Aside from heavy morals and bad music, after school specials featured plenty of before-they-were-famous celebrities. Here are some of the more memorable examples.
River Phoenix and Joaquin Phoenix in "Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia"
River Phoenix plays a teenager struggling with dyslexia. Real-life sibling Joaquin is the brother he can't read to.
Source: youtube.com
Cynthia Nixon in "It's No Crush, I'm in Love"
Sex and the City's Cynthia Nixon develops an unhealthy infatuation with her English teacher.
Source: youtube.com
Sean Astin in "Please Don't Hit Me, Mom"
Patty Duke was already a star when she played an abusive mother to real-life son (and future hobbit) Sean Astin.
Source: youtube.com
Val Kilmer and Michelle Pfeiffer in "One Too Many"
Before they were famous, Val Kilmer and Michelle Pfeiffer warned teens about the dangers of drunk driving with this cautionary tale.
Source: youtube.com