Over the years, I never really done a post featuring actor Michael Schoeffling. Yes, his images have appeared on the site, mostly in birthday posts, but he's never really been in the spotlight. Last week, the meme above appeared on my Twitter feed. In addition to remembering sending notes in class, (I was still in highschool in the 1990's) It had me thinking about Michael, his beauty and his career.
Although only in the business about 6 years, and with just 11 movies on his resume, Schoeffling certainly made an impact. Primarily due to his role as hottie and heartthrob Jake in the 1985 iconic John Hughes film, Sixteen Candles, I don't think there were many young girls, or young gay guys, who didn't crush over Jake as their perfect, although imaginary boyfriend.
Sixteen Candles also made actress Molly Ringwald a phenomenon at the time, pushing her, and movie, into the pop culture stratosphere. I actually never saw the film when it first came out, I was a little young. I think I first noticed Schoeffling on the big screen when I was about 12 or 13 and went with my parents to see Cher in Mermaids in the theatre. Much like Charlotte, (Wynonna Ryder) I had impure thoughts about Joe Peretti, the convent's caretaker and school bus driver.
It's really no wonder so many of us crushed over Schoeffling who gave amazing big screen face. The Pennsylvania born and raised Schoeffling paid for acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in Manhattan by making the most of his beautiful face. In the early to mid-eighties, he worked as a model appearing numerous time in GQ, including on the cover. Schoeffling also worked with some of the best photograpers at the time, including shooting with Bruce Weber.
After appearing in a small uncredited role in the 1984 Sean Penn and Elizabeth McGovern film Racing With The Moon, later that year, Schoeffling got his big break with Sixteen Candles. The actor followed that up with Vision Quest the following year in 1985. The actor's last three films were; Longtime Companion, (1989) Mermaids, and his last film Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken in 1991.
Despite his short, but impressive career, it's his role as Jake that most people remember. For Valentine's Day 2004, twenty years after the film's American premiere, The Washington Post published an article entitled 'Real Men Can't Hold a Match to Jake Ryan of Sixteen Candles' The article focused on the character's enduring appeal.
Schoeffling & Phoebe Cates
Schoeffling sadly, for us anyway, left acting in the early 1990's and open a woodworking shop focused on making handcrafted furniture. He also married, had children, and according to reports, is now the CEO of his own company focused on making hand-crafted items.
When Schoeffling left Hollywood, he didn't appear to have any second thoughts. I don't believe he's ever dipped his foot back in, even avoiding interviews and the many convention appearances he's frequently invited to. You can check out a great interview from 1985 on Youtube where he talks about his first few roles HERE:
Given the theme of FH, whenever I feature an actor, I try to find a nude scene. Sadly, make that tragically, Schoeffling doesn't have any on his resume. The closest is maybe a love scene in a 1986 episode of The Hitchhiker. (below) Sadly, the actors is only seen shirtless and the nudity is from his female co-star. Still, he looks great! You can watch the entire episode on Youtube HERE:
The only other scene that comes close, is the weigh in scene from Vision Quest. Although Schoeflling keeps his boxers on, there is gym filled of hotties in their undies, and a quick butt shot from actor Michael Modine. Check it out in the post below.
Mermaids (1990)
I want a serious girlfriend. Somebody I can love, that's gonna love me back. Is that psycho?
Jake
No comments:
Post a Comment