know, the car was more famous than the actors? The car received 35,000 letters from fans. “Dukes of Hazard” was an action-comedy T.V. show that aired from 1979 to 1985 on CBS. Did you know the program was inspired by the movie “Moonrunners”? I bet you didn’t.

Click to see how the actors look today…

5A. John Schneider- Bo Duke

Bo was a heart throb. Many teen age girls had his poster on their wall. Here’s a funny fact you may not know. John Schneider claimed to be a graduate of the Georgia School of High-Performance Driving.  Once he got the part they realized that place didn’t even exist. He looks as handsome as ever.

The next actor wasn’t the first option for the role. Want to know who was going to take his place?

5B. Tom Wopat- Luke Duke

Dennis Quaid wanted to play Luke Duke. Can you believe it? He didn’t get the role because he wanted his wife to be part of the show too. I guess the producers didn’t like his demands. All of us fans are sure glad Tom got the role. I can’t imagine anyone else as Luke. Can you? How do you think he looks now? Would you recognize him?

Next up, short that changed fashion forever…

5C. Catherine Bach- Daisy Duke

All the boys loved Daisy. All the girls wanted to dress like her. Did you know, Catherine was supposed to wear a miniskirt? Instead, she appeared on set wearing denim shorts. Good choice, right? The producers thought it was a better idea. Do you think she still has those shorts?

I would have never recognized our next star…

5D. Denver Pyle- Jesse Duke

Everyone loved Uncle Jesse. Can you believe Denver Pyle was the drummer in a band? He dropped the drumsticks when he went to World War II. When he came back, he felt acting was his true calling. Personally, I miss the beard and overalls. What do you think?

Dukes Of Hazzard not your favorite show? Stay tuned our next show comes up real soon…

Next up, he taught Clint Eastwood and Quentin Tarantino everything they know…

5E. James Best- Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane

You know him as Sheriff Rosco, but Clint Eastwood remembers him as his teacher. James Best instructed many stars such as Quentin Tarantino, Burt Reynolds, and others. He was a legendary actor, producer, and songwriter. All we can remember is his funny sinister laugh and the way he would say his name.

Next, see what the deputy looks like now…

5F. Sonny Shroyer- Deputy Enos Strate

Enos was the kind hearted deputy that always had a crush on Daisy. The Dukes used this to their advantage. Did you know Deputy Enos had his own spin-off? Sonny Shroyer had his own show. Don’t worry if you don’t remember. Most people don’t. It only  lasted one season. You can still see him on T.V. shows and movies. Do you think he still has his police uniform?

Next up, you remember the boss, right?

5G. Sorrell Booke- Boss Hogg

He served during the Korea War, but bullets weren’t his thing. He acted in movies and TV shows during the 70’s and 80’s. If you don’t recognize him in these photos, maybe you remember his voice. Here’s a little know fact. His voice can be heard in episodes of  “Scooby Doo” and “Rock-A-Doodle”.

We’re almost ready for our second show. Stay tuned…

Next, you won’t believe who made it to congress…

5H. Ben Jones- Cooter Davenport

Cooter wins the award for the messiest guy on the show. So you’ll never believe what he did next. After the show, Ben Jones changed scripts for the constitution. He was a member of Congress from 1989 to 1993. Can you believe that?

Our next sitcom makes me hungry…

4. Chips

If you wanted to watch crazy stunts and two of the coolest motorcycle cops around,  “Chips” was the perfect T.V. show. It had it all, from action scenes to funny situations.  The program aired from 1977 to 1983 on NBC. Do you remember the cast? Do you want to know how they look now?

Click and let us know if you recognize them….

4A. Erik Estrada-Officer Francis (Frank) “Ponch” Poncherello

Ponch was considered a sex symbol for many girls during the 80’s. His tough persona Ponch on the show helped him grow a huge fan base. Did you know, Estrada inspired the Village People cop?  Really! We’re not kidding.  During the show, Erik Estrada became a pop culture staple. You can still watch Erik on movies and T.V. series. He even has the same haircut.

The next actor didn’t like Erik Estrada. In fact, they hated each other. Guess who he is…

4B. Larry Wilcox-Officer Jonathan (Jon) A. Baker

It was Ponch and Jon all the way, right? Partners until the end. Well not so much in real life. Did you know Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada never liked each other? That’s right. There was a lot of tension between them. Wilcox finally decided to leave the show and the ratings dropped. He still appears on T.V., but to us, he’ll always be Officer Baker. Would you recognize him now?

The following actor is actually someone your kids will know…

4C. Robert Pine-Sergeant Joseph (Joe) Getraer

People from the 80’s would still recognize Robert Pine anywhere. But millennials recognize him whenever he speaks. Do you know why? Because he was the character Bishop on the hit animated movie “Frozen”.  When Pine isn’t acting or teaching drama, he works as a voice actor.

Do you even recognize our next actor? 

4D. Paul Linke – Officer Arthur (Artie) “Grossie” Grossman

If his face looks familiar, it isn’t because Paul Linke participated in “Chips”. Before acting in the TV show, he appeared in cult movies. Can you believe that? Look at him now. Would you recognize him? Since leaving “Chips” he continued to appear in movies. Not all of them top notch hits. For example, he appeared in a movie titled “Shrunken Heads” in 1994. I must have missed that one.

The next T.V. show made soap operas look elegant and classy.  You’ll remember these actors. See what they look like now…

3. Dynasty

This show was the number one hit for many years. Did you know the show was almost about oil workers? That’s right. Its’ original name was going to be “Oil”.  Thankfully, the producers changed their mind.  Almost everybody watched that show. If you didn’t you still knew the characters. It aired from 1981 to 1989. “Dynasty” wasn’t only a TV series, it was a lifestyle. Do you remember how the actors looked before? Let’s see how they turned out…

Do you remember how the actors looked before? Let’s see how they turned out…

3A. John Forsythe-Blake Carrington

You read “John Forsythe”, but you say “legend”. Can you believe he’s been acting for more than six decades? He was an actor, producer, narrator, drama professor, and a philanthropist. Many generations know him as the patriarch on “Dynasty”. He’s aged but still very distinguished looking. Don’t you think?

The next actress had to change her last name because it was hard to pronounce…

3B. Linda Evans- Krystle Carrington

Maybe you didn’t know her real name was Linda Evenstad. When she started acting, she changed it to Evans. I guess it was easier to pronounce. Linda Evans was Amerca’s perfect wife on the show. How do you think she looks now?

How does the next star manage to look so stunning?

3C. Joan Collins-Alexis

Her name is synonymous with glamour. I think Linda Evans shares her forever young potion with Joan Collins. I mean, look at her. She still looks beautiful. On the show,  she suggested to producers that she wear fancy dresses for every scene. Beauty and brains. Joan was not only an actress but an author as well.

You are getting so close to #1. It was one of the most watched TV shows of all time. Click to find out.

3D. Heather Locklear-Sammy Jo Carrington

80’s kids grew up watching Heather Locklear. Teenage boys all had posters of Heather hanging on their walls. After “Dynasty” ended, she appeared in another hit “Melrose Place”. She was America’s sweetheart. Today, you can still see her on TV series and movies.

Heather always had a thing for the rockers. She’s been married to Tommy Lee, the drummer from Motley Crew. Then to Richie Sambora the lead guitarist from Bon Jovi.

Can you believe this beauty is now 55 years old?

The next actor is known as The King of Soap Operas. I bet you’ve seen him recently…

3E. Gordon Thomson-Adam Carrington

One of the perks of being an actor is that you can be a star guest in other programs. Perhaps you remember Gordon Thomson on “The Nanny”, “Murder She Wrote” and “Spider-Man”. If you turn your T.V. at noon, you’ll see Thomson on the T.V. soap opera Young And The Restless.

Most recently Gordon can be seen in the movie Poseidon which hit theaters in 2006. His last movie was a made for T.V. movie, Ladies of the House. He co-starred with Donna Mills and Florence Henderson. Florence, best known from the Brady Bunch sadly passed away recently.

What do you think about how he looks now?

The next actor hasn’t changed at all. See if you agree…

3F. John James-Jeff Colby

John James is a veteran of daytime soap operas. We all know him best as Jeff Colby on Dynasty.

Did you know, he even had his own spin-off: “The Colby’s”? When he’s not acting, he’s producing T.V. soap operas.

James, 59, found success in daytime drama when the two series ended. He starred on As the World Turns and All My Children, both New York-based soap operas.

Look at him now. He hasn’t changed at all.

Next up, Did  “The Dynasty Cast” drink a forever young potion?

3G. Pamela Sue Martin-Fallon Carrington

Here’s something you may not know… Pamela Sue Martin is  best known for playing Nancy Drew on The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries TV series. Do you remember watching those shows? I certainly do.

Later, she starred in both “Dynasty” and the spin-off “The Colby’s”.
She is the queen of soap operas in America. She has appeared on nighttime and daytime soap operas for more than 30 years. But did you know she owns a theater company in Idaho? She’s not only a pretty face, she’s smart and successful.

The next sitcom episodes were only 15 minutes long. Enough time to make it a huge success. Do you know what show is next?

2. Punky Brewster

 

Punky Brewster is a child who has been abandoned by her parents. Taken in by crusty Chicago photographer Henry Warnimont. Punky and her dog, Brandon, teach Henry how to lighten up. Cherie and Allen are two of Punky’s friends.

Punky is named for a girl former NBC executive Brandon Tartikoff remembered from his childhood.

Did you know the episodes of “Punky Brewster” were 15 minutes long? Weird right? Well, “Knight Rider” had to start on time. Can you believe that?

It was the first 15 minute TV show on NBC. The program aired from 1984 to 1988.

Are you ready to see that Punky now?  Well, she’s not a little girl anymore.

2A. Soleil Moon Frye as Penelope “Punky” Brewster

Check out those freckles. Adorable, right?

Soleil Moon Frye was a huge star by the age of 7.

Now at 40 years old she’s still cute but I’d never recognize her. Would you?

After the show, she got a role in the famous T.V. show “Sabrina, The Teenage Witch”.  Other shows you’ve seen her in include, “Saved By The Bell” and a voice on the popular cartoon series, “The Proud Family”.

Our #1 pick is finally here! It inspired million’s Halloween costumes across the globe.  Click to see our #1 sitcom…

1. Bewitched

Thanks to our #1 TV show, the nose twitch was the big thing back in the day. Maybe it was their version of the mannequin.

Everybody loved it. The TV show aired from 1964 to 1972. Even though this show originally aired in the 70’s all of us 80’s kids watched every rerun many times. During those years, the world watched the magical adventures of the young witch Samantha.

Do you remember what this show was about?

Samantha falls in love with New York ad exec Darrin Stephens.  Then he finds out that Sam is a witch. A twitch of her nose brings magical results. Darrin makes her promise never to use her powers. She agrees and tries to be the perfect wife. Unfortunately, her mother, Endora, has different plans. She hates that Sam has married a mortal and continually tries to break them up. 

The program was a huge success. Who didn’t dress up like Samantha in Halloween?

So, how does the cast look now? Would you recognize them? Let’s find out.

1A. Elizabeth Montgomery- Samantha

Did you know Elizabeth Montgomery was pregnant during the first season? That’s right, The looser clothing wasn’t a magic trick. Can you believe that? After the show, Montgomery continued acting for more than 5 decades.

Born in 1933, Elizabeth passed away in 1995.

What a beautiful woman. Don’t you agree?

The next photo is a bit shocking. Be prepared…

1B. Dick York- Darrin

Before acting in “Bewitched”, Dick York was a celebrity in the radio show business. He started at the age of 15 as the star of the CBS radio program That Brewster Boy. In fact, he starred in hundreds of radio shows before heading to New York and starring in many broadway shows.

Did you know while 1959 movie They Came to Cordura with Gary Cooper and Rita Hayworth that Dick suffered a back injury that would affect him the rest of his life?

In fact, when he got the role of Darrin his back would seize up causing incredible pain. It got so bad that the scripts for some of his later episodes on Bewitched were written around his being in bed or on the couch for the entire episode

You can see that later in his life he didn’t do that well.  He’ll always be our Darrin.

The next actress was a surprise. Guess who she is…

1C. Erin Murphy- Tabitha

 

Can you believe that little Tabitha is now 52 years old?

She was so cute on the show and is still an attractive woman.

Did you know that her role was never planned? Erin Murphy’s got the role because Montgomery got pregnant. Erin Murphy isn’t a girl anymore.

Can you believe she appeared on more than 100 commercials?

She works as an actress, motivational speaker, makeup artist, businesswoman and a TV host.

Do you think she can still do the mouth twitch?

THANKS FOR VIEWING OUR CONTENT! ENJOY ANOTHER STORY FROM OUR FRIENDS: