Vintage Star Tracks: This Time in 1981, See Jamie Lee Curtis and Her Mom, Plus More Big Stars

Kate Hogan

10 May 2024 at 8:00 am·4-min read

Find out what the biggest stars of the '80s were up to with throwback photos from Hollywood's bygone era

<p>Robert Ware/WWD/Penske Media via Getty</p> Jamie Lee Curtis and Janet Leigh in 1981 — Robert Ware/WWD/Penske Media via Getty
Jamie Lee Curtis and Janet Leigh in 1981

Hollywood's biggest names were out and about at this time 43 years ago.

May 1981 rolled on with A-list outings, concerts around the globe and starry red carpet events. Jamie Lee Curtis and her mom Janet Leigh snuggled up at a benefit in Santa Monica, while other stars turned out for a celebration of Burt Reynolds in New York City. Overseas, Stevie Wonder performed in sparkles, while back in New York City, icons like Lena Horne and Eartha Kitt ruled the stage.

Travel back in time to see what the hottest stars of the decade were up to during the peak of spring in 1981.

Sparkling Stevie

<p>Rob Verhorst/Redferns</p> Stevie Wonder in 1981 — Rob Verhorst/Redferns
Stevie Wonder in 1981

Stevie Wonder hit the stage at Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on May 6, 1981.

Diva at Dinner

<p>Barry King/WireImage</p> Lucile Ball in 1981 — Barry King/WireImage
Lucile Ball in 1981

Lucille Ball, then 69, stepped out for dinner at Chasens restaurant in Beverly Hills on May 16.

Silk Sonic

<p>Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty</p> Elizabeth Ashley in 1981 — Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Elizabeth Ashley in 1981

Elizabeth Ashley attended "The Friar's Club Gala Honoring Burt Reynolds Entertainer Of The Year" at N.Y.C.'s Waldorf on May 16.

Sleeping Beauty

<p>Frank O'Brien/The Boston Globe via Getty </p> Larry Bird in 1981 — Frank O'Brien/The Boston Globe via Getty
Larry Bird in 1981

On a flight from Houston to Boston, Celtics star Larry Bird snoozed as trainer Ray Melchiore held the team's new championship trophy on May 16.

Funny Faces

<p>ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty</p> Billy Crystal in 1981 — ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty
Billy Crystal in 1981

On a May 14 taping of Kids Are People Too, Billy Crystal and Randy Hamilton shared a laugh.

Welcome to Atlanta

<p>Rick Diamond/Getty </p> James Taylor in 1981 — Rick Diamond/Getty
James Taylor in 1981

On May 13, James Taylor entertained the crowd at the Atlanta Civic Center.

Woman of Wonder

<p>CBS via Getty</p> Lynda Carter in 1981 — CBS via Getty
Lynda Carter in 1981

Lynda Carter beamed while appearing on a television special in her honor on May 11.

French Dressing

<p>RAPH GATTI/AFP via Getty</p> Ellen Burstyn in 1981 — RAPH GATTI/AFP via Getty
Ellen Burstyn in 1981

Ellen Burstyn arrived in Cannes to step into her role as a jury member at the 34th Cannes Film Festival in France.

Sparkle Motion

<p>Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty</p> Tina Turner in 1981 — Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty
Tina Turner in 1981

Tina Turner jumped for joy while performing at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in New York City.

Cannes Do

<p>RAPH GATTI/AFP via Getty</p> Pele in 1981 — RAPH GATTI/AFP via Getty
Pele in 1981

Soccer great Pelé found himself surrounded by cameras at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

Belles of Broadway

<p>Bettmann/Getty</p> Cicely Tyson and Lena Horne in 1981 — Bettmann/Getty
Cicely Tyson and Lena Horne in 1981

Cicely Tyson and Lena Horne sparkled as Horne made a return to Broadway on May 12.

Sweater Weather

<p>Betty Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty</p> Willie Nelson in 1981 — Betty Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Willie Nelson in 1981

Also at the Friar's Club celebration of Burt Reynolds: a smiling Willie Nelson.

Mom and Me

Jamie Lee Curtis hugged her mom Janet Leigh while arriving to a May 12 party in Santa Monica.

New York Nights

<p>Sonia Moskowitz/Getty</p> John Warner, Sara Sothern and Elizabeth Taylor in 1981 — Sonia Moskowitz/Getty
John Warner, Sara Sothern and Elizabeth Taylor in 1981

Senator John Warner spent some time with wife Elizabeth Taylor and her mom, Sara Sothern, at an event in N.Y.C.

Just Kidding

<p>Hulton Archive/Getty</p> Princess Diana in 1981 — Hulton Archive/Getty
Princess Diana in 1981

Princess Diana saw eye to eye with a small child during a visit to Broadlands in Romsey, Hampshire, on May 9.

Capped Off

<p>Alan Davidson/Shutterstock</p> Joan Collins in 1981 — Alan Davidson/Shutterstock
Joan Collins in 1981

A stylish Joan Collins took her seat for a luncheon at the London Room on May 12.

Fab Four

<p>ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty</p> Larry David and Mark Hamill in 1981 — ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Larry David and Mark Hamill in 1981

Filming a scene for Fridays on May 8, Bruce Mahler, Larry David, Mark Hamill and Michael Richards brought the laughs.

Cats Meow

<p>Reed/Mirrorpix via Getty</p> Paul Nicholas, Elaine Page and Andrew Lloyd Weber in 1981 — Reed/Mirrorpix via Getty
Paul Nicholas, Elaine Page and Andrew Lloyd Weber in 1981

At the afterparty following the opening of Cats at the New London Theatre, Paul Nicholas, Elaine Paige and Andrew Lloyd Webber raised a glass.

Fest Best

<p>Chuck Fishman/Getty</p> Chuck Berry in 1981 — Chuck Fishman/Getty
Chuck Berry in 1981

Chuck Berry did his thing at the 1981 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Hello from Harlem

<p>Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty</p> Eartha Kitt in 1981 — Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty
Eartha Kitt in 1981

A glowing Eartha Kitt took the mic at Harlem World in N.Y.C. on May 8.

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