‘Sixteen Candles’ Cast Then & Now: See Molly Ringwald & More 37 Years Later

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May 4, 2021 8:30AM EDT

‘Sixteen Candles’ is celebrating its 37th anniversary on May 4. Take a look at photos of Molly Ringwald and more of the teen classic’s cast then and now.

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‘Sixteen Candles’ Cast Then & Now — Photos

‘Sixteen Candles’ Cast Then & Now — Photos
©MCA/Courtesy Everett Collectio

Sixteen Candles was released on May 4, 1984, and became an instant teen classic. The coming-of-age comedy follows a young girl named Samantha, who is turning 16. Due to the fuss over her sister’s upcoming wedding, Sam’s loved ones forget all about her birthday. Sam pines for the handsome and popular Jake Ryan, who is more than just your typical jock. Meanwhile, Sam also must handle being the apple of nerdy Ted’s eye. Molly Ringwald starred as Sam Baker in Sixteen Candles. The movie was her first collaboration with director and writer John Hughes. Sixteen Candles also starred Michael Schoeffling, Anthony Michael Hall, Blanche Baker, Haviland Morris, Gedde Watanabe, John Cusack, and more. Since the movie’s release, most of the cast has gone on to have successful Hollywood careers. However, the actor who played the Jake Ryan left acting altogether. See the cast of Sixteen Candles then and now as the film celebrates its 37th anniversary.

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Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Molly Ringwald, 53, starred as Sam Baker, the 16-year-old whose own family forgot her birthday, in Sixteen Candles. Molly was one of the teen movie darlings of the 1980s and a member of the Brat Pack. She went on to star in other coming-of-age movies from John Hughes like The Breakfast Club and Pretty In Pink. She later starred in The Pick-Up Artist, Fresh Horses, and more. She notably starred as Anne Juergens, Amy’s mom, on The Secret Life of the American Teenager from 2008 to 2013. She has played Mary Andrews on Riverdale since 2017. She appeared in two episodes of Tales of the City in 2019. Molly has played Sara Flynn, Noah and Lee’s mother, in the first two Kissing Booth movies. She will return for the third and final film, which will be released in 2021.

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Anthony Michael Hall

Anthony Michael Hall
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

The role of Farmer Ted, a.k.a. The Geek, was a breakout role for Anthony Michael Hall, 53. He collaborated a number of times with director John Hughes in movies like The Breakfast Club, which reunited him with Molly Ringwald, and Weird Science. He went on to join the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1985. His other movies since then include Edward Scissorhands, Six Degrees of Separation, The Dark Knight, Foxcatcher, War Machine, and more. Anthony starred in the series The Dead Zone from 2002 to 2007. He’s recently guest-starred in episodes of The Blacklist and The Goldbergs. He will play Tommy Doyle in the upcoming 2021 film Halloween Kills.

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Michael Schoeffling

Michael Schoeffling
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Michael Schoeffling, 60, was the ultimate ’80s heartthrob playing Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles. Even after nearly 4 decades, Jake Ryan is still an iconic character. The role of Jake Ryan was Michael’s very first role. His notable films after Sixteen Candles include Vision Quest, Mermaids, and Sylvester. His last film was the Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken in 1991. After that, Michael gave up acting. He reportedly owns a woodworking shop now. He has two kids, and his daughter, Scarlett, is a model. 

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John Cusack

John Cusack
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

John Cusack, 54, played Bryce in Sixteen Candles. The movie was one of his very first roles. John went on to become one of the premier young stars of the 1980s, starring in other movies like Say Anything… and Tapeheads. His other major films include Bullets Over Broadway, Being John Malkovich, High Fidelity, Runaway Jury, Love & Mercy, and more. He recently starred in the short-lived Amazon Prime series Utopia in 2020. 

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Blanche Baker

Blanche Baker
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Blanche Baker, 64, played Ginny Baker, Sam’s older sister, in Sixteen Candles. Blanche was already an Emmy winner when she starred in Sixteen Candles. She went on to star in the 1990 film version of The Handmaid’s Tale. Her other films post-Sixteen Candles include Raw Deal, Shakedown, Dead Funny, and The Girl Next Door. She also guest-starred on Law & Order, Clarissa Explains It All, and more. Her latest role was in the 2014 TV movie Wishin’ and Hopin’.

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Gedde Watanabe

Gedde Watanabe
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Gedde Watanabe, 65, starred as Long Duk Dong, a Chinese foreign exchange student who stays with the Bakers,  in Sixteen Candles. The teen flick was only his second role. In addition to Sixteen Candles, Gedde is best known for voicing the role of Ling in the 1998 Disney film Mulan. His other films include Gung Ho, Perfect Alibi, Two for the Money, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Parental Guidance, and 47 Ronin. He appeared on several television shows like Murphy Brown, Home Improvement, and Everwood. He also had a recurring role on ER from 1997 to 2003. 

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Haviland Morris

Haviland Morris
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Haviland Morris, 61, starred as Caroline Mulford in Sixteen Candles. She went to star in Madonna’s Who’s That Girl in 1987 and Gremlins 2: The New Batch in 1990. She has appeared in a number of films and TV shows over the years. She notably played Claire Baxter on One Life to Live from 2001 to 2003. Haviland recently appeared in a 2019 episode of City on a Hill. In addition to acting, Haviland also works as a real estate agent in New York City. 

May 3, 2021, 5:49PM