Molly Ringwald, an American actress, boasts a net worth of $11 million as of 2024. Best known for her roles in the 1980s teen classics Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink, Ringwald’s career spans decades and includes numerous other notable projects in film, television, and theater. This article explores her early life, breakthrough roles, subsequent career, and personal life.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Molly Kathleen Ringwald was born on February 18, 1968, in Roseville, California, to chef Adele and blind jazz pianist Robert Ringwald. She grew up with two siblings, Beth and Kelly, and had an older brother who passed away before she was born. Ringwald’s introduction to acting came at the young age of five when she played the Dormouse in a stage production of Alice in Wonderland. She later attended Lycée Français de Los Angeles, which provided a strong educational foundation.
Ringwald’s early career saw her performing in a production of Annie in Los Angeles at the age of ten. This led to her appearance in an episode of the sitcom Diff’rent Strokes and her subsequent role on its spinoff, The Facts of Life. On these shows, she portrayed Molly Parker, a lively feminist student at Eastland Girls School. In 1980, Ringwald showcased her vocal talents as a lead singer on two Disney albums, Yankee Doodle Mickey and Disney’s Merry Christmas Carols.
Brat Pack Stardom and Early Film Success
Molly Ringwald’s rise to fame was propelled by her roles in John Hughes’ iconic teen films. She made her big-screen debut in Tempest and Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone, but it was her performance in Sixteen Candles (1984) that catapulted her to stardom. In the film, she played Samantha Baker, a teenager whose family forgets her 16th birthday. This role earned her the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture.
Following Sixteen Candles, Ringwald solidified her place in the “Brat Pack,” a group of 1980s teen actors, with her roles in The Breakfast Club (1985) and Pretty in Pink (1986). In The Breakfast Club, she portrayed Claire Standish, a wealthy, popular girl who ends up in detention. In Pretty in Pink, she played Andie Walsh, a girl from a modest background navigating the complexities of teenage romance and social divides.
Seeking Mature Roles and Continued Success
After achieving teen icon status, Ringwald sought more mature roles. In 1987, she starred in P.K. and the Kid, Jean-Luc Godard’s King Lear, and The Pick-up Artist, opposite Robert Downey Jr. The following year, she appeared in For Keeps, her final teen movie, and Fresh Horses, reuniting with Andrew McCarthy from Pretty in Pink.
Despite turning down significant roles in Pretty Woman and Ghost in the early 90s, Ringwald continued to work steadily. She starred in the romantic comedies Strike it Rich (1990) and Betsy’s Wedding (1990). Fluent in French, she moved to Paris and appeared in several French films during the mid-90s. Other notable films from this period include the erotic thriller Malicious (1995), the horror comedy Office Killer (1997), and the dark comedy Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999).
Film and Television in the 2000s and Beyond
Ringwald’s film career in the 2000s included roles in In the Weeds (2000), the Australian slasher film Cut (2000), and the Western Cowboy Up (2001). She made a cameo in the spoof film Not Another Teen Movie (2001). Later, she appeared in Jem and the Holograms (2015), Bad Night (2015), King Cobra (2016), SPF-18 (2017), All These Small Moments (2018), and The Kissing Booth trilogy (2018-2021), playing the mother of the main character.
On television, Ringwald starred in numerous TV films following The Facts of Life, including Packin’ it In (1983), Surviving: A Family in Crisis (1985), and Women & Men: Stories of Seduction (1990). She had a major role in the miniseries The Stand (1994) and starred in the sitcom Townies (1996). Her television career continued with roles in Remember WENN (1996-1998), The Outer Limits (1999), and Medium (2005). In 2008, she joined the main cast of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. More recently, she had a recurring role on Riverdale (2017-2023) and appeared in Tales of the City (2019) and Creepshow (2021).
Theatrical Career
Ringwald has also enjoyed a successful stage career. She performed in the play How I Learned to Drive and the off-Broadway musical tick, tick… BOOM!. She headlined as Sally Bowles in the long-running Broadway revival of Cabaret. In 2003, she began appearing in the play Enchanted April, but left due to pregnancy. The next year, she starred in the Broadway play Modern Orthodox.
Personal Life
In 1999, Molly Ringwald married French writer Valéry Lameignère in Bordeaux, France. The couple divorced in 2002. In 2007, she married Greek-American writer and editor Panio Gianopoulos, with whom she has three children: a daughter and fraternal boy-girl twins.
Conclusion
Molly Ringwald’s career is a testament to her versatility and enduring appeal. From her breakout roles in the 1980s to her continued success in film, television, and theater, Ringwald has remained a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. With a net worth of $11 million, she continues to captivate audiences with her talent and charisma.
