Feeling old yet, Slackers?

When we were young, there were so many movie stars—and not just the Brat Pack. Sean Penn, Kiefer Sutherland, and Elisabeth Shue come to mind. Fast forward to today, and these former young heartthrobs and beloved teen idols have become Hollywood royalty, winning some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, including Golden Globes, Academy Awards, Emmys, and Tonys. Movies like TAPS and Fast Times at Ridgemont High boast numerous award winners, including multiple Oscar wins.

While Sean Penn received recognition fairly early in his career, actors like Christian Slater and Jennifer Jason Leigh didn’t receive any significant award buzz until 30+ years into their careers. Though I’m an avowed Ferris Bueller hater, it was still pretty cool to see Alan Ruck (Cameron) receive nominations for his role on Succession.

Although I don’t typically pay much attention to award shows, I’m rooting for Demi Moore to finally win the big one for her role in The Substance.

We dive into how these stars have evolved—not just in their careers, but in their artistry—transforming from iconic teen roles into multi-award-winning performances. We explore their journeys from being the faces of an era to becoming respected actors and performers across different genres. It’s fascinating to see these once-young stars redefine what it means to age gracefully in Hollywood while staying relevant, admired, and celebrated.