Today in 80s history! What happened on April 18th in the 80s? Find out what happened today in 80s Movies, 80s Music, 80s TV Shows, and 80s Sports! Also find out about celebrity birthdays for the legends, icons and characters we grew up with in the 80s!
TODAY'S 80S BIRTHDAYS
🎂 Happy 73rd birthday to Rick Moranis, born April 18, 1953!
Best known for his unique blend of nerdy charm and comedic timing, here’s a quick look at his 80s run:
Movies:
• Strange Brew (1983) – Bob McKenzie
• Ghostbusters (1984) – Louis Tully
• Streets of Fire (1984) – Billy Fish
• Little Shop of Horrors (1986) – Seymour Krelborn
• Spaceballs (1987) – Dark Helmet
• Ghostbusters II (1989) – Louis Tully
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) – Wayne Szalinski
TV Appearances:
• SCTV (1980–1983) – Various Characters
Hayley Mills (Actress) - 80
April 18, 1946
James Woods (Actor) - 79
April 18, 1947
Cindy Pickett (Actress, Ferris Bueller's Day Off) - 79
April 18, 1947
Conan O'Brien (Writer, Saturday Night Live) - 63
April 18, 1963
Remembering
Barbara Hale (Actress, Perry Mason)
April 18, 1922 - January 26, 2017 (Age 94)
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (Singer and Guitarist)
April 18, 1924 - September 10, 2005 (Age 81)
James Drury (Actor, The Virginian)
April 18, 1934 - April 6, 2020 (Age 85)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on April 18th
Cocker
Joe Cocker
10th Album
Release Date: April 18, 1986
Billboard 200: #50
Featuring: "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and "Don't You Love Me Anymore"
Crossroads
Eric Clapton
Box Set
Release Date: April 18, 1988
Billboard 200: #34
Barbed Wire Kisses
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Compilation Album
Release Date: April 18, 1988
In Other 80s Music News
1987 - Aretha Franklin and George Michael Reach No. 1 with "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"
Event: Billboard Hot 100 Milestone
Details: The duet became the No. 1 song in America on April 18, 1987.
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On April 18th
At Close Range (1986)
Release Date: April 18, 1986
Director: James Foley
Starring: Sean Penn, Christopher Walken, Mary Stuart Masterson, Chris Penn, David Strathairn, Crispin Glover, Kiefer Sutherland and Eileen Ryan
Budget: $6.5 Million
Box Office: $2.3 Million
Desert Bloom (1986)
Release Date: April 18, 1986
Director: Eugene Corr
Starring: Jon Voight, JoBeth Williams, Ellen Barkin and Annabeth Gish
Budget: $5 Million
Box Office: $416,393
Legend (1986)
Release Date: April 18, 1986
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry, David Bennent and Alice Playten
Budget: $24.5 Million
Box Office: $15.5 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
Good Morning, Mickey!
Event: Series Premiere
Network: The Disney Channel
First Episode Date: April 18, 1983
Episodes: 80
Note: It was the first program to air when The Disney Channel launched.
Welcome to Pooh Corner
Event: Series Premiere
Network: The Disney Channel
First Episode Date: April 18, 1983
Episodes: 120
Saturday Night Live
Event: John Larroquette Hosts
Network: NBC
Date: April 18, 1987
Musical Guest: Timbuk 3
Rescue 911
Event: CBS Special Premiere
Network: CBS
Date: April 18, 1989
Note: The successful special led to the weekly series later that year.
Headbangers Ball
Event: Series Premiere
Network: MTV
First Episode Date: April 18, 1987
Episodes: 410
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1981 - Longest Professional Baseball Game Begins
Event: Minor League Baseball Record
Teams: Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings
Result: Suspended after 32 innings tied 2-2
Details: The historic game began on April 18, 1981 and was completed two months later in the 33rd inning.
1983 - Greg Meyer and Joan Benoit Win the Boston Marathon
Event: Boston Marathon
Details: Greg Meyer won the men's race and Joan Benoit won the women's race.
1987 - Mike Schmidt Hits His 500th Career Home Run
Event: MLB Milestone
Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Opponent: Pittsburgh Pirates
Details: Schmidt became the 14th player in major league history to reach 500 home runs.
TODAY IN OTHER 80S NEWS
1983 - The Disney Channel Launches
Event: Cable Television Milestone
Network: The Disney Channel
Details: The Disney Channel officially launched on April 18, 1983 as a premium cable network, with Good Morning, Mickey! as its first program.
