Celebrity Star Tracks Vintage StarTracks: This Week in 1990, See Photos of Whitney Houston, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams & More Find out what the biggest stars of the '90s were up to with throwback photos from Hollywood's bygone era By John Russell John Russell John Russell is a Writer/Reporter at PEOPLE. He joined the PEOPLE team in 2024. His work has previously appeared on VanityFair.com, Slate.com, Billboard.com and in Out Magazine. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 24, 2024 04:00PM EDT Comments Whitney Houston in October 1990. Photo: 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 included Whitney Houston, Elizabeth Taylor, Stevie Wonder and more. Meanwhile, Robin Williams and Neil Patrick Harris turned out for another gala event honoring Whoopi Goldberg, as Isabella Rossellini celebrated the launch of a new fragrance and Dolly Parton received 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 for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 01 of 20 Nailed It Dolly Parton in 1990. Ron Davis/Getty Dolly Parton sported some truly impressive nails to receive an honorary doctorate from Tennessee's Carson-Newman College on Oct. 21. 02 of 20 An Affair to Remember Tina Turner in 1990. Ian Dickson/Redferns As her 1990 Foreign Affair Tour entered its final weeks, Tina Turner played the first of two back-to-back shows at NEC Arena in Birmingham, U.K., on Oct. 24. 03 of 20 Turtle Power Performers in costume as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 1990. Paul Natkin/Getty After storming the box office with their first movie in March 1990, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles embarked on their Coming Out of Their Shells concert tour. The show's costumed performers stopped by The Oprah Winfrey Show on Oct. 24 for a memorable interview. 04 of 20 Ties That Bind Tracy Pollan and Michael J. Fox in 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Michael J. Fox attended the Oct. 24 premiere of Jacob's Ladder in New York City with wife and Family Ties costar Tracy Pollan. 05 of 20 By the Book Alex Trebek in 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Oct. 25 found Jeopardy host Alex Trebek in New York City for an in-store signing event promoting his new book. 06 of 20 Perfume Genius Isabella Rossellini in 1990. Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty The face of Lancôme's Trésor, Isabella Rossellini looked absolutely stunning at an Oct. 25 launch event for the fragrance in Paris. 07 of 20 Crown Jewel Princess Diana in 1990. Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Princess Diana was positively dripping with bling at an Oct. 25 banquet in London for the Italian state visit. 08 of 20 Star Studded Elizabeth Taylor in 1990. Barry King/Liaison The Oct. 26 Carousel of Hope gala in Los Angeles saw Hollywood's biggest stars, including screen legend Elizabeth Taylor, turning out to support the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. 09 of 20 Gorgeous in Gold Whitney Houston in 1990. Barry King/Alamy Whitney Houston flashed a winning smile at the Oct. 26 event, where she also performed. 10 of 20 Dynamic Duo Bob Saget with wife Sherri Kramer in 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Bob Saget and wife Sherri Kramer posed for a quick pic at the Carousel of Hope Gala. 11 of 20 Wonder-ful Night Stevie Wonder in 1990. 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. 12 of 20 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 included Sidney Poitier and wife Joanna Shimkus. 13 of 20 Parting Gifts George Santopietro and Vanna White in 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Vanna White and husband George Santopietro made off with a couple of the gala's massive swag bags. 14 of 20 Bag Man Pierce Brosnan in 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Pierce Brosnan made an appearance at the Carousel of Hope ball. 15 of 20 Whoopee for Whoopi Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg in 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Robin Williams cozied up to pal Whoopi Goldberg at an Oct. 27 Women in Film Festival event honoring the Ghost star. 16 of 20 Lady's Night Margaret Avery in 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Whoopi Goldberg's The Color Purple costar Margaret Avery was also on hand for the Oct. 27 event at L.A.'s Director's Guild Theater. 17 of 20 Mommy and Me Neil Patrick Harris with mom Sheila Harris in 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty A young Neil Patrick Harris brought his mother, Sheila, to the Oct. 27 gala dinner celebrating the Sixth Annual Women in Film Festival. 18 of 20 Heart to Heart Carol Burnett in 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Comedy icon Carol Burnett beamed at that Grateful Hearts Awards in Beverly Hills on Oct. 27. 19 of 20 Muscle Memory Dana Carvey, Patrick Swayze and Kevin Nealon in 1990. Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Ghost star Patrick Swayze got pumped alongside Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon in a sketch on the Oct. 27 episode of Saturday Night Live. 20 of 20 Carey On Mariah Carey in 1990. Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Meanwhile SNL musical guest Mariah Carey performed her hits "Vision of Love" and "Vanishing" on the Oct. 27 episode. Close