The Brat Pack's astonishing transformations over the years – see the stars then and now


The Brat Pack were icons of the '80s but where are the stars four decades after they made history in John Hughes hits during the decade?


Split image of Demi Moore in 1985 vs today© Getty
Daisy Finch
Daisy FinchAudience Writer
March 30, 2026
Share this:

The Brat Pack made history in John Hughes hits like The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire and Sixteen Candles. Made up of Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Andrew McCarthy, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall and, of course, Molly Ringwald, the actors defined coming-of-age cinema. 

It's 40 years since the decade that made '80s childhoods across the world, but where are the stars now they've all officially grown up, found love and had children of their own?

Split image of Demi Moore, shown on the left in black and white holding clasped hands to the right side of her chin and staring at the camera, and on the right looking out towards the left of the image in a dress with a feathered torso.© Penske Media via Getty Images,FilmMagic

Demi Moore has continued to find success in the limelight since her Brat Pack days

Demi Moore

Demi Moore starred alongside some of the other Brat Pack members in 1985 rom-com St. Elmo's Fire. Nowadays, the Oscar-nominated actress is best known for starring roles in The Substance, Ghost and Indecent Proposal

Now aged 63, Demi has welcomed three children since her '80s heyday, Rumer, Scout and Tallulah with ex-husband, Bruce.

Split image of Rob Lowe in 1985 vs today© Getty

Rob Lowe was the Brat Pack's resident heartthrob and a well-known name in the '80s

Rob Lowe

The St. Elmo's Fire star and '80s heartthrob made up the Brat Pack heart, marking the onscreen teens' transition into adulthood and starred in other iconic '80s hits like The Outsiders and Youngblood. Rob Lowe is still acting today, and is a well-known star for roles in Wayne's World, The West Wing and 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Rob, who recently turned 62, has welcomed two sons with his wife of 34 years, Sheryl Berkoff.

Split image of Andrew McCarthy. On the left smiling at the camera in black and white wearing a suit and loose tie and on the right smiling in a brown suit jacket and white shirt.© Getty Images,FOX via Getty Images

Andrew starred as Molly Ringwald's love interest in hit teen romance 'Pretty in Pink'

Andrew McCarthy

The St. Elmo's Fire and Pretty in Pink actor had a penchant for the more sensitive type during the '80s, bringing nuance to popular boy Blane and cynical Kevin. You can still catch Andrew McCarthy onscreen in 2025's Orion, FOX drama The Resident and upcoming fantasy romance Fate.

Split image of Molly Ringwald in 1985 vs today© Getty

Molly Ringwald is the red-headed icon of John Hughes fame with leading roles in films like 'The Breakfast Club'

Molly Ringwald

Perhaps the most recognisable of the Brat Pack set, famous redhead Molly Ringwald was a John Hughes leading lady regular. The mother-of-three defined '80s childhoods with roles in Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club and has since been discovered by a new generation in Netflix teen franchise The Kissing Booth and hit series The Bear.

Split image of Judd Nelson in 1985 vs today© Getty

Judd Nelson stole Molly Ringwald's (onscreen) heart as sensitive rebel John Bender

Judd Nelson

The Breakfast Club's resident bad boy and ambitious graduate Alec Newbury in St. Elmo's Fire, Judd Nelson has stayed in the spotlight. More recently, the actor's taken on grittier roles in action movies like The Final Load (2025) and thriller Girl in the Basement (2021).

Split image of Ally Sheedy in 1985 vs today© Getty

Ally Sheedy was a fundamental part of the Brat Pack crew and starred in ensemble hits like 'The Breakfast Club'

Ally Sheedy

Ally Sheedy helped define hits like The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire, Oxford Blues, Blue City and Betsy's Wedding. Since she made goths worldwide shed a tear in that Breakfast Club transformation, Ally has had roles in series like Single Drunk Female, 1998 features High Art and is due to appear in upcoming drama By the Roots

Split image of Anthony Michael Hall in 1985 vs today© Getty

Anthony specialised in John Hughes' geekier roles with appearances in 'The Breakfast Club' and 'Sixteen Candles'

Anthony Michael Hall

Anthony Michael Hall often took on the role of a John Hughes geek, most notably as The Geek himself Ted in Sixteen Candles. He appeared with many other Brat Pack crew members in The Breakfast Club as Brian Johnson, and still acts to this day with appearances in Wednesday and season 3 of Prime Video hit, Reacher.

More US
See more