Vintage Star Tracks: This Time in 1981, See Jamie Lee Curtis and Her Mom, Plus More Big Stars

Find out what the biggest stars of the '80s were up to with throwback photos from Hollywood's bygone era

By
Kate Hogan
Kate Hogan
Kate Hogan
Kate Hogan is Director of Digital Specials and Features at PEOPLE, as well as the editor of Stories to Make You Smile. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2008.
People Editorial Guidelines
Published on May 10, 2024 08:00AM EDT
Jamie Lee Curtis and her mother, Janet Leigh, attend a party, benefitting disabled children, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California, on May 12, 1981.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Janet Leigh in 1981. Photo:

Robert Ware/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

Hollywood's biggest names were out and about at this time 43 years ago.

May 1981 rolled on with A-list outings, concerts around the globe and starry red carpet events. Jamie Lee Curtis and her mom Janet Leigh snuggled up at a benefit in Santa Monica, while other stars turned out for a celebration of Burt Reynolds in New York City. Overseas, Stevie Wonder performed in sparkles, while back in New York City, icons like Lena Horne and Eartha Kitt ruled the stage.

Travel back in time to see what the hottest stars of the decade were up to during the peak of spring in 1981.

01 of 20

Sparkling Stevie

Stevie Wonder performs on stage at Ahoy on 6th May 1981 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Stevie Wonder in 1981.

Rob Verhorst/Redferns

Stevie Wonder hit the stage at Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on May 6, 1981.

02 of 20

Diva at Dinner

Lucille Ball at Chasens restaurant in Beverly Hills, California on May 16, 1981
Lucile Ball in 1981.

Barry King/WireImage

Lucille Ball, then 69, stepped out for dinner at Chasens restaurant in Beverly Hills on May 16.

03 of 20

Silk Sonic

Actress Elizabeth Ashley attending "The Friar's Club Gala Honoring Burt Reynolds Entertainer Of The Year" on May 16, 1981 at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City, New York.
Elizabeth Ashley in 1981.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Elizabeth Ashley attended "The Friar's Club Gala Honoring Burt Reynolds Entertainer Of The Year" at N.Y.C.'s Waldorf on May 16.

04 of 20

Sleeping Beauty

Celtics player Larry Bird sleeps while trainer Ray Melchiore holds the NBA Championship trophy on the flight from Houston to Boston, May 15, 1981
Larry Bird in 1981.

Frank O'Brien/The Boston Globe via Getty 

On a flight from Houston to Boston, Celtics star Larry Bird snoozed as trainer Ray Melchiore held the team's new championship trophy on May 16.

05 of 20

Funny Faces

BILLY CRYSTAL and RANDY HAMILTON on Kids Are People Too, May 14, 1981
Billy Crystal in 1981.

ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty

On a May 14 taping of Kids Are People Too, Billy Crystal and Randy Hamilton shared a laugh.

06 of 20

Welcome to Atlanta

Singer/Songwriter James Taylor performs at The Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta Georgia May 13, 1981
James Taylor in 1981.

Rick Diamond/Getty 

On May 13, James Taylor entertained the crowd at the Atlanta Civic Center.

07 of 20

Woman of Wonder

Lynda Carter television special: "LYNDA CARTER'S CELEBRATION". Originally broadcast May 11, 1981.
Lynda Carter in 1981.

CBS via Getty

Lynda Carter beamed while appearing on a television special in her honor on May 11.

08 of 20

French Dressing

May 13, 1981 shows US actress Ellen Burstyn, member of the jury presided by French director Jacques Deray, during the 34th International Cannes Film Festival.
Ellen Burstyn in 1981.

RAPH GATTI/AFP via Getty

Ellen Burstyn arrived in Cannes to step into her role as a jury member at the 34th Cannes Film Festival in France.

09 of 20

Sparkle Motion

American singer and actress Tina Turner, wearing a fringed dress, performing live on stage at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in New York City, New York, May 1981.
Tina Turner in 1981.

Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty

Tina Turner jumped for joy while performing at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in New York City.

10 of 20

Cannes Do

May 14, 1981 shows Brazilian football player Pele during the 34th Cannes International Film Festival.
Pele in 1981.

RAPH GATTI/AFP via Getty

Soccer great Pelé found himself surrounded by cameras at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

11 of 20

Belles of Broadway

Cicely Tyson (left), shares the spotlight with Lena Horne after Lena's Broadway opening, May 12, 1981.
Cicely Tyson and Lena Horne in 1981.

Bettmann/Getty

Cicely Tyson and Lena Horne sparkled as Horne made a return to Broadway on May 12.

12 of 20

Sweater Weather

Actor Willie Nelson attends The Friar's Club "Entertainer of the Year" Awards Honoring Burt Reynolds on May 16, 1981 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
Willie Nelson in 1981.

Betty Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Also at the Friar's Club celebration of Burt Reynolds: a smiling Willie Nelson.

13 of 20

Mom and Me

Jamie Lee Curtis and her mother, Janet Leigh, attend a party benefitting disabled children, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California, on May 12, 1981.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Janet Leigh in 1981.

Robert Ware/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

Jamie Lee Curtis hugged her mom Janet Leigh while arriving to a May 12 party in Santa Monica.

14 of 20

New York Nights

US Senator John Warner poses with actors Sara Sothern and her daughter, Elizabeth Taylor at an event in New York, New York, May 1981.
John Warner, Sara Sothern and Elizabeth Taylor in 1981.

Sonia Moskowitz/Getty

Senator John Warner spent some time with wife Elizabeth Taylor and her mom, Sara Sothern, at an event in N.Y.C.

15 of 20

Just Kidding

Lady Diana Spencer (later Princess Diana), wearing a green dress and holding a bouquet of flowers, meets members of the public during a visit to Broadlands in Romsey, Hampshire, on May 9th, 1981.
Princess Diana in 1981.

Hulton Archive/Getty

Princess Diana saw eye to eye with a small child during a visit to Broadlands in Romsey, Hampshire, on May 9.

16 of 20

Capped Off

Joan Collins at the Retirement Lunch for Freddie Castle at the London Room - 12 May 1981
Joan Collins in 1981.

Alan Davidson/Shutterstock

A stylish Joan Collins took her seat for a luncheon at the London Room on May 12.

17 of 20

Fab Four

BRUCE MAHLER, LARRY DAVID, MARK HAMILL and MICHAEL RICHARDS on Fridays, May 8, 1981
Larry David and Mark Hamill in 1981.

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Filming a scene for Fridays on May 8, Bruce Mahler, Larry David, Mark Hamill and Michael Richards brought the laughs.

18 of 20

Cats Meow

Opening night after show party, for cast and crew of Cats, a musical based on TS Eliot 1939 poetry book Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and showing at the New London Theatre, pictured Monday 11th May 1981; Paul Nicholas, Elaine Paige and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Paul Nicholas, Elaine Page and Andrew Lloyd Weber in 1981.

Reed/Mirrorpix via Getty

At the afterparty following the opening of Cats at the New London Theatre, Paul Nicholas, Elaine Paige and Andrew Lloyd Webber raised a glass.

19 of 20

Fest Best

American R&B and Rock musician Chuck Berry performs onstage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 1981
Chuck Berry in 1981.

Chuck Fishman/Getty

Chuck Berry did his thing at the 1981 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

20 of 20

Hello from Harlem

Eartha Kitt performing at Harlem World in New York City on May 8, 1981.
Eartha Kitt in 1981.

Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty

A glowing Eartha Kitt took the mic at Harlem World in N.Y.C. on May 8.

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