Today in 80s history! What happened on May 31st 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
Clint Eastwood (Every Which Way but Loose and Sudden Impact) - 96
May 31, 1930
Sharon Gless (Cagney & Lacey) - 83
May 31, 1943
Joe Namath (New York Jets Hall of Famer) - 83
May 31, 1943
Tom Berenger (Platoon and Major League) - 77
May 31, 1949
Gregory Harrison (Trapper John, M.D.) - 76
May 31, 1950
Chris Elliott (Late Night with David Letterman and Get a Life) - 66
May 31, 1960
Lea Thompson (Back to the Future and Some Kind of Wonderful) - 65
May 31, 1961
Corey Hart (Sunglasses at Night) - 64
May 31, 1962
DMC (Run-DMC) - 62
May 31, 1964
Brooke Shields (The Blue Lagoon and Suddenly Susan) - 61
May 31, 1965
REMEMBERING
Don Ameche (Cocoon and Trading Places)
May 31, 1908 - December 6, 1993 (Age 85)
Johnny Paycheck (Country Singer)
May 31, 1938 - February 19, 2003 (Age 64)
Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary)
May 31, 1938 - January 7, 2025 (Age 86)
John Bonham (Led Zeppelin Drummer)
May 31, 1948 - September 25, 1980 (Age 32)
Jack Dempsey (Boxing Legend)
June 24, 1895 - May 31, 1983 (Age 87)
Timothy Leary (Counterculture Figure)
October 22, 1920 - May 31, 1996 (Age 75)
Jean Stapleton (All in the Family)
January 19, 1923 - May 31, 2013 (Age 90)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on May 31st
Ready an' Willing
Whitesnake
3rd Studio Album
Release Date: May 31, 1980
Chart Info: Peaked at #90 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on the UK Albums Chart
Featuring: "Fool for Your Loving" and "Ready an' Willing"
"Eye of the Tiger"
Survivor
Single
Release Date: May 31, 1982
Chart Info: Hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from July 24 through September 3, 1982
Featuring: "Eye of the Tiger" and "Take You on a Saturday"
The World's Greatest Entertainer
Doug E. Fresh
2nd Studio Album
Release Date: May 31, 1988
Chart Info: Peaked at #88 on the Billboard 200 and #7 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart
Featuring: "Keep Risin' to the Top" and "D.E.F. = Doug E. Fresh"
By All Means Necessary
Boogie Down Productions
2nd Studio Album
Release Date: May 31, 1988
Chart Info: Peaked at #75 on the Billboard 200
Featuring: "My Philosophy" and "Stop the Violence"
In Other 80s Music News
1980 - Lipps Inc. Hit #1 with "Funkytown"
Event: Chart Achievement
Details: "Funkytown" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On May 31st
Fletch (1985)
Release Date: May 31, 1985
Director: Michael Ritchie
Starring: Chevy Chase, Joe Don Baker and Dana Wheeler-Nicholson
Budget: $8 Million
Box Office: $59.6 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
No major TV items for May 31 in the 80s!
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1983 - 76ers Won the NBA Championship
Event: NBA Finals Game 4
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Opponent: Los Angeles Lakers
Result: 76ers won 115-108
Details: Philadelphia swept the Lakers 4 games to 0 to win the NBA championship.
1986 - Bobby Rahal Won the Indianapolis 500
Event: Auto Racing
Team: Truesports
Opponent: N/A
Result: Rahal won the 70th Indianapolis 500
Details: Bobby Rahal became the first driver to complete the Indianapolis 500 in under three hours.
1987 - Oilers Won the Stanley Cup
Event: Stanley Cup Final Game 7
Team: Edmonton Oilers
Opponent: Philadelphia Flyers
Result: Oilers won 3-1
Details: Edmonton won the series 4 games to 3, with Ron Hextall of the Flyers winning the Conn Smythe Trophy.
