Today in 80s history! What happened on April 26th 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
Carol Burnett (Actress, Comedian) - 93
April 26, 1933
Giorgio Moroder (Composer and Producer) - 86
April 26, 1940
Giancarlo Esposito (Actor, Do the Right Thing) - 68
April 26, 1958
Roger Taylor (Drummer, Duran Duran) - 66
April 26, 1960
Joan Chen (Actress, The Last Emperor) - 65
April 26, 1961
Chris Mars (Drummer, The Replacements) - 65
April 26, 1961
Michael Damian (Actor and Singer) - 64
April 26, 1962
Jet Li (Actor and Martial Artist) - 63
April 26, 1963
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on April 26th
Highwayman
Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson
Collaborative Album
Release Date: April 26, 1985
Featuring: "Highwayman"
Repeat Offender
Richard Marx
2nd Album
Release Date: April 26, 1989
Billboard 200: #1
Featuring: "Satisfied" and "Right Here Waiting"
In Other 80s Music News
1980 - Blondie Holds No. 1 with "Call Me"
Event: Billboard Hot 100 Milestone
Details: "Call Me" was the No. 1 song in America on April 26, 1980.
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On April 26th
Stick (1985)
Release Date: April 26, 1985
Director: Burt Reynolds
Starring: Burt Reynolds, Candice Bergen, George Segal and Charles Durning
Budget: $22 Million
Box Office: $8.5 Million
Just One of the Guys (1985)
Release Date: April 26, 1985
Director: Lisa Gottlieb
Starring: Joyce Hyser, Clayton Rohner, Billy Jacoby, Toni Hudson and William Zabka
Box Office: $11.5 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
Just the Ten of Us
Event: Series Premiere
Network: ABC
First Episode Date: April 26, 1988
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 47
Note: The Growing Pains spin-off began with a spring trial run before becoming part of ABC’s early TGIF era.
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1983 - John Elway Goes No. 1 in the NFL Draft
Event: NFL Draft
Details: The 1983 NFL Draft began on April 26, with the Baltimore Colts selecting Stanford quarterback John Elway first overall.
Top 10 Picks:
- John Elway, QB, Stanford - Baltimore Colts
- Eric Dickerson, RB, SMU - Los Angeles Rams
- Curt Warner, RB, Penn State - Seattle Seahawks
- Chris Hinton, OG, Northwestern - Denver Broncos
- Billy Ray Smith, LB, Arkansas - San Diego Chargers
- Jimbo Covert, OT, Pittsburgh - Chicago Bears
- Todd Blackledge, QB, Penn State - Kansas City Chiefs
- Michael Haddix, RB, Mississippi State - Philadelphia Eagles
- Bruce Matthews, OG, USC - Houston Oilers
- Terry Kinard, DB, Clemson - New York Giants
TODAY IN OTHER 80S NEWS
1986 - Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
Event: Nuclear Disaster
Location: Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
Details: Reactor No. 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded, causing the worst nuclear disaster in history.
