The Breakfast Club: Where Are They Now?

On ‘The Breakfast Club’ soundtrack, Simple Minds sang, “Don’t you forget about me.” Well, it’s been 30 years and we most definitely have not forgotten this John Hughes classic or its characters. To celebrate the film's 30th Anniversary, let’s catch up with the cast -- then and now. 

As Claire, Ringwald played the sheltered, popular “princess” who was at first repelled, then strangely attracted to, Judd Nelson’s bad boy character. John Hughes’ go-to-girl also starred in his films ‘Sixteen Candles’ (1984) and ‘Pretty in Pink’ (1986). In 2008, she starred for five seasons on ABC Family’s ‘The Secret Life of the American Teenager’ with Shailene Woodley. Recently, Ringwald put out the 2014 jazz album ‘Except Sometimes,’ singing a smokey cover of “Don’t You (Forget About Me).”

Of his many feature film roles in the ‘80s, one of Anthony Michael Hall’s most memorable turns was that of the shy “brain” in ‘Breakfast Club.’ After somewhat of a dry spell, Hall rebounded in the early 2000s with the lead role in USA Network’s ‘The Dead Zone,’ based on Stephen King’s novel. Audiences have most recently seen him in such high-profile films as ‘The Dark Knight’ and 2014 Oscar contender ‘Foxcatcher.’ 

Judd Nelson practically stole the movie as John Bender, the coolest slacker ever. The former “Brat Pack-er” appeared in other memorable ‘80s films, including ‘St. Elmo’s Fire,’ while voicing an Autobot in the 1986 animated film, ‘Transformers: The Movie.’ In the ‘90s, Nelson found success on NBC’s sitcom ‘Suddenly Susan,’ starring Brooke Shields.

The son of Martin Sheen – and brother to Charlie – Estevez’s breakout role was playing the troubled jock Andy. He continued to find big-screen success with such films as ‘St. Elmo’s Fire,’ ‘Stakeout,’ and ‘The Mighty Ducks’ franchise. Recently, Estevez has gone behind the camera to direct 2006’s political drama, ‘Bobby,’ and 2010’s ‘The Way.’ 

Ally Sheedy’s “basket case” character, Allison, memorably showed up to Saturday morning detention by choice because she had nowhere else to go. What else would you expect from a girl who eats Pixie Stix sandwiches for breakfast?  The girl-next-door actress also starred in such ‘80s films as ‘War Games’ (1983) and ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ (1985). More recently, she appeared on TV series ‘Kyle XY’ and ‘Psych’ – with more roles in indie films.