Anthony Michael Hall reveals ‘heartbreaking’ choice that ruptured John Hughes friendship
The Breakfast Club actor has explained why fears of teenage typecasting led him to reject two movies that became defining 1980s hits and strained his relationship with his most important early mentor.
Anthony Michael Hall has revealed how rejecting two movies that became defining 1980s classics caused a years-long “rupture” with director John Hughes.
Even though the filmmaker had helped turn the actor into one of Hollywood’s most recognisable teenage stars, Anthony, 58, has said he turned down roles in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Pretty in Pink because he feared becoming stereotyped after working repeatedly with John, who died aged 59 in 2009. Speaking to Danielle Fishel on the Teen Beat podcast, Anthony said John had wanted him for both 1986 movies, but his decision to pursue different work damaged their friendship.
Explaining his concerns about continuing to play similar characters, Anthony said: “I think to some extent, even at that age, too, when you’re more self-conscious about that, you know, on the stereotyping thing, I think that certainly was on my mind.”
Anthony had already established himself as one of the era’s leading young comedy actors through John’s films, playing Farmer Ted opposite Molly Ringwald in 1984’s Sixteen Candles and Brian Johnson in 1985’s The Breakfast Club.
He also starred in John’s Weird Science in 1985 and had earlier played Rusty Griswold in National Lampoon’s Vacation, which John wrote.
But Anthony said Pretty in Pink appeared “very similar, story-wise” to material he had already tackled.
He added: “It kind of felt like a redo in a way.”
The role of Duckie ultimately went to Jon Cryer, with Molly playing Andie Walsh and Andrew McCarthy appearing as Blane McDonough.
Anthony said: “But, listen… we’ve lived long enough to know you have to wish everyone success in life, and you can’t harbour resentment. You know, it doesn’t do anything for anyone.
“So I think that those films were, they were great, you know. I think Jon Cryer’s a very nice guy. I’ve met him since. I met Andrew. I just chose not to make that film.”
His decision over Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was particularly significant because Anthony said John had written its central role with him in mind.
Matthew Broderick eventually played Ferris in the film, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year alongside Pretty in Pink.
Anthony said: “Unfortunately, you know, what happened was he wanted me to do both films at the time, and I just felt it was important that I kind of move forward, you know?”
He added: “And I think that was kind of heartbreaking for (John) in a way.”
Anthony added the decision created a “rupture” between them.
He said: “I think like the youthful characters he wrote, he was a very sensitive guy, you know, even though he was a so-called adult at the time, you know, so I think that that, um, hurt his feelings in a way that I didn’t anticipate.”
Anthony went on: “I was really just trying to move forward professionally. But at the same time, with full acknowledgement of what he’d given me, you know?”
Discussing the important figures in his early career, he also said: “And in my life, it was certainly John Hughes.”
The actor added: “I credit John with giving me my career.”
Anthony recently revealed another detail about their relationship, saying that John discussed a possible sequel to The Breakfast Club during their last telephone conversation.
He said the filmmaker envisaged reuniting the five central characters when they were adults and established in their careers.
Instead of making Ferris Bueller’s Day Off or Pretty in Pink, Anthony joined Saturday Night Live in 1985 at 17, becoming the youngest cast member in the show’s history.
His career subsequently included Edward Scissorhands, The Dead Zone and The Dark Knight.
More recently, Anthony appeared in the third season of Prime Video’s Reacher, starring Alan Ritchson as businessman Zachary Beck.
The series is currently airing its fourth season after returning on August 12 and has already been renewed for a fifth.
