1

Mr. T

Image: Richard R

If you were watching TV in the 1980s, you knew Mr. T. Actor Laurence Tureaud rose to fame as B.A. Baracus in the hit TV series The A-Team and as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III .

In 2006, he starred in the TV Land reality show I Pity the Fool , named after his famous catchphrase.

2

Richard Dean Anderson

Image: Nipun Haldar

The man who sold a thousand Swiss Army knives— MacGyver himself, Richard Dean Anderson was a household name in the 1980s. He later became well-known to another set of fans for his role in the Stargate Atlantis series.

These days, Richard Dean Anderson occasionally appears in small roles. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which is dedicated to protecting marine life and raising public awareness about the dangers it faces.

3

Haley Joel Osment

Image: Laercio Cavalcanti

Remember the kid who said, " I see dead people " in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense ? That’s him—Haley Joel Osment. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at just 11 years old for that unforgettable performance.

Since then, Osment has grown up and taken on smaller roles in Tusk , Silicon Valley , and Future Man .

4

Jason Priestley

Image: David Vives

One of the most recognizable faces of the 1990s, Jason Priestley rose to fame through his role in the TV series Beverly Hills, 90210 . Since then, he has taken on smaller roles and he recently starred in the Canadian TV series Private Eyes .

5

Emilio Estevez

Image: Taylor Brandon

Emilio Estevez chose to use his family’s real last name, Estevez, rather than the one adopted by his father, Martin Sheen , or his brother, Charlie Sheen . But still, people knew exactly who he was. In the 1980s and ’90s, his face was everywhere as a member of the Brat Pack, starring in The Breakfast Club , St. Elmo’s Fire , and The Outsiders .

Since then, he has taken on a few minor roles and maintained a lower profile.

6

Michael J. Fox

Image: Roger Ce

Despite stepping away from acting several years ago due to his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Michael J. Fox has remained a beloved public figure, thanks in no small part to his natural charisma and iconic role as _Back to the Future_’s Marty McFly . The Canadian star has since become a prominent advocate for Parkinson’s research and a cure.

7

Rick Moranis

Image: Erik Mclean

For a while, Rick Moranis was everywhere: Ghostbusters , Spaceballs , Little Shop of Horrors , Honey, I Shrunk the Kids , Parenthood ... But after becoming a widower in the 1990s, he shifted his focus to fatherhood and stepped away from the spotlight. Every few years, there’s talk of him making a comeback, and it appears that, finally, this may come true in the long-awaited sequel to Spaceballs . We can all hope, right?

8

Jane Fonda

Image: bruce mars

Jane Fonda rose to fame in the 1960s and ’70s through her work as an actress and model . In the 1980s, she released her first exercise video, which went on to become the most successful workout tape of all time.

Since then, she has appeared in several films and Broadway productions, while continuing her work in activism and philanthropy. In recent years, Fonda starred in the Netflix series, which ran for seven seasons, Grace and Frankie, with Lily Tomlin.

9

Talia Shire

Image: Nathz Guardia

A highly recognizable actress in the 1970s, Talia Shire played leading roles in The Godfather and Rocky , along with their sequels. Since then, she has continued acting in films, though mostly in smaller roles. In 2024, she appeared in Megalopolis , directed by her brother Francis Ford Coppola.

10

Daniel Day-Lewis

Image: Jez Timms

Daniel Day-Lewis, one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, has won three Academy Awards for Best Actor for his roles in My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), and Lincoln (2012). He announced his retirement from acting in 2017. After thanking his collaborators, he quietly left the movie business to dedicate himself to learning the craft of cobbling .

However, in October 2024, he made a notable return to acting by starring in Anemone , a film directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, that has yet to be released.

11

Bridget Fonda

Image: Tore F

The second Fonda on our list is also the final entry: Bridget Fonda retired from Hollywood in 2002 to start a family with her husband, composer Danny Elfman. More than two decades later, Fonda has stated that she has no plans to return to the big screen. As she put it, "I don’t think [there’s any chance]. It’s too nice being a civilian."

1

James Dean’s red jacket in Rebel Without a Cause

Image: visualsofdana

James Dean owned the screen in Rebel Without a Cause while wearing a red Harrington jacket . Jim Stark’s rebellious spirit resonated with a generation of teenagers, turning the jacket into a symbol of youthful defiance. That cool, casual style caught on in the ’50s and influenced menswear for years to come.

2

Tom Cruise’s aviator sunglasses in Top Gun

Image: Nitin Dhumal

When Top Gun soared into theaters in the ’80s, sales of Ray-Ban Aviators took off like a jet fighter, reportedly increasing by 40%. Tom Cruise’s confident Maverick made these shades the ultimate symbol of effortless cool .

The latest installment of the franchise once again led to a surge in sales. Worn by pilots and by pop stars, Aviators remain a classic icon of the tough-guy aesthetic.

3

Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel’s haircut in Friends

Image: Ilse Orsel

"The Rachel" wasn’t just a haircut—it was the haircut. Salons were flooded with requests for Jennifer Aniston’s bouncy, layered style .

The irony? Aniston reportedly hated it. But that didn’t stop an entire generation from chopping their locks in pursuit of sitcom-perfect hair .

4

Nancy Sinatra’s go-go boots

Image: Heriberto Jahir Medina

Nancy Sinatra’s "These Boots Are Made for Walkin’"—along with the groovy go-go dancers on "Laugh-In" —made white go-go boots the must-have footwear of the swinging ’60s.

Fun, fashionable, and full of youthful energy , they became a symbol of the era. Every mod girl needed a pair to complete her look and strut her stuff.

5

Marilyn Monroe’s white dress

Image: Stephen Leonardi

A subway grate, a gust of wind, and boom. One of the most famous dresses in movie history was born. Marilyn Monroe’s billowing white halter dress is still a summer fashion inspiration more than half a century later.

Her signature winged eyeliner, red lips, and the Chanel No. 5 she allegedly wore to bed were also picked up by women all over the world.

6

Jackie Kennedy’s pillbox hat & suits

Image: Florida Memory

Jackie Kennedy’s impeccable style captivated the nation. Her elegant suits and perfectly perched pillbox hats turned heads with every public appearance.

Women everywhere sought to emulate her sophisticated, polished look, turning the First Lady into an unexpected fashion icon.

7

Farrah Fawcett’s feathered hair in Charlie’s Angels

Image: Flybynight

An example of one poster that became one million salon appointments. Farrah Fawcett’s feathered waves became the ultimate hair trend of the 1970s, thanks to Charlie’s Angels.

Women flocked to salons, armed with cans of hairspray and dreams of achieving the perfect Farrah flip.

8

Madonna’s lace gloves & layered bracelets

Image: Paolo Sbalzer

Madonna was as much a fashion icon as she was a music sensation. During her Like a Virgin era in the ‘80s , she introduced a bold new style: layered rubber bracelets, rosary beads, lace gloves, and a rebellious attitude. Young girls everywhere embraced her edgy, playful look, making it a defining trend of the decade.

9

Run-D.M.C.’s Adidas sneakers

Image: Rahul Shah

No laces? No problem. Run-D.M.C. turned Adidas shell-toe sneakers into hip-hop royalty . Their song "My Adidas" made the brand explode, and suddenly sneakers with the three stripes were everywhere. Comfortable, stylish, and effortlessly cool—now that’s a trend anyone could get behind.

10

Reese's Pieces in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Image: FlyD

Did you know that in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial , the beloved alien was originally supposed to be obsessed with M&Ms, not Reese’s Pieces ? Luckily for the latter, Mars turned down the offer to feature their product in a Spielberg movie.

The result? After the movie’s massive success, sales of Reese’s Pieces skyrocketed by 65%. A perfect example of how sweet product placement can be.

11

Etch-a-Sketch in Toy Story

Image: Nong

Sure, Toy Story featured dozens of different toys, but one classic that had been around for decades experienced a major resurgence after the movie’s release.

The Etch A Sketch saw a spike in sales in the ’90s, thanks to its memorable cameo in the Pixar movie. Maybe kids were drawn to its simple shake-and-draw magic , or perhaps parents couldn’t resist a wave of nostalgia.

12

Kurt Cobain’s grunge look

Image: Ralph Rabago

Kurt Cobain didn’t dress for the cameras or the music industry, yet he defined an iconic style in the ’90s. His thrift-store flannels, ripped jeans , and round sunglasses became the uniform of a generation.

Ironically, the grunge aesthetic—born from a rejection of mainstream fashion—became one of the decade’s biggest trends.

1

Museum tickets

Image: Moralis Tsai

Many libraries in the U.S. and worldwide offer free passes to museums, zoos, and cultural centers . It's a great way to explore local attractions without spending any money.

Check with your local library to see what’s available. Some even let you reserve passes online.

2

Language classes

Image: Ling App

Many libraries offer free language classes, either in person or through online platforms .

It's a great way to start learning a new language or improve your existing skills. Be sure to check what your local library offers.

3

Wi-Fi

Image: Franck

Many public libraries have partnered with companies like Verizon to offer Wi-Fi hotspots for checkout, helping those without internet access at home or travelers stay connected.

This service helps bridge the digital divide and ensures patrons can access important online resources and services.

4

State Park passes

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

Several libraries across the U.S. offer free passes to local and state parks . This is a great way to explore nature without the added cost.

5

Telescopes

Image: Patrick Hendry

Local astronomical societies and clubs have teamed up with libraries to offer telescopes , just like books.

This gives visitors the chance to explore the night sky in remarkable detail—perfect for beginners and astronomy enthusiasts alike.

6

Video and board games

Image: Karthik Balakrishnan

Many libraries offer game collections to their visitors, including both classic board games and popular video games .

This provides a fun, free way for patrons to enjoy games without needing to buy them.

7

Early literacy programs

Image: Michał Parzuchowski

Librarians are passionate about promoting early literacy and getting kids excited about reading. Many libraries offer age-specific programs at different times, often featuring fun themes and activities to keep young readers engaged.

8

Concerts

Image: BRUNO CERVERA

Many libraries host free concerts throughout the year, featuring a variety of musical genres.

These performances cater to different audiences, providing a great way to enjoy live music without spending a dime .

9

Genealogy

Image: June Hansen

Some libraries offer free access to the library edition of Ancestry.com, allowing users to explore their family history .

Available on-site, it provides the same features as a personal subscription, including access to global records and historical documents.

10

Movies

Image: Marius GIRE

Many libraries not only lend movies but also host free movie screenings. These events often include kids' films during school breaks, holiday specials, and midday showings for all ages .

11

Printers

Image: Mahrous Houses

No printer at home? Some libraries let you email documents for printing at a small fee . They may also offer faxing and copying services. Additionally, many libraries provide access to a range of tools, such as 3D printers, scanners, and more.

12

Computers

Image: Keith Kasaija

Many libraries offer desktop computers with internet access for their patrons to use, free of charge. These stations give visitors a quiet space to complete online tasks, work, or study.