5 Celebrities Who Don’t Look the Same as in the 80s – Photos of Radical Transformations

• The ’80s, a decade of iconic styles and unforgettable celebrities, greatly impacted pop culture.
• As times have changed, so too have the lives of these stars.
• In this look back, we look at the lives of five such celebrities and what they’ve been up to since leaving the limelight.

As the years roll by, our favorite silver screen icons from the 80s continue to evolve, in their art and appearance. This retrospective glance offers a deeper understanding of the personal and professional metamorphoses of Kelly Ann McGillis, Gene Hackman, Shelley Duvall, Leif Garrett, and Jake Lloyd.

Duvall, known for her haunting role as Wendy Torrance in the 1980 horror film, now lives a life markedly different from her acting days. As for Garrett, the teen idol of the 70s and 80s, he faced several personal challenges along the way.

Kelly Ann McGillis: From Hollywood Stardom to Personal Transformation

Kelly Ann McGillis, the ’80s bombshell, was born in 1957 in Newport Beach, California. Her lineage is a rich blend of English, Welsh, Scots Irish, and German roots. Driven by her love for acting, McGillis dropped out of high school to study at renowned institutions like Juilliard and the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts.

McGillis’s career took off in 1985 with her role in the thriller film, “Witness,” alongside Harrison Ford. This success paved the way for her iconic role as Charlie Blackwood in the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun,” where she played the love interest of Tom Cruise’s character, Maverick.

McGillis, in a discussion back in 2019, disclosed that she wasn’t invited to reprise her role in the sequel to “Top Gun,” titled “Top Gun: Maverick.”

She responded to this news candidly, saying, “Oh my god, no. They did not endorse me. I mean, I’m old and I’m fat and I look age-appropriate for what my age is, and that is not what that whole team is about. I’d much rather feel absolutely secure in my skin and who and what I am at my age.”

At the time of the interview, McGillis was living a quiet life in North Carolina with her children, Sonora and Kelsey Tillman. She spoke openly about her decision to step back from Hollywood, explaining that she had embarked on a journey of self-discovery and sobriety.

She further explained that her life priorities had shifted, “It wasn’t like a major decision that I made to leave, it was just that other things became more important.” She expressed her deep affection for the performing arts, particularly acting and theater. However, she acknowledged that her interpersonal relationships gained more importance than her pursuit of fame.

“I feel really blessed that I don’t have to work. But I get the option to work, so I’m really blessed in that way. Not many people get that option later in life, so I feel very lucky,” expressed McGillis.

Gene Hackman: From Hollywood Legend to Ranch Life

Gene Allen Hackman, who was born on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, is a retired American actor. His extraordinary acting career stretched over more than sixty years.

With a legacy that includes 33 awards from 39 nominations, including two Oscars, two BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globes, a Silver Bear, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, Hackman’s impact on the film industry is undeniable.

His breakthrough came in his thirties with the movie “Bonnie and Clyde” in 1967, earning him his first Academy Award nomination. During that period, he was wedded to his initial spouse, Faye Maltese. The couple was blessed with three offspring, namely Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie. However, as Hackman’s career took off, his personal life suffered some challenges.

His marriage to Maltese ended in divorce in 1986 after 30 years. Reflecting on his Hollywood career, Hackman admitted that the industry could make one extremely self-centered, leading to difficult choices and sacrifices, including spending prolonged periods away from family due to work commitments.

Despite their significant age gap, the couple tied the knot in 1991 and have remained together since. In a 2008 interview, he expressed a genuine lack of desire to continue working, admitting that he missed performing, which he had passionately pursued for almost 60 years.

However, he found the business side of the industry, with its necessary compromises and challenges, increasingly burdensome. Hackman’s decision to retire was not surprising, given his lifelong focus on the craft of acting rather than the pursuit of fame. His training prepared him for portraying characters, not for navigating the challenges of fame, agents, lawyers, and the press.

His retirement was not prompted by scandal but rather by a sobering reality. After a stress test in New York revealed a heart condition, Hackman was advised by his doctor to avoid further strain. This medical assessment, combined with his lack of desire for fame and the dark side of popularity, ultimately led him away from Hollywood.

With a lot of free time at his disposal, Hackman plunged into a new career path as a writer. Collaborating with his neighbor and friend, Daniel Lenihan, he co-authored a series of captivating historical adventure novels.

It’s not entirely accurate to label this as a brand-new career; the journey began with the release of “Wake Of The Perdido Star” in 1999, while Hackman was still gracing the silver screen. Subsequently, the courtroom drama “Justice For None” followed in 2004, shortly after Hackman bid farewell to his acting days.

Today, Hackman leads a quiet life in New Mexico, cherishing the serene life he shares with his wife, Arakawa. He enjoys hobbies such as painting, sketching, and driving his pick-up trucks. Sources claim that the former actor is in excellent health, and enjoys cycling, being a handyman, and doing yard work.

Despite not having biological children together, Hackman and Arakawa maintain a strong bond with Hackman’s children, Leslie, Elizabeth, and Christopher. Hackman has built a close relationship with them and his grandchildren, despite his regrets about not being more present in their lives in the past.

Shelley Alexis Duvall: From Silver Screen to Tranquil Texas

After graduating from high school and initially working as a cosmetics salesperson, Duvall’s life took a dramatic turn in 1970 when she was discovered by talent scouts at a local party. Director Robert Altman, the director, recognized Duvall’s potential, who had some acting experience from her high school days, and gave her a role in her debut film, “Brewster McCloud.”

Altman, impressed by her acting skills, cast her in many of his following films, including “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” “Thieves Like Us,” and “Nashville.” Duvall’s acting career blossomed with her leading role in “3 Women” in 1977, a performance that earned her Best Actress at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival.

In 1979, Altman offered Duvall a role that he believed was perfect for her: Olive Oyl in the live-action adaptation of “Popeye.” Despite initial reservations due to childhood memories of being negatively called Olive Oyl, Duvall accepted the role and delivered a memorable performance, even singing several songs in the film.

A particularly violent scene involving a baseball bat was filmed 127 times, setting a record for the highest number of takes for a single scene. Duvall’s career saw significant growth throughout the 1980s. In 1989, working on the Disney Channel movie “Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme,” she met Dan Gilroy, and the two have been a couple since then.

Duvall expressed her happiness about returning to acting, stating, “Acting again—it’s so much fun. It enriches your life.” Her prolonged absence from Hollywood led to rumors about her mental health. However, in a 2023 interview with People Magazine, Duvall presented herself as sharp, earthy, a bit eccentric, and sometimes emotional as she reflected on her remarkable career.

Leif Garrett: A Teen Idol’s Struggle and Redemption

Leif Garrett, born on November 8, 1961, in Hollywood, began his journey in the entertainment industry at the tender age of 5. He starred in films such as “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice” in 1969 and “Walking Tall,” in 1973. He also landed roles in television shows like “Family Affair,” “Gunsmoke,” and “Three for the Road.”

Garrett entered the music industry in his mid-teens, signing a deal with Atlantic Records in 1977 and releasing his debut album the same year. His initial hits were mostly covers of popular songs from the 1960s. His career skyrocketed when he released the album “Feel the Need” in 1978.

This path of self-destruction culminated in a serious car accident on November 3, 1979, just days before his 18th birthday. The accident left his friend Roland Winkler, a dancer, paralyzed and led to a lengthy legal battle between the two. The accident had a profound impact on Garrett, leaving him with a deep sense of guilt over his role in the crash.

By the mid-’80s, Garrett’s career had waned, and he returned to acting in movies that didn’t gain much traction. He also struggled with substance abuse and the guilt over his involvement in Winkler’s paralysis. In 2020, Garrett revealed that Winkler had since passed away. He died on May 25, 2017, at the age of 57, after dealing with constant physical problems resulting from the accident.

He was also heavily into heroin abuse as he found himself drifting further away from his heyday as a pop star. Despite overcoming his heroin addiction and rekindling his friendship with Winkler, Garrett’s struggles were far from over.

Shortly after publicly announcing his newfound sobriety on “Behind the Music,” Garrett faced a different kind of spotlight: he was arrested in Los Angeles by undercover officers posing as drug dealers. Unfortunately, his struggle with drugs persisted, resulting in several arrests in 2004 and 2006.

The latter arrest led to a prison sentence. In February 2010, law enforcement officers at a Los Angeles train station discovered black tar heroin concealed in his footwear. Later that same year, he became a part of the fourth season of “Celebrity Rehab” with Dr. Drew. In 2011, he claimed that the show’s producers attempted to create drama by encouraging him to use drugs while filming.

He warned Bieber not to believe his own publicity and stressed the importance of discerning who his real friends were. Garrett later revealed that during his time as a teenage idol, his managers had lied and said he was sick from exhaustion to sell out his shows. He was forced to live this lie, and his voice was processed until it barely sounded like him.

As of 2022, Garrett’s total assets amounted to approximately $10,000. Despite his struggles, Garrett expressed gratitude for the experiences he had, though he wished things could have been better. He now plays music because he loves it and is not in a rush to do more unless it feels right and as real as possible.

Jake Lloyd: From Star Wars to Personal Battles

Jake Matthew Lloyd, recognized for his role as Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” was born on March 5, 1989, in Fort Collins, Colorado. His foray into the film industry began early, with appearances in commercials and episodes of “ER.”

Lloyd’s first debut in “Unhook the Stars” in 1996, and later that year, he fulfilled his dream of working with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the holiday film “Jingle All the Way.” His career took a significant leap when director George Lucas selected him from around 3,000 child actors to play the nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker in the eagerly awaited “Star Wars” prequel.

Though the film was a huge success, becoming the second-highest-grossing movie globally at the time, “The Phantom Menace” faced extreme negative backlash from critics and audiences alike. The reaction to Lloyd’s performance as Anakin Skywalker led him to retire from acting after Episode I.

Since then, Lloyd has led a life that has largely remained a mystery to his fans. As the silver anniversary of the iconic film approaches in May 2024, Lloyd’s absence from the celebratory coverage is noticeable. In an exclusive interview, his mother, Lisa Flowers Broadbent, provided a glimpse into her son’s life post-Star Wars.

A doctor suggested he might have bipolar disorder, but the medications they tried didn’t work. Lloyd’s struggles continued into his college years at Columbia College Chicago. He missed a lot of classes and often felt that people were following him.

After a series of appointments with therapists and psychiatrists, he was eventually diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. The diagnosis threw Lloyd into an even deeper depression. His condition was further complicated by anosognosia, a neurological disorder that causes a patient to be unaware of their symptoms or unconsciously deny them.

This news made its way to the headlines, sparking a range of responses from online users. One individual reacted with surprise, exclaiming, “No!! …Who is this again?” while, another user remarked, “He has turned to the dark side.”

After the incident, Lloyd spent 10 months in jail, refusing to communicate with his mother and declining his medication. Broadbent tirelessly advocated for her son, sending him notes and cards while he was in jail and eventually getting him into a hospital for treatment. However, it was challenging to ensure Lloyd attended doctor’s appointments and took his medications.

Her unexpected death left Lloyd reeling, unable to process his grief. In March 2023, Lloyd experienced a severe psychotic episode. During a drive home after picking up food at McDonald’s, Lloyd turned off the car in the middle of a three-lane road, causing a traffic jam and leading to his admission to a hospital.

For the first time in many years, Lloyd, 35, is showing enthusiasm for social activities, such as attending barbecues and celebrating holidays. Broadbent, shares that Lloyd still loves “Star Wars” and enjoys the new series and movies.

Broadbent insists that Lloyd’s decision to quit acting was not due to the backlash from “The Phantom Menace,” but rather due to family issues and a lack of enjoyment in auditioning. She acknowledges that Lloyd’s schizophrenia would have developed regardless of his “Star Wars” fame, pointing to a history of the condition on his biological father’s side.

She also shares that Lloyd is showing improvement in his mental health and social interactions, and she remains hopeful for his future. While Broadbent doesn’t foresee Lloyd returning to “Star Wars,” she expresses a desire for him to reach a point where he could engage in activities he enjoys.

Despite the challenges, Broadbent emphasizes that they are in a better place now and look forward to a brighter future for Lloyd. The 1980s were a defining decade for pop culture, fashion, and cinema, leaving an indelible mark on those who lived through it.

Each of these individuals has navigated their own unique path, facing personal struggles and professional highs and lows. Their stories are a mosaic of change, showcasing the unexpected ways time transforms lives, legacies, and looks.