After returning to Los Angeles in 1986, Tighe began working again in television and movies. His late 1980s movie appearances were in "Matewan", "Eight Men Out", "K-9", and as club-owner Frank Tilghman in 1989's "Road House" with Patrick Swayze. During a 2006 interview, Tighe stated, "I've gotten more comments on that movie than any other film I've ever done." Saying he is amazed by the film's broad audience appeal, he further said, "Working class people like it, (college kids), white people, black people. I think a lot of that is due to the music ... the movie had great music."