Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald is an American actress, author, and singer who became one of the most iconic teen stars of the 1980s through her collaborations with filmmaker John Hughes. Born on February 18, 1968, in Roseville, California, Ringwald showed performing talent from an early age. Her father, Robert Ringwald, was a blind jazz musician, and she grew up immersed in music, recording her first album at age six and performing with her father’s band.

Ringwald’s acting career took off when she was cast in the role of Molly on the television series “The Facts of Life” in 1979. However, it was her collaboration with director John Hughes that made her an icon. She starred in three of his most beloved films: “Sixteen Candles” (1984), “The Breakfast Club” (1985), and “Pretty in Pink” (1986). These films defined a generation and made Ringwald the quintessential face of 1980s teen cinema. She was a member of the famous “Brat Pack,” a group of young actors who frequently appeared together in coming-of-age films during that era.

After her teen film success, Ringwald moved to Paris in the early 1990s to escape typecasting and broaden her artistic horizons. She appeared in several French films and studied at the Sorbonne. Upon returning to the United States, she continued working steadily in film, television, and theater. She took on a recurring role as Mary Andrews on The CW’s “Riverdale” from 2017 to 2023, which introduced her to a new generation of viewers familiar with the Archie Comics-inspired series.

Beyond acting, Ringwald has established herself as an accomplished author, publishing several books including the novel “When It Happens to You” (2012) and the young adult novel “Getting the Pretty Back” (2010). She is also a talented jazz singer who has released albums and performed at notable venues. Her diverse career spanning over four decades has contributed to an estimated net worth of $11 million in 2026.