Fashion flashback: 1988 Primetime Emmys

By Bryanne Salazar 8:26am PDT, Sep 5, 2018

On Sept. 17, 2018, the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will air from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. In honor of TV's big night, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at the fashion from the 1988 Emmys 30 years ago. "Cheers" star Kirstie Alley received her first Emmy nod that year for her performance as Rebecca Howe on the beloved comedy series. Cigarette in hand, Kirstie stepped out wearing a long-sleeved red turtleneck gown with metallic lamé accents and perfectly matched nails, lips and accessories.

Another "Cheers" star, Woody Harrelson, arrived at the 1988 Emmys in a black-and-blue patterned jacket. The sweetest touch? The white camellia pinned on his lapel that matched the bloom on his date's handbag. Woody was nominated that night for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series, an award he would go on to win the following year.

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If you don't recognize this lovely lady in red, then maybe you need to rewatch an episode of "The Golden Girls." Arriving at the 40th Annual Primetime Emmys was Estelle Getty, the actress famous for playing sassy senior Sophia Petrillo on the award-winning series. That year, Estelle took home the prize for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, proving her character's sharp tongue and easy smile were even more amazing than her fringed and beaded crimson dress.

Another "Golden Girls" goddess who took home an Emmy at the 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 1988 was Bea Arthur. Wearing a heavily pleated Grecian-inspired white gown, Bea looked regal holding her prize for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series.

Shortly before their divorce that same year, boxing champ Mike Tyson and actress Robin Givens arrived on the Primetime Emmys red carpet looking like Hollywood royalty. Robin's layered floral-print plum skirt with an elongated train was expertly paired with a seriously sheer embroidered purple camisole and matching pumps. The only thing bigger than her teased '80s hair was her then-hubby's muscles, which rippled underneath his silver vest and crisp white shirt.

"Back to the Future" and "The Wonder Years" actor Jason Hervey arrived at the 1988 Emmys with girlfriend Dawn Bailey in color-coordinated outfits we actually love. The then-16-year-old TV and film star opted for a fresh white tuxedo with a blue cummerbund and bow tie that perfectly matched Dawn's metallic peplum skirt and midriff-baring crop top. They might have been young, but they clearly knew how to work the red carpet in '80s style.

Popular '80s TV and film star Michael J. Fox looked dashing and dapper in his classic black tuxedo at the 40th Annual Primetime Emmys, which he attended with his wife of barely a month, Tracy Pollan. Michael was nominated for best performance by an actor in a television series for his work on "Family Ties" that year — and he won! Tracy supported her honey on his big night in a ruched, long-sleeved cocktail dress featuring a sweetheart neckline, which she accentuated with a simple, elegant strand of pearls.

Notorious impressionist and comedian Tracey Ullman wasn't afraid to make a statement with her fashion at the 1988 Primetime Emmys. Her heavily embroidered suit was given added drama with a bold fuchsia blouse and accompanying heavy gold cross choker. Tracy even rocked an edgy undercut hairstyle, proving she was (and always will be) ahead of her time.

Props to the late John Ritter and his then-wife, Nancy, at the 1988 Primetime Emmys. John, who was nominated for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for his work on "Hooperman," wore a crisp back tuxedo, but his wife's navy blue column gown with silver embroidery stood out without taking over the red carpet. We'll just never be OK with the decade's obsession with black pantyhose and boring pumps. That dress deserved sleek, peep-toe stilettos.

Golden Globe-winning British actress Jane Seymour looked angelic in white at the 40th Annual Primetime Emmys. That night, Jane took home the award for outstanding supporting actress in a miniseries for her work as Maria Callas in "Onassis: The Richest Man in the World." While the white dress with silver embellishments was heavenly, we think the classic '40s hairstyle and deep red lips added a touch of elegance to her look.

While "American Top 40" radio host Casey Kasem kept his look modest at the 40th Annual Primetime Emmys, wife Jean Kasem took a different fashion route altogether. Dripping in head-to-toe lilac, Jean looked like she was part Saharan princess, part genie in a bottle. The dress, with its attached tiara-adorned head covering and over-sized sleeves decorated with embroidered flowers and dangling rhinestone chains, would be affectionately referred to today as extra.

"L.A. Law" star Corbin Bernsen (who was nominated for outstanding lead actor in a drama series that night) and wife Amanda Pays kept it sleek and sexy at the 1988 Emmys. From Corbin's satin-lined black tuxedo to Amanda's simple red shift, black shawl and flaming lips, the couple invoked some serious 007 style that still looks hot 30 years later.

Oscar-winning actress Mary Steenburgen looked radiant at the 1988 Primetime Emmys in a sleeveless embroidered minidress that showed off her incredible figure. Rocking a matching box purse and blazing gold earrings, Mary (who seriously hasn't aged a bit in the last 30 years) was nominated for outstanding lead actress in a miniseries for her portrayal of Miep Gies in "The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank."

Long before actor Ron Perlman landed the title role in the action hero film franchise "Hellboy," he was a TV actor on the popular '80s series "Beauty and the Beast." Seen at the 1988 Primetime Emmys alongside his beautiful wife, Opal Stone (they're still married today!), Ron kept it classy in a simple black tux and playful fringed bow tie while Opal went a little more extravagant in a black beaded mermaid-style gown. That night, Ron was up for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.

"Beauty and the Beast" star Linda Hamilton was rocking mega-sized shoulder pads at the 1988 Primetime Emmys. Wearing black culottes and a heavily embroidered dress coat, Linda might look like the inspiration for a Beyonce video today, but back then, she was seriously in style. Props to her soft makeup, slicked-back hair and teardrop diamond earrings, which helped balance the edginess of her look.

Oscar-nominated actress Mary Tyler Moore was not afraid to play with color at the 1988 Emmys! While her husband, Dr. Robert Levine, wore a simple black tux, Mary, who was nominated that night for outstanding lead actress in a miniseries, wore a tri-tone sleeveless satin gown in chartreuse, pink and white that seemed both gaudy and gorgeous at the same time. Seriously, we can't tell if we love or hate this look but with Mary's megawatt smile and blingy jewelry, we're OK giving her a thumbs up. It was the '80s, after all.

Fabulous and feisty Jackée Harry knew how to work the red carpet at the 1988 Primetime Emmys. The "227" star, who was nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, accentuated every curve in this flared asymmetrical evening gown in metallic purple and black. The flamenco-inspired dress featured animal stripes that added a touch of playfulness.

Longtime "Days of our Lives" star Deidre Hall stunned in this curve-hugging leopard-print dress at the 1988 Primetime Emmys. Pairing the look with glittering gold bangles, earrings and a tiny gold clutch, Deidre looked timeless in this amazing one-shouldered gown.

"Who's the Boss?" actress Katherine Helmond and artist husband David Christian brought a touch of elegance to the 1988 Primetime Emmys. Katherine played up her natural beauty in this vibrant Hanfu-inspired dress dotted with gold orbs and delicate floral embroidery while David looked debonair in his double-breasted tuxedo. Katherine was nominated that night for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.

Fellow "Who's the Boss?" star Tony Danza and his then-wife, Tracy, were also at the 1988 Primetime Emmy. Tony's baggy, slightly wrinkled tuxedo made it seem like he threw something on at the last minute!

Can we all agree that young Danny Pintauro looked adorable at the 1988 Primetime Emmys? The then-12-year-old "Who's the Boss?" star's dapper gray swallow-tail tuxedo with a shimmery blue cummerbund and bow tie made him look like a young aristocrat.

Andy Warhol's muse and '80s nightclub queen Dianne Brill rocked the 1988 Primetime Emmys red carpet in this revealing white dress with elaborate silver beadwork. Donning a matching headscarf, white gloves and a bold red lip, it's clear Dianne followed no rules when it came to fashion.

Is it just us or does "Night Court" star Richard Moll's former wife, Laura Class, look a whole lot like singer Halsey with an '80s wig? While Richard rocked a Wolverine-in-a-tux vibe, Laura went for some serious sparkle in a sheer metallic bodice and satin skirt for the 40th Annual Primetime Emmys.

Although actress Ann Jillian, who was nominated for outstanding lead actress in a miniseries, arrived at the 40th Annual Primetime Emmys wearing all black, she didn't look like she was in mourning. The TV and film star, who was arm-in-arm with longtime husband Andy Murcia, went for '80s elegance in this velvet-bodice evening gown with a flowing A-line satin skirt. The puffy, exaggerated shoulders, bold choker and her bleached-blonde hair might seem dated today, but in 1988, those were the marks of someone who understood style trends.

"Poltergeist" actress JoBeth Williams looked so '80s it hurt! Nominated for outstanding lead actress in a miniseries, JoBeth arrived at the 1988 Emmys in an off-the-shoulder, tiered skirt number with playful bow accents. Although black pantyhose under black sandals wasn't a fashion faux pas at the time, we can't help but cringe a little seeing it today.