The 1980s didn’t just produce movie stars; they created a generation of male Hollywood heartthrobs whose rebellious streaks set them apart from the other pretty faces of the past.
With leather jackets, headline-worthy romances and reputations for partying just as hard as they worked on set, the decade’s most notorious bad boys were as famous for their off-screen personas as their blockbuster roles.
Whether they were smashing film records, dominating MTV or causing chaos in global tabloids, these stars defined the era’s dangerous charm.
However, as the years rolled by, the rebels of the 80s settled down and shed themselves of their reckless reputations. Here is a look at the most infamous bad boys of the decade – and what they look like now…
© Getty ImagesMickey Rourke
During the 1980s, Mickey Rourke became one of Hollywood’s most unpredictable leading men thanks to films like 9½ Weeks and Rumble Fish.
Best known for his brooding image and rebellious lifestyle, he developed a reputation for clashing with directors and ultimately stepped away from acting at the height of his fame to pursue professional boxing.
Today, Mickey remains a cult Hollywood figure with a dramatically transformed appearance following years of boxing and botched reconstructive cosmetic surgeries.
© Getty ImagesCharlie Sheen
With starring roles in Platoon and Wall Street, Charlie Sheen quickly became one of the decade’s biggest young stars; however, his turbulent personal life often overshadowed his on-screen success.
Over the course of the 80s, he made headlines for his partying lifestyle and public controversies, including substance abuse and legal troubles. During his stint on Two and a Half Men, he was fired after a string of run-ins with the network and the show’s creator.
Following three marriages, one of which was to actress Denise Richards, the former heartthrob chose to live a far more private life while occasionally returning to television and film projects.
© WireImageTommy Lee
As the drummer for Mötley Crüe, Tommy Lee embodied the rebelliousness and chaos of 80s rock stardom.
He became famous for his outrageous stage antics, wild relationships and a heavy-metal image, earning him the title of one of music’s ultimate bad boys at the time.
His whirlwind romance with Baywatch star and model Pamela Anderson skyrocketed him to mainstream notoriety and cemented his bad boy image.
Decades later, Tommy still performs and continues embracing his larger-than-life rock-and-roll persona. He is a dad to two sons he shares with his ex-wife Pamela: Brandon Thomas Lee and Dylan Jagger Lee.
© FilmMagicRob Lowe
Rob Lowe has since reinvented himself as a respected television actor, but before his acting career took a turn for the better, he was one of the Brat Pack’s most talked-about stars.
His youthful charm and movie-star looks made him an 80s favourite, though scandals temporarily threatened his career, including his involvement in an adult content film in 1988 and his party-fueled personal life.
In the 2000s, the star successfully rebuilt his image and remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring actors, starring in the likes of The West Wing and Brothers & Sisters.
© Getty ImagesAxl Rose
As the frontman of rock band Guns N’ Roses, Axl Rose became synonymous with the rebellious spirit of the late-80s rock music scene.
Explosive performances, unpredictable behaviour and chart-dominating success made him both admired and infamous. At the height of his fame, he was just as known for his headline-making feuds and dramatic concert walkouts as he was for his music.
Despite stepping away from the spotlight for periods throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, he eventually reunited with key Guns N’ Roses members for a hugely successful comeback tour.
Now in his 60s, Axl still performs to sold-out stadium crowds around the world, though his look has evolved considerably from his hard-partying 80s heyday.
© Getty Images for Santa Barbara ISean Penn
Sean Penn earned a reputation in the 1980s for both his intense acting performances and fiery off-screen image.
After breaking out in films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, he quickly became known for playing rebellious, emotionally charged characters that mirrored his real-life image.
His high-profile marriage to singer Madonna kept him constantly in the tabloids during the decade as they experienced their real-life ups and downs.
In later years, he transformed into an acclaimed filmmaker and activist while maintaining his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most uncompromising stars.
