Blondes, apparently, do it better – and if this list is anything to go by, there might be a little truth to the well-used phrase. These Hollywood bombshells broke the 'dumb blonde' stereotype several times over, finding success on screen in the 1980s and building fruitful careers that are still going today. Read on to find out what happened to your favourite golden-haired bombshell of the decade.
Heather Locklear, known for her colossal bouffant on Dynasty and role on T.J. Hooker, is still working today, most recently appearing in 2024's Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story and 2021's Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story. Kim Basinger, lead of 9½ Weeks (1986) and Batman (1989), has recently lent her voice to video game Crime Boss: Rockay City (2023) and animated short Back Home Again (2021), with another animated feature, Getting Lost, in the works.
Michelle Pfeiffer, celebrated for her iconic cheekbones and roles in Scarface (1983), Ladyhawke (1985) and The Witches of Eastwick (1987), remains on screen with recent credits including series Margo's Got Money Troubles and The Madison, plus Christmas comedy Oh. What. Fun. (2025). Goldie Hawn, the Oscar-winning comic star of Private Benjamin (1980) and Overboard (1987), has returned to comedy in Snatched (2017) and played Mrs Claus in The Christmas Chronicles films.
Kelly McGillis, who defined cool in Top Gun and starred in Witness (1985) and The Accused (1988), has largely disappeared from the big screen, with her most recent appearance on Dirty John. Brigitte Nielsen, known for her signature short platinum crop and roles in Red Sonja and Beverly Hills Cop II, continues to act, with recent credits including The Guardians of Justice (2022) and Creed II (2018).
