I am Molly Ringwald. AMA

Hi Molly. Are you interested in an etch a sketch portrait? It'll have to wait until I get home from work :\

edit: http://i.imgur.com/laqdX.jpg

edit2 for the classic 'do: http://i.imgur.com/251Qz.jpg

Hells Yeah!

Wow! This is very impressive! I'm going to make this my new headshot.

Would it be possible for you to stop looking like me? /jk.

Seriously, at least once a week I hear from SOMEONE "Do you know who you look like?"

I have begun to answer, "Since I don't think you know my mother, you must be referring to Molly Ringwald."

This pic is 2 years old, but I don't look that different: http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/cybele24/before.jpg

There is something I need to tell you. I was young, he was dashing... There was beer involved.

How did you manage to get hotter with age?

I drink the blood of Kristen Stewart.

Hi Molly! First off, I must apologize. You see, I am the person who submitted the AMA request both on Reddit and on Twitter.

I feel responsible for the # of questions you're about to endure from all. With that said, my original 5 questions!

• 1) You have been in so many classics. Which is your favorite? Which was the most fun to be in?
• 2) Do you still keep in touch with any of your co-stars from the Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, etc? If so, who?
• 3) Most insane fan encounter, both when you were a huge star in the 80s and now as folks run into their teen crush?
• 4) Can you tell us where you stumbled across the fountain of youth being that you look as if you have not aged a day?
• 5) How did you discover Reddit?

You earned it. Here you go: *1) Breakfast Club was my favorite. Sixteen Candles was the most fun. *2) I see them all from time to time but not every day. Weirdly, I was having dinner with Bret Easton Ellis who I hadn't seen in a decade. We were seated at the Chef's table when we saw James Spader touring the kitchen. I think it was surreal for everyone involved, like a wormhole from the eighties opened up. *3) When I was sixteen a fan tried to give me his brand new car. I was psyched but my mom wouldn't let me take it. At a book signing last year, a woman literally handed me her baby. Yeah. *4) That's very sweet. I have good genes. (Thanks, mom!) *5) My friend and current typist Dan. He is now regretting it.

So did Bret manage to finally get that reservation at Dorsia?

It was tough because he was so busy returning video tapes.

Well, the only question I've had on my mind:

How did you get your start in acting, and when? What started your interest in it?

Also,

I'm here to answer all of your questions about Rampart.

ONE OF US.

Originally I considered myself a singer. I used to sing with my father's jazz band and then when I was ten years old a musician friend of his suggested that I try out for the first west coast production of Annie. I auditioned and I got a part in the chorus. It was my first professional job. Before that, I had been doing a lot of community theater as an extra curricular activity. After Annie I auditioned for a show that would become The Facts of Life, got an agent and landed my first movie at age 13. When I was 15 I met John Hughes and the rest is history.

I would just like to say that I used to be a Producer for a Theater Company that did shows at the Old Eagle Theater in Old Sacramento. If memory serves, you have an autograph on the back wall by the stairs. Am I remembering that correctly? It always made me feel this weird and silly connection to you when I would watch your movies, and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

My autograph is just a little further down the stairs, and someday is sure to be worth tens of nickles!

Every time I am back in Sacramento I bring my kids to see the Theater and the bullet that is embedded in the old bar.

Woah there's a bullet actually lodged in the bar? What's the story behind that?

Huge fan by the way Molly, watched Sixteen Candles so much my sophmore year of high school. Thanks.

Not sure about the story, but I think it happened some time during the Gold Rush era. If you hear the story please let me know!

There are plenty actress/singers nowadays, would you ever think or have you ever thought about doing something like that?

I have a jazz album coming out next spring.

More info on the Jazz plz. Title of album? Did you record it with someone well known? or is self produced/with a band you know well? Etc.

I'm in negotiations with a label right now. I would love to tell you who it is. If I was doing this AMA next week I probably could. The musicians are amazing. I sing on Peter Smith's album. (He is my pianist and music director.) You can get his album "Here It Comes" on iTunes and I sing a couple tracks on it. Shout out to the musicians: Clayton Cameron on drums, Trevor Ware on Bass, Allen Mazquida on Sax.

Hi Molly!

I read this on IMDB about breakfast club:

"John Hughes almost fired Judd Nelson because of his negative attitude towards Molly Ringwald off camera. Paul Gleason convinced Hughes that Nelson was a great actor and was merely trying to stay in character."

Is this true? What kind of behavior was going on? How has this impacted the making of the movie?

This is true. I think Judd was doing the method actor thing during rehearsals. He was wearing Bender's clothes and trying to annoy me. I was fine but John Hughes was very protective of me. We ended up having a powwow, led by Ally. I remember her telling me, "We have to get him focused. Like a laser!" I think a bunch of us including myself called John and asked him to reconsider. I am thankful he did.

Have you ever seen the family guy episode that references you? If so what did you think.

They asked me to do the voice. I was going to do it but it was a scheduling thing. I'm a big Seth MacFarlane fan! I can't wait for the new cosmos he is doing with Neil De Grasse Tyson.

Can you still do the lipstick trick from The Breakfast Club? Are you team Duckie or team Blaine?

Reference

First of all, I am Team James Spader. Regarding lipstick, it's all movie magic. There is a story behind that: John Hughes wrote it but never actually thought about me having to do it. He kept putting it off until the end of filming that long scene. I kept bringing it up, like, "Hey. We gotta figure this out. Are we going to have robotic breasts?" Finally we decided it was better to see less and let everyone assume that I was particularly skilled.

But...I want to believe.

Me too.

Next you'll tell me that wasn't really Ally's dandruff

You're right. It was mine.

http://i.imgur.com/uA6rE.gif

I still think Ally was really hot in that movie. Even more so before the makeover. Am I weird?

I totally agree. I think she looked better before the makeover.

I read recently that you once said the following: "I think I was blessed to be given the opportunity to be in those [Brat Pack] movies. I think they're great movies, and I'm proud of my work in them. But on the other hand, to talk about something I did so long ago when I have continued to work and do other things is a little tiring. I just get bored. I keep going back to those movies when I don't have anything new to say about them."

Assuming that much of what you'll be asked here will be some of the same questions you've heard countless times before, why did you agree to do this Ask Me Anything?

I have been lurking reddit for a while and I honestly find the community more interesting than other social media sites. Since there seemed to be an interest I thought it would be something I'd like to do.

Best story from behind the scenes of Breakfast Club?

I'm still trying to think of a particular one. It's hard to come up with one on the spot. I'll circle back.

opwilldeliver.jpg

Just kidding, I have faith in you!

assuming ms. Ringwald isn't familiar with said .jpg

When I did the smoking doobage scene "I'm so popular, everyone loves me at this school," it was basically all improvised and John just let the camera roll for twenty minutes. He was so psyched with everything he got that he dragged my mother into the room where they were showing rushes so she could see how brilliant her daughter was. Of course, my mom was horrified. How was that, goinunder0390?

this chick is the best.

Awwwww.

I love AMA's where the interviewee has a clearly defined voice. That gets lost on a lot of people(particularly celebs) when they have to try and sound like themselves in text. Cheers.

Thanks, ZiggyZu.

Hey, is it true you were offered to be the "Pretty Woman" but declined so Julia Roberts took the part?

I think I saw an early draft and it was called "$3,000". I don't specifically remember turning it down. The script was okay but I gotta say, Julia Roberts is what makes that movie. It was her part. Every actor hopes for a part that lets them shine like that.

Given your history growing up with Adam Carolla, is there any chance that you'll be a guest on his podcast? He has had nothing but nice things to say about you and your family.

Thank you.

I have done Adam's show once or twice. I was supposed to do the podcast to promote my first book back in 2010, but we couldn't figure out the scheduling. Whenever I think about him I think of him (lovingly) as that boy who came in and ate all my mom's cooking.

Hi Molly, thanks for doing this! I have a few questions:

• Do you and Jon Cryer hang out at all?
• Your rendition of "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love" for the Secret Life is interesting in that it sounds a little sarcastic. Was that your intention? Also, did you pick which song would be the Secret Life theme?
• What is it like working with Steve Schirripa?
• How has your work as a teen star in the 80s affected your role on Television today?

Also, I should mention that I'm a straight male in my twenties, and I watch Secret Life every week with my lady-friend.

• Last time I saw Jon was at a photoshoot we did for Entertainment Weekly. He was great as always.
• I didn't pick the song but it was fun to sing. I wasn't singing it sarcastically. The creator Brenda Hampton thought it would be fun.
• Steve is hilarious. We've only been in one scene together. I unfortunately don't know much about him besides being in the best show that's every been on television: The Sopranos.
• Great question. When I figure out the answer I'll do another AMA.

I'm proud that you've had the courage to come forth and admit that you're totally whipped. ;-)

I'm not whipped, a bunch of my college buddies used to watch it every week and we got hooked. Is there an equivalent of Bronies for male fans of Secret Life?

I love My Little Pony! Do you play the Secret Life drinking game? You have to take a shot every time you hear the word "sex." Someone was telling me about it the other day.

You are awesome! Sorry, just had to say it. :)

What's your favorite movie of all time?

How was your high school experience?

• My favorite movie? Hard to pick just one. Nights of Cabiria is at the top. It's the movie that I showed my husband during our courtship. (He showed me Drunken Master 2.)
• I was already making movies by then and I can't say I felt very motivated. All I could think about was being on set. It's one of the reasons I won't let my daughter act professionally until she's older, should she want to choose that path.

Thank you for doing this AMA! I've followed your career since the Facts of Life and actually saw Spacehunter in theaters (in old-school 3D).

I'm sure you get these sorts of questions a lot, but any answers are MUCH appreciated:

There have been rumors in the media and on various websites for years about sequels to Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, and the Breakfast Club. With the very sad passing of John Hughes, is it safe to assume that these projects are definitely not happening? Also, how far were these ideas actually developed before his death, and can you shed any light on the various plots that were proposed?

Thanks again!

At one point, six years ago, I was considering participating in a sequel to Sixteen Candles. But John Hughes didn't want to have sequels to any of the movies I was in and I didn't feel comfortable doing it without his involvement.

Thank you so much for clarifying and taking the time to answer my question! It definitely wouldn't have been right without John's involvement. Was there any proposed plot or did it even make it to that stage of development?

I don't remember much about it, but the script eventually became Avatar.

Although I was a faithful Brat Pack follower, my favorite role of yours was in The Stand. How was filming a mini-series and portraying such a gritty character? I thought you made a terrific Fran.

ALSO (forgot) - I still have a great picture of you in a cute hat and floral suspenders. Did you always have such an individual style, or was it something you developed through wearing different costumes?

The Stand was a very enjoyable experience. It was particularly nice doing something by Stephen King, who is such an icon. (And, incidentally, a nice guy.)

I think I've always had my own style which came a lot out of my love of the twenties. I was a big fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald and used to scour vintage clothing stores to find clothes I felt his heroines would wear. I also liked the sixties, so I think I just used to interpret time periods in my own way and my own style.

• 1. Who is your favorite Mad Men character?
• 2. What are your thoughts on current teen stars who have twitter and facebook as outlets? How will they ever have privacy? Teen stars in the 80's had mail fan clubs but these kids are tied to the fans minute by minute. How will they get over that?
• 3. Do you remember Max Showalter? He lived in my small town and as a kid I always thought he was the coolest dude because he got to tell you a knock knock joke. He was a rad old man.
• 4. Has your husband ever worn a sweater vest like Jake Ryan and wooed you?
• 5. Have you ever been told on the street why someone would want to steal a screw?

• 1. Peggy Olson. She's who I would have been had I chosen that career path and had a time machine. I am most interested to see how her character evolves. Shout Out: John Slattery is so incredibly consistently funny and a phenomenal director. His episodes have a great snap to them.
• 2. I think that it's up to the individual in terms of how much of themselves they want to keep private. My family was very protective and I am glad they were. It kept me from crashing and burning.
• 3. He was great. All of the grandparents in Sixteen Candles were perfectly cast.
• 4. Panio and I recently had to go to an eighties party for my daughter's school. He went as Jake Ryan. It was good and creepy how much he actually looked like him.
• 5. That's never happened. I get lines a lot, it's usually "What's happening, hot stuff?" General public: feel free to restrain yourselves.

There's a zombie apocalypse, who would be in your group and what weapons would you use?

They'd slow me down but I'd have to take my two-year-old twins. My older daughter Mathilda is pretty fierce so I'd need her on my team. Luckily my husband is a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He can break boards with his butt. Just bragging.

Hi Molly,

First, condolences regarding John Hughes. He sounded scary smart (by Hollywood standards) and it sounded like you two had a really complicated relationship. Questions:

What was it like to be the focus of so much attention at an age when most of us are just trying to sort out who we are?

Knowing everything you know now and everything you experienced, would you allow your daughters to go through that level of fame as teens?

If you were forced to pick just one of your "bratpack" films to re-watch for old times sake, which would it be; 'Sixteen Candles', 'Pretty in Pink' or 'The Breakfast Club?'

Edit: missed this part:

I'm here to answer all of your questions about Rampart.

Can you answer my question about prom?

• I don't think I can express it here any better than I did for this NYT op ed shortly after he died.
• I answered that elsewhere, but I think it's a hard thing to survive and I feel very lucky that I did. I think it's better for my children to complete their schooling before getting involved in show business.
• I would re-watch Breakfast Club. I think it's the best script.

How was the guest appearance on Psych? How much time goes into preparing for a guest appearance?

The crew of Psych is one of the nicest crews I've ever worked with. The character was supposed to be a nod to Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which I had already seen numerous times. I think what I loved most about the experience was getting to know Brad who played Billy Babbit in One Flew Over... Smart and funny guy.

Thanks for doing this AMA!

I just bought a ring last week for my girlfriend, and I was wondering on your thoughts about how to ask her? She is a huge fan and I would be able to convince her "Molly told me to do it!".

Well, what I think really makes a girl feel special is to propose through a Jumbotron at a major league baseball game. ;-) Whatever you do, just be authentic. You can't go wrong.

Hi Molly! As a 26 year old that is finally graduating from college as of this past week, I'd first like to thank you for giving me so many movies to watch over and over as a way of de-stressing throughout the years. Since I no longer have assigned reading for the first time in my life, can you give me a book recommendation that would pair nicely with your own book?

Bonus question: As someone that wasn't cognizant of fashion in the 80s, I have to ask - can you share your thoughts on Andie's infamous prom dress?

First of all, congratulations on graduating from college! Here is your syllabus: With my first book, "Getting the Pretty Back," I recommend "Tomboy Style" and a bottle of Prosecco. I have another book coming out in September called "When It Happens To You." It's a novel in stories. With this, I recommend Mary Oliver's "New and Selected Poems" and a nice pinot noir.

I take zero responsibility for Andie's prom dress.

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Have not heard their music.