Vintage StarTracks: This Time in 1981, See Farrah Fawcett and Burt Reynolds, Plus More

John Russell

23 May 2024 at 8:15 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>Alamy</p> Farrah Fawcett and Burt Reynolds in 1981 — Alamy
Farrah Fawcett and Burt Reynolds in 1981

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

Back in May 1981, Farrah Fawcett and Burt Reynolds were on set, while Cher made time for a celebrity softball game and to celebrate her 35th birthday. Bruce Springsteen played London while U2 rocked New York City, where Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda also got together for a 9 to 5 reunion.

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

Play Ball

<p>Barry King/Alamy</p> Joan Rivers and Cher in 1981 — Barry King/Alamy
Joan Rivers and Cher in 1981

Joan Rivers and Cher hit it out of the park at the Riviera hotel and casino's ninth annual Celebrity Softball Game in Las Vegas.

Keeping It Casual

<p>Sonia Moskowitz/IMAGES/Getty</p> Meryl Streep in 1981 — Sonia Moskowitz/IMAGES/Getty
Meryl Streep in 1981

Meryl Streep looked laid-back even as her star continued to rise with her Oscar-nominated performance in 1981's The French Lieutenant's Woman.

Louder, Please

<p>AP Photo/Rasmussen</p> Henry Gibson, Gary Owens and Jenilee Harrison in 1981 — AP Photo/Rasmussen
Henry Gibson, Gary Owens and Jenilee Harrison in 1981

Actors Henry Gibson and Jenilee Harrison were all ears as they flanked radio personality Gary Owens, who received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Veep Show

<p>Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty</p> Joan Mondale and Walter Mondale in 1981 — Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Joan Mondale and Walter Mondale in 1981

Vice President Walter Mondale and wife Joan smiled for the cameras at Regency Hotel in New York City.

Wild Bunch

<p>Paul Natkin/Getty</p> Phil Taylor, Lemmy Kilmister and Eddie Clarke of Motörhead in 1981 — Paul Natkin/Getty
Phil Taylor, Lemmy Kilmister and Eddie Clarke of Motörhead in 1981

Motörhead drummer Phil Taylor, singer/bassist Lemmy Kilmister and guitarist Eddie Clarke were partying hard backstage at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.

Beauty and the Brawn

<p>Frank Edwards/Archive Photos/Getty</p> Morgan Fairchild and Dar Robinson in 1981 — Frank Edwards/Archive Photos/Getty
Morgan Fairchild and Dar Robinson in 1981

Morgan Fairchild posed with stuntman Dar Robinson at an NBC party in Los Angeles.

Beat Goes On

<p>Paul Natkin/Getty</p> Levon Helm of The Band in 1981 — Paul Natkin/Getty
Levon Helm of The Band in 1981

Drummer and vocalist Levon Helm pounded the skins with The Band at the Memphis Fairgrounds.

Lady in Black

<p>Barry King/Alamy</p> Liza Minelli in 1981 — Barry King/Alamy
Liza Minelli in 1981

Photographers caught a mischievous grin from Liza Minnelli outside the Bel Air Hotel in Los Angeles.

Pitch Perfect

<p>ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty</p> Beverly Todd and Louis Gossett Jr. in 1981 — ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Beverly Todd and Louis Gossett Jr. in 1981

Beverly Todd and Louis Gossett Jr. starred in ABC's made-for-TV biopic Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige, based on the famed MLB pitcher's autobiography.

Country Girl

<p>Paul Natkin/Getty</p> Juice Newton in 1981 — Paul Natkin/Getty
Juice Newton in 1981

"Angel of the Morning" singer Juice Newton posed for a backstage photos in Memphis while promoting her self-titled 1981 album.

American Invasion

<p>Alamy</p> Goldie Hawn in 1981 — Alamy
Goldie Hawn in 1981

Arriving at London's Heathrow Airport, Goldie Hawn looked effortlessly glamorous.

Satiny Smooth

<p>Ron Wolfson / Rock Negatives / MediaPunch / Alamy</p> Lionel Richie in 1981 — Ron Wolfson / Rock Negatives / MediaPunch / Alamy
Lionel Richie in 1981

A year before launching his solo career, Lionel Richie performed onstage with the Commodores.

French Connection

<p>Bertrand LAFORET/Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty</p> Isabelle Huppert and Kris Kristofferson in 1981 — Bertrand LAFORET/Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty
Isabelle Huppert and Kris Kristofferson in 1981

French actress Isabelle Huppert cozied up to her Heaven's Gate co-star Kris Kristofferson at the Cannes Film Festival.

Come Hither

<p>LAFORET/SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty</p> Jessica Lange in 1981 — LAFORET/SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty
Jessica Lange in 1981

Jessica Lange was also at the Cannes Film Festival, promoting the 1981 remake of The Postman Always Rings Twice.

Cake Walk

<p>Barry King/WireImage</p> Cher and Mark Hudson in 1981 — Barry King/WireImage
Cher and Mark Hudson in 1981

Ahead of the premiere of her first-ever solo concert residency at the Sahara Reno Opera House Theatre in Reno, Nevada, Cher celebrated her 35th birthday with record producer and songwriter Mark Hudson.

Party Favor

<p>Barry King/WireImage</p> Kate Jackson in 1981 — Barry King/WireImage
Kate Jackson in 1981

Also at Cher's 35th birthday party: Charlie's Angels star Kate Jackson, who managed to nabbed a pink ballon.

Dressed to the Nines

<p>Robin Platzer/Images/Getty</p> Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda in 1981 — Robin Platzer/Images/Getty
Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda in 1981

9 to 5 co-stars Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda all looked fabulous as they reunited in New York.

Bear Hug

Farrah Fawcett appeared thrilled to get her arms around leading man Burt Reynolds on the set of The Cannonball Run.

All-American Boss

<p>David Corio/Redferns</p> Bruce Springsteen in 1981 — David Corio/Redferns
Bruce Springsteen in 1981

Bruce Springsteen's The River Tour took the Jersey boy and his E Street Band all the way to London's Wembley Arena.

'Sweatest' Thing

<p>Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty</p> U2 frontman Bono in 1981 — Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty
U2 frontman Bono in 1981

A young Bono worked up a sweat performing with U2 at New York City club Palladium.

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