The actors in our round-up starred in some of the most loved and recognisable films of the 1980s, from Top Gun to Beverly Hills Cop. But who still has an A-list bank balance 40 years on?

Read on to discover how the actors who made a fortune four decades ago are faring, ranked by their net worths today. All dollar amounts in US dollars. 

Screen siren Kim Basinger scored her big break as Bond girl Domino in 1983's Never Say Never Again. In 1989, she starred in her highest-grossing film to date, Tim Burton's Batman. She further profited from various Playboy appearances.

Despite her success, Basinger was plagued with financial woes after buying an entire town (Braselton in Georgia) and pulling out of the film Boxing Helena (1993). She filed for bankruptcy in 1993 but swiftly recovered thanks to modelling gigs and an Oscar-winning role in the movie L.A. Confidential (1997). Today, her estimated net worth is $20 million (£15m). 

Famous for her distinctive voice, Kathleen Turner was a femme fatale of 1980s cinema. On screen, she's arguably best known for starring in Romancing the Stone (1984) and Peggy Sue Got Married (1986). Turner also worked as a voice actor, lending her sultry tones to the animated Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988).

In the 1990s, her career was impacted by severe rheumatoid arthritis, and today, she dedicates her time to charity work and smaller acting projects. Her estimated net worth stands at $20 million (£15m).

Before she hit the big time on the silver screen, Glenn Close was an acclaimed theatre actor, winning her first Tony Award for The Real Thing in 1984. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she was a highly acclaimed fixture of the London and New York stage scenes, but she also found time to star in several very successful films. These included her iconic role in Fatal Attraction (1987), in which she played 'bunny boiler' Alex Forrest.

Later projects included 101 Dalmatians (1996), TV series Damages, and Albert Nobbs (2011), a period drama that Close co-wrote as well as starred in. She's considered one of the most adaptable actors of her generation and has an estimated net worth of $50 million (£37m). 

Thanks to his distinctive delivery, Christopher Walken's voice is world-famous. Although he's a popular subject for light-hearted celebrity impersonations, Walken is a serious star, known for films such as The Dogs of War (1980) and The Dead Zone (1983).

He's enjoyed decades in the spotlight, with recent roles including the blockbuster Dune: Part Two (2024) and the acclaimed Apple TV+ sci-fi series Severance. The secret to his success? Walken believes it's the fact he doesn't have children, which means he can spend his estimated $50 million (£37m) net worth on himself!

Sigourney Weaver is synonymous with the Alien franchise, playing the lead role of Ellen Ripley from 1979 to 1997. During the 1980s, she was a highly sought-after star, often considered a pioneer of female protagonists in sci-fi.

More lucrative gigs followed in Gorillas in the Mist (1988), Ghostbusters (1984), and, most recently, the blockbuster Avatar franchise. Her estimated net worth stands at an impressive $60 million (£45m).

Michael J. Fox starred in numerous 1980s hits. These include the beloved sitcom Family Ties, the movie Teen Wolf (1985) and, of course, the juggernaut Back to the Future trilogy (1985-1990).

Later in his career, he starred in Spin City and appeared in episodes of Scrubs and Designated Survivor. Fox was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease when he was just 29 and, while he's said it "sucks", has continued to work as much as possible. Now in his sixties, his estimated net worth is $65 million (£48m). 

Meg Ryan appeared in minor film roles and on TV in the early 80s before landing her big break in When Harry Met Sally in 1989. Her wholesome girl-next-door persona made her an instant hit with audiences. She went on to star in rom-coms like You've Got Mail (1998) and Sleepless in Seattle (1993).

Ryan focused on independent projects, including directing and starring in the 2015 war drama Ithaca. Returning to her rom-com roots, she most recently appeared in the 2023 flick What Happens Later. Her estimated net worth is $85 million (£63m). 

Part of the famous Barrymore acting dynasty, Drew Barrymore found fame as a child actress in 1982's E.T., which became the highest-grossing film of the decade. She became the youngest person ever to guest-host Saturday Night Live at the age of just seven.

Like many child stars, Barrymore struggled with her mental health as a teenager but went on to become one of Hollywood's most in-demand actresses. Her biggest roles include the rom-coms 50 First Dates (2004) and Never Been Kissed (1999). In 2021, she announced that she'd taken a hiatus from acting and now hosts the chat show The Drew Barrymore Show. Her estimated net worth stands at $85 million (£63m). 

A member of the so-called Brat Pack, Rob Lowe was a 1980s heartthrob and teen idol who came to prominence in St. Elmo's Fire (1985) and Class (1983). His party animal lifestyle was extensively covered in the press, and by 1990, he'd given up alcohol and hasn't touched it since.

In recent years, he's found success on the small screen, starring in projects like The West Wing, Parks and Recreation, and most recently, 9-1-1: Lone Star. His estimated total fortune stands at $100 million (£74m).

Three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep is one of the most acclaimed actresses in the world. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Sophie's Choice (1982) put her on the map, with Streep winning her first Oscar for playing the eponymous Sophie.

Since then, the versatile star has appeared in the likes of the musical Mamma Mia (2008), the Margaret Thatcher biopic The Iron Lady (2011), and the beloved dramedy The Devil Wears Prada (2006). Her estimated total fortune stands at $100 million (£74m).

Bill Murray shot to fame in the 1980s after starring in Ghostbusters. It was the highest-grossing film of 1984, making Murray, who also found fame on the sketch show Saturday Night Live, a household name.

Known for his deadpan delivery, his acting and comedy career has spanned decades with hits such as Groundhog Day (1993), Lost in Translation (2003), and Zombieland (2009) under his belt. Today, the star has an estimated $180 million (£134m) net worth.

By the end of the 1980s, Eddie Murphy was Hollywood's biggest movie star. This achievement was partly thanks to his roles in Saturday Night Live and smash-hit films including Trading Places (1983) and Beverly Hills Cop (1984). As well as being a high-profile actor, Murphy was also a mega-successful stand-up comedian.

Murphy moved to more family-friendly projects in the 1990s and 2000s, most notably voicing Donkey in the Shrek series. He starred in a new instalment of the Beverly Hills Cop franchise in 2024, and most recently appeared in the 2025 comedy flick The Pickup. His estimated net worth is a whopping $200 million (£149m). 

One of the highest-paid female actors in the 1980s and 1990s, Demi Moore was an influential campaigner for equal pay in Hollywood. She starred in Brat Pack flicks St. Elmo’s Fire (1985) and About Last Night (1986) before appearing opposite Patrick Swayze in the 1990 rom-com Ghost, arguably her most famous role.

Moore experienced a major comeback last year with a starring role in the body horror movie The Substance. The gruesome role earned her much acclaim, including an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, the first Academy Award nod of her career. Her estimated net worth is a sizeable $200 million (£149m). 

Blonde bombshell Michelle Pfeiffer rose to stardom in the 1980s with roles in Grease 2 (1982) and Scarface (1983). She's also famous for playing Catwoman in 1992's Batman Returns.

Consistently voted one of the most beautiful women in the world, Pfeiffer wanted fewer "bimbo" roles, which she found in films such as Dangerous Liaisons (1988) and The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989). Pfeiffer, who most recently starred in the 2023 Marvel blockbuster Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, is worth $250 million (£186m).

Bruce Willis might have kicked off his career on stage, but during the 1980s, he became a fixture on the silver screen. His most famous role is arguably that of John McClane in the beloved action franchise Die Hard.

Other iconic roles include The Sixth Sense (1999), Armageddon (1998), and Pulp Fiction (1994). Willis has sadly retired from acting, with his family announcing he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023. The star's decade-spanning career has earned him an estimated net worth of $250 million (£186m).

Many of the richest 80s stars appeared in films that spawned lucrative franchises. Enter Harrison Ford, who shot to prominence in the Indiana Jones and Star Wars series. Other career highs include movies like Patriot Games (1992) and The Fugitive (1993).

In recent times, he reprised his iconic Indie role in 2023's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, receiving a $25 million (£19m) payday for his efforts. He's also currently starring in the hit Western series 1923. His estimated net worth stands at $300 million (£223m).

Michael Douglas shot to prominence in the 1970s after an award-winning performance in the crime drama The Streets of San Francisco. However, many of his most iconic roles came in the 1980s with the likes of Romancing the Stone (1984), Fatal Attraction (1987), and Wall Street (1987). This was despite a serious skiing accident in 1980 that overshadowed his career for a couple of years.

In more recent times, Douglas has joined the juggernaut Marvel Cinematic Universe as superhero Hank Pym. He's starred in numerous MCU productions, including the Ant-Man films and Avengers: Endgame (2019). His estimated net worth is a whopping $350 million (£260m). 

Sylvester Stallone is one of the only actors to have starred in a box office number one in six consecutive decades. Since becoming a global superstar by starring in the Rambo and Rocky franchises, Stallone hasn't stopped.

In recent times, notable credits include the popular Expendables and Guardians of the Galaxy film franchises. Meanwhile, he's currently taking the small screen by storm, starring in the gritty crime show Tulsa King. His estimated net worth is $400 million (£298m).

Mel Gibson became one of the most sought-after leading men of the 1980s after starring in Lethal Weapon (1987). As well as appearing in a string of commercial hits, he's also made money from producing and directing. In 1995, Braveheart, which he produced, directed, and starred in, earned him four Oscars, while The Passion of the Christ (2004) was also a huge hit.

Despite a controversial personal life that stunted his career in the 2000s, Gibson is now thought to be worth $425 million (£317m).

Tom Cruise starred in numerous 1980s hits like Risky Business (1983) and Top Gun (1986), with the latter cementing his status as a household name. His fame (and fortune) continued to rise in the 1990s when he fronted the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Today, Cruise is like the Duracell Bunny of action heroes, still performing his own high-octane stunts at 63 years old. His recent hits include the blockbuster sequel Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, as well as the final two entries in the Mission: Impossible franchise, released in 2023 and 2025. Decades of success have helped him gain an estimated net worth of $600 million (£447m).

Before becoming a movie star, Austrian-born Arnold Schwarzenegger was an acclaimed bodybuilder. Despite his supposedly "funny accent", Schwarzenegger's huge physique and onscreen presence landed him starring roles in Conan the Barbarian in 1982 and, more lucratively, the Terminator franchise. A host of other successful films followed, ranging from sci-fi favourite Total Recall (1990) to the more family-friendly Kindergarten Cop (1990).

Arnie later moved into politics and served as the Governor of California from 2003 to 2011. All that work clearly paid off; according to Forbes, he's now a billionaire. 

Now discover the highest-grossing 1980s movies, ranked