The '80s was an era which saw people putting on a pair of leotards of some variety, putting in that videotape into a VCR and working out like a champ until you were dripping with sweat. In an age of digital downloads, smartphones and having everything at our fingertips, we no longer need VCRs (or the very aged VHS exercise tapes). The stars of those tapes are still a picture of health and we've managed to hunt them down and figure out what they've been up to. Read on to discover what the fitness guru's of the '80s are doing now!
Raquel Welch - Actress & Singer, Age 79
It all started in 1984 with Raquel: The Raquel Welch Total Beauty and Fitness Program, a book she released to the world. While the book was considered a success, it was her acting talent which really caught peoples' attention. She went on to star in some very desirable roles, earned herself a Golden Globe Award, and to this very day, is still involved in the acting industry. By following a healthy diet and sweating it out regularly, Welch just looks amazing for her age, which is unbelievably nearing 80!
Tamilee Webb - Fitness Guru, Age 61
We're not entirely sure how active Tamilee Webb is these days, although we're fairly certain she's still involved in the health and fitness line of things. She became a household name when her series, Buns of Steel and Abs of Steel became a huge hit. She is an icon of the '80s and as well as being in incredible shape; Webb is the CEO of her own company and she holds a masters degree. Those achievements, plus the millions of dollars she has, just convince us that she's had a successful career thus far.
Cathy Lee Crosby - Actress, Age 73
Former professional tennis player-turned-actress Cathy Lee Crosby never struggled in front of the camera. In fact, every performance she gave seemed as though she was born for the role. As a tennis player, she managed to play at the highest stage, which of course is Wimbledon, on two separate occasions before retiring from the sport to focus on her acting career. She's been pretty quiet on the acting front on recent years but we imagine her health and fitness levels remain high from how active she used to be.
Jake Steinfeld - Businessman, Age 53
Fitness specialist Jake Steinfield is revolutionizing the modern fitness industry due to his entrepreneurial finesse and his passion for fitness. He's an icon in the industry and has been making a career for himself for over thirty years. His creation for the digital world was FitOrbit 2.0 which is an online-based training platform that allows both nutritionists and trainers to be easily accessible and affordable to those who require their services. Jake not only promoted a healthier way of living, but he created a brand - one that is still motivating people today.
Jane Fonda - Actress, Age 80
Actress and health guru Jane Fonda has enjoyed a very successful career during her lifetime. She's sold over a million copies of The Jane Fonda Workout, which subsequently encouraged many people to buy a VCR (a new invention at the time!). Fonda has released many other related videos since and she looks fantastic because of it. While she might not be as active as she used to be in promoting health and fitness, she's still dominating every role that lands her way in the acting world and is hugely respected.
Kathy Smith - Personal Trainer, Age 66
Kathy Smith is an inspiration to the fitness world not only for embracing a healthy lifestyle but also for promoting one. She looks incredible all these years later and sure practices what she preaches. She's released several DVDs over the years and is consistently helping and encouraging people to live a healthier lifestyle and adopt a regular fitness regimen. She's also worth around $20 million - so she's very rich on top of being beautiful, adored, and in great shape at sixty-something years old!
Cher - Musician & Actress, Age 72
Cher is a highly famous and respected woman in Hollywood (have you seen her in Mamma Mia 2?) and she's been actively involved in the fitness scene for quite some time. She released a book in 1991 and has vowed to live a life which is integrated with fitness and a healthy diet. She's definitely doing something right as the actress and singer looks fantastic. All you need to do is invest a little time in yourself and you could end up with some astounding results.
Ali MacGraw - 81
Ali McGraw grabbed nation-wide attention when Goodbye, Columbus came out in 1969. Her unique performance and vibrant sultry look won hearts all over the world and also earned her a Golden Globe for her acting skills. After the release of Love Story, McGraw became an instant hit and started being recognized internationally. The celebrated actress is now 79 years old and has stepped away from acting for over a decade now. We hope she is enjoying her retirement days.
Jamie Lee Curtis - Actress, Age 59
Iconic and successful actress Jamie Lee Curtis might have forged herself a very impressive Hollywood career, but her fitness world really began in the movie Perfect, alongside John Travolta. The movie has a scene which focuses on an aerobics class and she became a star! She's since discovered that horror movies seem to be her thing and where her acting prowess lies. To this day, she's still working in the acting industry and she isn't showing any signs of slowing down.
Cynthia Kereluk - Unknown, Age 56
It's not really clear what former Miss Canada is up to today, but she garnered quite the following and success after showcasing her physique and looks to the world. She was given her own fitness program where she could act as a fitness trainer and encourage people to tone up and lose weight. It wasn't a very long career path for her though and after being cast in a couple of less-than-great movies, she's sort of dwindled into the shadows of the entertainment business.
Suzanne Somers - Actress & Businesswoman, Age 71
Suzanne Somers has enjoyed a career filled with acting, singing, and earning lots of bucks along the way. While she might not be as active these days, she certainly knows how to keep her body in shape. Adopting a healthy lifestyle doesn't need to be a complicated matter - and Suzanne nailed it when she became the spokesperson for the Thighmaster, a piece of equipment used between...well, your thighs, but we're sure you could work that one out. She's predominantly cast in TV shows over movies but we're sure she's enjoying a well-earned break.
Lou Ferrigno - Actor, Age 66
Lou Ferrigno is somewhat of an actor, somewhat retired, a fitness trainer, and perhaps a slew of other things. He's not known in the role, but he actually plays The Hulk in the Marvel movies. The former professional bodybuilder is in incredible shape so it's no surprise that he does some work as the strongest Avenger. He boasts a net worth in the region of around $6 million, so he must be doing something right.
Judi Sheppard Missett - Retired / Author, Age 74
Judi Sheppard Missett changed the fitness industry when she started the Jazzercise routines. This created a whole dance franchise designed to promote losing weight and an active lifestyle. They contain elements of dance, resistance and strength training and no doubt play a huge role in keeping her looking slim. She also authored related materials in recent years and has submitted articles to the Huffington Post. We probably won't see a great deal from her as she's likely enjoying her wealth and old age, although she definitely revolutionized being active and having fun.
Nancy Kerrigan - Actress / Host, Age 48
Nancy Kerrigan was the victim of the aforementioned scandal that ended Tonya Harding's career and could easily have ruined Nancy's, too. She was attacked in what people believe to be a setup act of assault to prevent Nancy from competing, given the fact she was an excellent figure skater. Her exercise and diet knowledge would have kept her in amazing shape and no doubt helped her return from injury to compete in the Olympic games. She has now tried her hand in acting.
Chris Evert Lloyd - Tennis Academy Owner, Age 63
Chris Evert has a superb talent for tennis and has gone on to win a whole array of medals and plaudits for her success on the court. She has also maintained a healthy lifestyle even in the years where she wasn't competing. She's been married several times and has children, although it's great to see she seems pretty settled now. She opened her own tennis academy which will no doubt help other aspiring tennis players to hone their skills and become as talented as she is.
Charlene Prickett - Unknown, Age 72
We're not sure what it is that Charlene Prickett is busy with these days, but we'd like to think it involves a lot of relaxation periods. The fitness guru has released videos which are highly rated and her exercise routines are something which helps to keep her looking fantastic. Her workout routines were a raging success, thanks in part to the fact she doesn't focus on the same things as most workout releases; instead, she has done higher quality choreography which incorporated health and being active.
Tonya Harding - Retired, Age 47
The story of Tonya Harding has received a public audience lately, thanks to Margot Robbie and the movie I, Tonya. She was an incredibly talented figure skater but was stripped of her awards and banned from the sport following a huge scandal which shook the business. After being arrested and trying to commit suicide, she decided to take a break from the media. During her peak skating period though, she was in great shape and showcased health and fitness perfectly.
Derrick Evans - Runs An Eco-Resort, Age 65
Those who were growing up in the '80s might remember Mr. Motivator who often found himself on GMTV. He would often be seen wearing colorful spandex as he promoted being fit through his different fitness routines. It's not clear what he's doing these days, as his last TV appearance was back in 2016. He's released books, attempted to get into the music scene, and we imagine still loves to talk about exercises people can do. Reports suggest he's enjoying somewhat of a retirement, spending time in the UK and Jamaica.
Richard Simmons - Retreated From The Public Eye, Age 71
Richard Simmons was always known for being very energetic - a trait which he used to help other people lose weight and improve their health and fitness. He became popular in the '70s and then became an aerobics icon with his videos. He abruptly disappeared from the public eye in 2014, not doing any major appearances. Rumors were rife that he was being held hostage in his home by his housekeeper, although he denied these claims. He then went on to close his gym and has been hardly seen or heard of since. Where are you, Richard?
Alyssa Milano - Actress, Age 45
Alyssa Milano is most known as an actress since 1984 and hasn't slowed down over the years. One of her most known roles has to be that as Phoebe in Charmed. So where's the fitness relation? Well, when she was just sixteen years old, during a certain boom of exercise videos, she released some of her own fitness videos under the name of Teen Steam. It was primarily used as a ploy for marketing purposes but it was incredibly popular and has helped Milano stay healthy and enjoy an active lifestyle over the years.
Billy Blanks - Fitness Guru & Occasional Actor, Age 62
Billy Blanks is a very inspirational character who created a new workout program called Tae Bo Fitness. It's a combination of both boxing and Tae Kwon Do and as he's a martial artist, it was only going to be a success. He's since gone on to make millions in earnings and has found his way onto a handful of films and TV shows, too. After Tae Bo began to grow in popularity, he stopped pursuing acting as much and instead opened fitness centers around Los Angeles and Boston to promote the active routines.
John Travolta - Actor / Pilot, Age 64
John Travolta is one of the biggest names in Hollywood. As well as dominating movies throughout his career, he's also an avid pilot who built his own private airport at his home. He was in the movie Perfect and became a symbol of fitness because of it. His figure has dwindled ever so slightly in recent years, but with age, that happens naturally to most anyway. He's incredibly wealthy, very successful, and spends his spare time flying his own private planes around. Not a bad way to spend your days John!
Gilad Janklowicz - Fitness Guru, Age 64
Gilad Janklowicz became the first fitness trainer to bag a show on ESPN which was focused solely on fitness and workout routines. It ran for half an hour and was so popular that he managed to keep his slot for ten years. He's made workouts for the digital age too, proving he's keeping up with the times and has no doubt made an awful lot of money over the course of his career.
Heather Locklear - Actress, Age 56
Heather Locklear is a talented actress who has an absolutely fantastic body. She's been an advocate of a healthy lifestyle, with her physique offering inspiration to people. In more recent years, however, the actress has encountered some legal issues as well as mental health troubles such as anxiety and depression. In June 2018 alone, she was charged with two counts of battery and was also hospitalized after threatening to take her own life. We seriously hope this talented actress can sort out her problems and continue to show the world her skills.
Tony Little - TV Personality & Businessman, Age 61
Tony Little is a health specialist who once called himself (and was known by many as) America's Personal Trainer. He's the go-to guy for nutrition advice and has partnered with a fitness drink company that produces Celsius. The drink is a big step for the fitness world and actually aids in losing weight by helping speed up metabolism. His products often sell, thanks to infomercials and QVC has definitely aided him along the way. He's definitely doing something right as he is worth over $200 million!
Fabio Lanzoni - Actor, Age 59
Who wouldn't remember Fabio Lanzoni? A model, actor, and fitness icon who won the hearts of many with his gorgeous hair, toned physique, and handsome face. Fabio first began as a magazine model and later on became a fitness icon. He started becoming famous when he began releasing fitness video and exercise books in the '80s. Fortunately, at the age of 59, not much has changed in his appearance and he still promotes healthy living and exercises. Recently, brands such as Versace have signed him as a model to promote their clothing and fragrances.
Jack LaLanne - Motivational Speaker & Fitness Expert, Died At Age 96
The legendary Jack LaLanne helped millions of people to lose weight during his career as a motivational speaker and fitness expert. His exercises and many pieces of advice on how to keep a fit and amazing body figure eventually brought LaLanne a net worth of $15 million. His personal life and the way he grew up affected the expert’s professional life and gave him the motivation to start helping others to keep a healthier body image. Sadly, he died in 2011 at the age of 96.
Angela Lansbury - Actress & Producer, Age 92
Multi-talented Angela Lansbury began her prosperous acting career during the ‘40s, appearing in many movies and TV shows over the years, boosting her bank account to $70 million. Lansbury was also made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in appreciation of her contributions to the world of film. In the ’80s, the actress released a video called Angela Lansbury’s Positive Moves: A Personal Plan for Fitness and Wellbeing at Any Age and despite the fact it was her only fitness video, it became very successful, helping many people lose weight.
Greg Smithey - Fitness Instructor
Greg Smithey gained a following during the ‘80s when his workout video called The Original Buns of Steel was released. Promoting a healthy body image and all kinds of exercises, Smithey managed to help many people get an amazing body figure. His main focus of the workout was on the lower body, explaining which exercises are best for tightening your behind, legs, and thighs. His video was a huge success as it sold more than a million copies, which meant more money in the bank, too.
Susan Powter - Personal Trainer & Motivational Speaker, Age 60
"Stop the Insanity!" is the catchphrase that Susan Powter would probably be best remembered by. Promoting healthy diet and exercise and working as a motivational speaker and professional trainer, Powter eventually boosted her earnings to $6 million but for her, it wasn’t about the dollars. Powter was seriously devoted to helping people lead improved and healthier lifestyles. Her last known appearance on television was the one when she was a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2011.
Diana Moran - Journalist & Fitness Expert, Age 79
Diana Moran began her career as a model during the ‘60s, working with some of the most notable names in the fashion industry. Later on, she would enrich her personal finances by becoming a fitness expert as well, exercising on television as a part of the TV program, Breakfast Time. Sadly, during the late ‘80s, Moran was diagnosed with breast cancer and after she managed to beat the dreadful disease, she started dedicating much of her time to helping people with this illness and raising awareness about it.
Lizzie Webb - Fitness Expert
Diana Moran’s rival, Lizzie Webb, started significantly boosting her checking account during the ‘80s when she promoted her exercise routines on television, appearing in the TV program, Good Morning Britain. Later on, Moran continued releasing workout videos that made her quite popular, and some of those videos are Shake-out With Lizzie and The Body Programme with Lizzie Webb, among many others. The fitness expert also published a few workout books.
Shirley MacLaine - Actress & Author, Age 84
Shirley MacLaine began her acting career during the ‘50s, quickly becoming a household name in the United States with many roles in her rich acting portfolio, including parts in Ask Any Girl, Some Came Running, and The Turning Point, among many others. The actress decided to release a workout video called Shirley MacLaine’s Inner Workout, back in the ‘80s and the video became a huge success, promoting the idea of finding one's inner peace. Later on, MacLaine published a few books on the same topic.
June Jones - Fitness Instructor
Australian fitness instructor June Jones started earning her salary as a fitness instructor and demonstrator on the TV fitness series, Aerobics Oz Style. She was also one of the founding members of the show. The TV series ran for more than twenty years with 24 seasons in total, before it was canceled in 2005. This program helped many people of all ages to lose excess weight and keep a healthier body image.
Jacki Sorensen - Aerobics Instructor
It was 40 years ago when Jacki Sorensen came up with the aerobic dancing program, helping many people go through their weight loss journey as easy as possible, becoming one of the pioneers of the aerobic dance. Talented as she is, Sorensen released many books and videos over the years and she particularly enjoyed success during the ‘80s. The aerobics instructor gave her best to promote a healthier lifestyle through many exercises suitable for all people of all ages.
Bess Motta - Actress & Exercise Demonstrator, Age 60
Thanks to her many talents, Bess Motta began earning money during the ‘80s as an exercise demonstrator and actress, with her first on-screen appearance being on the TV series, The 20-Minute Workout. Aside from helping people workout more and eat healthy food, Motta also gained recognition for her appearance in some Hollywood blockbusters such as New Moneeks, The Home Show, and The Terminator, acting alongside famous actor and businessman, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Tracy Austin - Tennis Player, Age 55
Tracy Austin was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the age of only 29, thanks to her remarkable tennis performances during the late ‘70s and ‘80s, which helped her become the Number 1 tennis player in the world at the time. After being involved in a severe car accident, Austin decided to retire from tennis and started working as a sports commentator. Today, the former tennis player is 55 years old and owing to the fact that she spent most of her life in sports, she looks better than ever.
Karen Voight - Fitness Expert & Health Columnist, Age 63
With many fitness videos released during her career as a fitness expert and working as a private instructor, Karen Voight sure boosted her bank account significantly over the years. As luck would have it, she became the personal trainer of some of the most notable names in Hollywood, including Bette Midler and Tina Turner. In 1996, Voight published a book entitled Precision Training for Body & Mind and it was a huge success.
Markie Post - Actress, Age 67
Markie Post began her career as an actress in 1978 and she rose to stardom when she was cast for the part of Terri Michaels in the TV series The Fall Guy, where she stayed with the show from 1982 to 1985. Later on, she appeared in many movies and TV shows, including Four Christmases and a Wedding, Gangster Wars, Cook-Off!, and Muffin Top: A Love Story, eventually earning herself a net worth of $12 million. Today, the actress is 67 years old and we can all agree, she looks great in her 60s.
Marilu Henner - Actress & Author, Age 66
Marilu Henner counts many amazing parts in her rich acting portfolio and some of her most notable roles are the ones in Between the Lines, Evening Shade, The Man Who Loved Women, Taxi, and Cannonball Run II. The actress divorced two men in her life and admitted she had been romantically involved with famous actors John Travolta and Tony Danza. Today, Henner is happily married to Michael Brown and a proud mother of two children.
Bonnie Prudden - Fitness Instructor, Rock Climber & Mountaineer, Died At Age 97
Physical fitness pioneer and one of the most important people on the fitness scene, Bonnie Prudden dedicated her life to promoting a healthy lifestyle and she was written the bestsellers How to Keep Slender and Fit After Thirty and Pain Erasure: The Bonnie Prudden Way. Although she had a heart bypass surgery and cancer, Prudden was still physically active although she was already lying in the hospital. In 2011, she died at the age of 97.
Shawn Weatherly - Actress, Age 59
The 1980 Miss Universe, Shawn Weatherly, gained bigger international recognition for portraying the character of Cadet Karen Adams in the movie Police Academy 3: Back in the Training, released in 1986. The actress also appeared in the first season of the TV series Baywatch. Weatherly continued earning money, thanks to her many acting skills, appearing in films and TV shows such as The New Leave It To Beaver, Chicago Hope, and Happy Days, among many others.
Barbara Bouchet - Actress & Entrepreneur, Age 74
Barbara Bouchet established herself as a true movie star and became one of Hollywood's legends a long time ago, starring in many movies and TV shows. Bouchet first started earning her salary as a model before moving on to the big-screen, counting many great roles in her career, like the ones on In Harm’s Way, John Goldfarb, Please Come Home and Casino Royal. The actress has been happily married to producer Luigi Borghese since 1974 and the couple shares two children together.
Kelly Coffey-Meyer - Personal Instructor, In Her Mid-50s
Since the ‘80s, fitness instructor Kelly Coffey-Meyer has been helping people with their weight loss journey and reaching their weight goal. After her father was diagnosed with dementia, Coffey-Meyer dedicated her time to raising awareness about this condition and she even had few books published on this topic. The fitness instructor is still very physically active although she is already in her fifties. She is also a proud mother of two children.
Coleen Nolan - Singer & Author, Age 53
Coleen Nolan rose to stardom as a part of the band The Nolans before appearing in numerous TV shows such as Dancing on Ice, This Morning, and Celebrity Big Brother. Just when Nolan was on her way to gaining many fans and earning higher paychecks because of her remarkable voice interpretations, she went the other way and received many negative criticisms for her comments regarding gay people and their rights. The actress is the proud mother of two sons.
George Hamilton – 79 Years Old
George Hamilton is still a great name in the showbiz industry. He is one of the last standing famous icons of Hollywood’s classical era. He has worked popularly in legendary films like The Godfather III, Light In the Piazza, Your Cheatin’ Heart and The Congressman. The celebrated actor is now 79 years old and will be celebrating his 80th birthday in August of this year. Hamilton is still continuing his acting legacy at this age and is a active humanitarian.
Denise Austin - Author, Age 63
Denise Austin is one of the finest examples of enjoying health and being in great shape. She has sold millions upon millions of workout videos and all these years later she's still in fantastic shape. Her first video was released in 1988 and her latest one in 2014, which just goes to show how determined and passionate she is about her fitness. These days, she has a website which people can subscribe to and she regularly releases books related to losing weight and being healthy.