It’s been over three decades since Michael Schoeffling stepped away from Hollywood and a career on the big screen. After starring in Sixteen Candles, Mermaids, and Vision Quest, he became the object of teenage fantasy for '80s fans.
While the former teen heartthrob and father of two might prefer a quieter life, his daughter is happily pursuing a career in front of the lens – whether that’s guest starring on Billions or modelling for Tommy Bahama. We’re taking a look inside the life of Michael’s only daughter, Scarlett Schoeffling, who’s following in her parents’ footsteps.
© Getty ImagesScarlett Schoeffling joined the cast at the premiere of Disney's Noelle.
Who is Scarlett Schoeffling?
Scarlett Schoeffling is the only daughter of actor Michael Schoeffling and Valerie C. Robinson. The 34-year-old, Brooklyn-based actress and model was born in 1991 and likely raised in Pennsylvania following her parents' relocation back to Michael’s hometown of Newfoundland, PA.
Modelling is something of a family affair: Michael got his start in the industry before moving into acting, while her mother, former actress and model Valerie Robinson, pursued the same hybrid career.
© Patrick McMullan via Getty ImageScarlett keeps the details of her day-to-day life in Brooklyn quiet.
What has she appeared in?
Scarlett has taken after her glamorous parents, appearing both in modelling campaigns and on screen. She is signed with New York Models and LA Models and has been featured in shoots for Tommy Bahama and Estée Lauder’s 2013 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign.
Added to her varied resumé are a couple of TV credits, including a 2020 role in Blackjack: The Jackie Ryan Story and a guest appearance in an episode of Billions. Scarlett seems to take pride in the legacy left by her parents as in 2023 she shared a photo of her father’s GQ shoot from the '80s with the caption, “My fathers day post is dads first GQ cover. Slay.”
© Getty ImagesThe model's father is a former '80s heartthrob.
Her father’s acting legacy
Michael Schoeffling is best known for his role as high school stud Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles. At 23, Michael captured the hearts of viewers across the world in John Hughes’ iconic 1984 rom-com. The teen heartthrob worked alongside Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall, rounding out the feature’s infamous love triangle.
Following his silver screen success, the actor took on further roles in Vision Quest, as a high school wrestler, and Mermaids, making a return to romance opposite Winona Ryder. After Sixteen Candles, Michael only appeared in eight movies — his role in 1991’s Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken had him cast as the love interest once more for a fitting final bow.
© Getty ImagesMichael Schoeffling had a talent for playing the romantic lead.
Why did the '80s teen heartthrob leave Hollywood behind?
There’s little doubt Michael Schoeffling was on track for superstardom, but the actor decided to opt for a quieter, more private life instead. While he’s never stated the exact reason for walking away from our screens, it seems the decision stemmed from a more general desire to pursue a life away from show business.
Instead, Michael has set up a woodworking business, reportedly offering hand-crafted furniture, in Pennsylvania where he moved with his wife Valerie. The pair met while modelling in New York and married in 1987. Along with sharing daughter Scarlett, the pair are also parents to a son, Zane.
© Getty ImagesWild Hearts Can't Be Broken was Michael's last job in the film industry.
What has he been up to since?
In 2014, his wife told People magazine that he values the quiet. “He’s very reclusive and quiet,” she described. But Valerie made sure to address any concerned fans, reporting that her husband is “doing fine” and is “very happy”.
But it seems unlikely Jake Ryan’s hold on cultural consciousness will ever truly disappear. In January 2025, Gwyneth Paltrow shared her shock at the ex-teen heartthrob’s age on Instagram with a caption reading: “Jake Ryan turns 65 this year… in case you haven’t felt betrayed enough by 2025.”
