The 1980s was a golden era for movies, and one of the most memorable aspects of that time was the iconic pretty boys who played the villains. These characters were often jocks, popular kids, or just plain good-looking guys who used their charm and good looks to get what they wanted, often at the expense of the underdog. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the top 5 iconic 80’s movie pretty boys who played the villain.
5. Stan Gable – Revenge of the Nerds
Stan Gable, portrayed by Ted McGinley, was the epitome of the arrogant, good-looking jock who loved to terrorize those who were different from him. As the star quarterback, head of the Greek council, and an all-around arrogant jerk, Stan was the ultimate man’s man in Revenge of the Nerds. However, by the end of the movie, he learns that there’s a heavy price to pay for being such a jerk.
4. Teddy – One Crazy Summer
Teddy, played by Matt Mulhern, is a jerk, but he’s also the product of a long line of jerks. It’s not entirely his fault that he ends up as he is, but when he embraces the attitude to appease his father, there’s not much else to say about it. A pretty boy in the movies often stands a very real chance of being the bad guy just because he’s that awesome in so many ways. But then again, he’s just a jerk, and that doesn’t seem negated by much of anything.
3. Steff – Pretty in Pink
Steff, portrayed by James Spader, is the guy who thinks he can buy anything and anyone he wants. He’s not above being a jerk and, in fact, seems to enjoy the role. Spader didn’t really start becoming a good guy in films until later on in life, and this clip shows that he definitely excelled at being the kind of guy you’d love to see get kicked around a bit just to deliver a bit of movie justice for the audience. But he gets his in the end, which is good enough.
2. David – The Lost Boys
Sometimes even pretty boys can be flat out dangerous. David, played by Kiefer Sutherland, is the kind of guy you wouldn’t want to mess with even before the fangs come out. He just looks aggressive with his confusing hairdo and piercing eyes. Something about him screams trouble, and his calm demeanor only heightens the effect. It’s almost a little disappointing that near the end, you find out that he’s not the main antagonist.
1. Johnny – The Karate Kid
There are videos describing how Johnny, played by William Zabka, is the good guy and Daniel is the bully. I find this hard to believe even looking at it from a different perspective. While they were both in the wrong several times, it’s still hard to see Johnny as the hero in any way. At the end of the film, he finally sucked it up and congratulated Daniel, but throughout the movie, he’s a grade-A jerk.
These were just some of the few iconic 80’s movie pretty boys who played the villain that really stood out. Their performances left a lasting impression on audiences and continue to be remembered as some of the most memorable characters in film history.
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