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These '80s Heartthrobs Are Still Smokin' Hot

Then And Now: These '80s Heartthrobs Are Still Smokin' Hot
Yagana Shah
By 

Huff/Post 50 Editor, The Huffington Post

Happy birthday, Rob Lowe! The "Brat Pack" actor turns 50 today but still has those piercing blue eyes and that mischievous smile that earned him heartthrob status in the 80s.

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It's no surprise Lowe started his career as a fashion model, and soon after shot to fame in roles in 1983's "Class" and "The Outsiders." But it was his turn in cult classic "St. Elmo's Fire" that made him a household name. But soon, the twenty-something Lowe found himself in hot water when a sex tape surfaced and he struggled with drug and alcohol abuse.

Lowe made his comeback in the hit series, "The West Wing" and the rest, as they say, is history. He's since had success with various TV roles, most recently starring on "Parks and Recreation."

As he turns 50, Lowe's career is hot as ever with the lead role in TV movie "Killing Kennedy" and he's working on developing a new comedy for NBC. How does he feel about the milestone birthday?

"The candles on the cake mean absolutely nothing," Lowe told People. "It truly is about how you lead your life and not how much life is led." Easy to say when you're Rob Lowe.

And he's not the only '80s star that's still got it. Here are eight other celebs who just keep getting better with age:

John Stamos, 50
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Stamos first appeared on the Hollywood scene as the hunky Blackie Parrish on hit soap "General Hospital," before he landed his career-catapulting role as the dreamy uncle Jesse on "Full House." Stamos, who celebrated his 50th birthday last year, is still getting plenty of TV roles but has just one career regret: his mullet. "I wish someone had said, 'Cut that hair!" Stamos told Redbook.
Johnny Depp, 50
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His turn as the gun-wielding, guy-liner-sporting, Captain Jack Sparrow is probably one of his most memorable roles, but the 50-year-old actor made his mark on Hollywood long ago. Long before the "Pirates" franchise, Depp had roles in films like "21 Jump Street" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street" which helped him hone his acting chops and also made him an overnight sensation. Depp, now 50, has only gotten better with age. He's now a two-time "Sexiest Man Alive" titleholder.
Brad Pitt, 50
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He's lost his baby face, but Pitt still makes us weak in the knees, decades into his career. Pitt had a few small TV roles in the late 80s, appearing on hit shows "Dallas" and "21 Jump Street." But his career got sweeter with age, and Pitt showed he was more than a pretty face in heavier film roles as he starred in 90s hits "Interview With The Vampire" and "Legends Of The Fall."We've watched Pitt evolve not only in his career but in his personal life. The heartthrob is now a family man, humanitarian, and activist.
Matthew Broderick, 51
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The actor, of "Ferris Bueller" fame, was the epitome of boyish charm in the 80s with his floppy hair and youthful good looks. But with a wide-ranging career, from TV, to film, to the stage, Broderick is proven he's more than just the kid who taught us how to cut class.
Matt Dillon, 50
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The ultimate bad-boy, Dillon undoubtedly adorned the walls of millions of teenage girls in the 80s. Dillon gained heartthrob status with films like "Little Darlings" and "Liar's Moon" and his success rode into the 90s. He's shown versatility starring in comedies like "There's Something About Mary" and "You, Me, and Dupree" but has also taken on more serious roles like playing a troubled cop in 2006's "Crash." We'd sure like to know what his secret is, because we swear he doesn't look a day over 30.
Tom Cruise, 51
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It's almost impossible to think of Tom Cruise without thinking of that scene from 1983's "Risky Business." Cruise's breakthrough role as a fun-loving teen was only the beginning with countless blockbuster hits to follow from "Top Gun" to "Rain Man." Cruise's career has taken him from rom-com scene stealer to good-guy action hero. We would love to see him reprise his role in the rumored "Top Gun 2" movie.
Sean Penn, 53
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Penn mastered the role of a rebellious teen in early 80s films like "Taps" and "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" making him a female favorite. But luckily, he was able to avoid being pigeonholed and went on to hard-hitting roles in films like "Bad Boys" and "Dead Man Walking." He's won two Oscars since turning 40 and has even found a new lady love in Charlize Theron recently. Things just keep getting better and better for Sean.
Scott Baio, 53
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No heartthrob list would be complete without the adorable Scott Baio. He became a household name as a series regular on "Happy Days" in the late 70s and early 80s. Fitting to his dreamboat status on-screen, Baio's personal life was just as intriguing as he romanced a number of starlets in the 80s and 90s from Pam Anderson to Heather Locklear. His dating chronicles were the basis of a VH1 reality show in 2007 and he's experienced a bit of a career revival ever since, landing several spots on popular TV shows. But to us, he'll always be Chachi.

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