Who are these celebrities starring in '70s and '80s afterschool specials?
These young actors grew up to win Oscars and play superheroes.
Image: The Everett Collection
When you came home from school in the '70s and '80s and flipped on the television, the lessons did not end. Thanks to programs like ABC Afterschool Special and CBS Schoolbreak Special, kids learned moral lessons from melodramatic short films that helped them navigate the minefield of adolescence.
Often adapted from young adult novels, these afterschool specials were, frankly, pretty cheesy. They often came branded with sensational titles like My Dad Lives in a Downtown Hotel.
And, in many cases, they cast rising stars alongside TV veterans. See if you can recognize these celebrities.
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She did not win an Oscar for 1973's 'Rookie of the Year.' She won an Oscar in 1991 for this film.
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This guy in 'Wanted: The Perfect Guy' would grow up to play which blockbuster superhero?
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She had a supporting role in 'Amy & The Angel.' She became a superstar thanks to which romantic comedy?
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She starred in 'Which Mother Is Mine?' Which mother was she on a sitcom?
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His kid turned punk in 'The Day My Kid Went Punk'. Who was he on 'The Love Boat'?
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Before she was a parent in 'Dinky Hocker', she was a parent on this hit series.
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Before he was the title character in 1979's 'Seven Wishes of a Rich Kid,' he played which sitcom kid?
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Today, she plays Spider-Man's aunt. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1992 for which movie?
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Sean Astin is hugging his real-life mom here in 'Please Don't Hit Me, Mom.' She was known for starring in which '60s sitcom?
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In 1981, she starred in 'I Think I'm Having a Baby.' In 2015, this actress earned an Oscar nomination.
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The lead singer of this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, seen on the right, was billed as Cole Dammett in 1978's 'It's a Mile From Here to Glory'.
