Today in 80s history! What happened on March 14th 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
Billy Crystal (Actor and Comedian) — 78
March 14, 1948
Fun Facts:
Billy Crystal first gained national attention on the ABC sitcom Soap (1977–1981), where he played Jodie Dallas, one of the first openly gay regular characters on American television.
In 1984, Crystal joined Saturday Night Live, where his catchphrase “You look mahvelous!” from his Fernando Lamas parody became one of the show’s most popular recurring bits.
Crystal appeared in several memorable 80s films, including Running Scared (1986) with Gregory Hines, The Princess Bride (1987) as Miracle Max, and Throw Momma from the Train (1987) with Danny DeVito.
His biggest 80s role came in When Harry Met Sally… (1989), which became one of the most beloved romantic comedies of the decade and made Crystal a major movie star.
Michael Caine (Actor, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) — 93
March 14, 1933
Raymond J. Barry (Actor, Born on the Fourth of July) — 87
March 14, 1939
Walter Parazaider (Saxophonist, Chicago) — 81
March 14, 1945
Rick Dees (Radio Personality, “Disco Duck”) — 76
March 14, 1950
Laila Robins (Actress, Planes, Trains and Automobiles) — 67
March 14, 1959
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on March 14th
On Through the Night
Def Leppard
Debut Album
Release Date: March 14, 1980
Billboard 200: #51
UK Albums Chart: #15
Body and Soul
Joe Jackson
6th Album
Release Date: March 14, 1984
Billboard 200: #20
UK Albums Chart: #14
Rhythm of the Night
DeBarge
4th Album
Release Date: March 14, 1985
Billboard 200: #19
R&B Albums Chart: #3
Rrröööaaarrr
Voivod
2nd Album
Release Date: March 14, 1986
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On March 14th
Defiance (1980)
Release Date: March 14, 1980
Director: John Flynn
Starring: Jan-Michael Vincent, Art Carney and Theresa Saldana
Budget: N/A
Box Office: N/A
Gung Ho (1986)
Release Date: March 14, 1986
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Michael Keaton, Gedde Watanabe, George Wendt and Mimi Rogers
Budget: $13 Million
Box Office: $36.6 Million
Crossroads (1986)
Release Date: March 14, 1986
Director: Walter Hill
Starring: Ralph Macchio, Joe Seneca and Jami Gertz
Budget: N/A
Box Office: $5.8 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
13th People’s Choice Awards
Event: Awards Show
Network: CBS
Date: March 14, 1987
Host: Dick Van Dyke
Favorite All-Around Male Entertainer: Bill Cosby
Favorite All-Around Female Entertainers: Barbara Mandrell and Cybill Shepherd
Eisenhower and Lutz
Event: Series Premiere
Network: CBS
First Episode Date: March 14, 1988
Last Episode Date: June 20, 1988
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 13
Starring: Scott Bakula, DeLane Matthews and Patricia Richardson
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1981 - Saint Joseph’s Upsets No. 1 Seed DePaul
Event: NCAA Tournament Second Round
Result: Saint Joseph’s 49, DePaul 48
Details:
Ninth-seeded Saint Joseph’s stunned top-seeded DePaul in one of the biggest upsets of the 1981 NCAA Tournament.
Note:
Saint Joseph’s then beat Boston College 49-48 in the Sweet 16 before losing 78-46 to Indiana in the Elite Eight.
1985 - NCAA Tournament Begins
Event: NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
#1 Seeds:
East: Georgetown
Southeast: Michigan
West: St. John’s
Midwest: Oklahoma
1987 - Mets and Red Sox Clear Benches in Spring Training
Event: MLB Spring Training
Teams: New York Mets and Boston Red Sox
Details:
A spring training game turned heated after Red Sox pitcher Al Nipper hit Darryl Strawberry, leading to players from both teams coming onto the field.
