Showbiz

EXCLUSIVE Iconic 80s movie star who starred in cult classic looks unrecognizable on rare outing

EXCLUSIVE
Iconic 80s movie star who starred in cult classic looks unrecognizable on rare outing

An iconic 80s movie star looked unrecognizable during a lowkey outing in this week in Los Angeles on Thursday. 

The actress has made appearances in a number of both movie and television projects throughout her decades-long career thus far. 

She has worked alongside a number of celebrities such as Bill Murray, Tom Hanks, Paul Rudd, Melissa McCarthy and Molly Ringwald. 

The star has additionally garnered a number of accolades based on her performances, and notably received a Golden Globe nomination back in the late 1970s. 

The actress is also known for voicing a famous character from an iconic children’s movie franchise. 

But can you guess who it is?

EXCLUSIVE
Iconic 80s movie star who starred in cult classic looks unrecognizable on rare outing

An iconic 80s movie star looked unrecognizable during a lowkey outing in this week in Los Angeles on Thursday – can you guess who it is?

The actress has made appearances in a number of both movie and television projects throughout her decades-long career thus far

The actress has made appearances in a number of both movie and television projects throughout her decades-long career thus far

It is Annie Potts, 72 – who has taken on roles in Pretty In Pink (1986) as well as the Ghostbusters movies. 

She played the character of Iona in the John Hughes-directed movie Pretty In Pink alongside Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer and Harry Dean Stanton. 

The actress also portrayed secretary Janine Melnitz in Ghostbusters beginning in 1984, and starred in its sequel five years later. 

Potts made a cameo in the 2016 Ghostbusters movie which included an all-female cast, including Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. 

She also reprised her role of Janine in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) as well as Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024). 

Annie kept it casual as she stepped out in L.A. this week and donned a pair of black trousers as well as a black sweater. 

She layered the ensemble with a black jacket to keep herself warm in the cooler temperatures and slipped into a pair of white sneakers. 

Potts easily carried a yellow purse over her right shoulder to hold a few items she needed during the daytime excursion.

It is Annie Potts, 72 - who has taken on roles in Pretty In Pink (1986) as well as the Ghostbusters movies; seen above in Pretty In Pink

It is Annie Potts, 72 – who has taken on roles in Pretty In Pink (1986) as well as the Ghostbusters movies; seen above in Pretty In Pink 

Annie kept it casual as she stepped out in L.A. this week and donned a pair of black trousers as well as a black sweater She layered the ensemble with a black jacket to keep herself warm in the cooler temperatures and slipped into a pair of white sneakers

Annie kept it casual as she stepped out in L.A. this week and donned a pair of black trousers as well as a black sweater

Potts easily carried a yellow purse over her right shoulder to hold a few items she needed during the daytime excursion

Potts easily carried a yellow purse over her right shoulder to hold a few items she needed during the daytime excursion

She played the character of Iona in the John Hughes-directed movie Pretty In Pink alongside Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer and Harry Dean Stanton

She played the character of Iona in the John Hughes-directed movie Pretty In Pink alongside Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer and Harry Dean Stanton

Annie was born in October 1952 in Nashville and later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theater from Stephens College in Missouri. 

The actress made her debut on the big screen in the adventure comedy тιтled Corvette Summer (1978). 

Read More Young Sheldon star Annie Potts hosts series finale viewing party with the cast at her house: ‘The family gathered at Meemaw’s’ article image

She received a Golden Globe Award nomination for New Star Of The Year – Actress based on her performance in the movie. 

Other film roles that Potts has taken on includes voicing Bo Beep in the Toy Story franchise. 

While Annie is no stranger to starring in feature films, the star also has had a successful career when it comes to television. 

From 1986 through 1993, the actress played the character of Mary Jo Shively in the sitcom Designing Women – which also starred Dixie Carter, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Meshach Taylor and Julia Duffy. 

During a past interview with Glamour, Potts opened up about her role in the popular series. 

‘I made the choice to do Designing Women because I had just been doing movies and had my little boy that I was taking on location all the time. He wanted stability. He wanted to stay in town and play soccer and have a normal life. 

From 1986 through 1993, the actress played the character of Mary Jo Shively in the sitcom Designing Women - which also starred Dixie Carter, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Meshach Taylor and Julia Duffy; Potts seen far right

From 1986 through 1993, the actress played the character of Mary Jo Shively in the sitcom Designing Women – which also starred Dixie Carter, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Meshach Taylor and Julia Duffy; Potts seen far right 

‘So I thought, “Well, it would be good to have something.” I had no idea how successful that would turn out to be,’ Annie continued. 

The sitcom aired for seven seasons on CBS and Potts also told the outlet, ‘We barely had cell phones back then. It was a bit of a different animal in those days because we didn’t have 375 channels to choose from. 

‘I don’t think we understood what a big hit we were. Our numbers were huge, but I felt that we never got the recognition that we should have.’ 

In the 90s, Annie went on to star in Love & War – which earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. 

And then from 1998 through 2002 she took on the role of M.E. Sims in the series Any Day Now, which also earned her a SAG Award nomination. 

Her most recent TV project was Young Sheldon, which aired its final season last year.  Annie played the character of Meemaw in the show, who was Sheldon’s maternal grandmother.

'I don't think we understood what a big hit we were. Our numbers were huge, but I felt that we never got the recognition that we should have,' she said; Potts (right) seen on Designing Women

‘I don’t think we understood what a big hit we were. Our numbers were huge, but I felt that we never got the recognition that we should have,’ she said; Potts (right) seen on Designing Women 

After seven seasons, CBS announced that the seventh season of the spinoff series – which is a prequel to The Big Bang Theory – would be the last. 

Last year in April, Potts said that the cancellation of the show was a ‘stupid business move’ during an interview with Variety.   

When it came to saying goodbye to the series, Annie explained, ‘This one was especially hard because I was completely unprepared. I was shocked. I mean, the No. 1 show on network TV, No. 1 on Netflix.

‘We’re, I think, all that people watch on TikTok besides a couple of recipes for pasta. It just seemed like such a stupid business move.’

She added, ‘Forgive me, but I don’t know. If a show is starting to drag or lag or have a lack of stories or whatever, then you kind of see it coming. We were totally ambushed by this. I was, anyway.’

Other shows that she has made appearances in over the years include Magnum, P.I., Law & Order: SVU, Ugly Betty and Two And A Half Men. 

Her most recent TV project was Young Sheldon, which aired its final season last year. Annie played the character of Meemaw in the show, who was Sheldon's maternal grandmother

Her most recent TV project was Young Sheldon, which aired its final season last year. Annie played the character of Meemaw in the show, who was Sheldon’s maternal grandmother

'I still love my work so much. Every day I go to the set, it's like the first day I was ever there. I'm still learning, and it's still a thrill for me,' Annie said; seen in 2024 in NYC

‘I still love my work so much. Every day I go to the set, it’s like the first day I was ever there. I’m still learning, and it’s still a thrill for me,’ Annie said; seen in 2024 in NYC 

Potts currently has another project under her belt and has taken on a role in the romantic comedy 40 Dates And 40 Nights alongside Bailee Madison and Eric Nelsen.

When it comes to working in the industry, Potts reflected to Glamour, ‘I’ve always managed to keep busy. In my down time I’ll do theater anywhere just to keep myself creatively engaged. 

‘I still love my work so much. Every day I go to the set, it’s like the first day I was ever there. I’m still learning, and it’s still a thrill for me.’

The actress added, ‘I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of it. I’ll never retire, ever. As long as they’ll have me, I’ll have at it.’ 

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