In early 1980s, Archer appeared in several smaller movies and made-for-television movies. In 1983, she moved to television with a leading role in the short-lived NBC drama series "The Family Tree", playing a divorced woman with three children. In 1985, she joined the cast of CBS prime time soap opera "Falcon Crest", playing manipulative businesswoman Cassandra Wilder for one year. In 1987, she starred alongside Michael Douglas and Glenn Close in the psychological thriller film "Fatal Attraction". The film became a huge box office success, and Archer was nominated for an BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and for her role as Beth Gallagher.