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The Ultimate 2025 Update: Where Are The 16 Candles Cast Members Now?

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Forty years after the iconic John Hughes teen comedy *Sixteen Candles* premiered in 1984, the lives of the cast members have taken dramatically different paths, from continued Hollywood success to complete, intentional retreats from the spotlight. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the updates on the original *Brat Pack* stars and the beloved supporting cast are more intriguing than ever, with some still landing major roles and others embracing unexpected new careers.

This ultimate "Where Are They Now" guide delivers the freshest information on Samantha Baker, 'Farmer' Ted, Jake Ryan, and the rest of the cast, highlighting their most recent projects and career shifts, including a major theatrical run for one star and a 2024 film release for another.

Complete 16 Candles Cast Biography & Current Status

  • Molly Ringwald (Samantha "Sam" Baker): The quintessential John Hughes muse and star of the film. Born February 18, 1968 (Age 56).
  • Anthony Michael Hall ('Farmer' Ted, The Geek): The hyper-energetic, glasses-wearing geek. Born April 14, 1968 (Age 56).
  • Michael Schoeffling (Jake Ryan): The dreamy, popular senior. Born December 10, 1960 (Age 64).
  • Gedde Watanabe (Long Duk Dong): The foreign exchange student. Born June 26, 1955 (Age 69).
  • Haviland Morris (Caroline Mulford): Jake Ryan's blonde, popular girlfriend. Born September 14, 1959 (Age 65).
  • Paul Dooley (Jim Baker): Sam's well-meaning but forgetful father. Born February 21, 1928 (Age 96).
  • Justin Henry (Mike Baker): Sam's annoying younger brother. Born May 25, 1971 (Age 53).
  • Liane Curtis (Randy): Sam’s best friend. Born July 11, 1965 (Age 59).

Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall: The Brat Pack's Enduring Legacy

The two main young stars of *Sixteen Candles*—Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall—continued their successful collaboration with director John Hughes in subsequent films like *The Breakfast Club* and *Pretty in Pink*, cementing their status as icons of the 1980s Teen Comedy genre. Today, both actors remain active in Hollywood, constantly reinventing their careers for a new generation.

Molly Ringwald (Samantha Baker)

Molly Ringwald, who played the forgotten birthday girl Samantha Baker, has successfully moved beyond her Brat Pack image into a diverse career as an actress, writer, and translator.

  • Recent Acting Roles: Ringwald’s most recognizable recent work is her role as Mrs. Flynn in the popular Netflix trilogy, *The Kissing Booth* (2018–2021). She is also slated to appear in a new limited-edition Netflix series, demonstrating her continued partnership with the streaming giant.
  • Literary Career: Beyond acting, Ringwald has established herself as a writer. She has published a novel, *When It Happens to You*, and a collection of essays, *Getting the Pretty Back*. She has also translated French works, including a memoir, showcasing her intellectual versatility.

Anthony Michael Hall ('Farmer' Ted)

Anthony Michael Hall, who played the lovably awkward 'Farmer' Ted, has transitioned from teen geek to a versatile character actor, often taking on more intense or action-oriented roles.

  • Major 2024 Project: Hall starred in the action-thriller film *Trigger Warning*, released in 2024, alongside Jessica Alba.
  • Recent Film & TV: His career remains robust, with notable appearances in the horror franchise *Halloween Kills* (2021) and the popular Amazon Prime series *Reacher*.
  • Career Shift: Hall has successfully shed his comedic 80s persona, taking on roles in projects like *War Machine* (2017) and *Bodied* (2017) to display his dramatic range.

The Reclusive Heartthrob and the Stage Star: Michael Schoeffling and Gedde Watanabe

Perhaps the most fascinating updates belong to the two actors whose characters—Jake Ryan and Long Duk Dong—defined the film's romantic and controversial elements.

Michael Schoeffling (Jake Ryan)

The actor who played the dreamiest high school boy in movie history, Michael Schoeffling, has had the most dramatic career shift, choosing to leave the spotlight entirely.

  • Retirement from Acting: Schoeffling retired from acting in the early 1990s after his role in *Mermaids* (1990), citing a lack of quality roles.
  • Current Career (2025 Update): Today, Schoeffling is a successful entrepreneur and artisan. He runs a woodworking business, specializing in handcrafted furniture, in his home state of Pennsylvania. He has made an intentional and definitive retreat from public life, preferring a quiet family existence.
  • Legacy: Despite his retirement, the character of Jake Ryan remains an enduring symbol of the perfect 80s crush, a testament to Schoeffling’s brief but impactful film career.

Gedde Watanabe (Long Duk Dong)

Gedde Watanabe, whose character remains a debated topic in the film’s legacy, has maintained a remarkably consistent career across film, television, and theater.

  • Major 2024/2025 Stage Role: Watanabe is starring in a major theatrical production of Stephen Sondheim's musical *Pacific Overtures* at the East West Players’ David Henry Hwang Theater in late 2024 (November 7 through December 1).
  • Upcoming Film Projects: He has two films slated for release in the 2024/2025 window: *Dream!* and *The Bad Man*.
  • Voice Acting: He is also well-known as the voice of the character Ling in Disney’s *Mulan* (1998) and its sequel, *Mulan II* (2004), and the voice of the Badger Crime Boss in *Kung Fu Panda 4*.

The Supporting Cast: Real Estate, Digital Media, and Veteran Careers

The supporting actors who brought the Baker family and their classmates to life have also found varied successes outside of Hollywood.

  • Haviland Morris (Caroline Mulford): After playing Jake Ryan's popular girlfriend Caroline Mulford, Morris continued acting in films like *Home Alone 3*. However, her primary career focus today is in Real Estate. She works as a high-end agent in New York City. Her last reported acting project was a 2014 TV movie.
  • Justin Henry (Mike Baker): The Oscar-nominated child actor (for *Kramer vs. Kramer*) who played Sam's younger brother, Mike Baker, stepped back from acting. He now works primarily in the corporate world as a Digital Media Specialist in advertising and marketing, with acting roles being only periodic.
  • Paul Dooley (Jim Baker): The veteran actor who played Sam's father, Jim Baker, is still active at 96 years old. His extensive career includes roles in *Breaking Away* and *Runaway Bride*. He continues to take on roles, including a recent appearance on the TV series *The Good Doctor*.
  • Liane Curtis (Randy): Sam's best friend, Randy, has not acted on-screen since 2018. She is also a musician and is known for her roles in other 80s films like *Critters 2*.

The enduring appeal of *Sixteen Candles* lies not just in the film's nostalgic look at the 1980s, but in the compelling, decades-long journeys of its cast. From the continued high-profile careers of Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall to the unexpected, quiet life of Michael Schoeffling, the stars of this John Hughes classic prove that life after high school—and after Hollywood—can be anything but predictable.

The Ultimate 2025 Update: Where Are the 16 Candles Cast Members Now?
16 candles cast
16 candles cast

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