The '80s was host to plenty of high-paid heartthrobs and bankable movie stars but not every star that makes a fortune can hold onto it, while others build an already-successful career into a roll of movie credits worth millions. From major credits to making their fortune or losing it all, these '80s stars had very different journeys from highest-paid hitmakers to today. Read on to find out what happened in the 40 years since...
© Corbis via Getty ImagesArnold reportedly earned between $20-30 million per film at one point in his career
Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger has had one of Hollywood's most varied careers. A bodybuilder, actor and former Governor of California, Arnold has built on his '80s fame from hits like The Terminator to a modern-day fortune. befitting of a movie star.
The former politician has an estimated net worth of $850 million, reportedly earning between $20-30 million at one stage of his career. Surely enough to build a Terminator of his own...
© Getty ImagesTom Cruise starred in '80s hits like 'Top Gun' and 'Rain Man'
Top Gun's Tom Cruise
Top Gun leading man Tom Cruise has built a estimated net worth of $600 million thanks to star credits in projects like Rain Man and The Color of Money.
His star has only continued to rise since, with standout performances in '90s hits like Mission: Impossible and Eyes Wide Shut, as well as recent successes Top Gun: Maverick and Digger, set for release in October 2026.
© Getty ImagesSylvester Stallone was an '80s blockbuster action hero
Rocky icon Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone became an international star with 1976 hit Rocky and his success has only grown since then. The '80s welcomed several franchise sequels with Rocky III (1982) and Rocky IV (1985), as well as a star role for Sylvester in action thriller First Blood in 1982.
He's still acting today with recent credits including TV series Tulsa King and 2025 feature Alarum. It's no surprise then that his estimated net worth sits at $400 million.
© Getty ImagesBurt Reynolds was a blockbuster star in the '80s
'70s and '80s Burt Reynolds
Oscar-nominee Burt Reynolds returned for the 1980 sequel to 1977 hit Smokey and the Bandit, as well as starring in The Cannonball Run, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Sharky's Machine.
The Gunsmoke star found continued fame and fortune during the decade, with an estimated fortune equivalent to $200 million today.
© Getty ImagesBurt Reynolds lost his fortune following a hefty divorce settlement and mismanaged spending
Burt Reynolds - A lost fortune
Sadly, a series of poor decisions and major life changes lost Burt his fortune, with his net worth estimated at $500,000 when he passed away in 2018.
These included failed restaurant investments, a multi-million dollar divorce settlement following his marriage to Loni Anderson and continued lavish spending. At the time of his death, Burt was living at one of his previous homes and paying a small rent to his friend who purchased the property.
