1985 in American television

none February 2017 1985 In 1985, television in the United States saw a number of significant events, including the debuts, finales, and cancellations of television shows; the launch, closure, and rebranding of channels; changes and additions to network affiliations by stations; controversies, business transactions, and carriage disputes; and the deaths of individuals who had made notable contributions to the medium. Events Date EventJanuary 1VH1 begins in the United States.January 4Sesame Street broadcasts its 2,000th episode.January 7During an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America, actor Yul Brynner, who was suffering from terminal lung cancer, mentioned his wish to make a public service announcement to be run after his death to tell others to not smoke. January 20For the first time ever, the Super Bowl is televised by ABC, who join the annual broadcast rotation of the game with CBS and NBC. This also marked the first time that a Super Bowl had closed captioning provided in real-time. In this game, the San Francisco 49ers would defeat the Miami Dolphins 38-16.January 24The first part of a two part Family Ties episode airs on NBC concerning Elyse Keaton going into labor while performing on-air at her husband, Steven's TV station.February 4NBC becomes the first commercial television network to use satellite interconnection for its stations; as a result, it is the first network to discontinue use of chime intonations at the beginning of each telecast, to signal to its affiliates to start broadcasting the network feed.February 8CBS airs the final episode of The Dukes of Hazzard. February 10CBS airs the first part of a two part miniseries that examines the so-called "Atlanta child murders" of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Atlanta officials criticizedLohmann Bill February 12, 1985 Wayne Williams views film of Atlanta child murders https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/02/12/Wayne-Williams-views-film-of-Atlanta-child-murders/1688477032400/ UPI Kelley Bill February 10, 1985 ATLANTA MURDERS; MINISERIES CREATES A STORM OF PROTEST https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1985-02-10-8501050049-story.html Sun Sentinel The Atlanta Child Murders, claiming that it distortedSchmidt William E. February 1, 1985 TV MOVIE ON ATLANTA CHILD KILLINGS STIRS DEBATE AND CASTS DOUBT ON GUILT https://www.nytimes.com/1985/02/01/us/tv-movie-on-atlanta-child-killings-stirs-debate-and-casts-doubt-on-guilt.html The New York Times the facts August 19, 2019 Atlanta child murders: A chronology of the missing and murdered cases https://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/atlanta-child-murders-chronology-the-missing-and-murdered-cases/NJ61ANzP7lxyrVqisqEzYK/ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution of the case.https://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/541777 THE ATLANTA CHILD MURDERS CONTROVERSY #541777 February 13, 1985 Vanderbilt Television News Archive After a series of negotiations, CBS executives agreedHarris Art February 10, 1985 Reliving the Murders in Atlanta https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1985/02/10/reliving-the-murders-in-atlanta/3cd9f360-46c9-4b9f-8378-2f6b03e27a3b/ The Washington Post to insert a disclaimerLevine Bob March 11, 1985 Atlanta's long nightmare https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1985/3/11/atlantas-long-nightmare https://web.archive.org/web/20210126131804/https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1985/3/11/atlantas-long-nightmare dead January 26, 2021 Maclean's alerting viewers that the film is based on fact but contains fictional elements.Sally Bedell Smith TV Notes; CBS Turning Cameras on Its Decision-Makers https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B02E1DA1739F93AA35751C0A963948260 The New York Times 1985-02-09February 23On NBC, the Gimme a Break! episode "Cat Story", becomes the show's very first episode filmed before a live audience.March 3Moonlighting, which stars Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd, debuts on ABC.March 18Capital Cities Communications, a station owner group based in Albany, New York, stuns the broadcast industry by announcing that it is acquiring ABC for $3.5 billion. The move will prompt the company to sell off several of its television and radio stations to satisfy FCC ownership limits. The deal will be finalized on January 3, 1986.Kleinfield, N.R. "ABC is being sold for $3.5 billion; 1st network sale." The New York Times, March 19, 1985."Capcities + ABC."May 2026 medicmedic Broadcasting, March 25, 1985, pp. 31-32.March 20Norman Lear sells Tandem Productions and Embassy Television companies to The Coca-Cola Company, which also owns Columbia Pictures company, for $485 million.March 22KXXV signs on the air in Waco as an NBC affiliate.Frazier Elouise That soap got into my eyes March 28, 1985 5A Waco Tribune-Herald https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-that-soap-got-into-m/130462718/ January 21, 2026 Newspapers.com October 7, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231007175343/https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-that-soap-got-into-m/130462718/ live However, the NBC affiliate didn't last long, and it moved to ABC.Darden Bob KCEN, KXXV plan to switch network programming Dec. 30 December 13, 1985 3C Waco Tribune-Herald https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-kcen-kxxv-plan-to-s/130463004/ January 21, 2026 Newspapers.com October 7, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231007180721/https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-kcen-kxxv-plan-to-s/130463004/ liveMarch 31The World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) telecasts WrestleMania to select pay-per-view areas (and to a greater extent, closed-circuit locations across the country). The event is wildly successful (drawing over a million viewers on closed-circuit) and marks the beginning of the annual series of WrestleMania events which continue to air on pay-per-view to this day. There is, however, a near-riot in Pittsburgh when a technical glitch prematurely ends the feed at the Civic Arena, prompting the WWF to appease angry fans by showing the event in its entirely on ABC affiliate WTAE-TV two weeks later.Gregory Belanger http://oi60.tinypic.com/2eob2bd.jpg Wrestling and rock on a roll in N.O. -03.30.85 - The Times-Picayune - A-19 1985-03-30http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania1.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150429202155/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania1.html dead April 29, 2015 WrestleMania: The Dynasty Begins Canoe.ca Slam! Sports Powel John 2017-03-26The Valley Independent. Monday, April 1, 1985. This mishap is mistakenly attributed to WrestleMania 2 in the "True Story of WrestleMania" DVD and Blu-ray release.April 1Financial News Network stopped airing on broadcast stations, and began a 24-hour cable feed, with the introduction of Score.April 3 Charles in Charge airs its last episode on CBS, ending its network run after a single season. A year and a half later, the show is revived for the first-run syndicated market, where it will run for four additional seasons.April 6The first edition of World Championship Wrestling to be produced by Jim Crockett Promotions airs on TBS.April 9The series finale of Three's a Crowd airs on ABC, ending John Ritter's run as Jack Tripper which began with the debut of Three's Company back in 1977.April 11KMSS commences broadcasting in Shreveport, Louisiana, making it the first station in the market to sign on the air since KTBS signed on in 1955 and the first independent station in the market. It would later become one of the few charter affiliates of Fox in Louisiana. April 27Frank Glieber makes what turns out to be his final play-by-play assignment for CBS Sports, which is game one of the NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. Glieber would die of a heart attack four days later. Glieber was also scheduled to call game four of the Los Angeles-Portland series alongside James Brown for CBS, but he would ultimately be replaced by Verne Lundquist. April 28WLIG commences broadcasting.Ketcham Diane New TV Station Goes On Air Today April 28, 1985 The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/28/nyregion/new-tv-station-goes-on-air-today.html January 21, 2026 May 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150524172705/http://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/28/nyregion/new-tv-station-goes-on-air-today.html liveMaksian George New L.I. channel stresses family fare April 29, 1985 57 Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68547498/ January 21, 2026 Newspapers.com September 6, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230906234719/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-new-li-channel-stresses-fam/68547498/ live (The call letters would change to WLNY-TV on September 1, 1996Sanger Elizabeth WLNY Adds Sports to Lineup December 2, 1996 C6 Newsday https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-wlny-adds-sports-to-lineup/136158223/ January 21, 2026 Newspapers.com December 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231202191842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-wlny-adds-sports-to-lineup/136158223/ live).April 29The two-night adaptation of Ken Follett's The Key to Rebecca, shown on WPIX Channel 11 in New York City, has non-pixelated toplessness from both of its female stars, Season Hubley and Lina Raymond.May 4News Corporation and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation announces their intent on purchasing Metromedia's television stations and Metromedia Producers Corp. for $3.5 billion. This would soon lay the ground work for the Fox Broadcasting Company, which would debut in October 1986.Diff'rent Strokes airs its last episode on NBC, after seven seasons on the air. Months later, it will move to ABC for its eighth and final season.May 9Nicholas Colasanto makes his final appearance as Coach Ernie Pantusso on the NBC sitcom Cheers. While he technically last appeared in the cold opening of "Rescue Me", Colasanto's last filmed appearance as Coach was in the episode "Cheerio, Cheers". Following Colasanto's death, Woody Harrelson, would join the cast as his replacement, Woody Boyd beginning in the fourth season.May 11The first episode of Saturday Night's Main Event is broadcast by NBC, the first time that professional wrestling has been broadcast by network television since the 1950s.Dolph Sweet makes his final appearance as Chief Carl Kanisky on Gimme a Break!. The season 4 finale aired on NBC three days after his death.May 12During halftime of the Boston Celtics–Philadelphia 76ers NBA playoff game, CBS televises the first ever NBA draft lottery.May 14On The CBS Morning News, co–anchor Phyllis George interviews false rape accuser Cathleen Mae Webb and the man whom she had falsely accused, Gary Dotson. In an effort to get the two to make amends to each other, George makes a simple suggestion: "How about a hug?" Both Webb and Dotson graciously refuse. That infamous interview alienates audiences and is blasted by critics, helping to put an unpleasant close to George's television career at this initial mark.May 15The season 5 finale of Dynasty on ABC sees the entire wedding party of Amanda Carrington (Catherine Oxenberg) and Prince Michael of Moldavia (Michael Praed) shot by revolutionaries in what is known as the Moldavian Massacre.May 17The season 8 finale of Dallas on CBS finds character Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) on his deathbed after his crazed ex-sister-in-law Katherine Wentworth (Morgan Brittany) runs him down with her car.May 19WOIO-TV commences broadcasting in Cleveland.Channel 19 on the air May 20, 1985 6D The Plain Dealer https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//rncfgbvdulxvtrgkynhgjptvaowfkwjb_wma-gateway014_1666820905646 January 21, 2026 December 7, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241207193308/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//rncfgbvdulxvtrgkynhgjptvaowfkwjb_wma-gateway014_1666820905646 live Initially an independent station, it will become a charter affiliate of Fox in 1986Frolik Joe Channel 19's manager backs takeover June 7, 1986 5C The Plain Dealer https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//kihwmuihzkdkxvirsqxigtsxdatarbrw_wma-gateway002_1662874350916 January 21, 2026 March 14, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240314084006/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//kihwmuihzkdkxvirsqxigtsxdatarbrw_wma-gateway002_1662874350916 live and switch to CBS in 1994 as a result of the 1994-1996 United States broadcast television realignment.Feran Tom CBS plans to join Channel 19 by Aug. 29 July 8, 1994 1A The Plain Dealer https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D316A1C8DD3 subscription January 22, 2026 NewsBank October 6, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221006020656/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807D316A1C8DD3&f=basic liveFeran Tom TV shakeout no simple swap July 11, 1994 7E The Plain Dealer https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D356B27E8B3 subscription January 22, 2026 NewsBank January 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230110034117/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807D356B27E8B3&f=basic liveFeran Tom WOIO will jump into local news scene July 21, 1994 5F The Plain Dealer https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D48C0B55898 subscription January 22, 2026 NewsBank January 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230110034118/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807D48C0B55898&f=basic liveFeran Tom WOIO fires 8 at TV-43 in takeover August 20, 1994 1E The Plain Dealer https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D774E46BD4F subscription January 22, 2026 NewsBank October 6, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221006020657/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807D774E46BD4F&f=basic liveFeran Tom Touch that dial! TV turnabout begins tomorrow on Channels 8, 19, 43 September 2, 1994 1A The Plain Dealer https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F3413A60C43494E subscription January 22, 2026 NewsBank January 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230110034117/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F3413A60C43494E&f=basic liveFeran Tom Channel 55 to air Fox children's shows September 2, 1994 6E The Plain Dealer https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F3413A60A260572 subscription January 22, 2026 NewsBank January 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230110034118/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F3413A60A260572&f=basic liveMay 25CBSAtkin Ross April 12, 1985 Indoor soccer quite up-to-date in Kansas City, home of Comets https://www.csmonitor.com/1985/0412/pmisl-f.html The Christian Science MonitorMay 25, 1985 Weekend TV Highlights https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/05/25/Weekend-TV-Highlights/2486485841600/ UPISarni Jim May 25, 1985 BLAST FOR SOCCER FANS: CBS AIRS MISL GAME https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1985-05-25-8501200962-story.html South Florida Sun-Sentinel airs the fourth game of the Major Indoor Soccer League's championship series between the San Diego Sockers and the Baltimore Blast. This would be the final year the MISL would have games aired on network television. CBS used Gary Bender and Kyle Rote Jr.https://www.scacsports.com/sports/msoc/2009-10/releases/rote_elected_hof Sewanee's Kyle Rote, Jr. Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame April 28, 2010 SOUTHERN COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE on commentary.May 30The USA Network airs its final National Hockey League telecast, game five of the Stanley Cup Final. NHL contests wouldn't be seen in any shape or form on USA again until the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs.June 14ABC broadcasts its 2,311th and last daytime episode of Family Feud after 9 years. Richard Dawson gives an emotional speech at the end of the broadcast. Dawson would return to the series during 1994 for one more season. Meanwhile, on CBS, Press Your Luck broadcasts the episode in which all three contestants would be invited back after a mistake on a question about the cartoon character Sylvester was corrected by Mel Blanc telephoning Peter Tomarken at the end of the show.June 24Kathie Lee Johnson (later Gifford) officially joins Regis Philbin as his co-host on WABC's The Morning Show. Their chemistry proves to be successful as The Morning Show soon becomes number 1 in the markethttp://dadtmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=3148174&type=lead LIVE with Kelly and Michael Disney-ABC Domestic Television https://archive.today/20130121054646/http://dadtmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=3148174&type=lead January 21, 2013 "LIVE" originated more than twenty years ago with former host Regis Philbin and WABC's "The Morning Show"; it soon became the number one show in the market. Kathie Lee Gifford joined Philbin in June 1985... and goes on to debut in national syndication on September 5, 1988, when the title is changed to Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.July 1Nick at Nite, a nighttime program service with an emphasis on classic television reruns, is launched in the United States, being broadcast on the same channel as Nickelodeon. At the same time, A&E, which previously shared Nickelodeon's channel, begins broadcasting as its own 24-hour cable channel in January of that year on a separate satellite transponder.July 2The final episode of The Jeffersons airs on CBS. It is not without controversy though, as CBS abruptly canceled the series without allowing for a proper series finale. The cast was not informed until after the July 2, 1985, episode, "Red Robins"; actor Sherman Hemsley, who portrayed George Jefferson, said he learned that the show was canceled by reading it in the newspaper.The Jeffersons and Happy Days and Valerie Bertinelli Bio 9 January 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2vjdHnnRWk&t=13m43s https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/e2vjdHnnRWk 2021-11-07 live Biography YouTube January 24, 2017 Isabel Sanford (Louise Jefferson), who heard about the cancellation through her cousin who read it in the tabloids, publicly stated that she found the cancellation with no proper finale to be disrespectful on the network's part.http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/isabel-sanford Isabel Sanford interview Archive of American Television January 23, 2017 Per an article in the May 8, 1985, Los Angeles Times, the series was cancelled by announcement at the CBS network "upfront" presentation the day before, nearly two months before the airing of the final episode. Actor Franklin Cover, who played Tom Willis, also heard about the cancellation while watching Entertainment Tonight.July 4NBC's Minneapolis/St. Paul (Twin Cities) affiliate WTCN-TV changes its name to WUSA to reflect its co-ownership with USA Today.Coleman Nick WUSA — it's Channel 11 by another name May 13, 1985 1C, 6C Minneapolis Star and Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-wusaits-channel-11-by-ano/137600565/ January 22, 2026 Newspapers.com January 1, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101060605/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-wusaits-channel-11-by-ano/137600565/ live This would be displaced a year after by KARE.WUSA, Ch. 11, will switch to KARE June 11 June 6, 1986 16C Minneapolis Star and Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-wusa-ch-11-will-switch-t/137600709/ January 22, 2026 Newspapers.com January 1, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101060552/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-wusa-ch-11-will-switch-t/137600709/ liveColeman Nick It's storytime: Golden Valley and TV bears June 12, 1986 1C, 5C Minneapolis Star and Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-its-storytime-golden-vall/137600722/ January 22, 2026 Newspapers.com January 1, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101060552/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-wusa-ch-11-will-switch-t/137600709/ liveJuly 13The Live Aid concerts are broadcast from London and Philadelphia. In the U.S., the concerts are broadcast by MTV and over-the-air syndication, with ABC joining in a 3-hour prime-time period.July 16NBC's telecast of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game out of the Metrodome in Minnesota is the first program to be broadcast in stereoThe Top 5 Broadcasting Tech Milestones During Vin Scully's Career http://www.sporttechie.com/2014/05/29/the-top-5-broadcasting-tech-milestones-during-vin-scullys-career/ Christian Romo SportTechie May 29, 2014 by a television network.Rock Hudson joined his old friend Doris Day for a Hollywood press conference announcing the launch of her new TV cable show Doris Day's Best Friends in which Hudson was videotaped visiting Day's ranch in Carmel, California, a few days earlier. He appeared gaunt and his speech was nearly incoherent; during the segment, Hudson did very little speaking, with most of it consisting of Day and Hudson walking around as Day's recording of "My Buddy" played in the background, with Hudson noting he had quickly tired out. His appearance was enough of a shock that the reunion was broadcast repeatedly over national news shows that night and for days to come.July 22Douglas Marland starts his critically acclaimed eight-year run writing for the CBS soap opera As the World Turns.August 4Capital Cities Communications continues its acquisition of ABC when its CBS affiliate in Durham, North Carolina, WTVD, swaps affiliations with ABC affiliate WRAL-TV in Raleigh.https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-07-15.pdf In brief Broadcasting July 15, 1985 80August 19A taping of an outdoor interview for NBC's Today is interrupted by David Letterman, who, while taping his own Late Night, leans out of an office window and announces, "My name is Larry Grossman (then-president of NBC News) and I'm not wearing any pants!"August 24SIN broadcasts the final of the 8th National OTI-SIN Festival live from the James L. Knight Center in Miami.September 2NBC becomes the first broadcast network in the U.S. to broadcast its prime time programs with stereo sound.September 5Showtime begins airing weekly 10 p.m. showings of 52 hours worth of "lost" episodes of The Honeymooners. September 8Capital Cities Communications continues its acquisition of ABC when KFSN-TV, its CBS affiliate in Fresno, California, swaps affiliations with the market's existing ABC affiliate, KJEO.September 9ABC affiliate WSAV-TV swaps affiliations with NBC affiliate WJCL, thus reversing a swap that took place in 1982.1985-03-04 In Brief Broadcasting https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-03-04-OCR-Page-0113.pdfThe Price Is Right returns to daily syndication after a five-year hiatus, but with Tom Kennedy hosting. After 170 episodes produced, the show went on hiatus until 1994. Besides Johnny Olson, Gene Wood and Rod Roddy shared announcing duties.September 14The Golden Girls and 227 make their debuts on NBC. Also, on that network, The Facts of Life enters its seventh season with a special three-arc episode, as Edna's Edibles, which had been the main setting of the show for its previous two years, is burned to the ground, leading into its rebuilding, replacing it with an ice cream and gift shop named Over Our Heads.September 15Whitney Houston makes a guest appearance on the fourth-season premiere of Silver Spoons on NBC.September 16After a 22-year hiatus, new episodes of The Jetsons debut. The syndicated revival would run for two seasons.Cleveland's CBS affiliate WJKW-TV changes its name back to WJW-TV.'Monday Football' with Joe Namath off to super start September 11, 1985 B6 The Akron Beacon Journal https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85577328/monday-football-with-joe-namath/ January 22, 2026 Newspapers.com October 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231018171233/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-monday-footbal/85577328/ liveChannel 8 takes WJW call letters September 11, 1985 10F The Plain Dealer https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-channel-8-takes-wjw-cal/148998404/ January 22, 2026 Newspapers.com December 8, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241208073643/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-channel-8-takes-wjw-cal/148998404/ liveGottlieb Ken What's in a name? Ask WJKW, er, WJW, er, Channel 8 September 14, 1985 A6 Elyria Chronicle-Telegram https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-sep-14-1985-2748397/ January 22, 2026 NewspaperArchive October 27, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181527/https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-sep-14-1985-2748397/ liveSeptember 18"Top Ten Things That Almost Rhyme With Peas" is the subject of the first "Top 10 List" on NBC's Late Night with David Letterman.September 22The first Farm Aid concert is telecast from Champaign, Illinois, in syndication and by TNN.September 23Jackie Gleason and Art Carney reunite in the CBS movie Izzy and Moe.On NBC, the television movie Family Ties Vacation was broadcast, three days before Family Ties fourth-season premiere, where the Keatons take a vacation to England. The movie was later split into four individual episodes when the series entered syndication.September 24Growing Pains debuts on ABC.September 26Woody Harrelson makes his debut appearance as Woody Boyd in the fourth-season premiere of Cheers on NBC.September 27The pilot episode for a revival of the anthology television series, The Twilight Zone airs on CBS. This particular iteration of The Twilight Zone would run for three seasons, the first two on CBS and the final one in syndication.Diff'rent Strokes premiered its one-hour eighth-season premiere on ABC, after seven seasons on NBC.September 28ABC broadcasts an episode of The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians called "The Fear", in which Batman's origin is depicted for the first time in media outside of the comic books.Three years after being canceled by ABC following its second season, the sitcom It's a Living is relaunched for the first-run syndication market. It would continue for four more seasons before its conclusion in 1989.September 29MacGyver debuts on ABC.Howard Cosell makes what turns out to be his final assignment for ABC Sports, a Major League Baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins from the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Cosell is later removed from his scheduled announcing duties for that year's World Series due to the controversy surrounding his book I Never Played the Game. Cosell is replaced on the ABC broadcasts by Tim McCarver, who would work the 1985 World Series alongside Al Michaels and Jim Palmer. October 4The PBS program Electric Company concludes after 8 straight years in reruns.NBC officially wins the rights to broadcast the 1988 Summer Olympics from Seoul, South Korea.October 6Jem and the Holograms debuts as one of four six-minute matinée segments on Super Sunday. [It becomes a regular half-hour program in 1986]. Spectrum is discontinued.October 9Actor and filmmaker Orson Welles records what would become his final interview on the syndicated TV program The Merv Griffin Show, appearing with biographer Barbara Leaming. Welles would die from a heart attack the following morning.October 20The I Dream of Jeannie reunion movie, I Dream of Jeannie... Fifteen Years Later is broadcast on NBC. It's the first of two reunion movies, as the next one, would be broadcast six years later.November 5CBS broadcasts the made-for-television drama film Stone Pillow. It stars Lucille Ball, in an attempt to make a dramatic "breakout" from her years in comedy, as an older homeless woman with few resources and even fewer options. The film received rather mixed reviews, but was a ratings success. The telecast ranked 9th out of 68 programs airing that week, and brought in a 23.3 rating and a 33 share.ABC leads sweeps with strong showing in seventh week Broadcasting November 18, 1985 109 21 88 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-11-18.pdf The success of the film led Ball to make one last attempt to return to her comedy roots with Life with Lucy the next year.November 6KRRT-TV goes on the air, giving the San Antonio market its first independent station.KRRT-TV goes on the air November 7, 1985 D4 San Antonio Light https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/krrt-tv-goes-air/ovbkwrsrfjibudnffinopgvzqlhacxee_wma-gateway007_1631459352494 January 22, 2026 April 5, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230405223549/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/krrt-tv-goes-air/ovbkwrsrfjibudnffinopgvzqlhacxee_wma-gateway007_1631459352494 liveNovember 8The final episode of The Price Is Right with Johnny Olson as announcer is broadcast by CBS. Olson had died on October 12; the show was broadcast as an "in memoriam" tribute to him on October 29.November 9On NBC, Saturday Night Live begins its 11th season, with Lorne Michaels returning as executive producer and an all-new cast that includes Jon Lovitz and Dennis Miller.November 17Kane & Abel, a miniseries based on the bestselling Jeffrey Archer novel, debuts on CBS.November 18Elmo, a new character for Sesame Street, is introduced on PBS. In the same episode, the adult cast of Sesame Street come face-to-face with Aloysius Snuffleupagus for the first time since the character's 1971 introduction.November 20The Colbys debuts on ABC as a spin-off of Dynasty, which revolves around the Colbys, another vastly wealthy family who own a large multinational conglomerate and are connected to the Carringtons of Dynasty, starring John James and Emma Samms, reprising their roles as Jeff Colby and Fallon Carrington, respectively.November 28Jim Crockett Promotions and the National Wrestling Alliance hold the third annual Starrcade event. Transmitted via closed-circuit television, this particular event took place from the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, North Carolina and Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia, with the event going back and forth from both arenas. December 3Copacabana, an original musical featuring Barry Manilow (based on his 1978 song of the same name), Annette O'Toole, and Estelle Getty, is broadcast by CBS.Courteney Cox uses the word "period" (referring to menstruation) on U.S. television for the first time, in a commercial for Tampax brand tampons.December 5A Wheel of Fortune contestant Terry Wharton missolves a puzzle "The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat" (a quote from Jim McKay), leaving $62,400 cash unclaimed. This was to date, the largest cash unclaimed for a round in the history of the show, which, at the time, would have set then the biggest winnings record during the maingame alone.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Wheel of Fortune: Oh the Agony... YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZhxHtM-12I 12 February 2021December 12General Electric announces plans to purchase RCA, owner of NBC for $6.3 billion, and eventually wants to convert General Electric's TV station KCNC into an NBC owned and operated station. The deal would be finalized on June 9, 1986.December 30ABC affiliate KOMU-TV in Columbia, Missouri, owned by the University of Missouri, swaps affiliations with NBC affiliate KCBJ-TV, reversing a swap that took place in 1982.KCBJ-TV will become local NBC affiliate July 27, 1982 6 Columbia Daily Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-kcbj-tv-will-beco/137132779/ January 23, 2026 Newspapers.com December 20, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231220192427/https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-kcbj-tv-will-beco/137132779/ liveBrown Nate KOMU and KCBJ prepare for network switch December 4, 1985 12 Columbia Daily Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-komu-and-kcbj-pre/137085667/ January 23, 2026 Newspapers.com December 20, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231220192924/https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-komu-and-kcbj-pre/137085667/ live KCBJ-TV subsequently changes its call letters to KMIZ to reflect the change.TV networks' switch has explosive start December 30, 1985 10 Columbia Daily Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-tv-networks-swit/137089605/ January 23, 2026 Newspapers.com December 20, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231220192928/https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-tv-networks-swit/137089605/ liveIn Waco, ABC affiliate KCEN swaps affiliations with NBC affiliate KXXV. Programs Debuting this year Date Title Network January 4 Street HawkABC January 5 Berrenger'sNBC January 7 Time Machine January 20 MacGruder and LoudABCJanuary 23 SaraNBC ThunderCatsSyndication January 26 OtherworldCBS January 27 Code Name: FoxfireNBC March 1 Michael Nesmith in Television Parts NBC March 3 Moonlighting ABC March 4 RobotechSyndicationMarch 15 Mr. Belvedere ABC Off the Rack March 18 Safe at HomeWTBSMarch 21 Eye to EyeABC Wildside March 24 Half NelsonNBC March 30 CBS Storybreak CBS April 5 Me and MomABC April 7 National Geographic Explorer Nickelodeon April 9 Hail to the ChiefABC April 10 Double DareCBS April 15 Lady Blue ABC April 19 The Best TimesNBC May 1 Strangers and Brothers PBS May 6 Dumbo's CircusThe Disney Channel May 11 Saturday Night's Main Event NBC June 3 Larry King Live CNN Turkey TelevisionNickelodeon June 30 Code of Vengeance NBC July 4 The RaccoonsThe Disney Channel July 14 Stingray NBC August 13 West 57th CBS August 22 HometownSeptember 2 AttitudesLifetime Rocky RoadWTBS September 4 Hell Town NBC September 7 The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo ABC Star Wars: Droids Ewoks Small WonderSyndication What's Happening Now!! September 14 227 NBC Adventures of the Gummi Bears The Golden Girls It's Punky Brewster The Berenstain Bears CBS Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling Jim Henson's Little Muppet Monsters The Wuzzles The Care BearsSyndication September 16 America Break the Bank G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors September 18 Charlie & Co. CBS The Equalizer George Burns Comedy Week Stir Crazy September 20 Spenser: For Hire ABC September 21 Hollywood Beat Lime Street September 24 Growing Pains September 25 The Insiders September 29 MacGyver Amazing Stories NBC September 30 M.A.S.K. Syndication October 4 Misfits of ScienceNBC October 6 JemSyndication October 20 Andy Warhol's Fifteen MinutesMTV November 20 The Colbys ABC November 21 Shadow Chasers December 11 Foley Square CBS Mary Resuming this year Title Final aired Previous network New title Returning network Date of returnThe Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show1983CBSSameSameSeptember 14The Jetsons1963ABCSameWTBSSeptember 16The Twilight Zone1964CBSSameSeptember 27Making a Living1982ABCIt's a LivingSyndicationSeptember 28Alfred Hitchcock Presents1965NBCSameSameSeptember 29 Ending this year Date Title DebutJanuary 21Insight1960February 1Call to Glory1984February 8The Dukes of Hazzard1979February 23It's Your Move1984February 26Pink Panther and SonsFebruary 27E/RMarch 19Alice1976March 22V1984April 3Charles in Charge (returned in 1987)April 9Three's a CrowdApril 13Finder of Lost LovesApril 19Off the Rack1985May 1Out of Control1984May 8Sara1985May 16Street Hawk May 22 Double DareJune 14Family Feud (returned in 1988)1976June 25The Jeffersons1975June 28Robotech1985July 6Cover Up1984July 19Matt Houston1982July 20Hail to the Chief1985August 1Battle of the Planets1978August 10Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids1972September 28Little Muppet Monsters1985October 12The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show1983October 26Lime Street1985November 2The Littles1983November 9Super Friends1973November 16Snorks (returned in 1987)1984November 18Voltron November 21He-Man and the Masters of the Universe1983November 23Hollywood Beat1985December 7The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-DooThe WuzzlesDungeons & Dragons1983December 27Glitter1984 Entering syndication Changing networks Show Moved from Moved toDiff'rent Strokes NBCABCThe Bugs Bunny Show CBSThe JetsonsABCSyndicationIt's a LivingT.J. HookerCBS Made-for-TV movies and miniseries Title Network Date of airing Poison Ivy NBC February 10https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-02-10-tv-3685-story.html Movies of the Week Thomas Kevin Los Angeles Times February 10, 1985 November 1, 2023Space CBS April 14–18The Long Hot Summer NBC October 6–7 The Midnight Hour ABC November 1Democrat and Chronicle https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/137140312/ Today's Television 14 Newspapers.com Rochester, New YorkNorth and South ABC November 3–10Stone Pillow CBS November 5An Early Frost NBC November 11Kane and Abel CBS November 17–18Perry Mason Returns NBC December 1Alice in Wonderland CBS December 9–10 Networks and services Launches Network Type Launch date Notes Source Tele Vida Abundante Cable television Unknown Video Jukebox Network Cable television Unknown VH1 Cable television January 1 The Nostalgia Channel Cable television February 1 The Discovery Channel Cable television June 17 CNN International Cable television September 1 Prime Ticket Cable television October 19 Universal Pictures Debut Network Cable television Unknown Conversions and rebrandings Old network name New network name Type Conversion Date Notes SourceHome Shopping ClubHome Shopping NetworkCable televisionJuly 1 Closures There are no closures for television channels in this year. Television stations Station launches Date City of License/Market Station Channel Affiliation Notes/Ref. January 5 Tucson, Arizona KPOL 40 Independent January 22 Colorado Springs, Colorado KXRM 21 Independent January 28 Twin Falls, Idaho K27AO 27 ABC (as a KIVI-TV translator) Now ABC affiliate KSAW-LD, a semi-satellite of KIVI-TV/Nampa, Idaho January 29 Columbus, Ohio W62BE 62 Independent February 12 Boston, Massachusetts WVJV-TV 66 Independent (music videos) March 4 Fayetteville/Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina WFCT 62 Independent Now Court TV O&O WFPX-TV, licensed to Archer Lodge, North Carolina March 9 Quincy, Illinois WQEC 27 PBS March 22 Waco, Texas KXXV 25 NBC March 26 Saginaw/Flint, Michigan WAQP 49 TBN March 28 Augusta, Georgia W67BE 67 Independent Now WAGT-CD channel 26 March 31 Bismarck, North Dakota KBMY 17 ABC April 10 Jackson, Tennessee WJKT 16 Independent April 11 Shreveport, Louisiana KMSS-TV 33 April 15 Eugene, Oregon K25AS 25 Independent April 28 Riverhead/New York City, New York WLIG 55 Independent May 14 Wichita Falls, Texas KJTL 18 Independent May 19 Shaker Heights/Cleveland, Ohio WOIO 19 Independent June Minot, North Dakota KMCY 14 ABC June 3 Hazleton, Pennsylvania (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) WWLF-TV 56 Independent Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania WOLF-TV 38 Tulsa, Oklahoma KTCT 47 Religious independent June 25 Seattle, Washington KTZZ-TV 22 Independent July 17 Sanger, California (Fresno/Visalia, California) KMSG-TV 59 Independent July 19 Vineyard Haven/Boston, Massachusetts WCVX 32 Independent July 23 Grand Rapids, Michigan W26AD 26 World Harvest Television July 28 Davenport, Iowa (Bettendorf, Iowa and Rock Island/Moline, Illinois) KLJB-TV 18 Independent August 17 Los Angeles, California KTIE 63 Independent August 24 Wichita, Kansas KSAS-TV 24 Independent September Thief River Falls, Minnesota (Grand Forks, North Dakota) KBRR 10 Independent Satellite of KVRR/Fargo, North Dakota September 5 Murfreesboro, Tennessee W11BF 11 Independent Audio-only simulcast of WGNS radio in Murfreesboro September 7 Charleston, South Carolina WTAT-TV 23 September 24 Chico/Redding, California KNVN 24 NBC October Harrisonburg, Virginia W10AZ 10 Religious independent Washington, D.C. W10AZ 10 October 7 Salt Lake City, Utah KOOG-TV 30 Independent October 14 Cape Coral/Fort Myers, Florida WFTX-TV 36 Independent October 27 Caguas, Puerto Rico WUJA 58 Independent October 30 Lexington, North Carolina (Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point, NC) WEJC 20 Religious independent November Milwaukee, Wisconsin W08BY 8 MuchMusic USA Muskegon/Grand Rapids, Michigan WTLJ 54 Christian independent November 2 Altoona, Pennsylvania (Johnstown/State College, Pennsylvania) WKBS-TV 47 Cornerstone Television Satellite of WPCB-TV/Greensburg-Pittsburgh November 3 Greeneville, Tennessee Tri-Cities, Tennessee/Virginia) WEMT 39 Independent November 6 KRRT 35 November 12 Newark, Arkansas KLEP 17 Educational independent November 16 Natchez, Mississippi WNTZ-TV 33 Independent December Mobile, Alabama (Pensacola, Florida) WMPV-TV 21 Independent December 1 Cleveland, Ohio WBNX-TV 55 Independent December 15 Kingston, New York/Albany, New York WTZA 48 Independent Now WRNN-TV, licensed to New Rochelle, New York December 23 Phoenix, Arizona KUTP 45 Independent December 24 Baltimore, Maryland WKJL-TV 24 Independent December 30 Orlando, Florida WAYK 56 Unknown date Fajardo/San Juan, Puerto Rico WMTJ 40 PBS Huntsville, Alabama WZDX-TV 54 Independent Montgomery, Alabama WMCF-TV 45 Network affiliation changes Date City of License/Market Station Channel Old affiliation New affiliation Notes/Ref.August 4Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville, North CarolinaWRAL5ABCCBSABC acquires Capital Cities Communications, and the purchase was finalized on January 3, 1986, making the station an ABC owned-and-operated station.WTVD11CBSABC (O&O) September 9 Fresno, California KFSN-TV 30 CBS ABC (O&O) KFSN-TV was purchased by Capital Cities Communications, the then-parent of ABC. The purchase was finalized on January 3, 1986, making the station an ABC owned-and-operated station.”In Brief”. Broadcasting. August 19, 1985, pg. 96. KGPE 47 ABC CBSSavannah, GeorgiaWSAV3ABCNBCThe swap was given, because of WSAV's weak performance of ABC's network programming, especially Thursday nights, which had bogged down its stronger syndicated slate.WJCL22NBCABCDecember 29 Waco, TexasKCEN6ABCNBC KXXV 25 NBC ABC Station closures Date City of license/Market Station Channel Affiliation Sign-on date Notes January Angola, Indiana WBKZ 63 April 22, 1983 Births Date Name Notability January 3Jeananne GoossenCanadian actress (The Night Shift)Nicole BeharieActressLeah GibsonActressJanuary 7Lauren GlazierCanadian actressJanuary 10Alex MerazActorJanuary 11Aja Naomi King Actress (How to Get Away with Murder)January 12Cynthia Addai-RobinsonActress (Spartacus, Arrow)January 13Ellen WongActressJanuary 16Renée Felice SmithActress (NCIS: Los Angeles)January 18Matt HobbyActor, comedian (Young Sheldon, Boardwalk Empire)January 25Hartley SawyerActor (Glory Daze)Michael TrevinoActor (The Vampire Diaries)January 26Edwin HodgeActorJanuary 29Isabel LucasAustralian actress (Home and Away, Emerald City)January 31Tyler RitterActorFebruary 4Bug HallActorFebruary 6Crystal ReedActress (Teen Wolf)February 7Deborah Ann WollActress (True Blood, Daredevil)Tina MajorinoActress (Camp Wilder, Veronica Mars, Big Love, The Deep End, Grey's Anatomy, Legends) and singerFebruary 9Rachel MelvinActress (Days of Our Lives)David GallagherActor (7th Heaven, Rocket Power)February 14Jake LacyActor (Better With You, The Office)Victoria CartagenaActressFebruary 15Natalie MoralesActressFebruary 18Chelsea HobbsCanadian actress (Make It or Break It)Jessica Grace SmithActressFebruary 19Arielle KebbelActress (Life Unexpected, 90210, Ballers)Haylie DuffActress (Lizzie McGuire, 7th Heaven) and singerFebruary 22Zach RoerigActor (As the World Turns, One Life to Live, The Vampire Diaries)February 27Heléne YorkeActressMarch 2Robert IlerFormer actorMarch 4Scott Michael FosterActor (Greek)Whitney PortActress (The Hills, The City)March 7Guy BensonAmerican columnistMarch 10Cooper AndrewsActorMarch 13Alfonso DosalActorMarch 15Eva AmurriActress (Undateable) and daughter of Susan SarandonJames MaclurcanAustralian actor (Power Rangers Operation Overdrive)Kellan LutzActorMarch 18Duane HenryEnglish actor (NCIS)March 21Sonequa Martin-GreenActressMarch 22James WolkActorLizzie BrocheréActressMarch 23Stephen A. ChangActor (Artificial, Victorious, NCIS: Los Angeles)March 24LanaActress and wrestlerJeremy James KissnerActor (Flight 29 Down) March 25Chris ReddActor and comedian (Saturday Night Live)March 26Jonathan GroffActor and singer (Glee)Keira KnightleyEnglish actress and singer (Pirates of the Caribbean)Francesca Marie SmithActress (The Secret World of Alex Mack, Hey Arnold!, Recess)March 27Blake McIver EwingActor (Full House, Recess, Hey Arnold!, Lloyd in Space)March 28Zachary BrowneActorMarch 31Jessica SzohrActress (Gossip Girl)April 16Nate DiazMixed martial artist2024-07-09 Nate Diaz https://www.thesportster.com/tag/nate-diaz/ 2024-07-14 TheSportster enApril 17Rooney MaraActressLuke MitchellAustralian actor (H2O: Just Add Water, Home and Away, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)April 18Rachel SmithActressJessica LuActressApril 19Sabrina JaleesCanadian comedianApril 21Rachel LindsayTelevision personalityApril 22Kristin FairlieCanadian actress (Total Drama, Stoked, Peg + Cat)April 24Courtnee DraperActress (The Jersey)April 26Jemima KirkeEnglish actress (Girls)Falk HentschelGerman actor (Legends of Tomorrow)April 28Brandon BakerActor (One World, Even Stevens)April 29Punkie JohnsonActressMay 2Lily AllenActressMay 3Louis CatoBandleaderMay 5Clark DukeActor (Hearts Afire, Greek)May 6KJ SmithActressMay 9Chris ZylkaActor (The Secret Circle) and modelAudrina PatridgeActress (The Hills, Audrina, Dream Maker)May 10Odette AnnableActress (October Road, House, The Astronaut Wives Club, Supergirl)May 11Jadyn WongCanadian actress (Scorpion)May 13Iwan RheonWelsh actor (Game of Thrones)May 14Sally MartinNew Zealand actress (Power Rangers Ninja Storm)May 16Julia VothCanadian actress (Package Deal)May 17Jonathan McDanielActor (That's So Raven, Raven's Home) and rapperDerek HoughActorMay 24Kasie HuntAmerican political correspondentMay 25Lauren FrostActress (Even Stevens) and singerRoman ReignsPro wrestler2024-04-03 WWE Profile - Roman Reigns https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17122948/wwe-profile-page-roman-reigns 2025-07-27 ESPN.com enMay 27Andrew FrancisCanadian voice actor (Johnny Test, Hero: 108, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)May 28Carey MulliganBritish actressEmily WilsonAmerican actressMay 29Blake FosterActor (Power Rangers Turbo) and martial artistJune 6Abbie CobbActress (Suburgatory)June 8Rosanna PansinoYouTube personality (Nerdy Nummies) and actressJune 10Kristina ApgarActress (Privileged)Celina JadeChinese-American actress (Arrow)June 12Kendra WilkinsonModelJune 17Antoinette PicattoActress (Cover Me)June 18Alex HirschVoice actor (Fish Hooks, Gravity Falls)Sorel CarradineActressJune 20Mark SaulActor (All That)June 21Kris AllenSinger (American Idol)Kris Allen News https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/kris-allen/ 2024-02-19 Us Weekly en-USKris Allen – The Vogue https://thevogue.com/artists/kris-allen-2/ 2024-02-19 enMichelle WolfActressJune 22Douglas SmithActorJune 24Justin HiresActorJune 25Annaleigh AshfordActress (Masters of Sex) and singerJune 26Ana UlaruRomanian-American actress (One Step Ahead, Emerald City)Colt KnostGolferJune 30Cody RhodesPro wrestler (AEW, Arrow, Go-Big Show, WAGS Atlanta, WWE)July 1Léa SeydouxFrench actressJuly 2 Ashley Tisdale Actress (The Amanda Show, The Hughleys, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, High School Musical, Hellcats, Young & Hungry), voice actress (Kim Possible, Phineas and Ferb, Skylanders Academy) and singerNelson Franklin ActorDave McCary ActorJuly 5François ArnaudActorJuly 7Helen HongActressJuly 11Robert AdamsonActorJuly 16Rosa SalazarActressJuly 17Caitlin Van ZandtActress (Guiding Light, The Sopranos)July 18Chace Crawford Actor (Gossip Girl) James Norton ActorHopsin RapperJuly 20John Francis DaleyActor (Freaks and Geeks, Bones)July 21Vanessa LengiesActress (American Dreams, Hawthorne, Second Chance)July 25Shantel VanSantenActress (One Tree Hill, Gang Related, The Messengers, Shooter)James LaffertyActor (One Tree Hill, Crisis)July 27Aljin AbellaAustralian actor (Power Rangers Jungle Fury)Lou Taylor PucciActorJuly 28Dustin MilliganCanadian actor (Runaway, 90210, Schitt's Creek, X Company, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency)August 2Britt LowerAmerican actressAugust 3Georgina HaigAustralian actress (The Elephant Princess, Reckless, Once Upon a Time)Max LandisAmerican writer and filmmakerAugust 4Crystal BowersoxSinger (American Idol)Crystal Bowersox Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/crystal_bowersox 2024-02-21 www.rottentomatoes.com enAugust 5David HullActorZach AppelmanActorAugust 7Nick RutherfordActorAugust 9Anna KendrickActressAugust 10Jared NathanChild actor (ZOOM) (d. 2006)August 13Honey DavenportActorAugust 15Emily KinneyActress (The Walking Dead, Conviction) and singerAugust 16Agnes BrucknerActress (The Bold and the Beautiful, The Returned)Arden ChoActress (Teen Wolf)Cristin MiliotiActress (How I Met Your Mother)August 20Miguel GomezActorAugust 21Laura HaddockActress (Da Vinci's Demons)August 22The UsosPro wrestling duo (WWE)Hale Andreas 2025-04-17 'Yeet!': The Sudden and Highly Unlikely Rise of WWE's Jey Uso https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/44697952/wrestlemania-41-wwe-jey-uso-gunther-world-heavyweight-championship 2026-03-12 ESPN.com enAugust 27Kayla EwellActress (The Bold and the Beautiful, The Vampire Diaries)August 29Jeffrey LiconActor (Second Noah, The Brothers García)August 30Bert SelenComposerSeptember 1Lilan BowdenActress (Andi Mack)September 2Allison MillerAmerican actress (Kings, Terra Nova, Go On, Incorporated, 13 Reasons Why, A Million Little Things)September 3Brian StelterAmerican television anchorSeptember 6Lauren LapkusAmerican television actressSeptember 7Alyssa DiazActress (The Nine Lives of Chloe King, Army Wives, Ray Donovan, Zoo)September 8Vanessa BadenActress (Gullah Gullah Island, Kenan & Kel)Mina KimesAmerican journalistSeptember 10Elyse LevesqueActress (Stargate Universe)Monica LoperaActressSeptember 13Vella LovellActressSeptember 14Dilshad VadsariaActress (Greek, Second Chance)September 16Madeline ZimaActress (The Nanny, Californication)September 17Jack FoxActorSeptember 19Zoë ChaoActressSeptember 22Tatiana MaslanyCanadian actress (Heartland, Orphan Black)September 24Jessica LucasCanadian actress (Edgemont, Life as We Know It, Melrose Place, Cult, Gotham) and singerSeptember 26Talulah RileyEnglish actressSeptember 27Grace HelbigActress and YouTube personalitySeptember 30Katrina LawActressBen LewisActorOctober 1Sicily SewellActress (One on One)October 5Emily HellerActressOctober 8Bruno MarsSinger (Saturday Night Live)October 10Aaron HimelsteinActorOctober 11 Michelle TrachtenbergActress (All My Children, The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Truth or Scare, Mercy, Gossip Girl) and singer (d. 2025)October 14Daniel ClarkActor (Degrassi: The Next Generation)Robert CostaJournalistOctober 15Dominic SandovalDancerOctober 20Jennifer FreemanActress (My Wife and Kids)October 22Zac HansonSinger (Hanson)October 23Priscilla FaiaCanadian actress (Rookie Blue)Masiela LushaEuropean-born American actress (George Lopez)October 25Gillian ZinserActress (90210)Christopher SeanActorOctober 28Troian BellisarioActress (Lauren, Pretty Little Liars) and daughter of Donald P. BellisarioJack DonnellyActorOctober 29Janet MontgomeryEnglish actress (Human Target, Entourage, Made in Jersey, Salem)Gio BenitezAmerican broadcast journalistOctober 31Kaitlin FerrellActressKether DonohueActress (Kappa Mikey, You're the Worst)November 2Josh GrelleVoice actorNovember 3Danièle WattsActressNovember 4Olivia Taylor DudleyActress (The Magicians)November 5Elizabeth RiceActress (Mad Men)Annet MahendruActressNovember 7Lucas NeffActor (Raising Hope)November 12Arianny CelesteModelNovember 13Giovonnie SamuelsActress (All That, Fatherwood, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody)November 15Nick FradianiSinger (America's Got Talent, American Idol)Mink Casey 2015-05-05 Nick Fradiani https://hollywoodlife.com/celeb/nick-fradiani/ 2024-02-19 Hollywood Life en-USNick Fradiani Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/nick_fradiani 2024-02-19 www.rottentomatoes.com enNovember 18Christian SirianoFashion designerNovember 20Dan ByrdActor (Clubhouse, Aliens in America, Cougar Town)November 21Carly Rae JepsenActressNovember 23Katie CrownCanadian voice actress (Total Drama, Jimmy Two-Shoes, Stoked, Clarence)November 26Arturo CastroActorNovember 27Alison PillActress November 30Kaley CuocoActress (8 Simple Rules, Charmed, The Big Bang Theory), voice actress (Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, Bratz, Loonatics Unleashed) Gia CrovatinActress (Van Helsing, Billions, Hightown) December 1Janelle MonáeActress and singerEvan SusserWriterDecember 3Amanda SeyfriedActress (As the World Turns, Big Love) and singerDecember 5 Frankie MunizActor (Malcolm in the Middle, The Fairly OddParents, Moville Mysteries)December 7Jon MoxleyPro wrestler2023-11-29 AEW Profile - Jon Moxley https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17167094/aew-profile-page-jon-moxley 2024-11-05 ESPN.com enDecember 10Raven-SymonéActress (The Cosby Show, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Kim Possible, That's So Raven, The Cheetah Girls, Raven's Home) and singerDecember 11Karla SouzaMexican-American actress (How to Get Away with Murder)Samantha PonderSportscasterDecember 16Amanda SettonAmerican actress December 25Perdita WeeksWelsh actressSmith ChoActressDecember 26Beth BehrsActress (2 Broke Girls)December 27Jessica HarmonCanadian actress (The 100) December 28Taryn TerrellActress and former ECW personalityDan AmboyerActressDecember 30Anna WoodActress (Reckless)December 31Erich BergenActor Deaths Date Name Age Notability February 12 Nicholas Colasanto61Actor (Coach Ernie Pantusso on Cheers)February 28 Charita Bauer62Soap opera actress (Bert Bauer on Guiding Light)May 8 Dolph Sweet64Actor (Chief Carl Kanisky on Gimme a Break!)May 13 Selma Diamond64Actress (Selma Hacker on Night Court)August 2Bob Holt56Voice actor (Dr. Seuss television special)August 25Samantha Smith13Activist, actress (Lime Street) 2009-11-13 Samantha Smith Dies in Plane Crash https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/august-25/samantha-smith-dies-in-plane-crash 2025-07-29 History enOctober 2 Rock Hudson59Actor (Commissioner Stuart McMillan on McMillan & Wife)October 12 Johnny Olson75Game show announcer (The Price Is Right)October 15 Ted Steele 68Host (The Ted Steele Show)November 1 Phil Silvers74Actor, comedian (Sgt. Bilko on You'll Never Get Rich)November 29 Bill Scott65Voice actor (Bullwinkle J. Moose)December 31 Ricky Nelson45Actor (The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet), musician See also 1985 in the United States List of American films of 1985 References External links List of 1985 American television series at IMDb 1985