Lea Thompson became a household name in the 80s when she starred in the Back to the Future trilogy as Lorraine Baines, Marty McFly's mother. As well as appearing in John Hughes's Some Kind of Wonderful and the sci-fi comedy moviHoward the Duck. Thompson then moved on to television where she appeared in the NBC sitcom Caroline in the City. 

RELATED: Back To The The Future: Details We Never Noticed About The Franchise 

Since then, Thompson married Howard Deutch, who she met on the set of Some Kind of Wonderful. The two have two daughters who are both active in Hollywood. Thomspon, herself, continues to be an active member in Hollywood with a successful career since her breakout role.

10 Got Married & Became A Mother

After meeting her husband Howard Deutch on the set of the 1987 John Hughes's movie Some Kind of Wonderful, the two started dating and got married two years later. The couple is still happily married today, an impressive feat for two Hollywood professionals.

Thompson and Deutch welcomed their first child, Madelyn Deutch, in 1991 and their second daughter Zoey Deutch in 1994. Both Madelyn and Zoey are active actresses with successful careers of their own now.

9 Starred in Freeform's 'Switched At Birth'

Lea Thompson - Switched at Birth
via Freeform

After Caroline in the City, Thompson continued to act on television but never landed on a show with the same longevity. All of that changed in 2011 when she landed the role of Kathryn Kennish on ABC Family/Freeform's original series Switched at Birth

Thompson played the matriarch of the Kennish family, a well-off family living in the suburbs who learn that their daughter was accidentally switched at the hospital when she was born and they have been raising someone else's child. The show ran for five seasons and Thompson appeared in all five seasons in addition to directing two episodes.

8 Competed On 'Cupcake Wars'

Lea Thomspon competing on Cupcake Wars
via Food Network

In 2016, Thompson appeared on the hit Food Network reality series Cupcake Wars during their special celebrity seasons. She competed during the tenth season alongside pop-culture blogger Perez Hilton, The Hills star Audrina Patridge, and NBA player Nick Young.

Thompson competed for the chance to have her cupcakes featured at a United Spirit Association party honoring the nation's champion cheerleaders. Thompson ended up winning the show and the $10,000 prize which she donated to a charity of her choice.

7 Became An Activist

Like many celebrities in recent years, Lea Thompson has taken to social media to speak out on social issues she holds near and dear to her heart. She campaigned outright for President Joe Biden during the 2020 election and if a proud supporter of the Women's March movement, as well as Black Lives Matter.

She also is extremely active in the charity foundations including raising money for the Alzheimers association amongst other charities and organizations.

6 Directed Several Sitcom Episodes

Like many actresses, Lea Thompson eventually made the jump behind the camera becoming a successful director. She made her TV directorial debut in 2006 when she directed the television film Jane Doe: The Harder They Fall. 

RELATED: 10 Television Stars Who Directed Episodes Of Their Own Shows

Since then, Thompson has become a highly sought-after television director, especially in the sitcom world. She has gone on to directed 7 episodes of ABC's The Goldbergs, including George Segal's final episode, as well as, an episode of American Housewive, Mom, and  Young Sheldon. 

5 Voiced A Character On 'American Dad' & Other Shows

Lea Thompson's American Dad character Caroline Duffy
via TBS

In addition to acting on screen, Lea Thompson has also ventured into the world of voice acting. She famously voiced her own Back to the Future character on an episode of Family Guy before landing an original role on the animation show Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero where she voiced Vonnie Zero.

Thompson also voiced Caroline Duffy during the second season of American Dad! And has also voiced characters in two video games.

4 Played Mrs. Burgess in 'Sierra Burgess Is A Loser' (2018)

Lea Thompson - Sierra Burgess Is A Loser
via Netflix

Lea Thompson's career has come full circle. She's gone from appearing as the teenage love interest in a hit teen romantic comedy (Some Kind of Wonderful) to playing a mother in a new generation's teen romantic comedy.

Thompson appears in Netflix's Sierra Burgess Is A Loser where she plays Sierra Burgess's mother. While Thompson's performance was stellar, the movie didn't fare well with fans or critics. In fact, many felt the movie was extremely problematic since the main character catfishes someone and also kisses her love interest without consent.

3 Competed On 'Dancing With The Stars'

Lea thompson in a cheetah print costume dancing on DWTS
via ABC News

Like many celebrities before her, Lea Thompson competed on ABC's hit reality competition series Dancing with the Stars. Thomspon appeared on the nineteenth season of the show where she was partnered with Artem Chingvinstev.

RELATED: DWTS: Every Winner Ranked By Net Worth 

During her time on the show, Thompson was a steady competitor regularly earning eights and nines from all the judges. In fact, she only received a seven once for her Cha-Cha-Cha routine. Despite this, Thompson ended up coming in sixth place and was eliminated during week nine.

2 Directed The Movie 'Year Of Spectacular Men' (2017)

Lea Thompson - Directing The Year Of Spectacular Men
via MaraVista Entertainment

While some parents in Hollywood encourage their kids not to pursue a career in Hollywood, others embrace it. Thompson and her director husband definitely are the latter, embracing their two daughters' interest in the business. In fact, they ended up turning their passions into a family affair when they created the 2017 dramedy movie Year of Spectacular Men. 

The film was produced by her husband, her two daughters, and also marked Thompson's directorial debut in the film world. Thompson not only directed the movie but also played the role of the mother.

1 Played Betty in "Dinner In America" (2020)

Lea Thompson with the cast of Dinner in America
via Twitter

There's no denying Thompson has been keeping busy with work. Her most recent acting credit is as Betty in the 2020 coming of age, dark comedy movie Dinner in America which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

The movie centers on a punk rock singer who stumbles upon a devoted fan. The two decide to go on a journey together through America's suburbs where they meet interesting people along the way.

NEXT: Here’s What Started Anya Taylor-Joy’s Acting Career