Vintage StarTracks: This Week in 1990, See Photos of Whitney Houston, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams & More

Mar. 15, 2025

Whitney Houston in October 1990.Photo:Barry King/Alamy

Barry King/Alamy

What were Hollywood’s A-listers up to in October 1990? So much!34 years ago this week, the Carousel of Hope gala was the place to be, with a guest list that includedWhitney Houston,Elizabeth Taylor,Stevie Wonderand more.Meanwhile,Robin WilliamsandNeil Patrick Harristurned out for another gala event honoringWhoopi Goldberg, asIsabella Rossellinicelebrated the launch of a new fragrance andDolly Partonreceived an honorary doctorate.Take a trip back to 1990 to see what the hottest stars of the decade were doing.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

What were Hollywood’s A-listers up to in October 1990? So much!

34 years ago this week, the Carousel of Hope gala was the place to be, with a guest list that includedWhitney Houston,Elizabeth Taylor,Stevie Wonderand more.

Meanwhile,Robin WilliamsandNeil Patrick Harristurned out for another gala event honoringWhoopi Goldberg, asIsabella Rossellinicelebrated the launch of a new fragrance andDolly Partonreceived an honorary doctorate.

Take a trip back to 1990 to see what the hottest stars of the decade were doing.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

01of 20Nailed ItDolly Parton in 1990.Ron Davis/GettyDolly Partonsported some truly impressive nails to receive an honorary doctorate from Tennessee’s Carson-Newman College on Oct. 21.

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Nailed It

Dolly Parton in 1990.Ron Davis/Getty

Ron Davis/Getty

Dolly Partonsported some truly impressive nails to receive an honorary doctorate from Tennessee’s Carson-Newman College on Oct. 21.

02of 20An Affair to RememberTina Turner in 1990.Ian Dickson/RedfernsAs her 1990 Foreign Affair Tour entered its final weeks,Tina Turnerplayed the first of two back-to-back shows at NEC Arena in Birmingham, U.K., on Oct. 24.

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An Affair to Remember

Tina Turner in 1990.Ian Dickson/Redferns

Ian Dickson/Redferns

As her 1990 Foreign Affair Tour entered its final weeks,Tina Turnerplayed the first of two back-to-back shows at NEC Arena in Birmingham, U.K., on Oct. 24.

03of 20

Turtle Power

Performers in costume as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 1990.Paul Natkin/Getty

Paul Natkin/Getty

04of 20Ties That BindTracy Pollan and Michael J. Fox in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyMichael J. Foxattended the Oct. 24 premiere ofJacob’s Ladderin New York City with wife andFamily TiescostarTracy Pollan.

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Ties That Bind

Tracy Pollan and Michael J. Fox in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Michael J. Foxattended the Oct. 24 premiere ofJacob’s Ladderin New York City with wife andFamily TiescostarTracy Pollan.

05of 20By the BookAlex Trebek in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyOct. 25 foundJeopardyhostAlex Trebekin New York City for an in-store signing event promoting his new book.

05of 20

By the Book

Alex Trebek in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Oct. 25 foundJeopardyhostAlex Trebekin New York City for an in-store signing event promoting his new book.

06of 20Perfume GeniusIsabella Rossellini in 1990.Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via GettyThe face of Lancôme’s Trésor,Isabella Rossellinilooked absolutely stunning at an Oct. 25 launch event for the fragrance in Paris.

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Perfume Genius

Isabella Rossellini in 1990.Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

The face of Lancôme’s Trésor,Isabella Rossellinilooked absolutely stunning at an Oct. 25 launch event for the fragrance in Paris.

07of 20Crown JewelPrincess Diana in 1990.Julian Parker/UK Press via GettyPrincess Dianawas positively dripping with bling at an Oct. 25 banquet in London for the Italian state visit.

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Crown Jewel

Princess Diana in 1990.Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty

Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty

Princess Dianawas positively dripping with bling at an Oct. 25 banquet in London for the Italian state visit.

08of 20Star StuddedElizabeth Taylor in 1990.Barry King/LiaisonThe Oct. 26 Carousel of Hope gala in Los Angeles saw Hollywood’s biggest stars, including screen legendElizabeth Taylor, turning out to support the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes.

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Star Studded

Elizabeth Taylor in 1990.Barry King/Liaison

Barry King/Liaison

The Oct. 26 Carousel of Hope gala in Los Angeles saw Hollywood’s biggest stars, including screen legendElizabeth Taylor, turning out to support the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes.

09of 20Gorgeous in GoldWhitney Houston in 1990.Barry King/AlamyWhitney Houstonflashed a winning smile at the Oct. 26 event, where she also performed.

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Gorgeous in Gold

Whitney Houston in 1990.Barry King/Alamy

Whitney Houstonflashed a winning smile at the Oct. 26 event, where she also performed.

10of 20Dynamic DuoBob Saget with wife Sherri Kramer in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyBob Sagetand wife Sherri Kramer posed for a quick pic at the Carousel of Hope Gala.

10of 20

Dynamic Duo

Bob Saget with wife Sherri Kramer in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Bob Sagetand wife Sherri Kramer posed for a quick pic at the Carousel of Hope Gala.

11of 20Wonder-ful NightStevie Wonder in 1990.Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/AlamyStevie Wonder’s eye-catching coat definitely earned him a spot on the Carousel of Hope gala’s best-dressed list.

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Wonder-ful Night

Stevie Wonder in 1990.Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy

Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy

Stevie Wonder’s eye-catching coat definitely earned him a spot on the Carousel of Hope gala’s best-dressed list.

12of 20Guess Who’s Coming to the GalaSidney Poitier and wife Joanna Shimkus in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyThe Carousel of Hope gala’s star-studded guest list includedSidney Poitierand wifeJoanna Shimkus.

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Guess Who’s Coming to the Gala

Sidney Poitier and wife Joanna Shimkus in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

The Carousel of Hope gala’s star-studded guest list includedSidney Poitierand wifeJoanna Shimkus.

13of 20Parting GiftsGeorge Santopietro and Vanna White in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyVanna Whiteand husband George Santopietro made off with a couple of the gala’s massive swag bags.

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Parting Gifts

George Santopietro and Vanna White in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Vanna Whiteand husband George Santopietro made off with a couple of the gala’s massive swag bags.

14of 20Bag ManPierce Brosnan in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyPierce Brosnanmade an appearance at the Carousel of Hope ball.

14of 20

Bag Man

Pierce Brosnan in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Pierce Brosnanmade an appearance at the Carousel of Hope ball.

15of 20Whoopee for WhoopiRobin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyRobin Williamscozied up to palWhoopi Goldbergat an Oct. 27 Women in Film Festival event honoring theGhoststar.

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Whoopee for Whoopi

Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Robin Williamscozied up to palWhoopi Goldbergat an Oct. 27 Women in Film Festival event honoring theGhoststar.

16of 20Lady’s NightMargaret Avery in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyWhoopi Goldberg’sThe Color Purplecostar Margaret Avery was also on hand for the Oct. 27 event at L.A.’s Director’s Guild Theater.

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Lady’s Night

Margaret Avery in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Whoopi Goldberg’sThe Color Purplecostar Margaret Avery was also on hand for the Oct. 27 event at L.A.’s Director’s Guild Theater.

17of 20Mommy and MeNeil Patrick Harris with mom Sheila Harris in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyA youngNeil Patrick Harrisbrought his mother, Sheila, to the Oct. 27 gala dinner celebrating the Sixth Annual Women in Film Festival.

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Mommy and Me

Neil Patrick Harris with mom Sheila Harris in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

A youngNeil Patrick Harrisbrought his mother, Sheila, to the Oct. 27 gala dinner celebrating the Sixth Annual Women in Film Festival.

18of 20Heart to HeartCarol Burnett in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyComedy iconCarol Burnettbeamed at that Grateful Hearts Awards in Beverly Hills on Oct. 27.

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Heart to Heart

Carol Burnett in 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Comedy iconCarol Burnettbeamed at that Grateful Hearts Awards in Beverly Hills on Oct. 27.

19of 20Muscle MemoryDana Carvey, Patrick Swayze and Kevin Nealon in 1990.Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyGhoststarPatrick Swayzegot pumped alongsideDana CarveyandKevin Nealonin a sketch on the Oct. 27 episode ofSaturday Night Live.

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Muscle Memory

Dana Carvey, Patrick Swayze and Kevin Nealon in 1990.Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

GhoststarPatrick Swayzegot pumped alongsideDana CarveyandKevin Nealonin a sketch on the Oct. 27 episode ofSaturday Night Live.

20of 20Carey OnMariah Carey in 1990.Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyMeanwhileSNLmusical guestMariah Careyperformed her hits “Vision of Love” and “Vanishing” on the Oct. 27 episode.

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Carey On

Mariah Carey in 1990.Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

MeanwhileSNLmusical guestMariah Careyperformed her hits “Vision of Love” and “Vanishing” on the Oct. 27 episode.

source: people.com