Today in 80s history! What happened on March 17th 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
Kurt Russell (Actor) — 75
March 17, 1951
Fun Facts:
🎞️ Some of his memorable 80s movies include: Escape from New York (1981), The Thing (1982), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Overboard (1987), Tequila Sunrise (1988), and Tango & Cash (1989).
Cito Gaston (Baseball Player) — 82
March 17, 1944
Patrick Duffy (Actor, Dallas, Step by Step) — 77
March 17, 1949
Gary Sinise (Actor) — 71
March 17, 1955
Danny Ainge (Basketball Player) — 67
March 17, 1959
Sam Bowie (Basketball Player) — 65
March 17, 1961
Rob Lowe (Actor) — 62
March 17, 1964
Rob Lowe became one of the defining young stars of 80s Hollywood as part of the Brat Pack. His best-known 80s films include The Outsiders (1983), St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), About Last Night... (1986) and Masquerade (1988).
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on March 17th
Let’s Get Serious
Jermaine Jackson
6th Album
Release Date: March 17, 1980
Billboard 200: #6
Top R&B Albums: #1
Black Celebration
Depeche Mode
5th Album
Release Date: March 17, 1986
Billboard 200: #90
UK Albums Chart: #3
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On March 17th
Fletch Lives (1989)
Release Date: March 17, 1989
Director: Michael Ritchie
Starring: Chevy Chase, Hal Holbrook, Julianne Phillips and R. Lee Ermey
Budget: $8 Million
Box Office: $39.5 Million
Leviathan (1989)
Release Date: March 17, 1989
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Starring: Peter Weller, Richard Crenna, Ernie Hudson, Amanda Pays and Daniel Stern
Budget: $21 Million
Box Office: $15.7 Million
Rooftops (1989)
Release Date: March 17, 1989
Director: Robert Wise
Starring: Jason Gedrick, Troy Beyer, Eddie Velez and Tisha Campbell
Budget: $7–8 Million
Box Office: $2 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
Herbie, the Love Bug
Event: Series Premiere
Network: CBS
First Episode Date: March 17, 1982
Last Episode Date: April 14, 1982
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 5
Starring: Dean Jones
9th People’s Choice Awards
Event: Awards Show
Network: CBS
Date: March 17, 1983
Host: Dick Van Dyke
Favorite All-Around Male Entertainer: Burt Reynolds
Favorite All-Around Female Entertainer: Barbara Mandrell
Saturday Night Live
Event: Billy Crystal Hosts
Network: NBC
Date: March 17, 1984
Musical Guest: Al Jarreau
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1981 – The Moondogs Win the WWF Tag Team Championship
Event: WWF Tag Team Championship Change
Details: The Moondogs defeated Tony Garea and Rick Martel to win the WWF Tag Team Championship.
1983 – Mike Bossy Records His 70th Career Hat Trick
Event: NHL Regular Season Milestone
Details: Bossy recorded his 70th career hat trick in the New York Islanders’ 9–5 win over the New Jersey Devils.
1988 – NCAA Tournament Begins
Event: NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
Details: The 1988 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament began on March 17 and concluded with Kansas winning the national championship.
