Molly Ringwald offers a heartfelt tribute to director John Hughes in an op-ed in today’s New York Times.

As any Gen-Xer knows, Hughes (who died on August 6th of a heart attack), made Ringwald famous as Samantha Baker in Sixteen Candles.  She also starred in his subsequent movies, The Breakfast Club and Pretty In Pink.    Ringwald describes  how much she “loved working with him.”

John saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself. He had complete confidence in me as an actor, which was an extraordinary and heady sensation for anyone, let alone a 16-year-old girl. I did some of my best work with him. How could I not? He continually told me that I was the best, and because of my undying respect for him and his judgment, how could I have not believed him?

It’s surprising to learn that they had not spoken in over 20 years.  She attributes that to him holding a grudge (“his grudges were almost supernatural things, enduring for years, even decades”) against her for turning down movie roles he offered.   Luckily, they were able to smooth things over via letter about 15 years ago.

I’m going to stop there, because there’s no way to do this piece any justice by summarizing it.  It’s better if you read the whole thing, here.  I got a little teary when I did.  Molly Ringwald and her Hughes characters were idols for me when I was a teenager.  They spoke to me – and I’m sure thousands of other teenage girls in the 1980s – in a way that other movies, other characters did not.  This article makes me extra grateful for the chemistry and genius they brought to their films.   Many thanks to them both for the memories.

[ Images by Jody Cortes / WENN.com ]

DROP A COMMENT BELOW