When these stars weren’t acting, they were singing.
1. Scott Baio
To most of us, Baio’s finest credit will always be his performance as Bob Loblaw. But he was around long before that, achieving full ’80s teen heart-throb status as Charles in Charles in Charge. Helping him along the way to later sex addiction were, no doubt, the two albums he released in the early ’80s, one of which was 1983’s “The Boys Are Out Tonight.”
2. Bruce Willis
Remember, before Bruce Willis was chasing terrorists barefoot through glass, and before it turned out he was dead the whole time, he was David Addison, the “fast-talking, fun-loving detective running the City of Angels Detective Agency” in the 1980s ABC dramedy Moonlighting. In the midst of the show’s reasonably successful run, Willis put out 1987’s Bruce Willis – The Return Of Bruno.
3. Tina Yothers
Tina Yothers was the blonde daughter in Family Ties who never got to say anything funny or important after she outgrew her cute years. But she used her voice in other ways, launching a singing career with this Tiffany-style bubble pop album, Over and Over, in 1987.
4. Lisa Whelchel
When the producers of Facts of Life wanted a story arc in which one of the girls lose their virginity, their first choice was Blair, the snooty rich girl, played by Lisa Whelchel. Whelchel wouldn’t do it, as it conflicted with her Christian values. What didn’t conflict was the 1984 Contemporary Christian Album All Because of You. It received more relative success than most ’80s sitcom crossover albums, reaching number No. 17 on CCM charts, and was nominated for an Inspiration Music Grammy.
5. Kim Fields
The Facts of Life was a hotspot of budding talent (George Clooney came from there!) with adorable Tootie (Kim Fields) releasing two singles in 1984. One, a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Dear Michael,“ and the other the disco-delic dance track “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not.”
6. Vicki Lawrence
You may remember Vicki Lawrence as the perpetually pissed-off matriarch Thelma Harper, whom she portrayed in the inexplicably creepy family sitcom Mama’s Family. But she was a woman of many talents. Her murder ballad “The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia,” off the album of the same name, reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard charts in 1973. In other news, “murder ballad” is a genre!
7. Alyssa Milano
Did you know Alyssa Milano had a huge recording contract, producing four studio albums plus a greatest hits compliation? If you did, then you’re probably much, much too interested in Japanese ’80s pop culture. A Japanese record executive saw Milano’s performance in Commando (made when she was 12) and immediately offered her a record deal. Her albums were never released in America, but you can listen to a sample of her work above.
8. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen
This happened. But there is no need to dwell on it.
9. John Schneider
The Dukes of Hazzard used to stand for something, before it was disgraced with the 2005 film. The General Lee used to jump hay trucks for justice. John Schneider (Bo Duke…the hot one) understood the power of Hazzard County. He used his fame to launch a country music career, producing 10 albums in the 1980s alone. None of which can ever be as awesome as the Dukes of Hazzard Theme Song.
10. Mr. T
Mr. T is against children using drugs, talking to strangers, and shunning homework. He made a rap album in 1984 to tell them this. Ice-T is listed on the album as “rap director” for tracks 2, 3, 6, and 7.
11. Phylicia (Allen) Rashad
Before she was Claire Huxtable, the best mom/hottest wife/smartest lawyer in the world, she sang disco, and had the fro to prove it! Her album, Josephine Superstar, was a tribute to Josephine Baker.
The Elvis Presley Encounter That Changed Tom Petty’s Life
One handshake from the King of Rock and Roll turned a 10-year-old Florida kid into a future rock legend.
ByChris Wheatley|Oct 20, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT
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Singer Tom Petty has enjoyed an outstanding career, first leading his immensely popular band, the Heartbreakers, then scoring numerous solo hits, and, in later years, performing alongside George Harrison and Bob Dylan as part of the rock supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys. Fascinatingly, it was an incident that occurred when he was just ten years old that set him on the road to stardom.
When Tom Petty Met the King
Speaking in an interview with the Independent newspaper, Petty revealed how this early encounter with no less than the king of rock and roll proved to be a pivotal moment in his life. The year was 1962, and Elvis Presley was at the height of his fame. Having returned from a stint in the army, based in Germany, Presley had roared back in the charts with the albums Elvis Is Back! and Something for Everybody. He was then in the process of making his ninth feature film, Follow That Dream.
As luck would have it, Tom Petty’s uncle was working on the crew for that movie. Petty’s aunt suggested they go to visit the set. As Petty recalls: “So we went and stood down behind this chain link fence. There were thousands of people on the street, mostly girls passing record sleeves up to be autographed. I didn’t have a sleeve, and when I got home it became my mission in life to get an Elvis Presley record.”
Before the day was over, Petty did actually get the chance to meet with Presley, albeit briefly. As he remembers: “We were in a little backstage area where they had the trailers, and he came in, and arrived in a line of white limos. And, you know, when he came by, stopped and said hello, my uncle introduced my cousins and me. It was very exciting. Changed my life, really, because after that I started collecting records and just went in that direction.”
Trading Toys for Vinyl
Back home, Petty traded his prized aluminum slingshot for a box of vinyl 45s: “My life was transformed from that moment on. I just didn’t do anything but play these records.”
Reflecting on Presley’s importance, Petty went on to explain how he’d attempted to inform his own daughters on that subject: “I was telling them how he’s such a part of the culture now that I’m not sure people think of him as a great artist, which he was for a long time.”
With today’s flood of readily available information, any modern kid who wanted to learn about Presley would have an easy time, but back then, Petty remembers, things weren’t so easy: “Eventually, I sent off to England for something called The Elvis Presley Handbook. I sent a dollar, I think. Months went by until one miraculous day it showed up, and in it was a discography and a chronology. That made it all start to fall into place.”
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7 Best U.S. Waterparks to Visit in 2026, Ranked
Beat the heat this summer by entering the ultimate American splash zones!
Jul 1, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT
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A summer oasis of epic proportions is the only cure for sweltering days when temperatures soar into the 90s. A colorful slide, a few lounge chairs, and a swimming pool are simply not enough to satisfy your summer bucket list requirements. If you’re already planning to pack the car, pay for passes, gather sunscreen, swimsuits, dry clothes, and other essentials for a day of adventure, why not seek out the best of the best?
Think long slides that shoot you out at record speeds, huge funnels that spin you around dizzily, obstacle courses with nets and slick bars that challenge you to stay dry before plunging into the water below, a massive wave pool that has you bobbing up and down like a buoy, and maybe even a roller coaster you exit absolutely drenched, but smiling from ear to ear. These are the features of a waterpark worthy of your summer vacation days in 2026.
But where can you find these wonderful watering holes?
According to traveler ratings on Trip Advisor, these are the best U.S. water parks to visit in 2026.
THE RATINGS
The best waterparks go way beyond slides and pools; they are entire experiences enclosed in one big space. Some are beloved by travelers and tourists for their thrilling rides, fun themes, and animal interactions. Others are praised for their short wait times and well-maintained facilities. Some have great prices and live music to pair with a day in the sun, and others feel safe and offer brief moments of respite with delicious food and drink. Pair these factors with a few tube races and giant fountains, and you cannot go wrong.
Some of these destinations also double as theme parks, offering you, your family, and your friends the chance to hop on and strap in to a few coasters while you’re at it. Not only are these waterparks among the best in the country, but they’re also top-rated attractions in their regions.
THE WATER PARKS
At the top of the list is Orlando’s Discovery Cove, a destination that’s anything but an ordinary water park. Here, guests can snorkel with tropical fish, pet stingrays, float along a lazy river, and even take photos with dolphins. While the price might seem steep, visitors consistently praise the food options and the one-of-a-kind experiences.
Coming in second is Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This park truly has it all: exhilarating rides, classic country cooking, and a lineup of shows, festivals, and fireworks displays that keep guests coming back year after year. Beyond entertainment and rides, visitors love the variety of shops and Smoky Mountain experiences, like the forge where you can craft your own knife.
Traveling from Florida to Tennessee to Branson, Missouri, you’ll find Silver Dollar City, a regional favorite for more than 60 years. This park boasts rides you’ll want to write home about, vibrant festivals, unique shops, and plenty of restaurants. Guests rave about its safety, live music, and the variety of attractions for all ages.
Rounding out the top waterparks in the U.S. for 2026 are Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, and LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven!
The 2027 Mental Floss Amazing Facts Calendar is now on sale! Order yours today.
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