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It’s hard to believe that 40 years have passed since 'The Breakfast Club' hit theaters, but its legacy endures. The film's exploration of teenage angst, cliques, and unlikely friendships made it an iconic '80s classic.
In this gallery, we'll take a look at how the cast members have evolved over the years, including some fun behind-the-scenes facts that might surprise even the most dedicated fans of this timeless coming-of-age story.
Click on to dive back into the '80s!
The iconic 1985 film 'The Breakfast Club' follows five teens from different worlds who bond during Saturday detention. Through laughter, conflict, and confession, they form a surprising connection. Keep clicking to see what the stars look like then vs. now!
After 'The Breakfast Club,' Anthony Michael Hall pursued varied roles to avoid typecasting. He joined SNL at 17, starred in 'Edward Scissorhands' (1990), 'Six Degrees of Separation' (1993), and TV's 'The Dead Zone.'
Hall later appeared in 'Halloween Kills' (2021). He married actress Lucia Oskerova in 2020 and they welcomed their first child in 2023. In 2016, he faced legal trouble for assaulting a neighbor.
Following his breakout roles in 'The Outsiders' (1983) and 'The Breakfast Club,' Emilio Estevez starred in 'St. Elmo's Fire' (1985), 'Young Guns' (1988), and 'The Mighty Ducks' (1992). He also directed 'Wisdom' (1986), 'Men at Work' (1990), and 'Bobby' (2006).
Estevez was married to Paula Abdul from 1992 to 1994 and shares son Taylor and daughter Paloma with ex-girlfriend Carey Salley. He values privacy and now leads a quieter life outside of Hollywood.
Ally Sheedy reunited with her Breakfast Club co-stars in 'St. Elmo's Fire' (1985) and 'The Dead Zone' (2003). She also appeared in 'Short Circuit' (1986), 'High Art' (1998), and the off-Broadway musical 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' (1999).
She later guest-starred on 'CSI,' 'Kyle XY,' and 'Psych,' and returned to TV in 'Single Drunk Female' in 2022. Sheedy shares son Beckett with ex-husband David Lansbury.
Molly Ringwald rose to fame in 'The Facts of Life' and John Hughes films like 'Sixteen Candles' (1984) and 'Pretty in Pink' (1986).
After a break, she returned with roles in 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager,' 'Riverdale,' and 'Dahmer' (2022). She shares three children with husband Panio Gianopoulos and was previously married to Valery Lameignère.
Judd Nelson followed 'The Breakfast Club' with 'St. Elmo's Fire' (1985), reuniting with co-stars Estevez and Sheedy. He teamed up with Sheedy again in 'Blue City' (1986) and led 'Billionaire Boys Club' (1987).
In the 2000s, Nelson appeared in numerous hit TV shows, including 'Suddenly Susan,' 'CSI,' 'Psych,' and 'Empire,' showcasing his versatility across genres and decades.
Paul Gleason, famously known as Principal Vernon in 'The Breakfast Club,' also starred in 'Die Hard' (1988), 'Trading Places' (1993), and TV hits like 'Boy Meets World' and 'Dawson's Creek.' He died in 2006 from mesothelioma at age 67.
The cast reunited on April 12, 2025, at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo to celebrate the film's 40th anniversary. This marked the first time all five original stars appeared together since the movie's release. The emotional panel included reflections on filming, memories of director John Hughes, and discussions about the movie’s enduring legacy.
The film's most emotional scene, where the five teens open up about their deepest secrets, wasn't scripted. It was spontaneously ad-libbed, adding raw authenticity to their heartfelt confessions.
The film was originally intended to launch a franchise, with future installments planned to "check in" on the characters over the years.
A deleted dream sequence featured Allison imagining each character in quirky roles: Andrew as a gluttonous Viking, Bender as a prisoner, Claire as a bride, Brian as an astronaut, and herself as a vampire. It was ultimately cut from the film.
Emilio Estevez was first cast as Bender, but when John Hughes couldn't find the right actor for Andrew, Estevez switched roles. Judd Nelson was then brought in to play the rebellious Bender instead.
Molly Ringwald was initially offered the role of Allison, but she preferred playing Claire (originally named Cathy). After some consideration, writer-director John Hughes agreed to let her switch roles.
The cast had a wide age range during filming in 1984. Anthony Michael Hall and Molly Ringwald were both 16, while Emilio Estevez was 22, Ally Sheedy was 23, and Judd Nelson was 26 years old.
Several stars auditioned for Claire, including Robin Wright, Jodie Foster, and Laura Dern. John Cusack and Nicolas Cage were also considered for Bender before the role went to Judd Nelson.
Director John Hughes made a cameo at the film’s end, appearing briefly as Brian's father picking him up after Saturday detention.
'The Breakfast Club,' like many John Hughes classics, including 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986), 'Weird Science' (1985), 'Sixteen Candles' (1984), 'Pretty in Pink' (1986), and 'National Lampoon's Vacation' (1983), takes place in the fictional Chicago suburb of Shermer, Illinois—a favorite Hughes setting.
Allison's dandruff, which she sprinkles to create "snow," was actually made of Parmesan cheese for the famous scene.
As a wrap gift, John Hughes gave each cast member a piece of the library's banister, serving as a memorable memento from the iconic film set.
Ally Sheedy remained silent for the first 33 minutes of 'The Breakfast Club,' despite the film's 97-minute runtime, adding to her character's mystery.
In 'The Breakfast Club,' the "marijuana" the characters smoke was actually oregano, serving as a stand-in for the substance during that iconic scene.
John Hughes originally planned 'The Breakfast Club' to be his directorial debut, but the studio chose 'Sixteen Candles' (1984) first, which came out a year before 'The Breakfast Club.'
In 1985, Brat Pack stars Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, and Ally Sheedy portrayed high schoolers in 'The Breakfast Club' and college grads in 'St. Elmo's Fire,' both iconic same-year releases.
'The Breakfast Club' became an iconic '80s film by exploring teenage struggles and showcasing deep emotional connections. Its honest portrayal of high school cliques and relatable characters continues to resonate, making it a timeless classic.
Sources: (Us Weekly) (Mental Floss) (Business Insider)
See also: Iconic films from the '80s that are worth rewatching
Forty years later: ‘The Breakfast Club' cast then and now
Where the stars are now and fun facts from the 1985 classic
MOVIES 1980s
It’s hard to believe that 40 years have passed since 'The Breakfast Club' hit theaters, but its legacy endures. The film's exploration of teenage angst, cliques, and unlikely friendships made it an iconic '80s classic.
In this gallery, we'll take a look at how the cast members have evolved over the years, including some fun behind-the-scenes facts that might surprise even the most dedicated fans of this timeless coming-of-age story.
Click on to dive back into the '80s!