Top 10 characters played by Molly Ringwald in the 80s and 90s
An Invitation to Look Back at Molly Ringwald’s Career Through the 80s and 90s
Step back in time and relive the magic of the 80s and 90s with Molly Ringwald, the queen of teen cinema!
After making brief appearances on “The Facts of Life” and “Diff’rent Strokes,” Molly went on to star in the unforgettable high school dramas of John Hughes’ classics as she became the heart and soul of an era.
Our list shines a spotlight on her most memorable roles, capturing the essence of youth, love, and resilience.
Join us on a nostalgic journey through Ringwald’s most iconic performances. Most of these movies continue to captivate and inspire fans across generations. Some of the are still waiting for you to stumble upon them as you enjoy the little-known titles, she played a big part in making.
The Top 10 List of Characters Played by Molly Ringwald
1) Samantha Baker in “Sixteen Candles” (1984)
Samantha’s character captures the essence of adolescent awkwardness and yearning for recognition on her 16th birthday, making it a relatable and enduring performance.
2) Claire Standish in “The Breakfast Club” (1985)
As Claire, Ringwald portrayed the pressures of fitting in to high school cliques and the desire to be understood. Her performance elevates the film’s status to one of the all time greatest pieces of teen cinema.
3) Andie Walsh in “Pretty in Pink” (1986)
Playing Andie, Ringwald brought to life the struggles of love across social divides, offering a poignant look at teenage romance and resilience.
4) Frannie Goldsmith in “The Stand” (1994)
In this miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, Ringwald’s role as a pregnant survivor in a post-apocalyptic world showcased her range beyond teenage roles. Full disclosure, I love this miniseries. Despite the small budget, and its made for TV appearance, it was a cool story. In my humble opinion, its one of the better visual adaptations of King’s works. (Way better than the 2020-21 version.) It’s efinitely worth the watch, if you missed it the first time around!
5) Betsy in “Betsy’s Wedding” (1990)
This role allowed Ringwald to explore the comedic aspects of familial obligations and wedding pressures. She delivers a performance that is both heartfelt, and hilarious.
6) Jewel in “Fresh Horses” (1988)
As Jewel, Ringwald played a complex character whose mysterious past and relationship dynamics provided a deeper, more dramatic layer to her filmography. This 80s movie isn’t on the same level of most of the rest of the films on her resume. Her performance is what makes it watchable.
7) Alison Gertz in “Something to Live for: The Alison Gertz Story” (1992)
This movie is based on the actual events and a life taken far too soon. Through her portrayal of a young woman facing a life-changing diagnosis, Ringwald conveys a powerful narrative of courage and awareness. Ringwald ensures Gertz’s legacy lives on and that her message of compasion and love in the face of ignorance, isn’t forgotten.
8) Niki in “Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone” (1983)
Taking on a sci-fi role, Ringwald’s character Niki was a departure from her usual genre. This is a different Molly Ringwald than we are used to seeing. The movie was… interesting. It actually is a fun little adventure that was geared towards tween audiences.
9) Miranda in “Tempest” (1982)
Before joining the Brat Pack, Molly Ringwald took a crack at Shakespeare. She plays the angsty teen daughter of a man who is in a full-blown midlife crisis in this modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s play. Ringwald’s performance offered a youthful and refreshing take on a classic character . Don’t sleep on this one, it’s actually a good movie with some heart and lots of laughs. You don’t really need to be up on your Shakespeare, to enjoy it.
10) Lonnie in “Surviving: A Family in Crisis” (1985)
This TV movie role featured Ringwald in a serious narrative about teen suicide. It serves to highlight her ability to handle sensitive topics with depth and empathy. This movie is serious, sad, and sensitive to the subject matter. It respectfully deals with a topic that is often uncomfortable to talk about and treats teen viewers with respect in doing so. Its a love story and a reminder of some of the more difficult parts of growing up. Make sure you have a box of tissues close by.
Molly Ringwald is An Icon!
Each of these roles demonstrates Ringwald’s diverse talent, and her ability to connect with audiences across a range of characters and genres. She was a heck of a talented actress, and one heck of a hard worker.
As one of the most prolific actors of the 80s and into the 90s, I was surprised at the sheer volume of acting roles she took on.
From her portrayal of quintessential teenage experiences in John Hughes’ films, to more mature and complex roles in television and cinema, Ringwald’s performances during the 80s and 90s have contributed significantly to her lasting legacy in American pop culture.
What do you think? Agree or disagree? What did we miss? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
Have a rad rest of your day!
Craig is a partner, and proud father of a teenage daughter, and two dogs. He's an avid blogger who loves researching and discussing 80s and 90s nostalgia. When not working on his website or hanging with his fam, Craig enjoys playing guitar, watching lacrosse, and being near water.