‘Brats’: Anthony Michael Hall Explains Why He Chose Not to Appear in Brat Pack Doc
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Anthony Michael Hall was one of the notable Brat Pack figures not featured in Andrew McCarthy’s documentary Brats. Hall, who rose to fame in classic ’80s teen films like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, spoke with TV Insider about why he decided not to participate in the documentary.
“I was asked to be a part of it, but you know what, I’ll tell you my attitude is you have to wish everyone success. It was just something I chose not to do because I’m always trying to move forward and make new things and do new stuff,” Hall said.
He added, “The truth is, I’ve had to embrace the John Hughes period of my life all my career, and I’m happy to do so, obviously, as I’ve hopefully relayed here. It’s never been an issue for me. But I also think time has taught me you have to wish everyone success.”
Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy in ‘The Breakfast Club.’ (Everett Collection)
The Trigger Warning actor noted that he hadn’t seen Brats yet, but he wished McCarthy well. “I think he’s carved out a great career for himself,” Hall said about McCarthy. “He’s a writer, and he directs TV. He’s a cool guy. He’s a father, too.”
Hall was one of the youngest members of the Brat Pack. He was only 15 years old when he starred in Sixteen Candles alongside Molly Ringwald. At just 16, he delivered a career-defining performance in The Breakfast Club, one of the quintessential Brat Pack films.
Hall, Ringwald, and Judd Nelson were the three major Brat Packers who did not appear in the Hulu documentary. McCarthy sat down with Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Ally Sheedy, and more to discuss that period of their lives and how they felt about being dubbed the “Brat Pack” in a monumental (and now iconic) New York Magazine article in 1985.
Following his teen years, Hall went on to famously star in the USA Network series The Dead Zone. His recent work includes the films Halloween Kills and Trigger Warning, as well as roles in TV series like Bosch: Legacy and the upcoming third season of Reacher.
Brats, Streaming Now, Hulu
Conversation19 Comments
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C
People are speaking unfavorably on him because he didn’t want to participate, but it seems to me as if he did not have the greatest of experiences back then and is just trying to wish everyone well without marring the project.
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R
I cant believe these people are so messed up over this. This is the worst thing that happened to you?? The “brat” pack?? Really? Get over yourself. It’s been 40 years. So speak on it now, talk about how it made you feel. Why is this is so detrimental that you’re like “oh, I have to move on”. Dude, you did move on. It’s been 40 years.
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They aren’t all messed up. Rob Lowe said he had a blast during this time in his life, he disagreed with Andrew if you recall about this being a negative term he said he had a blast during those years. So not everyone labeled as the brat pack took it negatively.
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R
I think those three should maybe be more grateful for where their careers, fame, and money came from. That's just my opinion. Thanks John Hughes for all those iconic 80's movies that shaped me and that I was able to share with any children.
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R
Seems like he's getting an awful lot of publicity by continuing to talk about why he doesn't want too be in the video lol
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R
I’m sure he was perused for this interview. Mr. Hall is a great guy, met him a few years ago, so very nice
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R
He didn't explain at all why he wasn't in the documentary. He just wished Andrew McCarthy success. So, this article is click bait.
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R
In a roundabout way he did. He basically said he wants to keep moving forward and not live in the past. He wishes everyone success.
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A
I always liked him as "The Geek" in Sixteen Candles.
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R
They didn't mention his best work ever. National Lampoon's vacation. "Shut up Russ".
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R
They all have their own personal reasons for either choosing to participate or not participate in the project. I am not in their shoes so will not judge their decisions, but I can say I have enjoyed the various Brat Pack movies when they first came out, and re-watching them over the years, so thank you JH and the BP for the many years of enjoyment your movies have brought me.
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R
Same.☺️
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T
I agree this is click bait, so tired of that. Whoever appeared or not, why do we care how these people feel??? I grew up loving the 80s and those movies, bc it was entertaining. That was their job, to entertain us. Why do their feelings matter so much now after all these decades? What are they gonna talk about next, their politics-like DeNiro? Actors are supposed to act. Doctors practice medicine, janitors clean and their feelings should belong to them. We are not here to judge, and it's everyone's personal choice to tune in or not. I don't want to know how they feel, how they vote, and I don't want any of that imposed on us regular folks. They should be grateful, the movies were great, move on. Make no mistake, nothing is televised unless it's profitable. It's all about money. All I want is to be entertained! I don't want to hear how millionaires are sad about a phrase that "hurt their feelings". They did fine and laughed all the way to the bank. They live better than most struggling Americans. Are we supposed to feel sorry for them? Give me a break!
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I thought the documentary was ridiculous, McCarthy should be thankful that he was part of the Brat Pack, which is just a play on words from the Rat Pack, not crying about it. We should all be so lucky. I have total respect for the 3 that didn’t want to be a part of his Boo Hoo documentary
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Lost all respect for the spoiled brats that didn't participate in Andrews awesome documentary. Much love to all the non brats that did participate, and share their life with us. Many of us loved their movies and always wondered what it felt like to be part of that group.
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Shame on them? They chose not to rehash something that was in the past that they didnt want to re visit. That’s their right to privacy. I was a teen in the 80s that loved all these actors, followed their careers closely, if you noticed, the label of “the brat pack” wasn’t exactly a compliment to any of them. It made it seem like they were spoiled, when in fact they were all hard working actors who many are still acting today, why revisit a negative time in their lives?
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Lol. The two most succesful actors appeared in the documentary. So why do those 3 including AMH feelthey would be reliving the past? It's about where they came from and how they have moved on to many different things. It's called growing and becoming a better person. You can't erase the past
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R
That’s extremely disappointing that those three didn’t be a part of this Bratz documentary… This was maybe the last chance in your life that you could talk about it! It’s a shame!
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I feel those three are acting like ungrateful BRATS now. They owe everything to their 80s films and to the people who watched them. Maybe since now they are all C-List actors they are trying to get people to pay attention to them.
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